New Port Richey just caught a delicious Mediterranean breeze with the opening of Ela Greek, a Greek-Cypriot restaurant that’s already becoming the talk of downtown. Located in the heart of NPR, this new spot delivers authentic flavors that both Greek food enthusiasts and curious newcomers will appreciate.
The Space
Address: 6238 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: 727-232-2825
Walking into Ela, you’re immediately transported to the Mediterranean with its distinctive blue and cream exterior and thoughtfully designed interior. Walking in sets the tone for what’s to come – a genuine cultural experience rather than a watered-down interpretation.
The restaurant offers plenty of indoor seating with photo murals adorning the walls that showcase scenes from Greece and Cyprus, creating an atmosphere that feels both transported and comfortable. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for a relaxed family dinner or meet friends for a quick lunch.
The Menu: A Mediterranean Journey
Ela’s menu reads like a love letter to Greek and Cypriot cuisine, with enough familiar favorites to welcome newcomers while offering authentic specialties that will excite those already well-versed in Mediterranean food.
For starters, the spread selection (literally) is impressive – beyond the expected tzatziki ($8) and hummus ($8), you’ll find more distinctive options like tyrokafteri ($9), a spicy feta cheese spread that wakes up your taste buds, and taramosalata ($9), a Greek-style red caviar spread that’s rarely found outside specialty Greek establishments.
The warm appetizer section shines with both Greek classics and Cypriot specialties. The dolmades ($9) – grape leaves stuffed with rice, onions, and spices – are prepared traditionally, while the Cypriot kofta ($12) offers a unique take on meatballs by combining ground beef, pork, potatoes, and herbs. For seafood lovers, the chargrilled octopus ($19) has already earned praise for its tender texture and simple olive oil and vinegar preparation.
Main courses cover all the bases from handheld options like various gyro and souvlaki wraps ($12-14) to hearty traditional entrees including pastitsio ($16) – a Greek lasagna of sorts with oven-baked pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel – and moussaka ($16), the famous layered eggplant and meat dish topped with creamy béchamel.
A clever addition to the menu is the build-your-own lunch bowl ($13), which allows diners to customize their meal by selecting a base (rice, mixed greens, french fries, or lemon potatoes), protein (various gyro options, souvlaki, kebab, or shrimp), toppings, and dressings. It’s a smart way to introduce Greek flavors in a format familiar to modern diners.
For cheese enthusiasts, the saganaki ($10) – pan-fried Greek cheese – and halloumi ($16) – grilled Cypriot cheese – offer indulgent experiences that showcase two of the Mediterranean’s most beloved dairy products.
Local Reception
Despite being newly opened, Ela has already garnered enthusiastic reviews from locals. One diner with a party of nine reported that “everyone loved what they had from the sourdough bread all the way to the orange cake,” suggesting that the restaurant handles large groups with ease and consistency.
Another reviewer praised the freshness of the food, specifically highlighting the pastitsio, Greek fries, and dolmades as standouts. The sentiment that New Port Richey needed a Greek restaurant downtown was echoed by multiple reviewers, with one stating they were “excited we have a Greek restaurant in downtown New Port Richey” and expressing their intention to become “a regular.”
Even on opening day, the restaurant seems to have delivered on both food quality and service, with one patron noting the “friendly and attentive” service and the “great flavor” of their pork gyro, along with generous portion sizes.
Fitting Into the Local Scene
Ela arrives at a time when downtown New Port Richey’s restaurant scene is evolving, and it fills a distinct niche for Mediterranean cuisine. While offering plenty of traditional Greek and Cypriot dishes, the restaurant also acknowledges its Florida location with items like the Floridian Greek Salad ($15), a clever nod to the regional variation.
Bottom Line
For locals familiar with Greek cuisine, Ela brings authentic flavors and dishes that had previously required a drive out of NPR. For those new to Mediterranean food, the restaurant offers accessible entry points while still maintaining authenticity.
With generous portions, reasonable prices ($8-19 for most items), and a diverse menu that includes both familiar options and specialties, Ela! seems positioned to become a staple in downtown New Port Richey’s dining scene. The addition of an 18% gratuity for parties of five or more suggests they’re prepared for group dining, while a food allergy notice regarding peanut oil usage shows attention to dietary concerns.
If early reviews are any indication, this Greek-Cypriot restaurant might just become the Mediterranean gathering spot that New Port Richey didn’t know it needed. As one enthusiastic diner put it: “I’ll definitely be a regular!! Highly recommend and want them to thrive so please go support!”
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