Effie's Restaurant

4.2

813 Reviews

$30 and under

Greek

Neighbourhood gem
Great for outdoor dining
Good for business meals

Effie's Restaurant, a little townhouse located on Antique Row in Center City, is reminiscent of a Greek taverna. Specialties include grilled whole fish, octopus salad, famous lamb dishes, moussaka, and the best Greek salad in town! Join us for dinner to try our new menu items. We feature outdoor seating in our lovely garden area.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Greek, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 16:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:30–21:30
Phone number
(215) 592-8333
Website
http://www.effiesrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Effie Bouikidis Schweich
Catering
Everything from our dinner menu is available for catering.

Location
1127 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Area
Center City
Cross Street
11th
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Get off at 11th & Walnut
Additional
Banquet, BYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access

Popular dishes

TzatzikiUS$6.50
HummusUS$6.50
G DolmadesUS$6.50
MeletzanosalataUS$6.50
Grilled FetaUS$8.50
hot peppers, tomatoes
PatatesUS$7.00
french fries, lemon aioli
SaganakiUS$8.50
lightly floured and seared kasseri cheese
Spanakopita (2)US$10.50
spinach, scallion dill, feta, phyllo dough parcel
ThessalonikiUS$16.00
tzatziki, hummus, meletzanosalata, olives, feta, dolmades
Mussels SaganakiUS$12.50
sauteed mussels, feta, spicy mustard sauce
Fried CalamariUS$13.50
lightly flowered

What 813 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.2Food
4.3Service
4.1Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Effie's Restaurant was a beloved neighborhood gem known for its "excellent food" and "friendly service." This family-run eatery offered authentic Greek cuisine, large portions, and a cozy atmosphere. Although it has now closed, Effie's left a lasting impression and fond memories for its loyal patrons over the years.

813 Reviews

B
Barb
Houston
1 review
vip
1.0
1 review
Dined on 22 August 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Closed when we arrived. Take it off the open table app.
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M
Mary
New York City
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on 16 August 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
After making a reservation we arrived to find that this restaurant was closed.
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D
Daniel
Philadelphia
12 reviews
1.0
12 reviews
Dined on 14 August 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
CLOSED—This restaurant suddenly closed (I saw people eating there just a few days before) while still accepting reservations. The telephone went straight to answering machine.
1 person found this helpful
R
Richard
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 3 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I think we were the last guests on the last day of operation. As we left the restaurant, I gave Effie a big hug and she gave me containers of olives and feta and a vase full of flowers. from one of the tables I was probably one of her first guests almost 30 years ago as I've lived next door since she opened. And so ended 40 years of the Boukidis family running restaurants on Pine Street all within a half block of each other. Pine Street Pizza, run by Effie's dad Paul, was where I picked up my weekly spinach calzone on the way to "dinner" at Dirty Franks. The family opened the restaurant Paul, after Paul passed away. Amazing food, but the restaurant was short lived. But by far, Effie's became the flagship restaurant in the neighborhood with authentic Greek food and plenty of outside seating options. on our quaint little street which came alive every evening. I have many memories from eating there...like the time I was so engrossed in the new friend I brought there, that I forgot to pay...and 20 minutes later there was a knock on my door from one of the wait staff. Embarrassing. But being a regular had benefits...and Loula or Effie would always make sure my favorite dessert, galaktoboureko, made it to my table with their compliments. So congratulations to Effie for creating this gem in our neighborhood and for keeping the restaurant open and successful through many challenges including COVID. It was wonderful to be a customer, neighbor, and friend of the family. And on behalf of the neighbors, we wish her luck in the next phase of her life.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 2 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So sad to see a neighborhood institution leave! But it was such a wonderful way to end 25 years!!!
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P
Peter
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I’ve been going to Effie’s for 30 years. Always have an enjoyable time. Sad to hear it is closing. ❤️
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r
richojr
Philadelphia
59 reviews
vip
4.0
59 reviews
Dined on 1 August 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Our first visit. My wife’s first lamb in 15 years. She really enjoyed it. It would have been an outstanding visit across the board if it hadn’t been for a table of thirty something women who felt the need to outshout each other.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 24 July 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A true gem in Philadelphia. Effie's will be missed!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Veneto
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 19 July 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The restaurant seem to be understaffed the night we were there. We sat outside. The food is delicious.
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c
csays
Philadelphia
35 reviews
vip
3.0
35 reviews
Dined on 10 July 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Neighborhood gem. Very small. Family run. Good food. Large portions. Friendly service. Even has a small outside dining space away from the street. Definitely worth a visit.
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FAQs

Effie's Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 592-8333.

Effie's Restaurant is rated 4.2 stars by 813 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

1127 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
11th
Area
Center City
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 16:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:30–21:30
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Greek, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Get off at 11th & Walnut
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Effie Bouikidis Schweich
Additional
Banquet, BYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.effiesrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(215) 592-8333
Catering
Everything from our dinner menu is available for catering.

Effie's Restaurant

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Popular dishes

Spanakopita

Moussaka

Moussaka or Pastitsio

Menu

Family Style Appetizers

TzatzikiUS$6.50

HummusUS$6.50

G DolmadesUS$6.50

MeletzanosalataUS$6.50

Grilled FetaUS$8.50

PatatesUS$7.00

SaganakiUS$8.50

Spanakopita (2)US$10.50

ThessalonikiUS$16.00

Mussels SaganakiUS$12.50

Fried CalamariUS$13.50

What 813 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Effie's Restaurant offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Effie's Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is Effie's Restaurant currently accepting bookings?

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information