Calypso’s Taverna

My favourite Greek food in Calgary. The saganaki is a must every time. I love this place

What lovely people!
Family owned and run Greek restaurant, with a feeling of dining at home. Such warm and friendly people, great service, great food and very reasonable prices.
We went in a big and loud group with lots of kids and high chairs and special requests, and quite frankly were a nightmare, but the staff, the owners and everyone was so welcoming and accommodating till the end.
One of my best dining experiences in Calgary!

great food, great service, everything is perfect. we were a big group of people, the waitress gave us great service, they were all very nice people.

A work colleague suggested we check out this resto because we love Greek food. We stopped in on a Friday night after work before heading to a movie.
We heard the portions were huge, so we avoided ordering appetizers. My husband had the kleftiko with a Greek salad side. The lamb (kleftiko) was delicious, probably the best I’ve tasted. The salad and other sides were average. My husband’s version of Greek salad is tastier.
I ordered the spanakopita. It was fantastic — even better than the one I make myself. It had a great flavour. The only downside is that it seemed to have been reheated, not made ‘fresh’. I had the lemon rice soup, avoglemono, which came with the meal. It was good, with big chunks of chicken, but I missed the lemony tang I expected, and I felt it was not enough flavour for me and it had a bit too much rice, which I didn’t finish.
The roasted potatoes were good as well, but not enough lemon flavour for my palate. I agree with other reviewers, the entrée veggies are not good enough for a restaurant meal. My green beans tasted over-​cooked and tough at the same time, and were bland.
We didn’t order anything but our main dishes because we didn’t want a ‘huge’ meal but it still felt like a lot of food. I almost wish they would provide smaller portions, especially of the sides.
We plan to go back because the spanakopita and the kleftiko were so tasty. I’d like to try the moussaka and an appetizer next time.
Our waitress was friendly and helpful, if a bit ‘rough around the edges’ — leaving used plates on the table, etc. The atmosphere is better than expected for how it looks from the outside. I would recommend this to friends looking for a mid-​priced, value-​added meal (if you like a LOT of food). The food came very fast, so it was perfect for a movie night.
Food ⁷⁄₁₀
Atmosphere ⁶⁄₁₀
Service ⁶⁄₁₀
Question: Why charge restaurant prices for cooked from frozen or reheated foods?

This greek restaurant offered exactly what we were looking for.
Though the calamari was obviously made from frozen rings, it was not overdone or chewy and their homemade tzatziski was one of the best I have ever had.
Entrees proved better still, the lamb is tender and nicely seasoned with tasty sides of chicken flavored rice, veggies and lemon potato. Hubby had the entrée dolmathes with lemon cream sauce and it was well balanced and a large portion. We will both be taking home leftovers.
Surprisingly large wine menu for a greek restaurant.
Friendly service to top it off. Running off their feet a little this friday evening.
We will return.

Apparently you can get loukoumades if you called ahead and ordered? What? Have yet to try it but the fact that the waitress knew what it was showed their true Greek origins.
Great family run business with a good menu.

Calamari was amazing! Roast lamb was delicious~ best in Calgary area (wish the tzatziki sauce came with the meal). Wanted to try the ek mek but was so full! Will definitely come back for it!

Greek food at its best! For appy, we ordered the Calamari. Tender and lightly battered; comes with tzatziki sauce and sliced raw red onions and parsley. Quite a large appy for 4 people.
We ordered the following for our meals:
Kleftiko — Roasted lamb with roasted potato, rice and steamed vegetables. Comes with choice of soup or salad — we ordered 2 orders of this wonderful Kleftiko and the 2 soups we had were the Fava bean tomatoey soup and the Chicken Rice Lemon Soup. Both soups were so hearty for a cold day like today.
Mousaka — Huge and I mean, huge slab of Mousaka! The Mousaka was nicely layered with zucchini, potatoes, bechamel & tomato meat sauce. This also came with rice, roasted potato and steamed veges.
Souvlaki — Lovely chunks of charbroiled lamb, cooked medium-​rare and definitely, cooked to perfection! The sides were also rice, potatoes and steamed vege.
Very fulfilling meal! We WILL be back!

First review in Canada. I wanted to have Greek and Unilocalers were right, this place is really good. Great staff, great family, and great food. Will visit again for sure and can see becoming a regular when here.

My stars are for the service. I wasn’t very pleased with the food… I came here on a Monday night. Absolutely quiet which was nice. The inside is very well decorated. Not too modern, and not too outdated. It felt cozy, and makes you forget that the restaurant is in a strip mall. Server greeted us right away at the door and sat us. Long Island ice tea was delicious and made perfectly.
Saganaki cheese was very soggy, and not crispy. Calamari did not taste fresh, and they only give you the rings not the tentacley ones (I LOVE the tentacley ones). The greek salad tasted like Sobey’s vegetables (hard and not much flavor), and the feta was just in a cube on top, not mixed in. Our main’s were gigantic and the rice was delicious but the potato was way over salted and the veggies tasted frozen.
The Ek Mek for dessert was the best part as well as the free birthday shot of that licorice tasting liquor.
Broken plate and Paros on Main were way better, so I don’t think I will return.

I live right beside 4^th n 40^th and wanted to take family for good Greek food. Unilocal showed the shoddy Stavros as an option. Wanting to impress my family in a positive light I kept searching. Fortunately, I came across Calypso.
This place was everything Stavros is not. Fair prices, amazing food, nice ambiance, and terrific service. We started with the Greek style ribs which were perfect. For entrees two of us had the succulent lamb, 1 had the seafood pasta and had enough for a second serving. The final order was the chicken souvlaki which was ample, fresh, and plump (unlike the many places which overcook and leave their meat to dry out). Additionally, nothing was doused in garlic/​oregano which seems all too popular.
After all was said and done the 4 of us had DELICIOUS food with an appie which cost $ 115 including a generous tip. A far cry better than the original suggestion from Unilocal of Stavros which charges $ 28 per 12″ pizza.
Looking forward to returning!

I really wanted to try this place as I love Greek food and it’s not hard to do it well. Unfortunately, I would’ve probably been better off at Opa’s. The service was mediocre, the greek salad was greasy and bland, the sides were basically frozen green beans. The lamb was passable and out of their 4 dessert options they only had one available. Not at all what I was expecting for the price point and not sure I would bother going again. Can’t believe all the rave reviews these guys get…

This place is okay. I felt that the vegetables were previously frozen and bland. The best part of my dinner was the lemon chicken rice soup. We ordered the salmon and it was slightly overcooked and dry. I ordered the calamari entrée and there was a ridiculous amount of calamari, but it was the ring kind that seemed to come from frozen as well. I think I would prefer Opa’s over this joint, especially for the price. I also thought it wasn’t super classy to have thick plastic over the tables, it made me feel like I was a little kid again — and not in a good way.

I’ve been wanting to try out this restaurant for quite some time. The kids have been eating Greek since they were wee little ones so I knew they would enjoy this experience.
After receiving our drinks (beer for the man, wine for me), we started with the Trio of dips & pita which was super delicious. Husband ordered the Rib Platter… we’ve heard great things about the ribs here and we can now proclaim every single one of them is true. The kids shared a kids version of the Chicken Souvlaki and being in the mood for chicken, I had the Chicken Souvlaki as well.
Holy big plates batman. Yes there was a lot of food. The salads came first and the rest arrived hot and was very tasty.
We browsed the dessert menu and I was elated to discover Ekmek on the menu. I first tried Ekmek 23+ years ago in the small town I grew up in. A new greek restaurant came to town and they had Ekmek. It was love at first bite and I have always remembered how much I loved this dessert. But it is hard to come by. Many greek restaurants do not make and/​or serve it. Well Calypso’s not only serves it they make the best Ekmek I’ve ever had. You must try it, simply delicious.
Everything was delightful, from our awesome server down to the lovely but simple décor in the restaurant.
Calypso we adore you. Will see you again soon.

When hunger pangs hit, you can just about guarantee hearty portions and lots of flavour if you hit up a Greek restaurant… especially when run by a Greek family. Are any of the Greek places in town run by non Greeks? Somehow I don’t think so.
Calypso’s Taverna didn’t exist when I first moved to Calgary. I do believe it’s been around about 4 years or so. And unless you know to go, you’d probably drive by it every time you come down Centre Street. It’s another one of those, «I’m an amazing restaurant hidden in a strip mall» kind of places we seem to have so much of.
When you visit, you’ll no doubt run into Popy. You’ll enjoy her. I promise. And you should, of course, order yourself some food. We started with the baked feta and olives, it came with some pita to dip in there. Yum. All I’ve heard anything about at Calypso’s is the Kleftiko — even the menu says it’s the house specialty… «lamb slowly roasted to perfection.» Well, if perfection is intended to be a succulent piece of meat that wraps my tastebuds in a blanket of flavourful juices, then I guess it must be true.
Drink wise… there was something with mango juice and some alcohol. Can I remember what it was called? Nay. But if you like fruity, it’ll do ya fine!
Good for: large group dinners, date, birthday party, anniversary, lunch, or anyone with a large appetite.

I am Archimedes. I am a nymph frolicking in the woodlands. I am a demi-​god.
Oh, wait, my mistake, I have just stuffed myself with so much calamari that I am obviously hallucinating.
This place is great, it is not adorned with terrible fake pillars and your eyes are not bombarded by a colour palette comprised entirely of blue and white (bad Greek or euro trash music though). The family that owns this place is very friendly and accommodating, we have been here with a party of 4, 6, 8 and 20 and every time the service has been fabulous. Also go here if you are Greek, cause they will love you. I always go with my Greek friend (as I am a little too Dutch) and they always bring us Ouzo for the table and are attempting to set her up now with their son.
The food is to die for, I will eat an entire discus full of their tzatziki. If you order any of their dinners you will be stuffed, the Calamari dinner is a plate full of breaded squid goodness with lemon potato, rice and veggies (and of course it comes with tzatziki!). You also get your choice to start with a Greek salad, soup or a plain boring ol’ green salad, but why would you order that in a Greek restaurant!
The starters are great such as the sanganki and their desserts will put you into a phyllo pastry overload, but it is so worth it.
I am not giving Calypso a full 5 because their side veggies have been steamed to death, or maybe they came out of a bag, but they are no good, and I can’t say I have really tested the rest of the mains as I ALWAYS get the calamari dinner.
Come down, meet Popi, order a Mythos and prepare to enjoy your meal!

I don’t and haven’t had Greek food often but I really enjoyed my dinner here.
Don’t let the name fool you! It’s not ‘tavern’-like, it’s a restaurant! hehehe.
Prices seem to be the same as other Greek resto’s… give or take $ 1 – 2.
Saganaki was cool — the flaming cheese — I’m sure it’s the same everywhere.
Others ordered the moussaka which I had a taste of and it was good — I would order this for myself next time I go.
I had lamb souvlaki and it was cooked to my preference and came with a side of tzatziki (yummm!), rice, roasted potatoes (yummm), and veggies.
Overall a good meal.
Great service, and helpful staff.
Authentic.
Moussaka was gooooood!
Left full and I didn’t have any room for baklava… so next time I must leave some room for the baklava! :)

Upgrading Calypso’s to the totally earned five stars. What a good place to visit!
Food quality is as great as I remember it after two years, and service is equally awesome. Friendly, useful, professional. I just love every of my visits to Calypso’s and will be back again, for sure.
It is on a pricey side, ok, but in this case you get what you’ve paid for — hefty portions of great, authentic food. I guess I’ve eaten half of their menu, which means I have a lot of wonderful stuff yet to discover!
Honestly love to see a business working well for years. Congratulations Calypso’s, you are doing a very good job.
Tested, proved, and recommended wholeheartedly.

A pretty solid Greek cuisine, and a fine dining atmosphere/​décor, though with the casual attitude.
Ordered the calamari & their house lamb specialty, one piece on the bone, cooked very tender to fall off nicely.
calamari came w/​lots of red onion, but cut thin and long. Great sauce.
Entrée came w/​rice, steamed veggies which was nice, and a relatively small portion of potato, prob. a third?
Nice booth seating along the wall, and good place to have a group party. Limited parking in this small strip plaza.
also have to say the server was quite friendly, even when I ordered hot water — came w/​a slice of lemon, nice touch. Rather tip more than ordering any sugary or alcoholic drinks ;)

A great find off the beaten path.
This Greek restaurant has an understated décor, no blue and white theme and plethora of faux Greek god statues adorning the premises. Dare I say it was tasteful, which was somewhat surprising given it’s strip mall location. Okay, maybe not the vinyl tablecloths and the silk plants but not too bad in the whole Greek restaurant scheme of things.
The food itself was excellent. We arrived not starving hungry, so as enticing as the appetizers looked on the menu we opted to just have the dinner which included soup or salad, potatoes, rice and a vegetable. The salad options were Greek or Caesar. The Greek salad although tasty was highly overdressed and the salad bowls were an awkward shape which made it more difficult to eat then it needed to be.
When the mains arrived we were glad that we didn’t order appetizers because the portions were very generous. The Kleftiko (roasted lamb) was moist, tender and flavourful. The seafood souvlaki was fabulous and consisted of 2 good sized scallops, 2 jumbo prawns, and 2 large chunks of salmon. All components of the souvlaki were seasoned and cooked perfectly with the tzatziki a perfect addition.
The service was friendly and attentive and the bar menu offered an adequate number of options. I would not hesitate to return for a really nice Greek meal. Opa! 4.5 stars