Ephesus Torquay in Torbay

Fantastic food with great service in a nice setting. Hope to be back soon!

Great food, friendly and attentive service . Reasonably priced menu with full array of Greek and Turkish cuisine . Very generous portion sizes.

Another of Torquay's great restaurants, Ephesus. A fusion of Greek and Turkish cuisine, with fine blend of taste and flavour. This popular harbourside restaurant moved from it's previous location on Torwood Street to a central position on the Strand, in place to become a feature venue on the new harbourside development. The restaurant has been refitted in a modern theme with a touch of eastern ambience, making for an enjoyable dinning experience.

Excellent food, efficient service and best of all no musak; just the lively buzz of conversation.

The food was fabulous,had good quality and more.Although it might not happen with you we were greeted and entertained or chatted with a worker.They delivered the amazing food in a short amount of time(the starters were also excellent).10/10 I would definitely recommend this yummy place!!!!

Amazing food, great service and a beautiful atmosphere. You won't be disappointed if you choose this place for your meal.

We d like say big thank you for all restaurant team looking after us very well This is family nice restaurant very warm welcome and quality service and delicious turkish food and Greek Thanks for everything well back soon

Absolutely beautiful food and staff in a lovely location. We will be back 😀

We were on a coach holiday and, as there is no Greek or Turkish in our home town, we decided to eat out on one evening, foregoing the dinner at the hotel. We were not to be disappointed. The food was excellent and served with a smile. In fact we got some very friendly banter going. Some reviews suggest that the portions are on the small side. I have a good appetite and couldn't finish my main. The boss even helped me to the Taxi and ensured that I had no difficulty getting into it (I am disabled). We probably won't be back in Torquay in a hurry but if we should return, we will definitely dine here again.

Went to Ephesus for birthday. Greeted with Birthday banner on table. Food was amazing, just writing this post makes me hungry. Potion size plenty. Ordered the Klefticos Lamb Shank £22.95, came in large soup dish, rich herb, vegetable tomato sauce,came with separate rice bowl. Truly stunning....partner ordered the Chicken Guvec, chicken marinated in a rich herb tomato sauce again with rice...both dishes a real treat. Drank the Rays Devon Dumpling... lovely fruity ale. Was so full ordered ice cream to share, but the staff came out with a complementary candle cake sweets and cream for me and sang Happy Birthday and customers joined in. Thank you too all the staff for amazing service, food and company. The lovely heartfelt birthday treat was special, don't stop doing that.🥰 I'll remember it always and can't wait to return next visit to Torquay. X

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had an absolutely fantastic dining experience at Ephesus ! The food was delicious, with every dish perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. But the real highlight of the evening was our waitress, Lilly. She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we sat down. Her recommendations were spot on, and she truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Lilly is a real credit to the restaurant—her warm personality and exceptional service made our evening extra special. Highly recommend, and we’ll definitely be back!

Looking at the number of positive reviews and the popularity of this place, I guess people must be easily pleased or have no idea what good food should taste like. Definitely the worst dining experience we have experienced for a long while. The hot meze sharing starter had underfilled parcels that were greasy and had no taste, only shavings of spicey sausage and peculiar tasting humous - there was hardly any food content on the plate. The main courses were smothered in tomato sauce and had dry bits of meat undereath, again underfilled with the contents that shoud have provided some taste. I could go on but, in summary, the dishes had little proper food content, were poor quailty, poorly cooked and overpriced for what they were. Oh and ther tables are so tightly packed, the noise was deafening and reminded us of our days eating school dinners. Needless to say, we won't be returning.

The worst dinner ever!!!! We had a lamb souvlaki that it wasn't a lamb (probably pork), dry and under cooked, a greek salad with feta that it was white cheese, not feta, dolmadakia that they was cold from a can and a tzatziki that it was just.. ok.... Over priced and terrible food.... This restaurant was my choice and I was very lucky that my friend had a great sense of humor, otherwise it would have been extremely awkward!!! That restaurant deserves less than 1 star.. !

One of the better restaurants in Torquay,

Awful experience: Although the food was amazing, cannot fault it whatsoever, we had an awful experience. I was served a glass of coke that was chipped which resulted in me cutting my lip. Asked a waitress for the manager just so we can address the situation. 6 minutes passed and nothing. A bartender came over with a coke, which now reflecting on it I do appreciate however we asked for the manager. Another 7 minutes passed and the manager finally came over. Felt like there was no sympathy for the situation, and I asked why a customer with a cut lip and bloody mouth had to wait 10+ minutes for a manager and the response was "we are very busy" which yes I get but as protocol for an injured (light injury I know) customer and there was no recognition for this. She said she was in the kitchen helping out so I asked, what her response was to the two members of staff that asked for her to come see an injured customer and all I got was, we are a family run business and very busy. Wasn't offered any first aid, wasn't asked to put it in the accident book. Just the same comment over and over again. We didn't expect a refund straight away but would've appreciated a comment like "what can we do to make this better" so yes we did ask for a refund on 1 of the meals. I was heated in the moment but felt I was still respectful and said she was a lovely person and I don't want to be that person but ultimately I had to wait over 10 minutes to be seen to whilst I had tissue to my mouth, its unacceptable. I did also mention that the food was amazing, because it was, couldn't fault it. The worst part of it all was when I mentioned two members of staff went to go get her, she said "well you know what the youth are like these days" which I felt was very disrespectful to the young blonde waitress upstairs and bartender with glasses. It was almost like she was saying they are useless, it was an embarrassing comment to hear. Unfortunately we won't be returning due to this experience. I am thoroughly annoyed with the way the situation was dealt with, very unprofessional and felt like they didn't care and only cared about telling me to appreciate that it's a very busy restaurant and that it's family run. But if I had slipped and broken my arm, I'm assuming they would've ran up to me. We experienced this Saturday 12th.

My friend and I booked a table here on a Thursday evening. Upon entering you immediately see a fine restaurant that’s well lit, has modern contemporary decor with a twist and the ambiance is perfect for the evening. I particularly liked the chairs, style, colour and comfort factor. A very Mediterranean themed interior. You felt like you were on holiday. The staff are in traditional black and are prompt, attentive and courteous. I had a bottle of Greek Mythos whilst my friend opted for a soft drink. No starters, straight to the main meal itself. I ordered the Islim dish. This consists of boneless lamb wrapped in fried aubergine slices & topped with grilled peppers served with a homemade tomato sauce. It’s served with rice. My friend chose the hot mix meze platter. Selection includes sucuk, hellim, rulo borek, mitit kofte & muska borek. Also the chicken souflaki which was marinated pieces of chicken breast barbecued on the skewer. Both dishes were delicious and generous in portion. The presentation was faultless. It’s very reasonably priced and staff were very pleasant and professional. Highly recommended.

Imagine if wetherspoons did greek food and you get the idea. Service was staggeringly poor also.

Ephesus in Torquay, UK, is a restaurant offering an authentic Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine experience. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complemented by elegant decor that reflects the cultural roots of the place. The menu is extensive and diverse, with an excellent selection of traditional Turkish dishes, such as mezes, kebabs and moussaka. The ingredients are fresh and the flavors well balanced, highlighting the use of aromatic spices that enhance each dish. The portions are generous and the presentation is careful. Among the most recommended dishes are grilled lamb and homemade falafel, both very tasty. The staff is friendly and attentive, offering recommendations on dishes and making sure the experience is pleasant. They also have a good selection of wines and drinks that complement the food. Ephesus is an ideal location for both a casual dinner and a special occasion. It is a highly valued restaurant in Torquay, both by locals and visitors, for its authenticity and quality. Without a doubt, it is an excellent option if you are looking for a Mediterranean gastronomic experience.

Delicious Greek foods. Enjoy good attention and beautiful restaurant.

Great location for a multi-floored large Turkish/Greek restaurant near the harbour. They have moved recently from just up the road to this classy building with nice original features. Multiple serving staff were all great and attentive but not overbearing. Solid local choice for quality food. We ordered both the cold and hot mix platter starters for 2 with the mixed grill main and brought them all out together with a lot of warm pitta. A good mix and we particularly liked the marinated lamb and chicken in the mixed grill - really nice. Next time we will try a dish with more of the lamb or chicken as there were only a few large pieces each. Nice trying the local bottled ale, The Devon Dumpling. The Devon Dumpling pub in Torquay was out of it on our visit so good to try it here. Good 5.1% strength and nothing to do with dumplings. The Turkish coffee at the end was fun as well with sweet baklava. Will return.

What a wonderful restaurant! Friendly staff. Good range of food, made making a decision what to have difficult 😁 Food presentation,flavour and quality was great. Easy to recommend. Good atmosphere, bustling.

Went here on a Sunday night for a meal. Everything was excellent, nice, friendly staff and great food. I shall be back for more.

Great food, rather expensive and soft drinks very small

Excellent food, great service and fab atmosphere. What more can you ask for. We didn't have a reservation but although it was extremely busy, they accommodated us. I'd highly recommend booking in advance.

Great decor, great service and amazing food

Lovely food. Gluten free options, reasonably priced and still serving after 10pm which was great for us!

Best restaurant in Torquay, amazing food, service and atmosphere xx we have been here multiple times and never been disappointed we have recommend to family and friends and will be back again

Great food and great service. The staff was very polite and carful with all our requests. Food was very well done and presented

Great food and great staff :) Would recommend to anyone who appreciates greek cuisine :D

"The ambience is nice. The food is excellent, and the staff are friendly."

Amazing flavour and presentation of food. Staff could not be more accommodating of our needs. All service provided with a smile. Best eating out experience I have had since before COVID and I eat out regularly. I think a day trip to Torquay to have a meal at Ephesus to be arranged.

5 stars all around. Made a booking early in the day. It was packed, but we found the entire experience delightful. Chatted with nearby diners, it was not super loud, all employees were very attentive, and we received our meal quickly. Decor was tasteful and the food was delicious. 😁Compliments to the chef and wonderful staff!

Been here few times before and always fantastic. We went there on a busy Saturday evening and place was buzzing. Food was delicious and service was attentive and friendly. Will be back next time in torquay.

Lovely meal here Friday evening. We had hummus with bread for starter .. really good. I was surprised you had to buy bread, it didn’t come as standard with a couple of dips like most places I’ve been but saying that, I think you pay for location. All the food was delicious. We had a lovely waitress.

The food was superb, seriously couldn’t fault it. The waitress was incredibly attentive. We asked for no mozzarella in the soup, unfortunately it came with it, however the waitress walking by noticed this and immediately took it away and had it replaced. The atmosphere was very friendly and all the staff were friendly and helpful. Would certainly recommend.

Fabulous food and equally excellent service. Our waitress Heather went over and above to make the visit second to none. Such a lovely restaurant to spend our last night in Torquay and definitely the best stifado ever!

We visited as a group of 6 for a friends birthday on a busy Friday evening! The food was absolutely delicious and the staff couldn't do more for you! We bought our own cake , the staff came out singing with it and made a fuss of the birthday girl! Will 100% be returning and have already recommended to friends and family ☺️

We didn't book a table, we were lucky they found room for us. The food was amazing, staff friendly and very helpful. Prices for drinks are high. The Lamb kleftiko was delicious with the lamb falling off the bone and melting in you mouth, the flavours just perfect. Mixed meat souvlaki, again rich in flavour and the meat tender, This is a dry dish, so we share the juices from the kleftiko

Credits to Heather for her amazing service. Her positive attitude really made our day. As for the food she was really speedy and overall really loved Heather's service😁😁😁

Tried the new restaurant position in Torquay which is a more modern setting than the last place, food was pretty poor really, The Chicken Souflaki, chicken was dry, limp salad and boiled rice ( expensive £20.95 ) Friend had the Lamb Moussaka at £19.95 and was sent back for something else, hardly any lamb in the Moussaka.

Fabulous dinner. Very very busy. Great place to meet up with friends. Reservations a must.

Really enjoyed an excellent meal here with friends, The food was yummy staff was helpful and friendly despite it being mega busy. The place had a real buzz about it. Highly recommend going here.

Popped in here for a meal for two. Never tried a Greek / Turkish restaurant before but glad we did. But myself and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Service was quick and attentive despite it being busy at the time. We'll definitely try it again if we're back in the area.

Very fine dining offering Turkish and Greek cuisine. Friendly staff

The food quality, portion sizes, service is way below compare to other Turkish restaurants, however the price is not as low as their taste, or service. Would not recommend at all.

Ambience is 👌Food is first class and the staff are polite, helpful, friendly & obliging. Excellent service and food perfect. Thank you Xx

Fantastic food,,great service, excellent staff

I will start off by admitting that I am particularly discerning when it comes to Greek food. However this restaurant is just mediocre. Our online reservation never made it into the queue so we had to wait for a table. Once seated we ordered Greek salads, they were small bowls of diced tomatoes, onions, cubes of feta, and bell pepper, with black and green olives. The dressing was a watery vinegar and the olives were not Greek Kalamata or anything close, but were the cheap canned type. The fried calamari appetizer consisted of chewy 2-3 inch rings and a small portion. The dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) were likely canned as well, and the waitress admitted they were brought in from outside and not made in house. The mixed grill was 2 small pieces of lamb, 2 chicken wings, a Turkish sausage and 4 chicken pieces. The dish was pretty good, but the lamb was tough. The highlight was the pita bread and sauces. Very disappointing to say the least. Service was also a bit spotty with no water refills and poor communication.

A lovely welcome at the door, enough space to sit, the service was realy friendly and attentive. The food was so good we decided to come back here in the second week of our holidays.

Ephesus is full of Mediterranean character presented in a stylish manner. Front of house work hard to give diners a fabulous unhurried dining experience to savour and enjoy.. (Nothing worse than dining and feel theres a stop watch on your table) Perfect for a holiday dine out or to gather family and friends to relax and communicate innthis great space enjoying a Greek/Turkish mediterránean hot or cold mezz, followed by Souvlaki, Ephesus chicken or other tasty mains. Wines are our choice and the odd Mythos (when super thirsty) and there are some great choices... Be back soon..

If you've eaten at Greek or Turkish restaurants, don't expect it to be the same here. The food is good but there is still work to be done to be very good. If you will definitely be successful in the future. I speak from experience and I am a customer with refined taste.

We came on a Friday night after not booking but were thankfully able to get a table for 2. This restaurant came recommended and I am so glad we came. Food was flawless and staff were great with food coming in good time but not rushed. Would definitely come again if we lived here

Great service and delicios food. Staff is super friendly and supportive.

As you walk in, you are welcomed immediately by the stunning design, furnishings lighting and ambience. The service is fantastic and the food, wow, really fresh, very tasty, and lots of it, will definitely be back

This restaurant is definitely worth visiting when in the Torquay area. They brought me another food on the first night, but I didn't want to change it, so I had to go second day also to try that lamb, which was delicious 😋.

Lovley food quick service helpful staff a bit pricey but eating out is now days nice for a treat 😁

Nice meal, child friendly, good food

Went on a Monday and it was crowded so had high expectations. Had meatballs to start which came with a tomato sauce the lamb balls lacked flavour but sauce was okay, we shared. Mains were okay but expected it to be much better considering the price. Service was excellent just wish the food was too.

The food was really fantastic, full of flavour and beautifully cooked. The wait staff are not particularly attentive though but it's definitely worth going if you're prepared to be patient. I went on a Saturday night which is obviously going to be busy and I did find myself sitting in the middle of the floor which is not my favourite but when it's packed someone needs to sit there! I would definitely go back and bring people I like with me but probably wouldn't take anyone that whinges about wait times.

Good food and friendly service. Wings were a bit dry for me. No decaf coffee.

Absolutely delicious food and the friendliest staff!

Shared a hot mezze and a cold mezze. Delicious food, good portion sizes!

Very nice. Pleasant atmosphere, nice ambiance. Great food. Would definitely go back.

Food was okay, and that was at best. Portions were not representing the cost. Really would not bother.

Nice food and service. Really disappointed they’ve taken the falafel off the menu though. I also feel perhaps they could decrease the portion size and charge a little less. You get a huge amount of food for your money but (for me at least) it was too much to comfortably eat.

A lovely restaurant with super attentive and nice staff. Food quality is top. A gem in Torquay for sure.

Commercial but with a nice family feel. The food was lovely and the staff first class. Very popular, so book early. All the options I've tried have been good.

First time visiting this place, the staff were really welcoming. We had the meze platter to start and lamb klefticos and beef stifado for mains ,the portion sizes are very generous, we couldn't fit a dessert in. Would definitely recommend this restaurant.

I've been wanting to try Ephesus since relocating to Torquay and finally got to visit last night, we were a party of four. It's a big space, which was already busy and had quite a nice atmosphere. We shared starters - auburgine dish, homous and hellim, all priced 7.95 with some bread - whilst good, they did seem a little expensive and we had to order some bread. The mains were really disappointing - lamb souflaki and chicken wings, just unappetisingly plonked on the plate, a small salad and plain rice - all very underwhelming and for the price, expensive and disappointing. Very doubtful I will be heading back.

I went with my Mrs to have a dinner meal . The staff was so friendly and service above expectation. I order one of Specialist dish (Iskander ) so Tasty. Highly recommended to stop and try food there .

The service was very good, and the food was served quickly and efficiently, which was very surprising as the restaurant was extremely busy. The food was hot, well presented, and good size portions. However, it just seemed to be missing something, which is why I have rated a 4 star as you can't give 4.5.

Lovely place, staff are attentive and polite, the food is fresh and tasty, would definitely recommend and will return

Lovely Lovely dinner for my friend's birthday, The staff where friendly and welcoming.

Good choice. Good value for money. Did get a bit hectic and chaotic but was a full house.

Sadly a bit of a disaster, seated at 8pm. No food or drinks, lilly did a great job entertaining the guests but kitchen weren't listening, people waited an hour or an hour and a half to get food and then when it finally arrived it was disappointing with small portions for the money, which is a great shame as the decor was lovely

Very tasty and good sized portions. All of the staff were very helpful and we were serviced quickly considering it was a bank holiday Saturday. In terms of access for wheelchair users, there is a level access standard doorway at the front of the restaurant and a clear path around to the bar with multiple table options all giving space. There is a ground floor accessible toilet off the restaurant but you may need to ask guests to move if you want to access it. Staff were helpful and could provide a paper straw for drinks which was helpful too

Absolutely delicious food, lovely atmosphere and great service. 10/10 would recommend.

Absolutely fantastic food, meat cooked to perfection. Fast service even when very busy. Delicious, highly recommend

Brilliant service , lovely meals and great atmosphere 👌 spot on! Thank you guys.

An amazing, new outfit restaurant in an amazing location with wonderful staff and outstanding food

Great restaurant, lovely and spacious, great waiting staff. Loved the food.

Been to new Ephesus last week It was truly amazing experience very friendly and knowledgeable staff they recommend the dishes and excellent Ephesus red wine, Beautifully design great food Great staff 👍 Thank you for fantastic evening

I took my Son and his girlfriend for dinner on Thursday 18th April. I was so disappointed with the standard of food. I booked a table on line, which was confirmed. When we arrived, it didn't seem as if we were expected and were shown to an unlaid table. The food was not freshly cooked but seemed to be re-heated. My Son lives in London and said the food was London prices but not up to standard. The staff seemed totally uninterested and were just going through the motions.. I don't expect to go again. I wish that I had booked Harbour 16 instead.

The place is so nice, the staff told us they relocated recently, I loved the food and service as they were so friendly, Aynur served us, she gave permission for me to put it out there that she is fantastic. Well lit and decorated

Very attentive staff and superb food

Fabulous as always!!! And the new premises are wonderful

Went on recommendation when we were visiting the area. We were warmly welcomed on arrival and were impressed by the interior traditional decor. My wife and I enjoyed excellent food and great service. Value for money was good too, for the standard.

Amazing food amazing owners what a place please go and try the food you won’t be disappointed!!! Great value for money !!!! 10out off 10 !!! Best place in torquay !!!

Amazing food amazing staff and owners what a place to dine please give this place a try you won’t be disappointed!!! 5 star

Excellent Turkish food. The portions were huge. We definitely didn't leave hungry! Great ambience with attentive staff.

Absolutely love this place - the food is fresh and tasty, the staff are really friendly and welcoming and the harbour location is great for people watching in the evening sunshine … we will be back very soon - thanks guys 🙏🏽

What a gem! Have visited before when they were further up the hill but the new restaurant is stunning and the good news is the food is equally stunning! The staff are all so friendly and the food is authentic and plentiful- a must visit in Torquay!

Delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly staff and classy decor. Really enjoyed ourselves for a birthday treat on a Saturday night

An excellent find. Real buzzy atmosphere. Great menu. Friendly staff and very pleasant decor. We had a lovely meal and would definitely return if we are in Torquay again!

Excellent food. Excellent service

Fabulous meal, exceptional staff, highly recommend.

Excellent experience in a beautifully decorated restaurant. The food was excellent and the mixed grill is highly recommended. The restaurant is often busy on a weekend so booking is advised. The service was very good and they seemed to coordinate everything very well with their headsets. This restaurant is definitely worth visiting when in the Torquay area.

We came to Ephesus for an early evening meal prior to a night out without booking so thank you for making us feel welcome great food just sat by the harbour wishing we were back in Greece a real gem to find

Great food, great service. Bit pricey, but overall a great restaurant.

Wonderful food, will definitely be back soon! The service was very friendly and attentive and the efes beer is a new favourite of mine!! Staff are very welcoming and composed. I couldn't help but notice how well they handled a tricky situation that had occurred with another table. You were 100% in the right there!