Some of the Mediterranean’s best hospitality can be found in Penticton

Anyone who's developed an appetite for authentic Greek food from a restaurant that recreated its own Mediterranean atmosphere probably already knows about Theo’s in Penticton.

The taste of the food and design of the building are equally memorable. Every item on the menu is prepared from scratch – from the tzatziki and souvlaki to the kreotopita and lagos stifath. Even the dips and ice cream are made on site. And each of the five dining rooms offer a different style of Greek decor in the the purpose-built restaurant.

One of the dining rooms, the Atrium, used to be outside – and it still feels that way thanks to the sunroof and vegetation – but it was renovated years ago to increase capacity during the winter months.

Not much else has changed though, most things at Theos have stayed the same since the doors first opened in 1976. Some customers get to enjoy the exact same meals their grandparents ordered in the 1970s.

“This was a major concern when I bought the restaurant,” said Greg Condonopoulos, who purchased the business in 2019 from the founder Theo Theodosakis.

But Condonopoulos never had any intention of shifting course by changing the menu.

“When you buy a legacy restaurant you have to check your ego at the door every day,” he said. “The foundation of the business is built on consistency.”

Locals who have never had the chance to travel to the Mediterranean may think of restaurant chains like OPA! of Greece and My Greek Taverna as “normal” Greek food. But only until they’ve experienced Theo’s.

“I would argue that this is the norm,” Condonopoulos said. “This is a good bench mark for what real, authentic Greek food is, and then when you go to Greece you’ll see for yourself.”

For those who are familiar with Greece, he said the architecture at Theo's emulates designs from the island of Crete.

“I’ve had customers tell me they’ve travelled all over Greece – and they say this is better than anywhere they’ve eaten in Greece,” Condonopoulos said.

Theo's is located at 687 Main St. Check out their menu online here, and book a reservation by calling 250-492-4019.

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