We visited Medusa @ Olive a traditional Greek taverna in a shipping container in Steelyard Kelham
Nestled within the stacked shipping container complex at Steelyard Kelham is a small slice of Greece. We visited to give the food a try and this is what we thought.
I’ve recently been reacquainting myself with parts of the city that have changed so dramatically since I moved away, and in this moment of witnessing the familiar and discovering new things I came across this unassuming restaurant – but, we don’t call it that, we should instead call it a Greek taverna.
Medusa @ Olive is the epitome of your traditional Greek taverna, a small restaurant that serves a variety of hearty, family-inspired cuisine.
Think grilled meats, fresh salads, olives, feta and other local specialities. It’s a cosy place, where people can gather to eat, drink, and socialise.
Once you take your seat you could be forgiven for taking a deep intake of breath if only to catch the salt of the sea in the air, all while appreciating a little shade from the 40ºc sun in the air.
Alas, we are in Sheffield where there’s no salt in the air, perhaps a little dust kicked up by the stones in the courtyard at Steelyard Kelham, and it’s overcast and deciding whether to rain or not.
What doesn’t dampen the spirits though is the greeting you will receive upon entering from the owner and chef, Iken, an incredibly polite man, who suggests the right table for you and gives you a moment before coming to take your order.
Sadly, I was driving on this occasion so it was strictly soft drinks for me. But, I did order a starter and a main to kick off proceedings.
To begin with, I went for the Spanakotyropita (or ‘Spanakopita’). A vegetarian dish and a common choice in many Greek taverna and households across Greece.
I may not be able to successfully pronounce the name more than once correctly every three tries, but this spinach and feta pie baked in a filo (or ‘phyllo’) pastry is delicious. Marrying spinach, feta, olive oil, herbs encased within a crispy phyllo pastry is simple, effective, very tasty and also delightfully light.
Moving onto the mains, I had to fight back the urge to order gyros. Mainly because it’s a dish that brings back fond memories of a particularly sunny and enjoyable time in Pefkos (or Pefki) on the south-east coast of Greece. Next time around, perhaps.
Instead, I went for another traditional dish that you may well have heard of, Chicken souvlaki. Tender marinated chicken thigh grilled on skewers, served with pitta bread, fresh salad (tomato, onions, cucumber), tzatziki, chef’s sauce and fries. It is served as a generous portion too.
The marinated chicken skewers are tender, juicy and tasty too. With three of these on the plate, held up by a pile of double-dipped fries it’s certainly a hearty meal but even after the starter (something I’d usually forego on a casual visit), I didn’t feel too burdened with the weight of food.
The tzatziki is homemade and is sprinkled with bits of dill. Like the ‘chef’s sauce’, which is a secret combination, each comes served in little ramekins.
I’d have liked a little more of both dips to accompany my dish here. Something Iken was more than aware of, as he checked on me while I ate and ensured that I had not only everything I needed but that I wanted for nothing else. Top service.
There were plenty more dishes that I’d liked to have tried, like the hummus, the lemon potatoes, the halloumi wraps or even the ‘Olive Special Mix Plate’, but it seems I’ll just have to return – that’s no bad thing.
In some places you can feel a tad overwhelmed when you enter the door for many reasons, at Olive the decor is simple, effective, without being overbearing or unnecessarily flamboyant, it’s clean, everything has its place.
The service also is a notable element, purely for not being overwhelming. Iken is polite, courteous and ensures that all guests enjoy their time while eating or drinking at Olive. In short: The venue is nice, Iken is lovely, so it’s all rather grand.
Dining at Medusa @ Olive is a treat, it’s a place where those memorable and vibrant flavours of Greece come to life, in Sheffield no less! It manages to deliver that taverna aura, all while being neatly embedded within metal shipping containers in the industrial backdrop of Neepsend.
Authentic Greek street food, plenty of classic dishes, a varied but not at all overloaded menu… and great service too. Just bring the sunny weather with you when you pay a visit to this Greek street food treat.
Medusa @ Olive is at Unit 6 Steelyard, Bardwell Rd, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8AS
You can also make bookings or orders for collection on: 07585 779207
For food deliveries to your home, you’ll have to order via the regular apps, just search for ‘Medusa @ Olive Greek”.
Follow them across their social media channels and online here: https://sysheffield.com/medusa-greek-food/