Cooking & Entertaining

OPA!: Recipes inspired by Greek tavernas

Yassou! Pull up a chair at Greece’s beloved tavernas with this gorgeous cookbook.

“Opa” is a phrase that captures the warmth of Greek culture, an expression that can carry many meanings based on the context in which it’s used—from joy to excitement, celebration to surprise. For authors Helena and Vikki Moursellas, it’s a phrase that best captures what sits at the heart of Greece’s rich food culture, making it the natural namesake for their latest book.

Featuring recipes for all the classic taverna dishes you know and love, from Lamb kleftiko (slow roasted lamb), Horiátiki salata (Greek village salad), and Patates tiganites (Greek fries with goat’s feta and oregano), alongside recipes that are sure to become new favorites such as King prawns with fennel and caper butter or Peppers stuffed with Greek cheeses.

OPA! is a celebration of the food, atmosphere, and traditions of Greek tavernas. With eighty delicious recipes and nine breakout stories that profile some of the iconic dishes from Greece’s tavernas and the people who make them, this volume is a warm welcome to the food of Greece.

About The Author

Helena and Vikki Moursellas are identical twins born in Adelaide, South Australia. They learned how to cook from their Greek grandmother, Koula, and grew up with a passion and love for Greek cuisine. They are the authors of Peináo: A Greek Feast For All published with Smith Street Books in 2023, and Taking You Home: Simple Greek Food with Hachette Australia. The girls are photo chefs, recipe developers, food stylists and content creators in Sydney and London.

  • Publish Date: September 30, 2025
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Cooking - Regional & Cultural - Greek
  • Publisher: Smith Street Books
  • Trim Size: 8 x 10-5/8
  • Pages: 256
  • US Price: $40.00
  • CDN Price: $55.00
  • ISBN: 978-1-923239-18-0

Reviews

"This is a stunning cookbook that truly lives up to its title. OPA! In Greek, it is an expression of joy and celebration; a phrase that captures the warmth of the Greek culture. As you flip through these recipes and the pictures, you feel welcomed into the villages, into the celebration of flavors, and to the table. Since many of the recipes are inspired by local tavernas, they are simple yet bursting with homegrown flavors and a dash of olive oil." — @SUBAKKA.BOOKSTUFF VIA INSTAGRAM

"I am head over heels for this cookbook! The pictures and layout are so inviting.
Plus the recipes and stories are inspiring. I enjoy cooking when I have time but am guilty of picking up take out too often. This beautiful cookbook has renewed my interest in getting back into the kitchen to try new recipes!"
@CMTLOVESWINEANDBOOKS VIA INSTAGRAM

"I loved that this cookbook had a clear ingredient list for each dish, that will make grocery shopping go a lot smoother. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I loved the notes about how to store the dish if you make them ahead of time. Each dish had a beautiful picture of the finished product which makes it easy to flip through if you are looking for a specific recipe."
@SARAHSBOOKISHREVIEWS VIA INSTAGRAM

"This is the type of cookbook where you are constantly turning through and admiring each beautiful page...The recipes are easy to follow and result in absolutely delicious meals." — @LAURASNEXTCHAPTER VIA INSTAGRAM

Author Bookshelf: Helena Moursellas, Vikki Moursellas