Asteri restaurant: bringing a slice of the Mediterranean to Swinger Hill

Posted on 30 April, 2026

They say timing is everything, but for Tim Moustakas, it was all about the light.

While deep in renovations at his new restaurant space on the corner of the Swinger Hill shops, a Mediterranean-esque sunset filled the sky, reminiscent of balmy evenings at Greek tavernas. The moment solidified the concept for Asteri, a new Greek destination set to bring authentic flavours and elevated dining to the Southside when it opens its doors next month.

“There are some really beautiful sunsets in the afternoon that you can see from the outdoor area where it almost feels like you’re in Greece, and that’s the relaxed vibe I’m hoping for with this restaurant,” Tim says.

Both the indoor and outdoor restaurant space have been refreshed to channel the vibes of a relaxed Greek taverna, with touches of Tim’s family weaved throughout: from the garden outside filled with fresh herbs and chilli tended to by his father, to the Mediterranean tiling by his brother, and of course, the name – a tribute to the beloved place his mother was born, Asteri, which means “stars.” Inside, photos of Tim’s family will adorn the walls, along with paintings by Greek Melbourne-based artist Effie Chaniotis.

And while it’s not set to open until mid-May, Tim has already received hundreds of requests for bookings – a sure sign he’s on to a good thing.

Tim as a child in Asteri, the restaurant’s namesake.

Well known from his time at the Hellenic Club’s Fillos Taverna and the Southern Cross Club, Tim, affectionately known as “Digger,” has hospitality in his blood.

“My Dad’s always been in hospitality, so I joke that I was bathed in the sinks of the kitchen as a kid,” he says.

“One of my first jobs was helping to clean plates at the Hellenic Club, and I’ve been working and cooking in kitchens since.”

Tim doing what he loves.

The menu at Asteri reads like a love letter to the Aegean, blending fresh coastal seafood such as grilled octopus, garlic prawns and seafood risotto with comforting, traditional Greek staples like moussaka (beef and eggplant lasagne), pastitsio (beef pasta bake) and keftedes (meatballs in a rich tomato sauce). There will also be a large selection of pizza, pasta and mezze dishes to share (think prawn saganaki, scallops and zucchini and fetta fritters).

For those who want the full experience, Tim offers the “Digger-station”, a cheeky moniker for a degustation featuring seven of his most-loved dishes, most notably his signature melt-in-your-mouth baked lamb shoulder, plus authentic sweets like karithopita (Greek walnut cake) and “Yia Yia’s tiramisu” served with gooey Belgian chocolate.

Tim’s traditional baklava.

Tim envisions a calendar of vibrant events for the venue, such as street parties with bouzouki, Greek yum cha nights and Souvlaki Saturdays, with all the atmosphere of a summer’s evening in Greece.

“It’s a really good community here at Swinger Hill; they’ve been really supportive,” he says.

“For me, working in hospitality has always been about the people and the spirit of sharing good times with friends and family. I love taking care of others, and that’s just what we’ll do at Asteri.”

Feature image: Tim with his parents.