Global tastes at the Jersey Shore: Niko's Trapezi Greek Taverna, Long Branch

Just a short throw from the beach, diners can sit out front to inhale salty breezes while eating.

Get yourself to the Greek! Niko's Trapezi Greek Taverna, that is. This taverna is next up on our tour of ethnic eateries at the Jersey Shore.

Niko's Trapezi Greek Taverna | 444 Ocean Blvd. North, Long Branch | (732) 222-4600 | nikostrapezi.com

Swordfish, served in a white wine sauce with mushrooms, pimientos and artichokes, at Niko's Trapezi Greek Taverna in Long Branch.via Facebook 

Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, would definitely plunge his fork-shaped trident into htapodi, the chargrilled octopus at Niko's in Long Branch. He then might move on to spear whole fried anchovies and smelts, grilled swordfish or flounder stuffed with feta and spinach.

MORE: Global food at the Jersey Shore

Just a short throw from the beach, diners can sit out front to inhale salty breezes as they mingle with the garlic, lemons and olive oil that accompany leg of lamb, pork chops and calves liver. Warm pitas envelop pressed gyro or souvlaki in substantial sandwiches. Hundreds of delicate layers of butter-basted phyllo hug the savory filling in the spanakopita. For dessert, phyllo appears again in honey-soaked baklava and shredded into a nest to hold rich cream and nuts in ekmek kataifi. BYOB