Your state’s best Greek restaurant
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A taste of the Med
Craving gyros, moussaka, or some deliciously sweet baklava? You're in luck. America has first-rate Greek restaurants from coast to coast, and many have been running for generations. Here we reveal the top spots to get your Greek food fix in every state, from snug tavernas to retro diners.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover where to find the most delicious Greek food near you.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
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Alabama: The Olive Branch, Birmingham
Enter the down-to-earth dining room at The Olive Branch and you'll immediately feel at home. It's a family-run spot, and the classic Mediterranean food is – they promise – 'crafted with love.' Must-try dishes include the gyro plate (complete with tzatziki, wild rice, and fruit) and the stuffed grape leaves.
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Alaska: Meraki Hellenic Grill, Anchorage
Diners who visit the Meraki Hellenic Grill say it serves the best Greek food around, raving about the fresh ingredients, huge portions, and the friendly service. The family-run joint is small, with just eight tables in the restaurant area, and its takeout service is particularly popular. Expect a menu of Greek classics, as well as daily specials. Highlights include the doner kebab, the mixed grill platter, and the galaktoboureko, a traditional dessert of semolina custard wrapped in buttery filo pastry.
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Arizona: George's Kitchen, Phoenix
The pitas and dressings at George's Kitchen – a relaxed neighborhood spot whipping up Greek staples – are made from scratch. But that's not the only reason to swing by. There's a super-friendly vibe, and the menu offers up delights such as classic cheese saganaki (pictured) and spanakopita, a layered spinach pie with feta cheese.
Arkansas: Kosmos Greekafe, Fayetteville
Kosmos has been doling out Greek favorites since 2005 – and, since it's owned and operated by a Greek family, you know you're getting the real deal. The place offers few frills, but it doesn't matter when the food is this good. Winning menu items include the spicy feta dip and the chicken souvlaki, which comes with mountains of Greek fries or rice (your choice), plus tzatziki and pita bread. The Parthenon-inspired façade, with its columns and statues, is fun, too.
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California: Kokkari Estiatorio, San Francisco
Named for a little coastal village on the isle of Samos, this Frisco mainstay deals in elevated Greek cuisine served in a rustic country-style dining room. The owners have gone the extra mile to make diners feel as though they're really in a Mediterranean restaurant – think Grecian pottery, hanging pots and pans, and a roaring hearth – and the food is second to none. The crispy zucchini cakes and the lamb chops with lemon-oregano vinaigrette are top picks.
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Colorado: Chef Zorba's, Denver
You can't go wrong with a Greek-inspired diner, and Chef Zorba's has time on its side; the friendly joint in Congress Park has been running since the 1970s, and it serves American comfort food alongside tasty Greek specialties. Tuck into the gyros sandwich, which sees delicate slices of beef and lamb carved straight from the spit. The avgolemono soup, with lemon, chicken, and rice, comes highly recommended, too.
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Connecticut: YiaYia's Greek Kitchen, Torrington
YiaYia's promises the 'most authentic Greek food in Connecticut' – a bold claim, but one that diners agree with. The name, which comes from the Greek word for grandma, reflects the fresh, full-of-heart home cooking that's on offer here. Simple but delicious, the Greek salad features giant Kalamata olives, feta, and vegetables, while the spinach pie gets rave reviews. Flower garlands, lace curtains, and Greek landscape canvases decorate the charming dining room.
Delaware: Cosmos Diner Restaurant, Wilmington
Daily specials keep Greek food fans coming back to this chilled-out diner. It's been whipping up Greek classics since 1981, when John and Elena Alexopoulos first founded the place, and family recipes are still at the heart of the menu. Greek dishes like moussaka and gyros go down a treat, and there's also a selection of classic American comfort food on the menu.
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Florida: Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Miami
The popping blue and white tones of this Miami bistro will have you dreaming of the Santorini skyline – which is deliberate, of course, since Mandolin specializes in Aegean cuisine. From seasonal seafood dishes to mezze, there are plenty of tasty dishes to try. Customer favorites include the crowd-pleasing grilled octopus, the lamb chops over orzo pilaf, and the manti dumplings (featuring beef, garlic yogurt, Aleppo pepper, and burnt butter). It's not cheap here, but with dishes as good as these, it's well worth it.
Georgia: Kyma, Atlanta
Seafood is the focus of this upscale Greek taverna in Atlanta. Here, fish fans can feast on everything from sautéed shrimp (served with a kicking combo of tomato, ouzo, and feta) to salt-crusted sea bass. Meat lovers, meanwhile, should go for the hyped lamb pie: 12-hour braised meat parceled up with kefalotyri cheese and filo pastry. Best of all, you'll eat amid shiny white columns beneath an inky ceiling filled with stars.
Hawaii: Yamas Mediterranean Cuisine, Honolulu
A no-fuss takeout joint that focuses on the classics, Yamas Mediterranean Cuisine is the go-to place in Honolulu for fast, fresh, super-tasty Greek food. Top menu picks here are the perfectly crispy falafel pita, the garlic fries, and the gyros, which comes loaded with tender, flavorful meat. Craving something sweet? Try the baklava – it's delicious, and the portions are huge.
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Idaho: Kosta's Taverna, Eagle
This friendly family-run restaurant is known for its authentic Greek dishes, which have diners returning time and time again. The Kosta's moussaka (pictured) is a popular choice thanks to its thick layers of creamy Parmesan bechamel, tender beef, and sautéed potato and zucchini, but everything on the menu – from the gyros to the tzatziki – is full of flavor.
Illinois: Greek Islands, Chicago
Chicago's Greektown is packed tight with excellent eateries – but Greek Islands is the best of the bunch and, so it claims, 'America's most popular Greek restaurant.' Products like olive oil, cheese, and herbs are imported from Greece, and diners love the tasty dishes whipped up with these choice ingredients. The traditional grilled octopus, cheese saganaki, and moussaka are menu highlights.
Indiana: Athens on 86th Street, Indianapolis
You'll feel like you've been whisked away to a real Greek taverna at this jolly spot on Indy's Northwest Side. It's run by local resident Tina Konduris and her family, and they've filled the space with Greek landscape paintings and decorated columns. When it comes to the food, you won't be disappointed. The baklava gets rave reviews, as does the gyro piato: seasoned meat served with tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki, and pita.
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Iowa: Olympic Flame Restaurant, Des Moines
Head to Des Moines' East Village and you'll find this down-to-earth Greek joint. It turns out all the staples, from gyros to baklava – but the highlight is the saganaki. The cheese is dipped in egg batter and fried, then served with a dramatic flame. The restaurant is famed for its super-friendly staff and homey dining room, too.
Kansas: Athens Gyros Express, Wichita
This strip-mall joint might not look like much from the outside, but the food here is out of this world. Customers love the giant gyros, stuffed with tender meat, vegetables, and tzatziki, and there's high praise for the friendly owner, too. The crispy falafel and Greek salad are also top choices.
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Kentucky: The Simple Greek, Louisville
This small chain now has locations from coast to coast, and it's still the best place in the Louisville area to get your Greek food fix. It works on a build-your-own concept, with diners filling bowls or stuffing pitas with their choice of protein, vegetables, feta, and tzatziki. Get a side of Greek fries – finished with garlic salt, feta, and red wine vinegar – and finish off your meal with a temping baklava cheesecake.
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Louisiana: Smoke & Honey, New Orleans
This fun and friendly Jewish Greek restaurant is praised for making customers feel like they're dining in grandma's kitchen, but it's the delicious, colorful food that keeps people returning time and time again. The warm pita gyros, packed with your choice of chicken, pork, lamb, or veggies, plus tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and fries, are especially loved – and the braised lamb leg with whipped feta is a must-try.
Maine: Taverna Khione, Brunswick
With its muted blue façade and Greek flag flying out front, Taverna Khione is inviting before you even step inside. Once you do, you'll be greeted by a cozy dining room and the smell of delicious Greek food. The menu changes with the seasons, but you can always mop up tzatziki with house-made bread or peruse the extensive Greek wine list.
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Maryland: Ikaros Restaurant, Baltimore
Baltimore's Ikaros Restaurant is a true stalwart: it's had the same head chef since 1969, and he's had plenty of practice conjuring up all manner of Greek delights. The chicken gyros sandwich, the lamb shanks, and the orzo pasta salad come especially recommended, and the charming dining room has plenty of nods to Greece – think columns, archways, and blue and white accents.
Massachusetts: KAVA Neo-Taverna, Boston
Delicate small plates are doled out at this fancy Greek spot, which prides itself on its imported Mediterranean produce – think feta, seafood, and rare Greek wines. Diners wax lyrical about the intimate setting and, of course, the authentic Greek food. Small plates like the kolokithakia (zucchini chips with tzatziki) are lavished with praise, while the succulent sea bass is the entrée of choice.
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Michigan: Golden Fleece, Detroit
Motor City has a thriving Greektown, and the area's Golden Fleece restaurant is the place to be. It's a neighborhood institution that's been running for decades, and it focuses on no-fuss Greek staples like pastisio: a type of Greek lasagna with a rich meat layer and oozy béchamel sauce. The tavern-like interior, with its wall art and wooden bar, is cozy too.
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Minnesota: Gardens of Salonica, Minneapolis
Since 1991, Gardens of Salonica has set the Twin Cities' standard for great Greek food. It focuses on locally sourced organic produce, and its menu is built on traditional dishes like souvlaki, gyros, and briam – colorful Greek-style roasted vegetables. The lovely interior, with its molded ceiling and many plants, is an added bonus.
Mississippi: Keifer's Downtown, Jackson
Keifer's Downtown has been turning out Mediterranean staples for four decades, and it proudly claims to serve 'Jackson's favorite Greek food.' Here, you'll tuck into typical Greek eats, from gyros loaded with pork and beef to salads piled high with feta and olives. The made-to-order sandwiches are a must-try too, not least because they're served with a heap of curly fries on the side.
Missouri: Olympia Kebob House & Taverna, St. Louis
The charming setting of Olympia Kebob House – with its oak panels, ornate bar, and exposed brick – is reason alone to visit. But, of course, the food is the real draw; Olympia's gyros have been voted the best around on more than one occasion. Given that the restaurant has been running for 35 years, it's well-versed in whipping up Greek staples like flaming saganaki cheese, stuffed peppers, and shish kebabs.
Montana: Eat Greekish, Helena
Expect lines outside of this bright yellow food truck; word has spread that it serves the best Greek-style food in the area. Go for the gyros, filled with a choice of rotisserie-roasted meat, vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumber, crumbled feta, red onion, and tzatziki. The crinkle-cut Greekish fries with Thunderbolt seasoning make the perfect accompaniment.
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Nebraska: Jim & Jennie's Greek Village, Omaha
Jim & Jennie's Greek Village is as charming and convivial as its name suggests. The restaurateur duo moved from Pyrgos in Greece to Omaha in 1974, and they've been treating the city to top-notch Greek food since the 1980s. All the dishes are made in house, including classic appetizers like keftedes (Greek-style meatballs) and calamari, and entrées such as a generous souvlaki platter.
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Nevada: Yassou Greek Grill, Las Vegas
You can find nearly every cuisine imaginable in Sin City, and Greek is no exception. The best spot to enjoy gyros and moussaka is Yassou Greek Grill, established in 2005. It's a family-owned joint that wins points for its friendly vibe and reliably good food. The My Big Fat Gyro is the king of the menu: it comes stuffed with beef, lamb, feta cheese, and tzatziki. The souvlaki combo (pictured) is a favorite with diners, too.
New Hampshire: Amphora, Derry
Family-owned Amphora is all about creative Greek cuisine, serving up traditional Mediterranean food with new spins and seasonings. The Thracian chicken dinner is one of the restaurant's most popular menu items, and the vegetable kebab dinner and calamari get the thumbs-up from customers, too. The owner, Peter, always makes diners feel welcome, and the staff are friendly and attentive.
New Jersey: Varka Estiatorio, Ramsey
Varka describes itself as a 'Mediterranean fish house,' with a menu packed with seafood and Greek specialties. The lobster gyro, finished with cucumber-tomato relish and mint tzatziki, is something special, and the Varka chips, made with eggplant and zucchini, are pretty tempting, too. You'll dine in a cozy, understated setting with exposed wood beams and heavy blue drapes.
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New Mexico: Yamas Greek Rotisserie, Santa Fe
You'll find all your Greek favorites on the menu at Yamas Greek Rotisserie, from traditional soups and salads to gyros, moussaka, and orzo. Can't decide? Plump for the Greek Sampler, which pairs pita with dolmades, tzatziki, Greek salad, and more. Of course, you should leave room for the classic baklava, too.
New York: Taverna Kyclades, New York City
The Big Apple's Taverna Kyclades, with locations in Astoria and Bayside, is very stylish – think white-washed walls, clean lines, and a sleek bar. Luckily, the food matches up to the smart appearance. Seafood is king here; the scallops come highly recommended, as does the European bass.
North Carolina: Taverna Agora, Raleigh
Charming Taverna Agora is inspired by 'the tastes, sounds, and sights' of small Greek villages – and this is reflected in everything from the olive branch painted on the wall to the menu packed with Greek delicacies and the traditional music that plays while you eat. The menu is full of delights, but diners rave about the tomahawk pork chop, which is finished with spinach and feta and doused in rosemary aioli.
North Dakota: GP's Greek Kitchen, Fargo
GP's Greek Kitchen may be a simple joint, but its food hits the spot – in fact, it's got a seriously impressive Yelp score and plenty of rave reviews. A standout dish is the Athenian gyros, which sees pillowy pita filled with meat and vegetables, plus paprika, mustard, and tzatziki. The traditional avgolemono soup with lemon, chicken, and rice is a winner, too.
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Ohio: Taki's Greek Kitchen, Avon Lake
Whether you choose to hole up next to the fireplace or soak up some sunshine on the patio, Taki's Greek Kitchen is a welcoming spot for a delicious Mediterranean meal. It prides itself on executing the classics perfectly, from moussaka to pastitsio, and there's an impressive selection of Greek wines, to boot. The braised lamb shank with orzo and kefalotyri cheese is not to be missed, either.
Oklahoma: Greek House, Norman
It's not fancy at no-frills joint Greek House, but this hidden-gem restaurant's tasty menu more than holds its own. The gyros plate is a fail-safe option if you're in the mood for some comfort food – pita is piled high with meat, salad, and tzatziki – and the classic Greek salad is a highlight, too. What's more, the staff are always friendly.
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Oregon: Eleni's Philoxenia, Portland
Cretan food is the specialty at Eleni's Philoxenia in Portland – and staff here say it's among the healthiest cuisine on the planet. The menu is packed with seasonal vegetables, Greek olive oil, and seafood, and the wild shrimp dish, served with roasted peppers in a rich tomato sauce, is a fan favorite.
Pennsylvania: Zorba's Tavern, Philadelphia
This veteran spot promises to serve as a 'little corner of Greece' in Philly and was opened by Greek immigrant Kostas Kravvaritis back in 1997. Decades on, the restaurant is still in the same family, and its focus on honest Greek home cooking remains. Regular diners love the grilled octopus, served with rice, roast potatoes, and vegetables, as well as the stuffed eggplant with tomato sauce and feta.
Rhode Island: Yia Yia's Café, Middletown
Part of boutique hotel the Sea Breeze Inn, bright and airy joint Yia Yia's serves Greek specialties alongside a classic breakfast and lunch menu. Top picks include the juicy Greek salad (topped with a hunk of feta), the house-made meatballs (served with lemon potatoes and tzatziki), the souvlaki pita, and the delicious breakfast pastries.
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South Carolina: Stella's, Charleston
Sophisticated Stella's is a favorite with Charleston locals. It honors 'rustic and modern' Greek cuisine and has a menu full of mezze bites and Greek staples – everything from stuffed grape leaves and saganaki cheese to hilopites, a traditional Greek pasta dish with beans, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Teal leather seats, a glossy bar, and plenty of greenery make for a stylish setting.
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South Dakota: The Gyro Hub, Rapid City
As the name suggests, gyros are the focus of this simple place in Rapid City. You can get yours filled with lamb or chicken, spicy sauce, vegetables, feta, hummus, fries, and more. For a real treat, opt for a side of dolmades and a dessert of pistachio baklava. The Gyro Hub gets high reviews on Yelp, with customers praising the unfussy venue and the fabulous food.
Tennessee: GReKo Greek Street Food, Nashville
Dedicated to bringing 'authentic Greek street fare' to Music City, GReKo Greek Street Food is a friendly spot run by the Darsinos family. The menu is inspired by the street food of Nemea, the little Peloponnese village the family originally hails from. Diners recommend the Athenian chicken: rotisserie meat drizzled with honey-lemon sauce.
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Texas: Nikki Greek Bistro and Lounge, Dallas
High-end restaurant and lounge Nikki's wins rave reviews for its delightful decor (all terracotta walls and floral displays) and delicious modern Greek dishes. House specialties include the broken horiatiki salad with pickled garden vegetables and smoked feta, the moussaka (made with Texas-raised beef), and the spanakopita pastries.
Utah: Manoli's, Salt Lake City
Describing itself as a Greek small plates restaurant, Manoli's has a focus on seasonal ingredients and hyper-local produce. The dishes are made for sharing: diners can graze on fancy plates like orzo with a trio of cheeses, caramelized onions, and breadcrumbs, and Greek sausage with fig sauce and potato purée. When it comes to larger plates, the lamb riblets with caper chimichurri are a favored choice.
Vermont: Athens Diner, Winooski
Another classic Greek diner, this retro spot is beloved in the little city of Winooski. You'll find signature diner eats – from hot sandwiches and burgers to breakfasts – plus a whole roster of Greek dishes. The lamb gyros is a must-try, while The Athena skillet, complete with feta-topped eggs, will start your day off just right.
Virginia: Cava Mezze, Arlington
This small chain has a smattering of locations in the Capital Region, and each is as brilliant as the next. The Virginia outpost is in Arlington and is loved for its cozy setting (complete with string lights and wooden booths) and, of course, its delicious small plates. Tuck into seafood dishes like fried calamari with shawarma spice or fill up on meaty offerings like steak souvlaki and kicking lamb sliders – a house favorite.
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Washington: Mykonos Greek Grill, Seattle
According to reviews, Mykonos Greek Grill is the place to go if you're craving Greek food in Seattle. Winning fans for its ambience and stunning food, diners return here time and time again. For a taste of all the customer favorites, order the Mykonos Platter with lamb and steak skewers, moussaka, spanakopita triangles, Greek-style potatoes, pita bread, and tzatziki.
West Virginia: Theo Yianni's Greek Restaurant, Weirton
Theo Yianni's promises 'the best homemade Greek food at the best price,' and customers agree. Classics like the gyros platter, the baklava, and the Greek salad are praised by regulars, but there are some menu surprises, too. This spot bridges the gap between Mediterranean cuisine and American comfort food with dishes like Greek spaghetti, featuring a house-made meat sauce with cinnamon, garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
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Wisconsin: Parthenon Gyros, Madison
Parthenon claims it was the first to bring the gyros to the state of Wisconsin, and it prides itself on its made-from-scratch dishes. Unsurprisingly, these classic Greek sandwiches are the most popular dish; the meat is carved and spiced with hand-ground peppercorns, and the tzatziki is produced in house. You can also get cheese fries – this is Wisconsin, after all.
Wyoming: Sweet Zoey, Casper
Casper's Sweet Zoey serves traditional dishes from across the Mediterranean and Middle East – and its menu includes some delicious Greek delights. The cheerful joint has a near-perfect Yelp score, with the house-made baklava tipped as a menu highlight. The gyros sandwich and platter are winning choices, too.
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Last updated by Dominique Ayling.