Greek cuisine is well-represented in Houston, with some of the city’s best restaurants having been serving locals for decades. With the addition of chef-led newbies and new locations of old trusted gems, there has never been a better time to explore the scene.
Beyond the food and pastries—hello feta cheese pie—restaurants and cafes are pouring wines from Greece’s ample wine regions and slinging Greek beers, giving diners the opportunity to enjoy a well-rounded experience. Whether you’re craving a meat-filled gyro, a traditional horiatiki salad, or a generous portion of pastitsio, here is a list of 10 Greek restaurants that will satisfy the hungriest of appetites. Kali Orexi!
Pappa Gyros
Christos Bastios is the proprietor at this bustling Katy diner, which has been featured on the television show, The Texas Bucket List. The young owner began the business in a gas station before opening a standalone restaurant in 2022. Born into a Greek family and raised in Michigan, his menu offers a dozen different gyros, alongside American classics like Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago hot dogs; Greek plates like moussaka, pastitsio, and chicken souvlaki; plus “Famous Greek Meatballs”. For dessert, there are a tempting array of Greek treats, including bougatsa and the decadent galaktoboureko, a crispy phyllo-based dessert filled with Greek custard and drizzled in scented syrup. 21910 Franz Rd., Houston, pappagyros.com
Niko Niko’s
Niko Niko’s opened its original location in Montrose in 1977, and gyro lovers have had to fight to get a seat ever since. Fortunately, the restaurant has expanded with locations in Memorial and the Woodlands, making it more convenient than ever to score beef and lamb gyros, souvlaki plates, crispy fries, and its famed roast potatoes. Spanakopita is a traditional appetizer, but for those who want to have a taste of everything, the meze platter is a great shareable for two. Pair with coffee, beer, or wine, and linger around over a meal as the Greeks do. Multiple locations, nikonikos.com
Island Grill
Going into its 25th year, this Mediterranean cafe has five locations across the Greater Houston area. Its daily breakfast is popular, but its lunch and dinner menus offer the real Greek cuisine. Guests can start with falafel balls and spinach pies, or try the Island Greek salad loaded with vegetables, greens, and feta cheese. The list of pitas includes gyro or beef, which is an Americanized version made with certified Angus beef and Swiss cheese; and seafood pitas made with salmon or shrimp. For something more indulgent, try the Greek pizza topped with gyro meat and feta. Multiple locations, islandgrillhouston.com
Kriti Kitchen
While it’s only been open for a couple of years, this light and bright counter-service cafe is considered among the best Greek eateries in town. Chef Mary Cuclis fuses the cuisine of her Greek heritage with Indian culinary techniques to create a menu that is inspired by the island of Crete. A variety of mezze boards serve as a great way to start a feast, and feature both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The traditional Cretan salad is a healthy mix of cucumber, tomato, pepper, feta, herbs, and pine nut vinaigrette, while the Greek patty melt is pure comfort food. Brunch dishes include the Spana omelet and savory bougatsa, a dish of ground beef, cheese, and potato, wrapped in a filo parcel. Pair with a Mythos beer or glass of Greek red wine. 4010 Bissonnet St., Houston, kritikitchen.com
Athena’s Greek & European Kitchen
On the northwest side of Houston, Athena’s has won the hearts of suburbanites looking for great Greek food. Co-owner Maria Stefanakis immigrated from Greece more than 50 years ago, and she is usually on site offering guests a warm Greek welcome. The decor is homey with family photographs lining the wall. In addition to casual eats like gyros and souvlaki, Athena’s has traditional Greek dishes like pastitsio, moussaka, and two different options of lamb shank. Other Greek comforts like chicken avgolemono and Greek bean soup will make you long for home even if you’re not from Greece. 13250 FM 529, Ste. A, Houston, athenasgreekkitchen.com
Anonymous Cafe
Patricia and Tasos Pantazopoulos are the couple behind this European-inspired cafe, hidden on a quiet side street in Upper Kirby. Breakfast offerings are pretty straight-forward, with the ubiquitous feta cheese making an appearance in dishes like spinach quiche and the Villager, two slices of sourdough bread topped with grated beefsteak tomato, shredded feta, and hard-boiled egg. Find rotating daily lunch specials, plus pita wraps and burgers. Save room for croissants, baklava, and homemade pound cake—all prominently showcased in glass cases. The Katina’s ekmeck kaitaifi is not to be missed. 3701 Kirby Dr., Houston, anonymouseats.com
Ekko’s
This deli is located inside a Valero gas station, and is reminiscent of the casual roadside stops in Greece. Don’t be deterred—Ekko’s menu is perfect for the budget-minded who crave a classic Greek salad or its famous gyro sandwich, which some Houstonians will argue is comparable to Niko Niko’s. The hummus is served with soft pita bread, and vegetarians will appreciate the falafel burger topped with mayonnaise, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes. Get the souvlaki or gyro plate, and plan on having leftovers. 5216 Richmond Ave., Houston
AL Quick Stop
This family-owned business originally opened as a convenience store and restaurant in Montrose in 1991, eventually opening a second location in the Heights just a few years ago. While not exactly a Greek eatery, its largely Mediterranean-inspired menu offers dishes like gyros and falafel sandwiches. Appetizers include marinated feta and grape leaves stuffed with rice and parsley, plus Greek salads. For a Texas take on Greek cuisine, try the gyro burrito or quesadilla. AL Quick Stop also has a breakfast menu with gyro-centric items such as the egg and gyro taco. It’s more popular for taking-away than dining in, and the Montrose location still doubles as a convenience store. 2002 Waugh Drive, 518 W. 11th St., Houston, alquickstop.com
Harry’s
First established in 1948, this Greek diner was acquired by Johnny Platsas, a Greek immigrant, in the early 1990s. Since then, he and his Ecuadorian wife, Patricia, have completely overhauled the restaurant, including major renovations in 2018. The dining room is almost always packed for breakfast, which is served beginning at 7 a.m. six days a week. The Larissa, named after the original owner’s hometown in Greece, is a hearty breakfast dish of eggs, chopped potatoes, sauteed onions, and tomatoes topped with feta cheese. The baklava French toast is a decadent spin on the breakfast classic, with baklava sandwiched between slices of challah bread, then battered, grilled, and topped with two scoops of house-made yogurt ice cream. 318 Tuam St., Houston, harryshtx.com
Echoes Cafe
Part listening room, part restaurant, Echoes is housed in a unique, second-story space where guests can listen to music and enjoy a mix of Greek and Mexican cuisines. Start with a house cocktail like Aphrodite’s martini or Mikis spritz before settling in to eat. The dinner menu features mezedes such as tzatziki with pita, fried zucchini, and spanakopita; souvlaki plates and gyros with salmon, chicken, and pork; plus pastitsio, which is like the Greek version of lasagna. As a bonus, Echoes features a small late night menu from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. 900 Richmond Ave, Houston, echoeshtx.com
