Mykonos Taverna (Sea Point and Cavendish)  

A Greek tradition passed down over 30 years from father to son, Mykonos Taverna was originally opened in the ’80s in Sea Point by Peter Peroglou and is currently run by his son, Dimitri, since 2012. An authentic Greek taverna serving tasteful Greek food cooked by Dimitri and his team is what Mykonos is known for. The ambience reflects Greek culture in all its colourful hues, from classic Greek décor to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Greek evenings with traditional and modern tunes, dancing and smashing of plates takes place on the last Saturday of the month. From the menu, lamb and chicken souvlaki wraps and gyros are crowd favourites, while other options include beef and vegetarian (brinjal and halloumi) gyros and souvlaki wraps. All souvlaki wraps and gyros come in pita bread with onion, tomato, tzatziki and a complimentary side, and are available in single or double portions.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mykonos Greek Taverna 🇬🇷 (@mykonostavernas)

The Greek Fisherman (Sea Point)  

Established in 1992 by Peter Protoulis, The Greek Fisherman has been serving simple, home-style Greek food adapted from the owner’s family recipes for the past 30 years. Apart from the wide array of Greek and Mediterranean food that has retained the same superior quality and consistency over the years, the restaurant is also known for its hospitable service and knowledgeable staff, most of whom have been with the restaurant for 15 to 20 years. Built on a heritage site, the restaurant’s ambience is warm and inviting, with modern décor reminiscent of the Greek isles and a large courtyard offering al fresco dining, as well as a fireplace in each dining room. Gyros are hot-sellers on the menu, with the lamb gyro being a house favourite. Other gyro options include beef, chicken or fried halloumi. All gyros come in homemade pita with onion, tomato and tzatziki, accompanied by chips.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Greek Fisherman (@greekfisherman)

Maria’s Greek Café (Dunkley Square, Gardens) 

One of Cape Town’s oldest and most well-loved Greek restaurants, Maria’s Greek Café was started in the 1950s and is still known for its hearty, flavourful, home-style Greek food, generous Greek hospitality, relaxed family atmosphere, personalised and unpretentious service and cosy ambience, which includes outdoor seating under the trees in the garden. While the mezze is the highlight of the menu, gyros are also very popular – chief among them being the lamb and falafel gyros. Other gyro options include grilled chicken, brinjal and mücver (zucchini, cheese, pepper and herbs), all of which come in homemade pita with red onion, tomato, cucumber and tzatziki, accompanied by either rosemary chips or salad or a bit of both.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maria’s Greek Café (@mariasgreekcafe)

The Greek Kitchen (Hellenic Community Centre, Mouille Point) 

Ten years ago, Helen Comninos started The Greek Kitchen at the Hellenic Community Centre (Greek Club), as a means to provide club members as well as members of the public with affordable, homecooked, fuss-free Greek meals, based on her own family recipes. Today, the family-friendly restaurant which thrives solely based on word-of-mouth appeal, is known for its welcoming, casual atmosphere and its home-away-from-home experience, where the staff know each patron personally and where the Greek food is authentic, wholesome, fresh and consistent in quality and taste. Firm favourites from the menu include the pork and lamb souvlaki in pita, which comes with onion, tomato, tzatziki, oreganum and chips inside. Other souvlaki pita options also include chicken, grilled halloumi and a vegan wrap, comprising grilled brinjal, onion, tomato and hummus.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Greek Club Restaurant (@thegreekclubrestaurant)

Souvla Stix (Hout Bay) 

Started by husband-wife duo Dino and Ivone Petrou and their business partner Jonny Narlis in 2018, Souvla Stix is focused around the concept of Greek souvlaki grills cooked on a charcoal spit braai, which lends a distinct, smoky flavour to the meats. Apart from the family-inspired Greek recipes, the restaurant also offers a range of Mediterranean mezze. Famous for its souvla, the restaurant started offering gyros two years ago, with protein options of chicken, pork, beef, lamb, mince kebab, vegetarian or falafel, wrapped in in-house-made Greek pita with red onions, tomato, tzatziki, hummus and crispy chips. The current house favourites are the lamb and chicken gyros. Patrons can enjoy their food while listening to classic ’80s music in a cosy, casual space. The winning combination of great-tasting food, hands-on management and a familial vibe is what brings local, as well as overseas customers, to Souvla Stix on repeat.  

Sovlaking Delicious (Sea Point and Stellenbosch) 

A visit to Greece and a subsequent love affair with souvlaki is what prompted chef Kyle John Dods to open Sovlaking Delicious in 2015. True to the brand slogan of ‘the most bad-ass sovlakis ever made’, the restaurant sometimes sells up to 450 souvlaki rolls a day and has customers specially flying in from other cities in SA for a taste. The menu features souvlaki wrap options of lamb (the top favourite), lamb and beef kofta, roasted chicken and halloumi, all of which come with red onion, roasted cherry tomato and tzatziki in a freshly baked pita prepared right in front of customers. The focus on quality over quantity means that consistency and taste has been maintained fastidiously, while keeping it simple and offering super-fast service. The halaal-friendly tag is yet another draw, as is the vibrant, youthful, nostalgic vibe and comfortable ambience.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sovlaking Delicious (@sovlakingd)

Meze Mode (Bloubergstrand) 

Two-year-old Meze Mode has become famous for its vibrant Mediterranean experience that blends delectable Mediterranean-inspired food with stunning views of Eden on the Bay, Table Mountain and Robben Island. The restaurant’s stylish, yet relaxed atmosphere, warm hospitality, and attentive and efficient service make it a popular choice for romantic dinners, family gatherings or a casual meet-up with friends. The focus of the menu is meze and sharing plates, all made to order with fresh, quality ingredients. Gyros are very popular with patrons, with the beef and lamb options being the top picks. Other gyro options include chicken, pork and falafel (vegan). All gyros come in pita with red onion, tomato, cabbage shavings, brinjal and tzatziki, accompanied by fresh-cut chips.