The Ten Best Greek Restaurants in Miami

We tend to forget all the brilliant contributions the Greeks made to the world. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of world-famous mathematicians and the foundation of mythology, democracy, and Western philosophy.

From strides in science and theater to architectural design and the very first Olympic games, these are just a few of the long-lasting impacts on the world today. We are more than willing to give credit where credit is due, but no amount can express our gratitude for flawless Greek fare that’s good enough for the gods.

Greek food may conjure images of the Portokalos family roasting lamb on a spit or baking spanakopita in the 2002 romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but Magic City residents can experience that same culture, especially its cuisine, at a handful of Greek restaurants in Miami — minus the Windex. Simply stop by one of the top ten picks below and you’ll find your share of overflowing gyros, feta-infused salads, hearty moussaka recipes, and a seemingly endless supply of tzatziki, the refreshing Greek yogurt you can use for dipping or dolloping. No doubt you’ll be shouting “Opa!” in no time.

10. My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
This South Florida hot spot boasts an epic trifecta of Mediterranean flair, homespun charm, and flavorful family recipes that have guests lined up out the door. My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, on 3445 Griffin Rd. in Fort Lauderdale, wouldn’t be complete without a mixture of blue and white decor along with live music and dance performances on weekends. Bask in the splendor of stuffed peppers and tomatoes ($14), village-style Greek sausage ($5), roast chicken ($15), velvety rice pudding ($3), and wine – lots of wine. And in true Greek style, there's a welcoming, lively, kinda noisy, family-friendly atmosphere.

9. Eat Greek Souvlaki
Whether you're dining in or taking out, the heart of Eat Greek Souvlaki remains the same: top-quality Greek fast food. With locations in South Beach, Wynwood, and Brickell, this multi-outpost eatery concentrates on fresh, calorie-conscious delicacies unlike other fast-food joints. It even has a special "Spartan" diet menu, whose main ingredients are olives, grapes, figs, green vegetables, turkey, fish, and whole grains. Not counting calories? No problem. Call upon the powers of Zeus and Poseidon for a filling Greek meal. The "Zeus" platter ($29.95) comes with pork and chicken souvlaki, loucaniko, lamb gyro, a pork chop, and a lamb chop, and the "Poseidon" platter ($36.95) is a winner for seafood lovers, with grilled salmon, butterfly shrimp, grilled shrimp, and calamari. 

8. Stoupsy’s of Athens
A diamond in the rough in downtown Miami, Stoupsy’s of Athens (350 SE First St.) is always buzzing with regulars awaiting their wallet-friendly fare made at lightning speed. The snug eatery is home to everything from spanakopitas ($5.25 to $7.75) — decadent phyllo pies filled with chopped spinach, mixed herbs, and feta cheese — to souvlaki sandwiches ($6.50), in which tender marinated beef is rolled inside warm pita bread and topped with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, and yogurt sauce. What Stoupsy’s lacks in space and parking, it makes up for in large portions of good Greek grub.

7. Estiatorio Milos
When it comes to Greek fine dining in Miami Beach, nothing touches Costas Spiliadis’ Estiatorio Milos, located at 730 First St. Following its older siblings in Athens, Montreal, New York, and Las Vegas, Estiatorio Milos Miami boasts exceptionally fresh seafood — flown in overnight straight from the Mediterranean — on a much grander scale than other local Greek eateries. Be prepared to splurge on a menu that matches the lavishness of the venue, where the Milos Special, made with fried zucchini, eggplant, tzatziki, and kefalograviera cheese, will cost you $30, and that’s just an appetizer. Instead, opt for the three-course lunch special (available Monday through Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m.), with a more palatable price of $25, and revel in all the fresh fish and seafood this extravagant Grecian culinary experience offers.

6. The Greek Place
Nestled at 9561 Harding Ave. in Surfside, the Greek Place blends equal parts Old-World Greece and modern-day diner vibes to create a brand of Greek fare that speaks all on its own. Fusing pure olive oil, fragrant herbs, and generous servings, each meal is sure to satisfy your Greek-food cravings. Salads are as hefty as the entrées, from the pikilia salad ($10), topped with garbanzo beans and grape leaves, to the grilled lamb chops ($18), served on a bed of rice with bright lemon and smooth olive oil dressing and a Greek salad. This spot’s souvlaki pitas are a standout as well, and the baklava ($5) — boasting layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and honey — is a sweet ending.
5. Pega Grill
Find a wellspring of dips such as hummus ($6.50) and eggplant ($6.95); feta-stuffed Greek burgers ($11.95 to $13.95); kebab platters ($14.50 to $21.95); chicken, lamb, or beef gyros ($8.50); and a ton of vegetarian options at this casual, Greek-owned downtown Miami joint. Located at 15 E. Flagler St., Pega Grill pays homage to the famed flying horse with a painting of Pegasus over the open kitchen, where Greek and Turkish cooks churn out traditional Greek meals that diners devour daily, especially at lunchtime. Be sure to check out Pega Grill’s daily special and dessert of the day.

4. Mina’s Mediterraneo
Mina’s has been around since only 2013, but this relaxed, upscale eatery at 749 NE 79th St. on Miami's Upper Eastside has already played an integral part in shaping the neighborhood's dining scene. Small plates such as lamb burger sliders on fresh homemade pita with harissa, tzatziki, tomato, and lettuce ($15) and freshly made falafel served with creamy tahini ($6) are no-brainers. Same goes for the killer moussaka dishes, offering versions for omnivores and herbivores alike. The pizzas are doughy delights representing regions including France, Greece, Egypt, and Morocco. But there’s nothing like Mina’s brunch, which offers delectables such as mascarpone pancakes ($10) and house-made granola and greek yogurt drizzled with honey ($8) to kickstart your day. 

3. Mandolin Aegean Bistro 
This dreamy 1940s house at 4312 NE Second Ave. in Miami's Design District checks all the boxes for a classic Greek restaurant. Cozy up to the whitewashed walls, blue accents, and an old broad shade tree at the center for a charming outdoor atmosphere that's easily one of the most romantic spots in town. Once you’re seated at a lantern-lit table, start with fresh mussels ($16), doused in white wine, garlic, lemon, and oregano; then try the fresh whole fish ($34), simply grilled using high-quality Greek extra-virgin olive oil. As you enjoy the rustic flavors of Greece and Turkey, indulge in a glass of Mandolin’s extensive Old-World-style wine list for a perfect pairing that even yiayia would love.

2. Maria’s Greek Restaurant
Established in 1982, this family-run business at 2359 Coral Way has become a Miami institution. It continues to whip up classic Greek eats that are every bit as delicious as they are simply authentic. Grab a pita and chow down on some of the best – if not the best – hummus the Magic City has ever tasted, or dig into warm morsels of zucchini croquettes ($7.95). The tuna platter ($12.25) is fresh, and the roast chicken ($13.95) is flavorful. And like all dishes at Maria’s, they’re generously portioned. Cap off your meal with a slice of gooey galaktoboureko ($6) — flaky layers of phyllo filled with the creamiest custard and bathed in sugar syrup and cinnamon. 

1. Mykonos Greek Restaurant
From traditional favorites like gyro platters, souvlaki, hummus, and baklava, Mykonos is a master of all things Greek. The Coral Way mainstay has been satisfying the stomachs of hungry Miamians for nearly four decades, and it shows. Floor-to-ceiling murals, shades of blue and white, and plates piled high with abundant Greek recipes transport guests to the restaurant’s namesake island. Stop by 1201 Coral Way for a juicy lamb shank ($14.95) or a comforting dish of pastitsio ($12.95) — made with luscious layers of ground beef, thick macaroni, and cream topping — and see why dining at Mykonos could be a regular thing.

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