The 5 Best Gyro in Athens

Even if you know next to nothing about Greek street food, I’m willing to bet you’ve heard about gyros! They’re reminiscent of kebabs from Turkey and various Middle Eastern wraps, yet gyros are very much a Greek tradition, dating back to the 19th century.

I don’t think I’ve run a single Athens food tour where these pita-filled delights haven’t been at the top of everyone’s must-try list. Inside each flatbread is a mix of sliced marinated meat cut fresh from a rotisserie, fresh veggies like onion and tomato, fried potato, and plenty of creamy tzatziki.

There are quite a few contenders for the best gyro in Athens, but I think these spots definitely deserve the top spots!

Tylixto Greek Wrap

Photo credit: Tylixto Greek Wrap

Tylixto Greek Wrap is a short walk from Monastiraki Square, and this little spot proves that you don’t have to journey far from the center to get your hands on some authentic gyros.

It’s a tiny but modern eatery with communal-type tables right out front. When I was here, though, there wasn’t a seat to spare, so most customers, myself included, simply feasted on their orders while standing outside!

Their menu had a mix of classic gyros, extra spicy versions, and double-sized portions, and I honestly struggled to choose. I wasn’t prepared to take the risk of the hot sauce, and I didn’t know if I was hungry enough for a large serving, so I stuck to classic pork gyros.

The first thing I noticed was how warm and soft the pita was and how it complimented the crispy fries packed inside.However, the juicy, herbaceous pork was the star, as every slice was dripping with savory, garlicky flavors.

Tylixto Greek Wrap (€3.90-€4.90 / $4.20-$5.30) – Aiolou 19 TYLIXTO, Aiolou 19, Athina 105 51, Greece – Open every Monday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, and every Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Street Souvlaki

Photo credit: Street Souvlaki

Between Syntagma and Klafthmonos Square is Street Souvlaki, a beloved spot for incredible souvlaki and gyros.

These guys are pros when it comes to these Greek staples, as I quickly gathered from how busy this contemporary taverna was when I got here. They have quite a few seats in their chic outdoor area, something you don’t always get with street food spots.

The menu had a fantastic line-up of fillings, and I had my sights set on the chicken option, which specifically used thigh meat.

While I’m sure their classic chicken gyros are delicious, too, the thigh meat was so succulent and soaked up all of the flavors from the marinade. I was also super impressed by the tzatziki, which was thick, creamy, and slightly tangy.

Street Souvlaki (€3.40-€3.70 ~ $3.70-$4) – Kolokotroni 30, Athina 105 62, Greece – Open every Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:00 am, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 3:00 am, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am.

O Gyros Pou Gyrevis

Lying along the edge of the Plaka neighborhood, not far from the Acropolis Museum, is O Gyros Pou Gyrevis.

On the surface, it looks like your run-of-the-mill fast food joint, but it’s home to some of the most sensational gyros I’ve found in all of Athens. I haven’t managed to get a seat here any time I visited, but it hasn’t stopped me from coming back.

The team here focuses on pork and chicken gyros, but for the most part, I tend to go for their pork offerings.

I’m not sure if there’s paprika in the marinade or a secret ingredient of some sort, but there always seems to be a gorgeous smokey flavor coming from each slice of tender pork. Whatever it is, it goes down a treat with the salty fries, acidic tomatoes, and sharp red onions.

O Gyros Pou Gyrevis – (€3.20-€8.50 ~ $3.50-$9.20) – 1 Athnasssiou Diakou, Athens 117 42 Greece – Open every day from 11:00 am to 12:00 am.

Bouloukos Kebab

Photo credit: Bouloukos Kebab

If I had to pick one gyro spot in Omonia, it’d be Bouloukos Kebab every time. It’s a casual deli-style eatery with various gyro and doner meats on display. Though it’s not quite a sit-down restaurant, there are a handful of tables tucked around the back.

I was surprised to find quite a few other Mediterranean dishes on the menu, including Greek salad, falafel, and hummus. As tempted as I was, I’d come here for their chicken gyros, which a friend had told me were some of the best in town.

From the first taste of the fluffy pita bread, I had a good feeling about this place. Everything somehow tasted better with every bite, from the soft fried potatoes to the chicken’s subtle lemon and spicy oregano flavors.

Bouloukos Kebab – (€2-€2.90 ~ $2.20-$3.10) – Athinas 53, Athina 105 52, Greece – Open every Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, closed every Sunday.

Kostas

Another beloved Athenian gyros spot is Kostas, situated just outside of Monastiraki.

Part of the allure of Kostas is its no-frills set-up, as the entire place is packed into one narrow nook. In typical European fashion, there’s a small cluster of tables outside that are almost always full, making it easy to find.

It’s not every day that you see beef as a gyro filling, so I didn’t think twice about ordering it as soon as I noticed it.

A part of me thought the rich, beefy flavors might be a little overpowering, but they worked surprisingly well with the other ingredients. The zingy tomatoes, punchy onions, and bright, fresh tzatziki lightened the intensity of the meat without distracting from it.

Kostas – (€3 ~ $3.20) – Pl. Agias Irinis 2, Athina 105 60, Greece – Open every Monday to Friday from 10:00 pm to 6:00 pm, closed every Saturday and Sunday.

Conclusion

The Classic City is teeming with fantastic street food spots, so everybody you meet will likely have their own take on where to find the best gyro in Athens. I happen to know a thing or two about great gyros, so I promise you’ll be in safe hands with any of these worthy picks!