Best Greek Restaurants in Chicago
43 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Ema
High-volume Mediterranean mezze from Chef CJ Jacobson with consistently strong execution.
Notable Picks
#1
Ema
8.9
Ema is Lettuce Entertain You’s bright River North Mediterranean room, built around Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter California-style mezze, hummus, and kebabs in the lobby of the Hyatt Place. High-volume, multi-platform reviews and a steady local following make it one of the neighborhood’s most reliable spots for shareable small plates and vegetable-forward spreads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Hummus with Lamb Ragu, House-Made Stracciatella with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Lamb Kefta Kebabs
What makes it special: High-volume Mediterranean mezze from Chef CJ Jacobson with consistently strong execution.
#2
LÝRA
8.8
LÝRA is a modern Greek flagship in Fulton Market, pairing live-fire cooking and island-inspired dishes with a high-energy, design-forward space opened in 2022. Locals use it for big nights out where charcoal-grilled lamb, pastitsio, and cocktails turn dinner into an event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charcoal Grilled Lamb Chops, Deconstructed Pastitsio, Cast Iron Moussaka
What makes it special: Modern Greek showpiece blending Mykonos-inspired cooking with a high-design Fulton Market space.
8.8
Opened in 2009 by chef Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig is a high-volume Mediterranean small-plates restaurant on the Magnificent Mile where pork, offal, and vegetable dishes pull from Italian, Greek, and Spanish flavors. A Bib Gourmand pedigree, tens of thousands of reviews across platforms, and an always-busy dining room make it one of downtown Chicago’s most proven small-plates destinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Milk Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder, Charred Cauliflower, Pork Belly
What makes it special: High-volume Mediterranean small plates spotlighting pork and Spanish-leaning tapas.
8.7
Andros Taverna is a contemporary Greek restaurant in Logan Square from chef Doug Psaltis, serving wood-grilled meats, seafood, and house-baked breads with a focus on seasonal produce. Locals treat it as the neighborhood’s destination Mediterranean spot for date nights, group dinners, and brunch, thanks to polished service, a deep mezze menu, and a busy dining room with a large patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kataifi Cheese Pie, Charred Octopus with Chickpeas, Lamb Chops with Lemon Potatoes
What makes it special: A chef-driven modern Greek tavern where wood-fired cooking and thoughtful mezze make it a destination within Logan Square.
8.7
Avli River North is an upscale Greek restaurant in the heart of River North, known for contemporary takes on classics like saganaki, souvlaki, and lobster pasta served family-style. A large patio, upstairs dining room, and lively bar make it a go-to for group dinners, date nights, and Santorini-adjacent happy hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Flaming Saganaki, Chicken Souvlaki, Short Rib Pastitsada
What makes it special: Modern Greek cooking with a big patio and shareable feasts.
#6
Tama
8.6
Tama is a Bucktown Mediterranean bistro with Greek-South American leanings, where mezze, lamb, and seafood plates share the menu with vegetable-forward dishes and a serious wine list. The compact, softly lit room reads as a neighborhood date-night spot first, but small groups treat it like a shareable tasting menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Patatas Bravas with Spicy Greek Yogurt, Braised Short Rib with Orzo and Mizithra, Focaccia with House Spreads
What makes it special: A chef-led Mediterranean dining room where Greek-inflected mezze and large plates feel refined but still neighborhood-casual.
8.4
A contemporary Greek dining room that leans into shareable mezze, seafood-forward mains, and a lively, group-friendly pace. Order best when you build a progression—spreads and small plates first, then one whole-fish or lamb centerpiece—so the table stays coherent instead of scattered.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole red snapper, Kataifi shrimp, Flaming saganaki
What makes it special: Greek mezze-to-mains progression in a lively, polished room.
8.4
Lincoln Square institution serving traditional Greek pastries since the 1960s, run by the same family for decades. The display cases overflow with honey-drenched baklava in multiple styles, creamy bougatsa, and hearty spinach pies that locals swear keep their families happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spinach Pie, Baklava, Bougatsa
What makes it special: Over six decades of authentic Greek recipes passed through generations with unwavering quality
8.3
A long-running Andersonville Mediterranean room that rewards a share-the-table order: dips first, then a couple of hot plates that keep the meal moving. It’s a dependable sit-down pick when you want familiar flavors done with steady execution rather than trend-chasing twists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination dip sampler, Burek (meat-stuffed pastry), Saganaki
What makes it special: A shareable mezze-and-hot-plates Mediterranean menu with staying power.
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
A Greektown classic where the best meals are built around grilled seafood, bright salads, and the kind of crowd-pleasing plates that keep big tables happy. Go for the signature starters, then pick one main lane—whole fish or a hearty baked dish—and let the room’s lively energy do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean grilled octopus, Flaming saganaki, Moussaka
What makes it special: Big-room Greek cooking built for classic starters and grilled mains.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Munchies Gyros & Pizza in Irving Park operates like a classic neighborhood grill, mixing Chicago tavern-style pizza with Greek gyros, salads, and combo plates. Delivery platforms highlight consistently hot food, friendly service, and prices that make it a go-to for quick weeknight meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros Sandwich, Gyros Plate, Greek Salad
What makes it special: Hybrid pizza-and-gyros shop where Greek plates and late-night-style sandwiches share the griddle.
8.3
A long-running Greek dining room that leans into classic taverna dishes and a full-service rhythm rather than quick counter fare. The strongest meals come from a tight hot-apps-to-grill order: one crowd-pleasing starter, one seafood or lamb lane, and a composed main that holds up across repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled octopus, Moussaka, Saganaki
What makes it special: A full-service Greek menu built around classic taverna staples and grilled mains.
#13
Taxim
8.3
Taxim focuses on regionally specific Greek cooking, serving wood-grilled meats, seasonal produce, and meze in a dim, brick-lined room with a rooftop patio over Milwaukee Avenue. Locals treat it as the neighborhood’s serious sit-down option when they want a longer Mediterranean dinner instead of quick counter service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-grilled octopus, Braised lamb shank, House mezze platter
What makes it special: Rooftop-friendly modern Greek spot emphasizing regional dishes and meze.
#14
Zeus Restaurant
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Zeus is a no-frills Greektown stalwart dating back to the early 1990s, known for gyro and chicken plates loaded with pita, fries, and tzatziki at accessible prices. With well over a thousand cross-platform reviews and decades of service, it’s a dependable stop for fast, filling Greek comfort food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro Plate, Mixed Plate (Gyro & Chicken), Greek Gyro Salad
What makes it special: Long-running Greektown counter where classic gyros plates anchor generous, affordable meals.
#15
Elia
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Division where mezze, mixed grills, and seafood arrive in a candlelit room accented with deep reds and live-fire aromas. It’s used for birthday dinners and date nights when diners want an all-evening experience built around shared plates and a broader wine list.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat mezze and grill spread, Lamb chops, Baklava dessert
What makes it special: Modern, music-forward Mediterranean room built for lingering celebrations.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Greek Corner is a no-frills Ukrainian Village standby for gyros, souvlaki plates, spanakopita, and avgolemono served in generous portions. It functions as an everyday Greek-American counter where neighborhood regulars grab hearty, affordable plates for lunch and early dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef and lamb gyros plate, Spanakopita plate, Pork chops
What makes it special: A long-running Greek counter known for generous classic plates at everyday prices.
#17
Jacky's Hot Dogs
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A South Side fast-food institution where the Greek-leaning move is the gyro plate—big, filling, and built for repeat orders. It’s not a traditional Greek dining room, but it’s a high-volume neighborhood counter that delivers reliable comfort when you order like a regular.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro plate, Pizza puff, Milkshake
What makes it special: A high-volume neighborhood counter where the gyro plate is a proven go-to.
#18
Nicky's
8.2
A long-running Midway-area staple where the most Greek-leaning move is the Greek chicken—seasoned, portion-forward, and built for repeatable takeout value. The menu is broad, but the best experience comes from treating it like a specialist: Greek chicken or a gyro plate, then get out clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Greek chicken, Gyro platter, BBQ rib tips
What makes it special: Greek chicken is the signature move in a decades-old neighborhood institution.
#19
Outdoor Grill
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Outdoor Grill is a counter-service spot in Avondale known for Greek-style grilled meats, gyros, and generous combo plates at low-key prices. Locals rely on it for fast, filling dinners that taste more like a neighborhood grill than a generic fast-food chain.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros Plate, Half Greek Chicken Dinner, Chicken Kabob Plate
What makes it special: Greek-leaning grill where gyros and charcoal-grilled plates anchor the menu.
A Mediterranean-leaning bakery-cafe that plays best as a pastry-and-quick-plate stop rather than a full sit-down meal. The move is to pair one savory pita or small plate with one classic dessert so the order stays focused and fresh.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baklava, Chicken souvlaki pita wrap, Bougatsa
What makes it special: A bakery-first menu where dessert classics share space with quick Mediterranean plates.
#21
Taverna 1821
8.2
Taverna 1821 is a newer Greek pop-up in Fulton Market, spotlighting regional dishes like shrimp manti, lamb skaras, and seafood tomato orzo in a cozy, polished setting with a patio. It channels a taverna-style menu into a modern West Loop context, making it a strong choice for mezze-driven dinners and happy hour.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Manti, Lamb Skaras, Seafood Tomato Orzo
What makes it special: Chef-driven Greek pop-up spotlighting regional dishes rarely seen elsewhere in Fulton Market.
#22
Taza Cafe
8.2
Taza Cafe is a long-running Loop counter-service spot for Palestinian-leaning Mediterranean plates, falafel, and shawarma that stay firmly in the affordable-lunch zone. Regulars lean on it for freshly cooked platters and wraps that feel homemade compared with the larger fast-casual chains nearby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel platter with hummus, Lentil soup with warm pita
What makes it special: A quietly enduring Franklin Street café serving Palestinian-style shawarma, falafel, and daily-cooked specials at true Loop-budget prices.
#23
Windy City Gyros
8.2
A classic, no-frills Chicago gyro stand where speed, portion size, and late-hour dependability are the point. It’s not built for ambiance, but it’s a steady go-to when you want a straightforward pita-and-fries meal that shows up the same way every time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Grilled chicken pita sandwich, Hot dog with fries
What makes it special: Old-school gyro stand energy with reliable, fast portions.
8.1
Alexander’s is a family-owned Greek-influenced diner just off Lincoln Square that has been serving breakfast, gyros, and “Grecian” specials for decades. The big menu and all-day hours make it a reliable choice for everything from early-morning skillets to late brunch plates with a Hellenic lean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros Sandwich, Greek Omelette, Greek Salad
What makes it special: Old-school family diner where Greek classics sit alongside Chicago-style breakfast plates.
8.1
A casual Greek grill built for straightforward, repeatable orders—gyros, plates, and sides that hit hardest when you keep it classic. It’s a reliable neighborhood stop when you want hot-off-the-grill satisfaction without turning it into a whole production.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro plate, Greek salad, Loukoumades
What makes it special: No-drama Greek grill that keeps gyros and plates dependable.
8.1
A newer, modern-leaning Greek dining room where the menu reads best as a curated small-plates-to-protein progression rather than a sprawling sampler. Build your meal around one salad or spread, one seafood or soup course, and one standout main so flavors stay distinct and the table stays hot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maroulosalata, Avgolemono soup, Mussels saganaki
What makes it special: Modern Greek cooking with a share-plates approach and cocktail-friendly pacing.
8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
A polished Greek dining room that leans more modern steak-and-seafood than taverna, with a menu built for a composed, course-like progression. It’s at its best when you treat it as an occasion: one strong starter, one seafood or lamb lane, then a clean finish instead of over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb chops, Smoked lamb ribs, Spanakopita
What makes it special: Modern Greek cooking with a polished, occasion-forward dining room.
#28
Mr. Gee's
8
A Greek-American counter-and-casual setup that wins in the gyro-and-chicken lane—think rotisserie-style plates, Greek sides, and fast pickup rhythm. It’s strongest when you order like a regular: one gyro or chicken dinner plus Greek potatoes or rice so the meal stays tight and travels cleanly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek chicken dinner, Greek potatoes
What makes it special: A gyro-and-Greek-chicken specialist with strong takeout consistency and Greek sides.
Yasemi sits off the lobby of the Godfrey Hotel as a modern Greek-leaning Mediterranean dining room with plenty of natural light and a flexible all-day menu. Open since 2025, it runs from breakfast through dinner, giving River North visitors and office workers a sit-down option for mezze, grilled seafood, and braised lamb without leaving the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Harissa Feta with Warm Pita, Grilled Octopus, Youvetsi Lamb Shank with Orzo
What makes it special: Hotel-attached modern Mediterranean spot with full-day service and a spacious, comfortable dining room.
Worthy Picks
#30
George's Gyros
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Bridgeport fast-casual Greek-American standby centered on classic gyros and grill plates, built for quick turnaround and no-drama consistency. Order one gyro or pita as the anchor and add a simple salad or soup so the meal stays clean and not just meat-and-fries heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek chicken pita, Greek salad
What makes it special: A straightforward gyro-and-grill spot that stays consistent for quick meals.
#31
Mr Greek Gyros
7.9
Mr Greek Gyros’ Taylor Street outpost brings a decades-old Greektown brand’s gyros, burgers, and kabob plates to University Village with long hours and counter-service convenience. It leans into big portions and late-night service more than polish, making it a reliable option after classes or games.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros Plate, Chicken Kabob Dinner, Big Baby Double Cheeseburger
What makes it special: Little Italy offshoot of a decades-old Greektown favorite, focused on gyros, burgers, and late-night comfort plates.
7.9
Sinya Mediterranean is a casual counter-service concept with a River North location that focuses on shawarma, kabob plates, wraps, and salads at accessible prices. Portions run generous and customization is easy, making it a dependable option for quick lunches, solo dinners, or low-key takeout within the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mixed Grill Entrée, Falafel with Hummus
What makes it special: Fast-casual Mediterranean with big portions and buildable plates in a central River North location.
Yaba's Food & Middle Eastern Grill is a family-run counter inside a small market where shawarma, falafel, and homey plates come out of a compact open kitchen. Logan Square locals use it as a dependable, affordable takeout option for freshly fried falafel, lentil soup, and mixed plates that travel well.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Plate, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Lentil Soup
What makes it special: A tiny grocery-counter hybrid where hand-made falafel, shawarma, and lentil soup anchor some of the neighborhood’s most affordable Middle Eastern plates.
#34
Big Boy Gyros
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Since the late 1990s, Big Boy Gyros has been a Roscoe Village/North Center standby for classic Chicago-style gyros, Greek fries, and char-grilled burgers. It’s a no-frills counter where portions are big, prices stay low, and the menu runs from breakfast omelettes to late-afternoon gyro plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Boy Gyros Sandwich, Gyros Plate, Gyros Omelette
What makes it special: Long-running Greek-American counter known for overstuffed gyros and Greek fries.
#35
Nick's On North
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Nick’s On North is a Humboldt Park standby for gyros, burgers, and Chicago-style fast food, with a Greek-leaning menu that rewards simple orders and late cravings. Locals treat it as a reliable counter-service spot for loaded gyro plates, Greek chicken, and oversized fries at true neighborhood prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro Plate with Fries, Half Greek Chicken, Cheesy Italian Beef
What makes it special: A classic North Avenue fast-casual spot where gyros, Greek chicken, and burgers share a huge menu and portions stay generous.
#36
Pitaki
7.8
Pitaki is a 2024 quick-service Greek street food spot from the Avli team, centered on build-your-own pita wraps and salad bowls plus halloumi-driven snacks. It offers a faster, lighter way to eat Greek in a corridor dominated by full-service destinations, with pricing that’s gentle by West Loop standards.
Must-Try Dishes:
Klassikó Wrap, Halloumi Curds, Chi-Ro Dog
What makes it special: New quick-service Greek street food spin-off emphasizing wraps, bowls, and halloumi snacks.
#37
The Hut
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A classic neighborhood counter where the Greek lane is simple and reliable: a generous gyro that stays satisfying even as takeout. It’s not trying to be a sit-down taverna—think steady, no-drama comfort with fast pacing and a familiar South Side rhythm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Rib eye steak sandwich, Soup of the day
What makes it special: A straightforward gyro-and-counter classic that stays consistent with a tight order.
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A classic carry-out where the Greek side of the menu shines most when you go gyro-first and keep the order tight. It’s built for quick satisfaction—more about repeatable comfort and speed than a destination dining moment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek chicken salad, Fries
What makes it special: A no-frills carry-out where gyros are the safest, most consistent bet.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A casual Greek-leaning counter with a broad comfort-food menu, best approached through its Mediterranean lane rather than trying to cover everything. Keep it simple with one plate-style main and one pastry dessert for the cleanest execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros plate, Mediterranean combo, Baklava
What makes it special: Big-portion Greek comfort built for fast, low-fuss meals.
#40
Greek Kitchen
7.6
Greek Kitchen is a counter-service spot inside Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Galter Pavilion turning out gyros, avgolemono, and grilled platters for patients, staff, and Streeterville workers. It functions less as a destination restaurant and more as a practical, reliably available source for quick Greek comfort food steps from the medical campus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Greek Egg-Lemon Soup (Avgolemono), Chicken Souvlaki Plate, Lamb & Beef Gyro with Fries
What makes it special: A hospital-adjacent Greek counter where avgolemono, gyros, and salads are ready for fast, filling meals in Streeterville.
7.6
Sila’s #2 brings a newer, build-your-own Mediterranean format to Madison Street, with customizable bowls, wraps, and plates that skew protein- and veg-forward. It functions as a healthier-feeling Loop lunch option where you can dial in spice, grains, and toppings without losing the comfort of shawarma and dips.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Hangover sandwich, Falafel wrap with baba ghanoush
What makes it special: A modern counter-service Mediterranean spot where you can build substantial bowls and wraps with shawarma, grilled veggies, and house dips instead of defaulting to salad chains.
#42
Go the Greek Way
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Operating out of a South Loop delivery hub, Go the Greek Way focuses on gyro bowls, pitas, and Mediterranean sides built for takeout and delivery. It functions more like a virtual counter-service shop than a dine-in taverna, but offers one of the few dedicated Greek options in 60616 with customizable, fast-moving orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Traditional Gyro Bowl, Falafel Bowl, Lentils Pita
What makes it special: A rare South Loop Greek-focused delivery spot centered on customizable gyro bowls and pitas.
#43
Hub's Restaurant
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A long-running neighborhood drive-in style spot where Greek staples share the menu with classic fast-casual comfort food. The best orders stay in the gyro-and-fries lane—simple, salty, and satisfying—especially for takeout or a quick sit-down when you want volume over finesse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek fries, Greek chicken (rotisserie-style)
What makes it special: A classic Chicago neighborhood counter with a Greek-leaning comfort lane and long tenure.