Where to Find Great Greek Food in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide

Atlanta has quietly become an excellent city for Greek and Mediterranean food, from casual gyro spots to sit-down tavern-style restaurants. Whether you live in the city or you’re just visiting, you can find everything from quick souvlaki wraps near Midtown offices to leisurely mezze dinners in Decatur or the northern suburbs.

This guide focuses on Greek restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia—what to expect, where they tend to be located, and how to pick the right spot for your meal.

What to Expect at a Greek Restaurant in Atlanta

Most Greek restaurants in Atlanta fall into a few common styles:

• Fast-casual gyro and souvlaki spots
  Counter service, build‑your‑own pita wraps and bowls, quick lunch or takeout.

• Taverna-style sit‑down restaurants
  Full-service dining, mezze (small plates), grilled meats, seafood, and larger platters to share.

• Mediterranean fusion or “pan‑Mediterranean” menus
  Mix of Greek, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and sometimes Italian dishes.

Across the city, you’ll typically find:

• Gyros and souvlaki (pork, chicken, lamb, or beef)
• Moussaka, pastitsio, and stuffed vegetables
• Fresh salads like Greek salad with feta and olives
• Grilled seafood such as whole fish or octopus at more traditional tavernas
• House-made dips: tzatziki, hummus, melitzanosalata (eggplant), taramosalata (fish roe)
• Greek desserts such as baklava, galaktoboureko, or loukoumades

Most Atlanta Greek restaurants are used to dietary preferences and food allergies. It’s common to see:

• Clearly labeled vegetarian options
• A range of gluten‑friendly or low‑gluten dishes (grilled meats, salads, dips without bread)
• Olive oil–forward cooking with limited heavy sauces, especially at lighter, modern spots

Key Areas in Atlanta for Greek Restaurants

You can find Greek food across the metro area, but certain neighborhoods and corridors have more options clustered together.

Intown Atlanta (Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward)

If you’re working or staying near Midtown or Downtown, you’ll mainly see:

• Fast-casual Greek and Mediterranean near office buildings
• A few sit‑down Greek or Mediterranean restaurants within walking or short rideshare distance
• Options inside food halls like Ponce City Market or around the BeltLine that offer Greek-influenced dishes or similar flavors

These are convenient for:

• Office lunches
• Carry‑out for hotel stays
• Casual pre‑game meals before events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Buckhead and North Atlanta

Buckhead and the surrounding north Atlanta neighborhoods often feature:

• Upscale or modern Mediterranean restaurants with Greek dishes
• Full‑service restaurants that feel appropriate for business dinners, dates, or special occasions
• Wine lists that sometimes highlight Greek wines, including Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko, and Xinomavro

This part of the city is a good fit if you’re looking for tablecloth service, a bar scene, and a longer sit‑down meal rather than quick counter service.

Decatur, Virginia‑Highland, and Eastside Neighborhoods

On the east side (including Decatur, Virginia‑Highland, Inman Park, Kirkwood, and Candler Park), you’re more likely to find:

• Neighborhood Greek and Mediterranean cafes with patios
• Family‑friendly spots with mezze, gyros, and vegetarian plates
• Places that work well for walkable dinners if you’re staying nearby

If you like to park once and stroll, these areas let you combine Greek food with coffee shops, dessert spots, and bars on the same street.

Northern Suburbs (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Roswell)

If you’re in the northern suburbs, you’ll see a mix of:

• Long‑standing Greek and Mediterranean restaurants in strip centers
• Newer concepts in places like Avalon (Alpharetta) or along Roswell Road
• Spots that are geared toward families and groups, with large platters and combination plates

These can be ideal if you’re:

• Staying near Perimeter Center for work
• Looking for a large dining room that can accommodate groups
• Wanting easier parking and access than some intown neighborhoods

Types of Greek Dishes You’ll Commonly Find in Atlanta

Most Greek restaurants in Atlanta share a core set of dishes, even if the presentation or seasoning style differs slightly.

Classic Mains

• Gyro: Typically a mix of lamb and beef or sometimes chicken, shaved from a vertical spit. Often served:

  • Wrapped in pita with onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki
  • As a plate or platter with rice, salad, and pita on the side

• Souvlaki: Skewers of marinated meat (chicken, pork, lamb, or beef).

  • Commonly offered as skewers over rice, or
  • Wrapped in pita with toppings similar to gyros

• Moussaka: Layers of eggplant, potatoes, seasoned ground meat, and béchamel baked together.

• Pastitsio: Sometimes called “Greek lasagna,” with pasta, ground meat, and creamy topping.

• Greek-style grilled chicken or lamb: Often marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs, served with vegetables or rice.

Mezze and Sides

Most Greek restaurants in Atlanta will have a mezze section or appetizers:

• Tzatziki, hummus, baba ghanoush, and other dips with pita
• Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves)
• Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie)
• Saganaki (pan‑seared cheese, sometimes flamed at the table)
• Greek salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, feta, and vinaigrette

These are good for sharing at the table, especially if you’re with a group.

Desserts and Coffee

Greek desserts and drinks you might see:

• Baklava: layers of phyllo with nuts and honey or syrup
• Galaktoboureko: custard baked in phyllo with syrup
• Loukoumades: fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon
• Greek coffee: strong, unfiltered coffee served in a small cup
• Frappe or iced coffee drinks at more modern or cafe‑style spots

Quick Comparison: Choosing a Greek Restaurant Style in Atlanta

Use this as a quick way to match a restaurant type to your situation:

Practical Tips for Eating Greek in Atlanta

1. Reservations vs. Walk‑In

• Busy weekend evenings in popular neighborhoods (Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Inman Park) often require reservations at sit‑down Greek or Mediterranean restaurants.
• Lunchtime at fast‑casual spots is usually walk‑in, but ordering ahead online or by phone is common, especially near office districts.
• In suburban areas, you can often walk in on weeknights, but holidays and big event weekends can still be crowded.

2. Parking and Getting Around

Parking situations vary widely across Atlanta:

• Intown areas (Midtown, Inman Park, Virginia‑Highland)

  • Mix of street parking, small lots, and paid decks
  • If you’re near MARTA, you can avoid parking by using rail or bus

• Buckhead and Perimeter

  • Many restaurants are in shopping centers or standalone buildings with shared surface parking and/or decks

• Decatur and small neighborhood districts

  • City of Decatur and similar areas often use metered street parking or public decks
  • Some restaurants validate parking; it’s worth asking when you arrive

If you want to avoid driving, rideshare services are widely used across the city for restaurant outings, especially when pairing dinner with drinks.

3. Ordering for Different Diets

Most Greek restaurants in Atlanta are accustomed to a range of dietary needs:

• Vegetarian

  • Look for falafel, spanakopita, dolmades, vegetable kabobs, lentil soups, and mezze combinations
  • Greek salads or village salads (horiatiki) are common vegetarian options

• Gluten-conscious

  • Many grilled meats, salads, and dips are naturally lower in gluten
  • You can usually skip the pita or swap for veggies where available

• Dairy-conscious

  • Feta and yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki show up often; let your server know you need to omit cheese or yogurt
  • Grilled meats and vegetables can often be prepared with olive oil, lemon, and herbs only

Most spots will clearly label common allergens on the menu or will work with you if you ask questions before ordering.

4. Takeout and Delivery

In Atlanta, Greek restaurants frequently offer:

• Takeout by phone or in person
• Pickup orders placed via restaurant websites or third‑party apps
• Delivery in many intown and suburban neighborhoods

This makes Greek food a practical option if:

• You’re staying at a hotel near Downtown, Midtown, or Perimeter
• You’re hosting people at home and want family‑style platters of gyros, salads, and dips

If you’re ordering for a group, consider:

• A tray of gyro meat or souvlaki with pita and toppings on the side
• Large Greek salads and assorted dips
• Desserts by the half‑pan or dozen (baklava, cookies, or pastries when available)

Greek Food Around Events and Attractions

If you’re planning Greek meals around major Atlanta attractions, here’s how it usually works:

• Downtown (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park)

  • You’ll find quick‑service Mediterranean or Greek‑leaning options within short driving distance.
  • Many visitors use rideshare to reach more restaurant‑dense areas like Midtown or Inman Park.

• Midtown (Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, museums)

  • You can walk or take short rides to several Greek or Mediterranean spots.
  • This is a convenient area if you want a sit‑down Greek meal before or after a show.

• Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside Trail)

  • While not every restaurant is strictly Greek, you’ll find Mediterranean‑inspired dishes and similar flavors.
  • Ideal for combining a walk or bike ride with a casual Greek‑influenced lunch or dinner.

• Sports venues (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Truist Park)

  • There may be Mediterranean‑style items at or near the stadiums.
  • For a more traditional Greek meal, most people eat before or after the game in nearby neighborhoods or in Cobb County near Truist Park.

How to Evaluate a Greek Restaurant in Atlanta

When comparing Greek restaurants around Atlanta, it helps to focus on a few key points:

• Menu Variety

  • If you want a traditional experience, look for moussaka, pastitsio, grilled whole fish, and multiple mezze options.
  • For a quick or casual meal, a smaller menu centered on gyros, salads, and a few appetizers can still be very satisfying.

• Atmosphere

  • Do you prefer a lively dining room with music and large groups? Or a quieter, date-friendly setting?
  • Suburban restaurants often have larger, brighter spaces, while intown venues can be more compact and atmospheric.

• Service Style

  • Counter service works well for lunch and solo meals.
  • Table service is better for longer dinners, celebrations, and when you want more guidance on the menu.

• Location and Access

  • Consider where you’re staying or living:
    • Intown neighborhoods are good if you prioritize walkability.
    • Northern suburbs are convenient for parking and family gatherings.

• Price Range

  • Fast‑casual gyro places are often budget‑friendly.
  • Full‑service tavernas and upscale Mediterranean spots in Buckhead or Midtown can be moderate to expensive, especially with drinks and multiple courses.

Making the Most of Greek Food in Atlanta

To get the best experience from Greek restaurants in Atlanta:

• 📅 Plan for peak times: Reserve ahead on weekends for popular sit‑down spots.
• 🅿️ Check parking options: Street vs. lot vs. deck can influence where you choose to go, especially intown.
• 🍽️ Share plates: Many Greek dishes—mezze, grilled meats, dessert platters—are ideal for sharing, which lets you try more of the menu.
• 🌿 Ask about specials: Chefs at tavern-style restaurants often have daily seafood or seasonal vegetable specials not listed on the printed menu.
• 📦 Think ahead for leftovers: Greek food reheats well, especially grilled meats, rice, and baked dishes like moussaka.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick gyro in Midtown, planning a family dinner in the suburbs, or booking a date night in Buckhead, Atlanta offers plenty of ways to enjoy Greek flavors at nearly any price point and schedule.