Top 10 Greek Restaurants to Try in Birmingham, AL

Birmingham has a deeper Greek food heritage than most people realize. In the early 1900s Greek immigrants became a dominant force in the city's restaurant scene, and that history runs through everything from the annual Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, now in its 45th year, to a Vestavia Hills grill that Greg Pappas opened in 1992 after helping introduce the gyro sandwich to Birmingham decades earlier. These are in no particular order.

Pappas' Grill

Birmingham's original Greek grill, opened by Greg and Pat Pappas in 1992 in Vestavia Hills after Greg spent years helping introduce gyros to the city working alongside Birmingham restaurant legends, Pappas' Grill has been called Greek done right by the Birmingham News and the Mecca of fine foods by Hotline magazine. The pastitsio is the best a devoted fan has ever had, the Greek salad and green beans with tomatoes are excellent, the baklava is a must, the roasted lamb is mouth-watering, the pan-fried tilapia with rice and Greek salad is delicious, and the fresh-from-scratch bread sticks dipped in olive oil are a beloved opener to every meal. The owner has been serving Birmingham for over thirty years and is described as a delight, with different specials daily and food that is consistently cooked to order.

Tasty Town

The top-ranked Greek restaurant in Birmingham across the current Yelp listings and described as bringing serious Greek vibes that are fresh, flavorful, and full of soul, Tasty Town is the most enthusiastically reviewed contemporary Greek dining experience in the city. The beef souvlaki plate is perfection with juicy and perfectly seasoned smoky grilled beef, the spanakopita is flaky and rich, the lemon potatoes are tangy, tender, and totally addictive, the garden hummus is described as the best hummus by devoted fans, the fabulous and authentic Greek food spans a large menu, and the Tasty Town gin and tonic is as refreshing as a breeze off the Aegean. The service is friendly, fast, and full of Southern charm and the team takes clear pride in what they do.

Makarios

A well-loved Birmingham Greek restaurant that earns the best Greek food I have ever tasted designation from first-time visitors who find staff wonderful and helpful in explaining different dishes, and described as fabulous authentic Greek food with the best hummus by devoted regulars, Makarios is one of the most genuinely satisfying authentic Greek dining experiences in the city. The stuffed squash made by the owner herself is described as the best by one regular who calls it their favorite local Greek restaurant, and the overall quality, authenticity, and warm family feel of the operation make it a natural go-to for honest Greek cooking in Birmingham.

Olive Branch

A Vestavia Hills and Cahaba Heights Mediterranean and Greek restaurant opened in February 2005 by Rana Shunnarah and family that has been serving classic Mediterranean dishes and American cuisine with specialty home-style cooking for two decades, the Olive Branch is described by a devoted gyro fanatic as having one of the best gyros in town and described as a wonder off the beaten path Greek restaurant that has the best gyro meat in all of Birmingham. The open kitchen dining room lets you watch the art of cooking in action, the outdoor patio is a popular option in good weather, the well-seasoned chicken kebob on a skewer with veggies and Greek salad earns excellent marks, and the overall freshness and quality of every dish reflect a genuine family commitment to authentic Mediterranean cooking.

Sam's Deli and Grill

A well-loved Birmingham Greek and American neighborhood deli and grill that earns enthusiastic praise for superb authentic gyros described as many other terrific entrees with a great mint tea, the best burger anyone has ever eaten alongside excellent Greek food, and very reasonable prices with a particularly outstanding cucumber and tomato side dish, Sam's Deli and Grill is a dependable and satisfying option for Greek food across the city. Regulars describe the gyro meat as excellent and the overall consistency and value make it a beloved neighborhood institution.

Costas

A well-regarded Birmingham Greek restaurant that earns consistent strong marks for its authentic Greek food, great food and service every time, fresh and plentiful offerings with healthy food options, and the kind of honest and satisfying Mediterranean cooking that makes it a reliable and enjoyable neighborhood destination for Greek cuisine across the city, Costas is a solid and dependable option for Greek food in Birmingham. The tzatziki sauce is farm-to-table fresh and one of the best devotees have had.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill

A well-regarded Birmingham Greek Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant that earns consistent strong marks from gyro fanatics and Greek food fans alike for its great food, friendly staff, and very authentic Greek food that is some of the best in town, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is a dependable and enjoyable casual option for Greek cuisine across the city. The spanakopita is a highlight for diners specifically seeking it out, and the overall quality and accessibility of the operation make it a natural go-to for Greek food in Birmingham.

The Bright Star Restaurant

A Bessemer Alabama institution that has been serving Birmingham for decades and is described as a place with a great history of Greek food in Birmingham alongside Niki's and John's Restaurant, The Bright Star is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the state and features a menu with Greek-style cooking including broiling with Greek spices and sauces and lots of lemon that has made it a beloved part of the city's Greek food heritage. The snapper and shrimp entrees are personally recommended by longtime regulars, the baked and broiled oyster appetizer is superb, and the atmosphere is an interesting fusion of diner, farmhouse, lodge, and elegant restaurant with hand-painted Euro-like pastoral murals on the walls.

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe

A Mountain Brook and Birmingham area Mediterranean and Greek cafe that delivers fresh and healthy Mediterranean food with primarily plant-based cooking using healthy oils instead of butter, chargrilled proteins, and a menu of gyros, souvlaki, lemon chicken soup, and Greek salads, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is a reliable and accessible option for Greek and Mediterranean food across the city. The lemon chicken soup and salads are excellent for healthy takeout and the fresh flavors and good tzatziki make it a dependable neighborhood choice.

Krazy Greek

A well-regarded Birmingham area Greek restaurant that earns consistent strong marks for being way better than other Greek places around Birmingham with great food, great staff, and great prices, Krazy Greek is a solid and enjoyable casual option for Greek food across the city. The food reflects a genuine commitment to Greek culinary traditions done well and the overall quality and value make it a dependable neighborhood go-to for anyone craving honest Greek cooking in the Birmingham metro.

Conclusion

Birmingham's Greek dining scene is rooted in a history that stretches back over a century, when Greek immigrants shaped the city's restaurant culture from downtown diners to neighborhood grills, and that heritage flows through a Vestavia Hills institution that has been called Greek done right for over thirty years and a Holy Trinity church community that puts on one of the best Greek food festivals in the South every fall. From Vestavia Hills to Cahaba Heights to Mountain Brook, there is more outstanding Greek dining worth discovering across the Magic City than most visitors passing through ever take the time to find.