Top 10 Greek Restaurants to Try in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis may not be the first city that comes to mind for Greek food, but the Twin Cities have a quietly impressive Mediterranean dining scene that has been building since the 1990s. From a Northeast Minneapolis institution that has been earning Zagat recognition and GoodFood100 accolades for over three decades to a family-run operation that won the award for best gyro in Minnesota, the city has more authentic Greek food worth seeking out than most people realize. Please note that the restaurants below are not listed in any particular order. Every spot on this list is worth a visit in its own right.

Christos Greek Restaurant

The most celebrated Greek restaurant in Minneapolis and consistently regarded as the best Greek food in Minnesota, Christos is a light and airy taverna-style restaurant that has been earning devoted fans for decades. The menu is extensive and every dish is executed with fresh ingredients and genuine care, the flaming saganaki is a showstopper, and the warm and attentive service makes every occasion feel special. It is the kind of restaurant where regulars have never had a bad meal and visitors leave wishing they had one closer to home.

Gardens of Salonica

A Northeast Minneapolis institution since 1991 and one of the most distinctive Greek restaurants in the entire Twin Cities, Gardens of Salonica describes its approach as Greek food, not street food, and the menu lives up to that philosophy beautifully. The kitchen uses organic, wild-caught, and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, the braised octopus, wild-caught cod roe taramosalata, lamb shank, moussaka, and galaktoboureko are all outstanding, and the cozy setting with sculptures along the walls creates a genuinely transportive atmosphere. Greek friends of regulars consistently say it is better than much of what they had in Greece, which is the highest possible praise.

Gyropolis

Founded by the Contolatis family who came from Greece to Minnesota in 1971 and opened the restaurant in 2005 using family recipes passed down through generations, Gyropolis has earned the title of best gyro in Minnesota and built a devoted following that extends well beyond the Twin Cities. The spicy gyro in particular has developed a cult-like following, the tzatziki is house-made and exceptional, and the 2024 addition of a drive-up window and patio makes it more accessible than ever. It is one of those rare fast-casual spots where the food genuinely earns every superlative thrown at it.

It's Greek to Me

A family-owned and operated restaurant in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood of Minneapolis that has been a beloved fixture for over twenty-five years, It's Greek to Me is the kind of neighborhood Greek spot that earns loyal regulars through consistency, authenticity, and genuine warmth. The menu covers an array of specialty meats, spinach pies, daily deals, and seafood specials, and the Greek spaghetti when available is a must-try. People who grew up eating Greek food in Chicago's Greektown consistently call it as good as anything they had there.

Athens Cafe

A must-visit for authentic Greek food in the Twin Cities, Athens Cafe delivers outstanding chicken souvlaki with bold and juicy flavors, velvety garlicky hummus, and gyro lamb that is cooked to perfection and nicely seasoned throughout. The cozy and warm atmosphere makes it a natural choice for a casual meal with friends or family, and the overall quality and consistency of the food have made it one of the most reliable Greek spots in the Minneapolis area.

Trieste Cafe

A downtown Minneapolis Greek spot that fills with the aroma of fresh herbs and spices and delivers generous portions of honest Greek cooking, Trieste Cafe is a solid and satisfying lunch and dinner destination in the heart of the city. The gyro sandwich combo with juicy meat, creamy hummus, crunchy vegetables, and warm pita bread is the signature, and the overall quality and value make it one of the most dependable Greek spots in the downtown core.

Olive and Lamb

A neighborhood Greek restaurant in Minneapolis that earns strong praise for its bold flavors, generous portions, and engaging and friendly service, Olive and Lamb is a reliable and enjoyable option for Greek food across the Twin Cities. The lamb shank is the standout dish, with meat that falls off the bone beautifully, and the honey cake for dessert is a fitting close to a genuinely satisfying meal.

Santorini Taverna

A suburban Greek restaurant in Eden Prairie that is impossible to miss with its bold blue canopies and waving Greek flags, Santorini Taverna brings a genuinely festive atmosphere to Mediterranean dining in the Twin Cities. The food is consistently praised for its authentic flavors and the lively, celebratory atmosphere makes it a natural choice for group dinners and family gatherings. It is a strong option for anyone in the southwest suburbs looking for a full Greek feast experience.

Gyropolis at Spitz

A Mediterranean-inspired fast casual concept with multiple Twin Cities locations that delivers fresh and flavorful Greek-influenced food in a bright and welcoming setting, Spitz is a go-to for a quick and satisfying Mediterranean meal across Minneapolis. The doner salad with falafel is a standout, the portions are generous, and the cocktail program and lively decor make it as enjoyable to linger in as it is to grab food on the go.

Kafe 421

A family-oriented neighborhood Greek restaurant in Minneapolis where hospitality and genuine warmth define the dining experience from the moment you walk in, Kafe 421 is the kind of place where you immediately feel like part of the family. The food is top-notch, the service is attentive and friendly, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and the prices make it easy to come back again and again. It is a hidden gem in the Twin Cities Greek dining scene that more people across Minneapolis need to know about.

Conclusion

Minneapolis's Greek food scene is anchored by a handful of deeply committed restaurants that have been earning loyal followings for decades, and the city rewards those willing to look beyond the obvious for their next great Greek meal. From Northeast to Uptown to the suburbs, the Twin Cities have more authentic Mediterranean dining worth discovering than this list can fully capture.