Top 10 Greek Restaurants to Try in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is a city that holds its restaurants to an exceptionally high standard, and the Greek food scene here reflects that demanding palate. The city's Greek dining landscape is small but mighty, anchored by one of the most celebrated Greek restaurants in the entire country and filled out by a range of modern, California-inflected takes on Mediterranean cooking. From a Financial District icon that has drawn crowds for decades to a Hayes Valley fast-casual concept that has quietly redefined what a Greek wrap can be, San Francisco does Greek food with the same ambition it applies to everything else. 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.

Kokkari Estiatorio

The undisputed crown jewel of Greek dining in San Francisco and one of the finest Greek restaurants in the entire country, Kokkari Estiatorio in the Financial District is a mandatory stop for anyone serious about Mediterranean food in the Bay Area. Named after a small fishing village on the island of Samos, the restaurant draws from the bounty of Northern California while staying true to a deeply Greek culinary philosophy. The wood grill and rotisserie anchor a menu of extraordinary dishes including lamb meatballs, whole grilled branzino, chicken souvlaki, and the unforgettable galaktoboureko with pistachio ice cream for dessert. The fireplaces, old-world taverna warmth, and impeccable service make it most magical at night.

Souvla

A San Francisco-born group of modern Greek restaurants with multiple locations across the Bay Area including Hayes Valley, NoPa, the Mission, the Marina, and Dogpatch, Souvla has earned a devoted following for its fresh California take on the flavors of Greece. Naturally raised meats are rotisserie-roasted and served in warm pita or over crisp salads with fresh vegetables and signature Greek yogurt sauces. The all-Greek wine list featuring native varietals is one of the most thoughtfully curated in the city, and the signature frozen Greek yogurt served in a classic New York cup is not to be missed.

Milos Meze

Located in the Marina near the Palace of Fine Arts and Marina Green, Milos Meze is consistently cited by The Infatuation as serving some of the best Greek food in the city. The signature lamb souvlaki and grilled octopus are built from family recipes passed down through generations, the rustic decor with modern touches creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, and the cozy outdoor seating is a genuine draw on a clear San Francisco day. It is a neighborhood gem that deserves a much wider audience.

The Parthenon

A relatively new addition to the Union Square area that has already made a strong impression on the San Francisco Greek food scene, The Parthenon was highlighted on Eater SF's list of new restaurants and brings a modern Mediterranean wine bar and mezze concept to the heart of the city. The menu covers Greek classics including saganaki, spanakopita, souvlaki, avgolemono, and fresh seafood, all paired with an award-winning wine program. The warm hospitality and family-like atmosphere set it apart in a neighborhood full of tourist traps.

Novy Restaurant

A Greek restaurant in Noe Valley with a pleasant sidewalk patio and an excellent lamb gyro that has earned a loyal neighborhood following, Novy is one of the more charming and unpretentious Greek spots in the city. The lamb gyro in particular is singled out by The Infatuation as a highlight, and the relaxed atmosphere and neighborhood setting make it a natural fit for a casual dinner or a long weekend lunch on the patio.

La Mediterranee

A charming and intimate San Francisco institution that blends Greek, Armenian, and Turkish influences into a warm and welcoming dining experience, La Mediterranee has been a fixture in the city's Mediterranean dining landscape for decades. The cozy ambiance and attentive service make it a reliable choice for a relaxed and satisfying meal, and the menu of mezze, kebabs, and classic Mediterranean dishes is executed with genuine care and consistency.

Dalida

A stunning Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in the Presidio that brings a refined and visually striking sensibility to Greek-influenced cooking, Dalida is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in San Francisco. The Infatuation calls it a great choice for a date or family dinner, noting stellar highs across the menu. The setting alone makes it worth visiting, and the food lives up to the surroundings often enough to make it a genuinely memorable experience.

Lokma

A well-regarded Greek and Mediterranean spot in San Francisco that earns strong marks for its authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and welcoming atmosphere, Lokma is a solid and satisfying option for Greek food in the city. Reviewers who know Greek food well consistently praise it as a genuine taste of the Mediterranean in San Francisco, and the menu of small plates and grilled dishes is well-executed and honest.

Milos Taverna

A neighborhood Greek taverna in San Francisco that delivers the kind of warm, familiar Greek dining experience that the city's more upscale options sometimes trade away in favor of ambition, Milos Taverna is a reliable and welcoming option for classic Greek food. The menu covers the familiar favorites with care and consistency, and the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting for everything from a casual weeknight dinner to a small group gathering.

Evvia Estiatorio

The sister restaurant to Kokkari located in Palo Alto and well worth the short drive from San Francisco, Evvia Estiatorio brings the same Greek culinary philosophy and Northern California ingredient focus to the Peninsula. The Infatuation rates it an 8.7 and calls it perfect for power lunches, dates, or any occasion that calls for something slightly fancy. The grilled meats, fresh seafood, and warm taverna atmosphere make it one of the best Greek restaurants in the entire Bay Area.

Conclusion

San Francisco's Greek dining scene is intimate by the standards of larger cities, but what it lacks in volume it more than makes up for in quality. The restaurants here represent the best of what the city has to offer, and there are more neighborhood spots and Bay Area gems beyond this list worth tracking down.