Greek in Dallas

Image: Afrah Mediterranean Grill & Buffet

318 E. Main St. Richardson & Vicinity

972-234-9898

Bakery, Greek, Mediterranean, Retail, Recommended, Best Of

Afrah offers authentic Lebanese fare influenced by a variety of Mediterranean flavors. The food is a feast for the senses, famous for Shawarma Pita sandwiches, fresh bread, pies and our homemade gelato and baklava. Afrah started as a pastry shop in February of 2002. The Mediterranean sweets became so popular that they decided to sell more of the family’s traditional Southern Lebanese recipes, evolving into a full service restaurant.. The dishes evolved from the family's recipes, prepared in house with Halal meats and the freshest ingredients.

4 articles

Al-Amir Restaurant

3885 Belt line Rd. Addison

972-488-2647

Greek, Lebanese, Music Venues, Best Of

4 articles

Ali Baba Mediterrian Grill

1901 Abrams Rd. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-823-8235

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Menu

Ali Baba is one of Dallas' best bargains for excellent Middle Eastern food, despite a cramped location with odd hours. We especially like the golden chicken, a half-chicken baked on a rotisserie and crisped under a broiler. Boston Market take note: Whatever they do at Ali Baba, this is how you're supposed to make rotisserie chicken. The flesh is fork-tender and moist, not mushy, and the skin is as crisp and savory as Peking duck, with no gobs of yellow fat marring the underside. That's a lot of chicken, and it also comes with very fresh pita bread and "garlic sauce," which is a dollop of extremely pungent garlic mashed potatoes. Also good is the shish tawook, marinated chicken cubes with rice pilaf, and the mazza plate, which includes hummus, egg plant dip, tabouli, dolmas, pickles and olives. The mashwi shish, marinated cubes of beef or lamb with rice pilaf, wasn't quite up to the standard of the chicken entrées and had an overpowering grill flavor. Ali Baba also lists several vegetarian appetizers that could easily serve as entrées. Service is a bit spotty, and you might have trouble getting a table at lunch.

12 articles

Bistro Louise

2900 S. Hulen, Ste. 40 Fort Worth

817-922-9244

Greek, Mediterranean, New American, Recommended

It looks like a little French bistro, but the menu covers the map, including inventions like macadamia-crusted shrimp, traditional cheese plates and wonderful desserts. (Check out the cooking classes, wine dinners and wine tastings.)

Charlie's Opa! Grille

12829 Preston Rd. North Dallas

972-661-0134

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended

Progeny of longtime Dallas restaurateur Charlie Venetis, Charlie's Opa! Grill is a rich cacophony of Greek food, sprawling the gamut with deliciously tender lamb chops, flaky spanakopita (a savory pie), juicy grilled chicken, gyros carvings that are lean, rich moussaka (Greek lasagna) and saganaki, thick pie sections of lightly breaded Romano cheese that is deep-fried, placed on a hot metal plate, doused with a shot of vodka that hisses and steams, and then set ablaze. The waiter shouts "Opa!," which must be Greek for "what the hell happened to your eyebrows?"

2 articles

Cigarz Bona Pizza

7238 Gaston Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-319-0055

Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, Best Of

It's proximity to the YMCA and White Rock Lake, make this a popular post-workout Greek, Italian and Mediterranean munch fest. The Hellenic-style pizzas, with their thicker, chewier crust are available in several specialty variations, like the Greek pizza (garlic and olive oil base, mozzarella, chicken, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini and feta) and the four-cheese pizza (mozzarella, Swiss, gorgonzola and ricotta). However, customers reserve their most ebullient raves for the hummus, baba ganoush and dolmas (stuffed grape leaves). Unfortunately, the pitas aren't sold with the dips. They cost extra. Continuing with the Mediterranean theme, the restaurant, named after the owner's dog, offers kabobs, panini, calzones and gyros.

1 article

Fadi's Mediterranean Grill

3001 Knox St. #110 Park Cities

214-528-1800

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of

A sumptuous array of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods greets you at Fadi's, from lamb shanks that melt off the bone to roasted chicken, grilled-to-order kebobs, stews, and numerous fresh salads, side dishes and desserts. Served up cafeteria-style, the dishes ranged from good to outstanding on our visit, and the value is terrific, too. Try the fresh fruit juices, especially mango and strawberry. Attractive, pristine surroundings.

4 articles

Food From Galilee

6710 Snider Plaza Park Cities

214-750-0330

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended

This is Lebanese home cooking: dozens of simple, hearty dishes, served on humble plastic plates in a cozy storefront in Snider Plaza. The cornish hen, available only at dinner, was the star of our visits--plump and golden brown, stuffed with rice and almonds, pine nuts and finely minced ground beef. (Call 30 to 45 minutes in advance for the hen; they're made to order.) Food From Galilee also has excellent gyros, some of the best in the area.

Giovanni's

18484 Preston Rd. Richardson & Vicinity

972-596-8610

Greek, Italian, Menu

Greek Isles Grille & Taverna

3309 N. Central Expressway #370 Plano

972-423-7778

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended

Since 1994, this small Hellenic and Mediterranean cuisine outfit has sated those looking for tangy tzatziki and sweet baklava. There's something here for everyone, whether Stoic or Epicurean, Animist or famished. Hummus is available to kick off the meal, but it pales in comparison with the entrées. They include the standard-bearers of pastisto, moussaka and dolmas. However, there are also chicken or pork souvlaki options as well as veal lemonati with artichokes, lemon butter sauce and rice pilaf. Naturally, there is plenty of seafood -- and lamb, a whole rack of it. Pitas make an appearance, as does something called S.S. Kostas (charbroiled shrimp and pork tenderloin topped with grilled bell peppers and onions). The lunch specials don't break the eight-dollar barrier and dessert options include the otherworldly galactobouriko, a custard in phyllo dough.

Istanbul Grill

2704 Elm St. Fair Park

214-749-1102

Greek, Mediterranean, Seafood, Turkish, Vegetarian

23 events

Cafe Izmir

3711 Greenville Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-826-7788

Deli, Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Recommended, Best Of, Readers' Choice

This shop boasts it has the best hummus in Dallas, but what it really gives you is the option of teleportation to the Mediterranean or New York when you enter under the yellow awning. Customers can order myriad mezze at this sister joint to Café Izmir up the street. Among the most popular mezze are the falafel and tzatziki sauce. Try the cheese plate, perhaps a gyro or eegra or an eggplant dip. Wash it down with a demitasse of the rich, knock-you-off-the-stool Turkish coffee at the curvilinear bar or get anything for take-out, like the flatbread pizzas. Either way, what you'll experience is a sampling of the cuisines born at the center of the ancient world.

2 events 15 articles

Jazz Cafe

2504 Montgomery St. Fort Worth

817-737-0043

Greek, Mediterranean, Music Venues

Kasra Persian Cuisine

525 W. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 21 Richardson & Vicinity

972-235-4007

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Menu

After feasting on Persian kebabs and stews at this attractive restaurant in Richardson, we looked at each other and said, "What a find!" Zereshk Polo resembled a chicken kebab prepared with onions and saffron. The dish was topped with sauteed barberry, which tasted a bit like redcurrants and provided a sweet and slightly piquant counterpoint to the gently spiced chicken. Like most of the entrees, Zereshk Polo was accompanied by excellent saffron basmati rice. The stews, such as Ghormeh Sabzi--beef braised with dried Persian limes--are house specialties and all worth trying. Service was slow but gracious.

Kostas Cafe

4914 Greenville Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-987-3225

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

On a stretch of Greenville Avenue just south of Lovers Lane, there is a panoply of eating establishments. The unassuming blue and white structure is owned by Greek-born Dimitri Ioannides and caters to the spanakopita-loving phalanxes. The intimate space and its tables are filled with local business workers during lunch and couples and friends on nights and weekend. On the weekends, an accordion player serenades diners enjoying dolmas (grape leaves stuffed with rice and beef) and mousaka (a cream-topped ground beef and eggplant casserole). The latter has received plaudits aplenty. Lunch sets you back approximately $10, which may give you cause to say "Opa!" Just don't break any plates after copious glasses of Hatzimichalis, a Hellenic cabernet sauvignon, please. It's a white-tablecloth kind of eatery.

6 articles

Kostas Cafe

1050 W. Park Blvd. Plano

972-424-6320

Greek, Mediterranean, Menu

Medina Oven & Wine Bar

2304 Victory Park Lane Uptown/Oak Lawn

214-979-0003

Greek, Pizza, Recommended

This tiny 50-seat restaurant with an open kitchen embedded with an oven for gas-fired thin crust pizzas is perhaps the most stylish Moroccan restaurant ever to hit Dallas. Rich reds, burgundies, oranges and olive oil greens. Intricate metal work. Imported lanterns for sconces. Medina's brief menu includes a handful of tagines (Moroccan stews), phyllo (pastry) rolls filled with shrimp or spinach or goat cheese, and grilled brochettes with chicken or Andalusia scallops or tenderloin or chicken. That it's in Victory Park is as strange as it is wonderful.

7 articles

Onassis Greek Taphouse and Kitchen

760 W Ralph Hall Parkway, Rockwall Garland & Vicinity

Greek

This is chef and owner Kostas Lazanas second restaurant; he also owns Kostas Lazanas also owns Opa! Greek Taverna in Rowlett. The appetizer menu has many traditional options like dolmades, spanakopita, falafel and saganaki. We opted to try a cup of avgolemono soup and garlic feta wings. The wings are seasoned with Greek oregano and a roasted garlic-feta sauce then topped with roasted red peppers. They are addicting and extra napkins are a must. Some of the standouts on the menu include pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna topped with bechamel and tomato sauce), lamb souvlaki platter (two skewers of lamb cubes with Greek spices), and the original gyro pita. The Hercules gyro pita is as large as it sounds. It's stuffed with gyro meat, chicken souvlaki, roasted red peppers, onions, tomatoes and fire feta and while the chicken could have been a bit juicier, the beef and lamb gyro meat with the fire feta saved the day. Be sure to order a slice of the baklava cheesecake made with two layers of creamy cheesecake with flaky baklava, honey and chopped walnuts in the middle and on top. It will probably be one of the most decadent desserts you’ll have all year. Pair it with a latte, Greek coffee, or an after-dinner libation.

2 articles

Palomino Restaurant Rotisseria Bar

500 Crescent Court, Ste. 165 Uptown/Oak Lawn

214-999-1222

American, Greek, Italian, Recommended, Menu

This plush bistro is a survivor from the days when the Crescent Court was the It Location. And it has weathered very well: steady service, strong drinks and a menu that sometimes shows signs of chain-age (it is, in fact, part of a Seattle-based restaurant chain), but most times ranks with the city's top destinations. Still draws a strong pre-Mavs/Stars crowd.

3 articles

Stratos Bar & Grill

2907 W. NW Highway Northwest Dallas

214-352-3321

Greek, Mediterranean, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Stratos dishes out what it calls "global Greek cuisine." This means Greek specialties with a smattering of Mediterranean staples. For example, made-to-order fettuccini Alfredo and pastitsio, sharing table space with gyros. Patrons can watch and/or take instruction from belly dancers and salsa dancers Thursdays-Saturdays. Enjoy the pet-friendly patio and the European coffee: "Opa!"

10 articles

Yia Yia's House of Gyros

904 E. Davis St. Mesquite/Balch Springs

469-802-9797

Middle Eastern, Greek, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Essentials

The original Mesquite location of this charming family-owned mini-chain is a tiny dining room full of proof of chef Vasili “Bill” Kaprantzas’ Greek immigrant roots. There’s a poster of the chef’s grandmother, quotations hand-scrawled on the walls and, of course, a bottle of Windex displayed with pride. The Rockwall location, in a shiny strip mall, manages the impressive trick of replicating the original dining room’s homey feel, complete with even more quotes, like “Let’s Make America Greek Again.” Nowhere else in Dallas feels like such a true portal to the Aegean Sea and its food.

Top pick: Grab an enormous overstuffed gyro wrap which comes with pretty darn good steak fries. Lamb souvlaki, pastitsio and calamari are superb, too.

4 articles

Ziziki's

11661 Preston Rd. #309 North Dallas

469-232-9922

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Ziziki's serves the Greek grand slam: spanakopita, pastichio, souvlaki and baklava. This crisp Mediterranean-style bistro also has Italian inspirations, an award-winning wine list and a God's platter for those with megalomaniacal appetites.

5 articles

Ziziki's

4514 Travis St. #122 Park Cities

214-521-2233

Greek, Mediterranean, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Ziziki's serves the Greek grand slam: spanakopita, pastichio, souvlaki and baklava. This crisp Mediterranean-style bistro also has Italian inspirations, an award-winning wine list and a God's platter for those with megalomaniacal appetites.

11 articles

Zorba's

1501 Preston Rd. #150 Plano

972-250-0002

Greek, Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of

Right on the edge of Plano is a Greek restaurant that puts all those Manhattan coffee shops to shame. This family establishment is a treat. Start with the appetizers and stay there awhile. The spinach pie (spanakopita) baked with feta cheese and filo dough makes you want to order another. The falafel is some of the best around now that Café Med has closed. Their tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber garlic dip, is the kind of thing that makes you keep coming back for more. When you finally make it to the entrées, you can order gyros and you won't be sorry, but once in a while, branch out and try the Grecian chicken and potatoes, baked pastitso (Greek lasagna) or the souvlaki (skewered meats), all made according to grandmother's recipe. For dessert, grandma has also contributed with her rice pudding recipe. This is the real thing. Smooth and creamy but with a real rice texture. Baklava à la mode for the rest of you. The Turkish coffee perfectly seals the meal. And the waitstaff will remind you not to stir the grounds at the bottom. If you want to be authentically Middle Eastern, after you finish drinking, turn the cup over to read your fortune in the coffee grounds.

2 articles

Greek in Dallas

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