From Gyros to Souvlaki: Where to Get the Best Greek Food in the Sacramento Area

Dreaming of the Greek isles? The sparkling turquoise water, the whitewashed buildings, the ancient temples, and of course, the food! You don’t have to travel across the ocean to get your Greek food fix. Instead, you can try one of dozens of Greek and Mediterranean restaurants in the greater Sacramento area.

Another way to experience Greece without leaving your home turf is by attending one of several Greek festivals put on by organizations across the Sacramento region. Here, you can sample Greek food, sip traditional Greek beverages, indulge in Greek desserts, and enjoy Greek music and dancing. Some festivals to check out include the Sacramento Greek Festival, held every October at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in East Sacramento, the Roseville Greek Food Festival, put on by the Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Christian Church, and Weekend in Greece Greek Culture and Food Festival, held at Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Elk Grove.

But before you head out, it’s wise to get familiar with common Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Following are some of the most popular foods.

• Dolmades. Grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat, typically lamb.
• Tzatziki. Yogurt-based dip made with cucumbers, lemon and garlic, often served with pita bread.
• Moussaka. Casserole made with grilled eggplant and seasoned ground beef or lamb.
• Gyro. Thinly sliced grilled lamb, beef or chicken marinated in Greek spices, wrapped in pita and topped with sauce.
• Souvlaki. Skewered and grilled meat seasoned with Greek spices.
• Spanakopita. Phyllo dough filled with spinach and a blend of cheeses.
• Pastitsio. Casserole made with pasta, cream sauce and ground beef.
• Baklava. Phyllo dough layered with walnuts (sometimes pistachios), soaked in honey and spices.

Following are some of the top Greek and Mediterranean restaurants in and around Sacramento:

Petra Greek | Sacramento & Folsom

Photo courtesy of Petra Greek

With three locations in the Sacramento area — midtown, downtown (in the Golden One Center), and Folsom — there’s bound to be a Petra near you! It’s a fast casual spot known for authentic Greek cuisine, including souvlaki, gyro, and a few burgers thrown in for good measure. They even have midweek happy hour specials.

Symposium Restaurant & Pizza House | Davis

For more than 30 years, Symposium has been dishing up authentic Greek dishes in Davis. They have items you won’t find on many other menus, including taramosalata (a creamy Greek caviar dip), saganaki (flaming Greek cheese) and marides (pan-fried smelt with lemon). They also offer a family dinner with your choice of entrée such as souvlaki, moussaka,  or Greek meatballs. They also offer a selection of Greek wine and beer.

Jayna Gyro | East Sacramento & Roseville

Photo courtesy of Jayna Gyro

Gyro, lamb burgers, and spanakopita are just a few of the dishes you’ll find at this trendy Greek restaurant in East Sacramento and Roseville. They also have house-made dolmades and whole rotisserie chickens to take home. For dessert, try the Greek frozen yogurt or traditional baklava.

Park’s Gyro & Shawarma Grill | Cameron Park

Located in Cameron Park, this no-frills eatery features a variety of dishes from across the Mediterranean. You’ll find gyro made with chicken, lamb or beef (or all three!) plus a Greek salad, kababs, hummus and baklava. They also have combo plates so you can sample them all.

Extreme Hummus | Citrus Heights

This laid-back eatery in Citrus Heights offers a range of dishes from across the Mediterranean, including (unsurprisingly!) all types of hummus — sundried tomato and pesto, spicy roasted pepper, garlic and white bean, and more. They also have popular dishes such as gyro, wraps, salads (including a Greek salad) and baklava for dessert.

Yianni’s Bar & Grill | Carmichael

Photo courtesy of Yianni’s Bar & Grill

Traditional Greek cuisine is the hallmark of this neighborhood favorite in Carmichael. You can start with hummus or dolmades, then move on to entrees such as gyro, souvlaki, or lamb chops. They also have live entertainment, including belly dancing and music.

Four Heroes Grill | Rocklin

This unassuming spot in Rocklin brings together all the flavors of Greece and the entire Mediterranean region. Gyro, kebab, and falafel is served on a plate, in a bowl, atop fries, or as a sandwich. They also have a gyro burger and a Greek salad. You can even get a Greek pizza.

Mr. Greek Donair & Kebab | Elk Grove

Located in the Delta Shores area of Elk Grove, this casual restaurant is known for its donair — a late-night bite of seasoned meat wrapped in pita and doused in garlic sauce. They also have kebabs and several vegetarian options with falafel standing in for the meat.

Hunting for a home nearby? Click to discover properties in Elk Grove on the market.

Express Gyro | Lincoln

You can savor all the flavors of Greece at this welcoming restaurant in Lincoln. They offer all the specialties of Greece, including hummus, tzatziki, gyro, and baklava. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re in the Greek isles with the bright blue and white décor!

Looking for a home in Lincoln? Explore to find the perfect place.

Greek Food Imports & Buck’s Fizz Restaurant | Sacramento

This long standing grocer-slash-restaurant is THE place to go for authentic Greek food in Sacramento. In addition to their wide selection of imported Greek delicacies, they also serve Greek dishes such as gyro, tzatziki and Greek pastries — plus imported beer and wine.

Sam’s Mediterranean Cuisine | Davis

Quality Mediterranean cuisine is the draw at this friendly, family-run spot in Davis. The menu features kebabs, shawarma, dolma, and hummus. Plus, you can get a Greek veggie sandwich or Greek salad.

Find your dream home in Davis.

Kebob House | Sacramento

Photo courtesy of Kabob House

Garlic chicken, shrimp kebabs and moussaka are just a few of the specialties at this Greek eatery in the Arden Arcade area of Sacramento. They also serve dishes with a Middle Eastern influence, including kofta (seasoned beef or lamb) and baba ganoush (eggplant, tahini and garlic dip).