Top 10 Greek Restaurants And Tavernas In New York City

Thanks to a number of pioneering restaurateurs and award-winning chefs, New York City is now home to a vibrant community of Greek dining spots. Whether looking for traditional fare or a contemporary take on classic dishes, our guide to NYC’s Best Greek restaurants and tavernas will happily fill you up.

1. Taverna Kyclades

Restaurant, Greek

Located in the Queens neighborhood of Astoria, Taverna Kyclades is widely regarded as one of the area’s premier destinations for authentic Greek cuisine. The restaurant is named after the beautiful Cyclades Islands in Greece and accordingly, it boasts a reputation for first-rate fish dishes such as swordfish and vegetable kebabs and the Kyclades special; stuffed clams and shrimp, lobster tail, sole and scallops.

2. Anassa Taverna

Bar, Diner, Restaurant, Greek

Anassa Taverna offers diners an elegant take on traditional tavern food, transporting guests to the historical Athenian neighborhood of Plaka with its simple, authentic dishes. Featuring a stylish rustic interior, Anassa Taverna entices guests in through its entrance bedecked with traditional Greek worry beads, leading to its main dining room of exposed wooden beams, marble bar and weathered brick walls.

3. Kefi

Restaurant, Greek, Mediterranean, Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian

Originally located in an intimate little nook in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Kefi recently relocated to a larger premises. The homely yet stylish restaurant was opened in 2008. The venue specializes in rustic Greek cuisine, offering guests comforting, traditional dishes such as sheep’s milk dumplings and spicy lamb sausage with tomato and pine nuts and the classic Greek dessert galaktoboureko, a flaky filo pie with custard filling.

4. Ammos Estiatorio

Restaurant, Mediterranean, Greek, Seafood

Located in the heart of the Theater District, Ammos Estiatorio is an ideal destination for any theater-goers looking for an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary Greek cuisines. The restaurant specializes in seafood dishes based around authentic ingredients imported directly from Greece. Relax in Ammos’ chic and airy interior while dining on a selection of Greek tapas dishes or a mouth-watering main dish.

5. Ethos Gallery 51

Restaurant, Greek

Ethos Gallery 51, nestled in the heart of Manhattan’s Midtown East is widely regarded as one of the borough’s finest casual Greek restaurants. Located in a charming, light and airy space with an inviting, romantic ambience, Ethos Gallery 51 serves lunch Monday to Friday and dinner nightly. The team at Ethos offers guests tempting and eclectic dishes created from authentic Greek produce.

6. Molyvos

Restaurant, Greek, Seafood

Opened in 1997 in Manhattan’s Midtown West just a short walk from Carnegie Hall, Molyvos is a beautiful restaurant named after a Greek seaside and is renowned for its soulful Greek food. The restaurant is a true homage to Greek heritage with an understated blue, grey and white theme paying tribute to Greece’s beautiful blue skies and sandy coastlines. Molyvos’ menu features options such as the halloumi cheese appetizer with ouzo and lemon sauce and the pan-roasted pork chop with heirloom cauliflower stew, tomatoes, chives and rosemary, perfectly paired with a selection from Molyvos’ wine list.

7. Nerai

Restaurant, Greek, Contemporary

Offering guests a contemporary take on classic Greek food while still retaining the country’s tradition of warm hospitality, Nerai was established by two friends. Located in a townhouse in Manhattan’s Midtown, the multi-level restaurant features several dining spaces; elegant upper dining rooms with beautiful vaulted ceilings draped in white canopies and a main dining hall with a charming nautical theme.

8. Periyali

Restaurant, Greek

A pioneer of Greek cuisine in New York City, Periyali first opened its doors back in 1987 in response to a demand for authentic Greek fare in the city. Over the years, the restaurant has become one of Manhattan’s best-loved Greek establishments. Located in Greenwich Village, Periyali’s interior features soft, whitewashed walls with ambient lighting while the menu sets about redefining classic Greek dishes with a focus on seasonal home-cooking style recipes.

9. Thalassa

Bar, Market, Restaurant, Greek, Seafood, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Exuding its Greek theme throughout, Tribeca restaurant Thalassa is located in a stylish converted warehouse space. The space was formerly used to store Greek olives and cheeses and features a marble bar imported from the Greek island of Thassos and wooden tables from Mykonos. Thalassa’s menu is as authentic as its space, featuring dishes that combine fresh market fish with classic Greek ingredients like the Maine diver scallops in kataifi filo pastry with sheep’s milk butter and a kalamata balsamic reduction.

10. Yefsi Estiatorio

Restaurant, Greek, Mediterranean

An estiatorio is a type of upscale, fine dining tavern and Yefsi, a refined and stylish restaurant located on the Upper East Side, is certainly that. Decked out in earthy stucco walls, cherry wood furnishings and elegant, subdued lighting giving the restaurant a classic ambience, Yefsi is perfect for diners looking for an upmarket Greek dining experience.

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