We think Spitaki Greek Taverna is one of the top go-to Greek restaurants in Edinburgh. This laid-back bar and homey dining room serves authentic Greek dishes and small plates or meze.

We instantly liked their kitschy and adorable taverna, with its charming, mismatched furniture, brick walls, and wooden flooring.

Since they are famous for their meze selection, we ordered a couple: Bougiourti and Kalamari. We also had Prawn Saganaki, Pork Souvlaki, and Pita Bread.

Their Bougiourti – spicy baked feta with fresh tomato, onion, and herbs was to die for. Also, their Prawn Saganaki was very tasty, and they probably served the best and freshest pita bread we’ve ever tasted. 

Sadly, their Kalamari was a bit soggy and tasted bland as well. Their Pork Souvlaki was also a bit dry – we had a bit of trouble cutting into it.

As a whole, for their prices and portions, we think they offer great value. We do recommend that you stick to their specialities.

Additionally, they offer gluten-free and vegan options, which not all Greek restaurants do. According to some of their vegan customers, you should try their Gigantes, Chicken Souvlaki, and Politiki Salad.

They also offer customisable eGift Cards – perfect gifts for family or friends. If you are passionate about Greek cuisine, this is your chance to share it with others.

Sadly, unlike other restaurants that are open all week, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.

Fava Restaurant is an up-and-coming local Greek hotspot with rave reviews, so we just had to give them a try!

We love that they import most of their ingredients from Greece, lending to their food’s authenticity. Plus, they also support the local community by buying fresh produce locally.

Upon entering, we immediately loved their wood on wood aesthetic – furniture, wood flooring –  and their hanging lamps are made with natural fibres providing a Boho-chic vibe. They even have wooden serving platters on their walls, which is quite cool.

We ordered their Soutzoukakia, Saganaki, and Kleftiko dishes. Their comfort food, Soutzoukakia, was so tasty and hearty that it became our instant favourite.

The Saganaki was also a pleasant surprise. This fried feta dish was very indulgent – fresh, silky, and slightly nutty. 

The Kleftiko was also memorable – the meat was so tender and juicy that it was literally falling off the bones.

Like other restaurants, they also offer vouchers. However, what sets theirs apart is that they have no expiry, and are refundable within two weeks of purchase.

They also have delicious vegetarian and vegan options, which is great for the health conscious.

One drawback is that they only opened in 2022. As a newly-opened restaurant, they might not have worked out all the kinks yet in terms of their service.

Also, the entrance is up a couple of steps, so we cannot describe it as wheelchair-accessible.

Taxidi Greek Bistro is another great option if you are craving Greek food. This Edinburgh-based Greek bistro serves traditional Greek fare with wine.

We thought the bistro was charming, with its stark blue facade and white double doors. It also has indoor and outdoor seating, so customers can choose which setting they prefer.

We had some of their specialties: Bougiourdi, Melitzana, Vouno, and Pita Pita. Their Bougiourdi – baked feta cheese with chilli flakes – was simply heavenly.

Their Vouno dish was a mountain of food which included Souvlaki, pork belly, sausages, chicken thighs, chicken fillets, some pita bread, and chips with Politiki salad. Sadly, we found some of the meat in the dish to be a tad overseasoned. 

However, their Melitzana – grilled aubergine with feta – was divine. Their Pita Pita was also amazing – you can taste the light char of the chicken breast on the outside, but it was still very juicy and tender on the inside.

One downside to this lovely bistro is that it was a bit cramped indoors. Someone with a wheelchair might need to settle for outdoor seating.

It is also closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those craving Greek food on these days would need to go to another place.

After a little digging, we found out that the credit card machine doesn’t always work, so they’d ask for customers to pay in cash. Several customers understandably found this to be annoying and inconvenient.

If you are a fan of traditionally-cooked Greek food with a focus on Cretan cuisine, then Kafeneion to Steki might be worth a go.

Aside from Cretan cuisine, they also offer a wide variety of wines. Wine aficionados might want to try some of their imported wines such as Orivatis, Ovilos, or Voltes.

From the menu, we chose to get their Strapatsada “Kafeneion,” Feta Me Sousami Kai Meli, and Calamari. We are happy to report that all three did not disappoint our taste buds.

Their Strapatsada “Kafeneion” – beaten eggs with fresh grated tomatoes, Greek cured meat, mizithra cheese – was a winner. We think egg lovers would appreciate its light yet robust flavour.

Their Feta Me Sousami Kai Meli – deep fried feta cheese wrapped in phyllo pastry – was also quite addictive that we had to order another round for the table.

Their Calamari was perfectly seasoned and provided a perfect balance to the richness of the feta cheese dish. We think those who love seafood would enjoy this dish.

Near the end of our meal, the waitress kindly reminded us that they have gift cards online if we want to treat our loved ones. They also have special promos online, which would be great for takeaways.

Unfortunately their online gift cards had set amounts. If you would like a customised amount, you’d need to drop in their restaurant to have one made.

Also, you cannot enjoy their food on Mondays since they are closed.

Lastly, we learned that they cannot accommodate very large bookings online. If you are hosting a dinner party of 12 or more, you would need to call them up to make arrangements.

Meat the Greek is another good option for those who love Greek food, particularly gyros. This Greek restaurant serves traditional Greek skewers, wraps, and desserts.

Since they are known for their delicious wraps, we ordered their Chicken Skewer Wrap and Pork Gyros Wrap. We also had Chicken Skewers, Lamb Chops, and Baklava.

Their wraps are on point in terms of flavour – a perfect balance of veggies, herbs, and meat. We found their portions to be quite generous as well, so we think their wraps provided great value for our quid.

Unfortunately, their Chicken Skewers were a bit dry for our liking, but their Lamb Chops were very juicy and tasty. They were probably the best lamb chops we’ve ever had, actually!

Their Baklava was also good, but it didn’t really blow us away. We felt like we had better Baklava elsewhere at a lower price point.

For vegetarians, you’d be happy to know that they have several vegetarian options. For instance, you could try their Halloumi Wrap, Saganaki Cheese, or Aubergine Salad.

What also made our visit memorable was the very friendly and accommodating staff. They were genuinely nice, and we felt really taken care of.

Unfortunately, the restaurant is not wheel-chair friendly. Also, they are closed on Mondays.

Compared to other Greek restaurants, they also have a comparatively limited menu as well. Those craving for Keftedes or Moussaka would need to go elsewhere.