Across the Mediterranean, you'll be treated to some of the finest food in Europe; from the tapas bars of Spain to Italy's pasta-packed trattorias and onwards into Turkey. But before you reach the most Eastern point of our continent, you'll find Greece cooking up some great contenders - and often nothing hits the spot quite like cosy moussaka or overflowing gyros.
Keen to try what you can in your home city? When you aren't able to jet off abroad, we've got a list of the top Greek restaurants Manchester has to offer.
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Fenix
From the same team (Permanently Unique Group) that brought you the gorgeous, blossom-filled Tattu, Fenix burst onto the scene here in the autumn of 2023 - making it the most new Greek restaurant in Manchester. In an unsurprising turn of events, this venue is just as stunning as their last, offering up a dining space inspired by the phoenix after which the restaurant is named - think a staircase sculpted around a 25-foot olive tree, artisanal stonework, hanging barley as a nod to Greece's agricultural heritage, and a double-height cliff face.
Executive chef of the modern Greek restaurant, Ippokratis Anagnostelis, is the brains behind the operation, creating a range of menus spanning halloumi cheese tempura with yuzu hollandaise and shiso vinaigrette, chicken in a spicy oregano anticucho sauce with crispy potato and smoked yoghurt, and wagyu stifado.
For a contemporary take on traditional ingredients and flavours, check out the Fenix Manchester menu.
Rozafa
With locations just off St Peter's Square and over in Stockport, Rozafa Manchester is a mecca of authentic Greek and Cypriot cuisine. Transporting you to the Mediterranean, the city centre location is instantly recognisable for its white and blue exteriors complete with outdoor seating - as well as its multiple awards, including 2022's Best Restaurant In England at the annual England Business Awards.
Tables are decorated to fit the traditional theme too, while the open kitchen and live music complete with dancers add to the ambience. Meals like spanakopita, souvlaki, lamb chops and moussaka await here, although we'd recommend the 'mega mezze' menu for a true Greek feast that's served across two courses and features the restaurant's very best dishes as selected by the chef.
This family-run venue is a top pick of traditional Greek restaurants in Manchester.
Bouzouki By Night
Making sure to offer the full 'Greek experience', Bouzouki By Night is a lively choice from our guide. They have a traditional a la carte menu on Thursdays and Fridays, followed by special Greek party nights on Saturdays - ideal for celebrations. There, you'll choose between the two mezze banquets, with the 'epic' one setting you back £28 per person. Feast on keftethes, moussaka, spanakopita, fresh pitta bread served alongside dips galore, baklava and more.
The best bit? You'll be up on your feet for fun Greek dancing with live music after your meal. If you get peckish in the daytime though, Photis Nasaris and his team are still on-hand with the Little Greek Shop's gyros window and daily baked goods. Just expect a bit of a queue at lunchtimes, as it's super popular.
Get your Mamma Mia singing and dancing game on at Bouzouki By Night, which is tucked away on Princess Street.
Dimitri's
A much-loved, independent location that's been serving up Greek food to the Manchester masses for over 30 years, Dimitri's is an institution found right on Deansgate. There's a restaurant, bar and taverna space here, alongside an alfresco dining area of Campfield Arcade that comes complete with heaters and cover for the classic northern weather.
A traditional yet pretty family-run venue with chequered tablecloths, hanging plants and wooden panels, it's both romantic and group-friendly, with Friday DJ sets and Saturday night live music rounding off the whole experience. As for food? Expect an authentic menu of dishes to tuck into, such as Cypriot beef sausages with tzatziki, belly pork ribs, and saganaki prawns cooked in a rich tomato sauce with feta cheese and fried pitta.
Dimitri's is one of the best Greek restaurants in Manchester city centre.
Alexandros Greek Restaurant
Found in Northenden in South Manchester, Alexandros is somewhat of a hidden gem; a restaurant that's only open on Friday and Saturday nights for a small number of diners across a welcoming space. Their ethos is authentic Greek food made using the finest, fresh ingredients and the feeling of eating in a real family home, with menus inspired by the owner's grandma's recipes.
That means you can get your chops around courgette or aubergine feta patties, butter bean tomato stews and mini spinach pies to start, with everything from stiffado to gyros platters, souvlaki moussaka and baklava to follow.
If you'd prefer to takeaway, these guys have that covered too.
The Real Greek Manchester
A staple in Corn Exchange and out at the Trafford Centre too, The Real Greek might be a chain, but they're still worth mentioning for fuss-free and classic Greek cuisine with a modern leaning. Not only do they have mezze-style party menus for when you need to cater to a big group at a variety of occasions, but there's also a pretty good dinner deal here too.
Choose the Filoxeina menu, which is available between Sunday and Thursday from 5pm, and you can nab four dishes for a reasonable £20 per person - including your choice of one cold mezze, two hot mezze and a side, plus pitta to top it all off.
All this Greek food is just made for sharing.
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