6 Best Greek Restaurants in California
Opa! Transport yourself to Greece with a trip to one of these incredible restaurants in California. If it's Greek food you're in the mood for, California has options from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Spanakopita, shawarma, souvlaki, and more! Here are the most delicious Greek restaurants in the state.
The Mad Greek Cafe, Baker, CA
Driving across the desolate California desert doesn’t offer much to do except stare out the window at the arid landscape. Until the small town of Baker, where you’ll come across a blue and white restaurant reminiscent of something you’d find in the Greek isles. White columns and goddess statues are a welcome sight, but the gift of the gods here is the food. Gyros, spanakopita, and shawarma top the list of favorites, but don’t miss the justly named world-famous, refreshing strawberry shake.
Papa Cristo’s, Los Angeles, CA
With more than 3,000 imported goods from Greece you’d be hard-pressed not to find something evocative of that Mediterranean culture. This family-operated business has been providing Greek food stuffs in the market, deli, and bakery for more than 60 years. It’s considered one of the best spots in the city for kebobs, oktapodakia, souvlaki and gyros. Stop by on Thursday evening and join in the “My Big Fat Greek Family-Style Dinner,” and…give belly dancing a try.
Christakis Greek Cuisine, Tustin, CA
A little romance is in the air at this charming taverna. Sit outside, even in winter with the heaters keeping things toasty, under the twinkling fairy lights, near the angelic fountain statue and you might just propose … a toast! Say ya mas to the delicious, authentic food, paired with a glass of ouzo or glass of wine. Of course, there’s moussaka, falafel, souvlaki and gyros, but don’t miss the baklava a la mode. There’s a reason it was voted best Greek restaurant by OC Weekly.
Petra Greek, Sacramento, CA
Late night hankering for a gyro? This is the place to satisfy that craving. The food is traditional. Savory meats, made the traditional way on a vertical rotisserie, are thinly sliced, tender morsels of either lamb, beef, pork or chicken, served on a warm pita bread filled with fries, plus other tasty ingredients. The souvlaki on a stick and the tyropita, phylo dough stuffed with cheese are delicious. But the gold medal winner is the Avgolemono, a luscious lemon soup. Stop by for lunch, dinner, happy hour or at two in the morning—you won’t go home hungry.
Kokkari Estiatorio, San Francisco, CA
There’s a Greek love story behind the name of this restaurant. Of course, it ended in tragedy, as most do, but the moral inspired the concept of cuisine “fit for the gods.” That’s what you’ll find here. The aromas are intoxicating—from the wood oven where dishes are roasted to perfection to the spinning rotisserie of tender meats to the sizzling grill where on any given night you’ll find a whole fish or chicken. Dinner and lunch menus are similar, with small plates, soups, salads and entrees. The front of house has the feel of your favorite living room, while the back taverna is for the more enthusiastic diner.
The Greek, Ventura, CA
Located in the harbor, you’ll see, from underneath the blue awning, blue water of the ocean, sailboats moored offshore and sunshine (it is California). With the aromas emanating from the kitchen, you could actually see Greece in your mind’s eye. This family-owned restaurant has been serving amazing Greek food for more than 20 years and entertaining diners with traditional Greek-style dancing and belly dancing shows. Open for lunch and dinner every day.
