Tampa is a beautiful bay city with many attractions, from professional football to amusement parks.
There are also a wide variety of cuisines in this cosmopolitan city, but perhaps none as rooted in the culture as Greek.
Tampa saw an increase in its Greek population toward the end of 1905 as many left Greece to come to work in Tarpon Springs’ growing sponge industry.
Where people work, there must be somewhere to feed them, so Greek restaurants began popping up to feed the hungry workers.
Greek cuisine and culture have had a home in Tampa ever since.
So let’s check out the best Greek restaurants in Tampa.
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Multiple locations
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Acropolis Greek Taverna promises “Greek Food-Greek Wine-Greek Fun,” and I’d agree they fulfill all three of those.
The chain offers three locations in Tampa and one across the bay in St. Petersburg, so no matter where you are in the area you’ll find a spot to enjoy the promised Greek trifecta.
I recommend starting with their appetizer sampler of hummus, tirosalata, tzatziki, and baba chanouj served with a pita.
After that, move on to the gyro platter featuring thinly-sliced lamb and beef topped with onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki.
Enjoy bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for brunch on Sundays.
Double-check your specific location for exact times.
Little Greek Fresh Grill
Multiple locations
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Little Greek Fresh Grill has locations across the U.S., but Florida is the chain’s home.
This fast-casual Greek eatery has a classic American restaurant vibe, but the food is deliciously Greek.
You have to try their Greek salad. Sure, the gyros and pitas are amazing, but Little Greek Fresh Grill is known for its salads for good reason.
This made-to-order salad features your choice of lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, green peppers, pepperoncini peppers, feta cheese, beets, and potato salad.
Top it off with their special Greek salad dressing and you’re set.
Louis Pappas Fresh Greek Bay to Bay
3409 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: 813-839-0000
Louis Pappas Fresh Greek Bay to Bay has a huge covered patio that provides the perfect setting to enjoy a great-tasting Greek meal and warm Florida weather.
This multi-generational family business began with the Louis Pappas Riverside Café in 1925, and the family has been a fixture in Central Florida ever since.
I recommend ordering the chicken spanakopita.
This grilled chicken dish features sautéed spinach, feta, artichoke hearts, scallions, and mozzarella topped with avgolemono or marinara sauce.
Enjoy a piece of their baklava cheesecake for dessert if you still have room – or get it to go!
The Hungry Greek
Multiple locations
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The Hungry Greek is a fast-casual Greek eatery that focuses on serving authentic and healthy Greek food.
You’ll have no issue enjoying sating your hunger with this Greek restaurant due to its many locations in every corner of Tampa.
You can’t go wrong with one of their bowls.
I suggest trying the tabouli bowl which features brown rice, hummus, garbanzo beans, and their house tabouli salad.
You can enjoy this bowl vegan or add your choice of cheese and protein from gyro meat to salmon.
The Hungry Greek also has simple and tasty options for the little ones if you’re visiting with kids.
Zeko’s Mediterranean Grill
44 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-221-8399
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Zeko’s Mediterranean Grill is literally just across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
So once you’re done seeing animals, riding rides, and having a good ol’ time take the two-minute drive to this Mediterranean restaurant offering great-tasting casual Greek and Arab food.
Why limit yourself to just Greek or Arab food here when you can easily enjoy both in the same meal.
Start with a Greek salad featuring pickled peppers, feta, and creamy potato salad before moving on to their beef shawarma.
The thinly sliced seasoned beef served with flatbread, tomatoes, pickles, and onions topped with house-made tahini sauce will have you ordering a second plate to-go.
Dio Modern Mediterranean
519 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-398-4000
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Dio Modern Mediterranean couples authentic and delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a wonderful fine dining experience.
You can sit inside and enjoy their modernly-designed bar and restaurant or eat outside like a Mediterranean local on their patio.
You’ll enjoy your meal no matter where you decide to eat it.
I recommend ordering the organic chicken kabob.
This fresh and healthy meal features chimichurri dipping sauce, whipped garlic, and a tomato, mint, and cucumber salad.
You can up the fancy a bit by ordering the filet mignon kabob, which substitutes the salad for freshly cut herb fries.
Hellas Restaurant & Bakery
785 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: 727-943-2400
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Hellas Bakery and Restaurant is amazing through and through.
From its white stone façade to the white and blue décor inside, you’ll never doubt you’re about to enjoy some great-tasting authentic Greek food.
I suggest ordering their pork souvlaki if you’re in the mood for savory.
It features marinated pork chunks wrapped in a pita with onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce.
Hellas’ bakery has drawn regular visitors from all over the Tampa area since 1970.
They have countless ready-to-order authentic Greek pastries to choose from.
You can grab and box to your heart’s content, but I recommend ensuring you toss in at least one savarea.
This rum-soaked sponge cake filled with whipped cream and topped with slivered almonds is mouth-wateringly delicious.
psomi
701 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-841-5555
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Psomi gives off the vibe of eating in an open and welcoming Greek home.
The clean white walls, high ceilings with exposed wood beams, and large windows create a comfortable atmosphere that puts you at ease as you sit back and enjoy your authentic Greek meal.
Psomi makes some delicious burgers and gyros, but it’s worth noting the restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch.
I suggest enjoying the relaxing feel of the restaurant with their light and delicious avocado psomi.
Fun fact, psomi is Greek for bread.
Enjoy your sesame wheat toast topped with avocado, whipped feta, sprouts, tomato, and pepperoncini.
You can enjoy this meal vegan or add house-cured salmon or an egg.