It seems that there are fewer restaurants than ever serving Greek food in Houston. Well, for many years, at least. The neat, casual Just GRK on the Katy Freeway closed in 2022. Earlier, and little less lamentably, Alexander the Great and Yia Yia Mary’s a couple of years before. I had recommended seven inexpensive Greek restaurants in the last edition of my guidebook Houston Dining on the Cheap way back in 2007. There are just not too many Greek eateries of note across at any price point today. The pandemic seemed to have taken a toll on the small family-run Greek restaurants, maybe more so than most other restaurants here, for some reason.
Below are the best Greek restaurants in Houston listed in order of preference.
The Best
Helen – Offering something different than what is found in the typical Greek restaurant almost anywhere around the country, this is contemporary Greek fare and in a vibrant, sliver of a space tucked in among its neighboring businesses on Rice Boulevard that screams cool bistro. Dips, grilled octopus, whole fish, rack of lamb and more that both look and taste better than at that stereotypical Greek spot. With the wine – it’s a serious program here – it’s all Greek to everyone here, and only Greek, but it will help you learn that Greek wine belongs on the world stage. Rice Village
The Rest of the Best
Niko Niko’s – Since 1977 Niko Niko’s has been a well-loved, hard-working fixture in the heart of Montrose for satisfying and unpretentious Greek and Gulf Coast favorites. Comfortable and somewhat nice, it is usually crowded, even well outside regular lunch and dinner hours, as it has been for years – outside of the depths of the pandemic. Accurately subtitled, a “Greek & American Café,” the large menu does consist mainly of Greek specialties plus a number of other homey, but well prepared dishes, one of which will certainly satiate about any craving. Montrose, Spring Branch, Downtown (in abbreviated form)
Anonymous Café – Lighter and brighter might be your first impression of this airy little café in the first floor of an older office building just off Kirby. Some familiar Greek and American items are served for breakfast and lunch like souvlaki, salads – The American Greek Salad, of course – sandwiches and a terrific take on spanakopita. There is a different daily Greek special each day, too, like moussaka or pastitsio, with avgolemono to start. The pastry display is a delight, and an indication that this kitchen has some evident skill. And, it is truly a café with both serious coffee and as a venue to spend time for a smattering of students, folks from the nearby neighborhoods, and ex-pat Greeks. Upper Kirby District
Simply Greek – Set in an older small strip center in Spring Branch, this very bare-bones, quite humble spot mostly serves the usual, inexpensive fast-food Greek fare that is better than expected. Tender, moist and flavorful lamb fills a pita that is much better than what comes off any gyro spinner. A fair number of other proteins, some even without tzatziki, can pack a pita in case more than simply Greek is in order. Spring Branch
The Grilled Octopus at Helen - Helen
Below are the best Greek restaurants in Houston listed in order of preference.
The Best
Helen – Offering something different than what is found in the typical Greek restaurant almost anywhere around the country, this is contemporary Greek fare and in a vibrant, sliver of a space tucked in among its neighboring businesses on Rice Boulevard that screams cool bistro. Dips, grilled octopus, whole fish, rack of lamb and more that both look and taste better than at that stereotypical Greek spot. With the wine – it’s a serious program here – it’s all Greek to everyone here, and only Greek, but it will help you learn that Greek wine belongs on the world stage. Rice Village
The Rest of the Best
Niko Niko’s – Since 1977 Niko Niko’s has been a well-loved, hard-working fixture in the heart of Montrose for satisfying and unpretentious Greek and Gulf Coast favorites. Comfortable and somewhat nice, it is usually crowded, even well outside regular lunch and dinner hours, as it has been for years – outside of the depths of the pandemic. Accurately subtitled, a “Greek & American Café,” the large menu does consist mainly of Greek specialties plus a number of other homey, but well prepared dishes, one of which will certainly satiate about any craving. Montrose, Spring Branch, Downtown (in abbreviated form)
Anonymous Café – Lighter and brighter might be your first impression of this airy little café in the first floor of an older office building just off Kirby. Some familiar Greek and American items are served for breakfast and lunch like souvlaki, salads – The American Greek Salad, of course – sandwiches and a terrific take on spanakopita. There is a different daily Greek special each day, too, like moussaka or pastitsio, with avgolemono to start. The pastry display is a delight, and an indication that this kitchen has some evident skill. And, it is truly a café with both serious coffee and as a venue to spend time for a smattering of students, folks from the nearby neighborhoods, and ex-pat Greeks. Upper Kirby District
Simply Greek – Set in an older small strip center in Spring Branch, this very bare-bones, quite humble spot mostly serves the usual, inexpensive fast-food Greek fare that is better than expected. Tender, moist and flavorful lamb fills a pita that is much better than what comes off any gyro spinner. A fair number of other proteins, some even without tzatziki, can pack a pita in case more than simply Greek is in order. Spring Branch
The Grilled Octopus at Helen - Helen
