Giotis for the model modern gyradiko

Wherever you go in Thessaloniki, you’re likely to encounter gyradika – gyros joints – with huge spinning pillars of proportions you’ll rarely see anywhere else in Greece. If there’s a capital city of gyros, it’s Thessaloniki. 

Gyradika in Thessaloniki come in all shapes and sizes, with the traditional, family-run neighbourhood takeaways that have lasted generations to the newer, American-influenced fast-food iterations that boast dizzying menus, a wide choice of condiments and creative or international wildcard twists (like gyros in bao buns, or mini pites of gyros that come like ‘shots’).

Giotis is among the most respectable of these modern gyradika. Understatement: it’s actually one of the most respected gyradika in all of Greece amongst everyone I have spoken to who has also eaten gyros across the country.

This is probably the most satisfying pita gyros I have eaten anywhere. In a soft, pillowy pita, you find crispy, salty, juicy gyros, carved a little more thinly than average straight from one of those giant pillars. But it doesn’t feel synthetic or oily like many of the other gyradika with the giant gyroi; it’s got a meatiness about it too. Everything is served in perfect proportions in a way that suggests a level of attention to detail that you don’t expect to encounter at a gyradiko.

If you want that classic contemporary Thessaloniki pita gyros with fries and covered mustard, this is the place to check the standard.

📍 Markou Mpotsari 150, Thessaloniki 544 53, Greece