With strong roots planted by Greek immigrants in Charlotte\u2019s restaurant community, the city is blessed with a bounty of truly delicious gyros, spanikopita, stuffed grape leaves and more. But which restaurant is best?<\/p>\n
Read more Live: CMS board meets for first time since putting superintendent on leave<\/a><\/p>\n The CharlotteFive Readers\u2019 Choice Best Greek Food poll set out to find that answer, and now we\u2019ve got a winner.<\/p>\n After seeking out reader nominations<\/a> for the top Greek favorites around the Charlotte area, we started with 18 restaurants. That list was narrowed down through four rounds of voting, and it\u2019s now finally time to crown the winner and finalist.<\/p>\n Here are the two restaurants that came out on top in the CharlotteFive Readers\u2019 Choice Best Greek Food poll:<\/p>\n Location: 5011 South Blvd., Charlotte NC 28217<\/a><\/p>\n The televisions are tuned to soccer, the kitchen is turning out gyros and familiar faces fill the tables. It\u2019s a scene that has played out at The Mad Greek for years, helping make the Charlotte restaurant a beloved gathering place for the city\u2019s Greek community and diners alike.<\/p>\n The restaurant has built a loyal following since opening as The Mad Greek in 2008, serving classic Greek fare while becoming a hub for Charlotte\u2019s Greek community. Today, the restaurant is continuing that tradition under owner John Pitsonis, who took over the business with his father, Kostas, about a year ago.<\/p>\n Pitsonis said he grew up coming to the restaurant and watching Greek men\u2019s soccer games there long before becoming its owner.<\/p>\n \u201cAs anybody that\u2019s a Charlotte native knows, The Mad Greek is a staple,\u201d Pitsonis said. \u201cWe\u2019re very pleased to bring it into the next generation and continue its legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n The restaurant recently underwent renovations following the ownership transition, including a covered patio for year-round seating and additional parking behind the building.<\/p>\n But Pitsonis said the mission remains unchanged: preserving a beloved Charlotte institution while helping it thrive for years to come.<\/p>\n On the menu, diners will find classic Greek fare such as gyro pitas, Greek salads, souvlaki platters, lemon-herb chicken and steak dishes. Pitsonis recommends first-time visitors try the restaurant\u2019s signature gyro pita and Greek salad, as well as the Grecian pork and chicken pitas, which he said are closer to the style commonly found in Greece.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t go wrong with the classic gyro pita and our Greek salads,\u201d he said. \u201cThose are our most known featured items.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the pitas and platters, the restaurant also offers a lineup of desserts, including traditional baklava and a fan-favorite baklava cheesecake that puts a decadent twist on the classic Greek pastry.<\/p>\n Read more Hornets grab Hannes Steinbach, Christian Anderson in 2026 NBA Draft<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPeople go crazy for the baklava cheesecake,\u201d Pitsonis said.<\/p>\n The restaurant also recently obtained a liquor license and now serves popular Greek beers such as Mythos and Alfa, along with a selection of wines. Looking ahead, Pitsonis said he hopes to add a full-service bar on the patio, creating another gathering space for customers to enjoy, but emphasized that those changes will happen gradually.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to take it one day at a time,\u201d Pitsonis said.<\/p>\n He also expressed gratitude to the restaurant\u2019s loyal customers, saying their support has allowed the business to continue thriving.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really gives me joy when people come in, have a good time and enjoy the food and the experience,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re very thankful for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n Location: 1514 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28203<\/a><\/p>\n Location: 4000 Monroe Rd Ste 120, Charlotte, NC 28205<\/a><\/p>\n Location: 7926 Rea Rd E, Charlotte, NC 28277<\/a><\/p>\n Location: 951 Market St Ste 101, Fort Mill, SC 29708<\/a><\/p>\n As you enter Illios Crafted Greek<\/a>, the sights of the grill and the aroma of rotisserie meats quickly take charge your senses, pulling you in to make tough choices about what you\u2019re about to eat as you browse a variety of flavorful side dishes and toppings.<\/p>\n The highly popular restaurant\u2019s first location opened in South End in 2020, growing from an idea for a fast-casual spot modeled after a similar place in New York. Brothers Angelo and Frank Kaltsounis \u2014 the sons of Landmark Diner founder<\/a> Tommy Kaltsounis \u2014 went to culinary school there and met Stratos Lambos, who\u2019d eventually become their business partner after years of working in professional kitchens.<\/p>\n Big sister restaurant Illios Noche<\/a> actually started out with that customizable meal concept \u2014 but Charlotte wasn\u2019t ready for fast-casual in 2003, when Greek food was harder to find. So Illios Noche shifted into the full-service Mediterranean restaurant that diners still love today.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a little too ahead of its time,\u201d Frank Kaltsounis told CharlotteFive.<\/p>\n But the time for Illios Crafted Greek did eventually come, despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brought along in 2020. And the restaurant boasting fresh vegetables, house-marinated meats and handmade spinach and feta pies has quickly grown to four locations, with more on the way in Davidson and Indian Land, SC.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s in our heritage, it\u2019s in our backgrounds,\u201d Kaltsounis said.<\/p>\n Best sellers at the restaurant include the gyros, of course. But the chicken souvla plate is right up there as another top customer favorite.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s healthy. Our recipes are authentic,\u201d Kaltsounis said, adding that Xenia Hospitality Group\u2019s passion for warmly welcoming customers is \u201cnon-negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHospitality and great service makes the food taste better,\u201d Kaltsounis said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of Greek restaurants, and we\u2019re proud to be along with them, but this is our rendition. This is our … interpretation of our Greek food, and through our experience from traveling to Greece, through our parents growing up \u2014 cooking with them, seeing and being around them \u2014 being the traditions of the holidays, and seeing the Greek food being prepared in front of us. I think it kind of really set the tone for who we are and represents us at the best that we can be.\u201d<\/p>\n Best of Charlotte:<\/b> Coffee Shop<\/a> | Chicken Wings<\/a> | Doughnuts<\/a> | Burgers<\/a> | Ice Cream<\/a> | Brewery<\/a> | Pizza<\/a> | Sushi<\/a> | Tacos<\/a> | Food truck<\/a> | Bar<\/a> | Ramen<\/a> | Brunch<\/a> | Patio<\/a> | Barbecue<\/a> | Pie<\/a> | Fried Chicken<\/a> | Fries<\/a> | Cookies<\/a> | Steak<\/a> | Bagels<\/a> | Sports Bar<\/a> | Indian<\/a> | Sandwiches<\/a> | Italian<\/a> | Soul Food<\/a><\/p>\n Uniquely Charlotte:<\/b> Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.<\/i><\/p>\n Read more These 4 barbecue joints across NC rank among the nation\u2019s best<\/a><\/p>\n