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Best of San Diego
Gyros, souvlaki, and real tavernas
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The Winner
The best value Mediterranean counter in San Diego.
Mama's Bakery & Deli in City Heights is the best Greek and Lebanese counter. For a quick gyro, Athens Market Taverna downtown is the most convenient option.
| # | Place | Neighborhood | What to get | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mama's Bakery & Deli | City Heights | Chicken shawarma plate and fresh saj bread | $10–18 | 89 |
| 2 | Meze Greek Fusion | Gaslamp Quarter | Saganaki flambé and the lamb gyro platter | $18–34 | 85 |
| 3 | Athens Market Taverna | Downtown | Moussaka and the mixed mezze plate | $16–32 | 84 |
The best value Mediterranean counter in San Diego.
Mama's blends Greek and Lebanese traditions, and the bread program alone justifies the trip. Portions are large and prices have stayed reasonable.
Local tip: Buy a stack of the saj bread to take home — it is baked in front of you.
The best Greek night out downtown.
Meze is more polished and more expensive than a neighborhood taverna, but the kitchen is capable and the room is genuinely fun for a group.
Local tip: Sit upstairs on the patio and order the saganaki for the table.
A long-running downtown institution that still cooks with care.
Athens Market has been feeding downtown for decades. The moussaka and avgolemono are the dishes to order; the room is dated in a way regulars like.
Local tip: Lunch is quieter and cheaper than dinner for nearly the same menu.
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Our rankings are editorial. This part is yours — vote for your favorite greek-restaurants in San Diego. One vote per reader.
Experience
How good the core food, drink, or activity actually is.
Consistency
Repeatability across visits, staff, and seasons.
Value
Price relative to what you get.
Atmosphere
Setting, crowd, and comfort.
Uniqueness
Something you can't get anywhere else in San Diego.
We judged the gyro and the grilled lamb first, gave credit for house-made pita and tzatziki, and penalized kitchens leaning on frozen cones and pre-made sides.
Meze Greek Fusion in the Gaslamp is the best full-service Greek restaurant in San Diego, especially for whole grilled fish and lamb.
Mama's Bakery & Deli in City Heights makes the best value gyro and shawarma, and Athens Market Taverna is the easiest option downtown near the waterfront.
Counter plates run $12 to $18. Sit-down tavernas with grilled fish or lamb run $28 to $40 per person before drinks.
Every list is scored with the same methodology. See all rankings → See every 2026 winner →
Hour-by-hour itinerary, taco stops, parking notes, and a packing list — sent to your inbox, plus one weekly email of new spots and events.
Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .
