We like to think all Greek food is special, but Clearwater’s tavernas are in an elite league of their own. While Florida’s coast doesn’t have a ton of authentic Hellenic spots, there are enough serving saganaki, souvlaki, and (in some cases) modern twists to rank the very best. You can find textbook gyros, upscale meze, and other tasty options all around town, proving that—thank goodness—there’s actually plenty of great Greek food to enjoy.
Paradise Restaurant
$ | (727) 725-1208 | WEBSITE
Grabbing a classic breakfast at Paradise Restaurant is like stepping into a time capsule—it’s the most comforting and reliable of any spot on this list. And while the menu stays consistent at this Safety Harbor diner, the standard cheeseburger and buttery home fries make a solid combination. A plate of them both is equal parts hearty and satisfying, complete with juicy beef balanced by a familiar diner feel.
Athenian’s Gyros & Chicken
$ | (727) 544-5740 | WEBSITE
Athenian’s Gyros & Chicken is not a chain—it’s an institution in Clearwater that has been serving customers for over 35 years. And during the lunch rush, their drive-through window turns into a quick-service haven, offering gyros, fries, chicken plates, and junior portions.
While they typically have classic items like the super gyro and junior gyro, they’re phenomenal, and made even better when topped with Athenian’s original Tzatziki sauce—which tastes like the heart of a traditional Greek meal but won’t overwhelm every single bite with heaviness.
Little Greek Fresh Grill
$ | (727) 270-7902 | WEBSITE
Little Greek Fresh Grill used to be a food truck, and while it sure was fun tracking them down at local events, it’s even better to know that we can swing by their Clearwater location anytime (well, during business hours at least) for a freshly-grilled chicken pita with amazing hummus served on the side. The grilled chicken is clearly the standout, but we’d use their authentic Greek flavors in our weekly meal rotation every day if we could.
Coco’s Crush Bar Original
$ | (727) 953-3084 | WEBSITE
This beachside spot’s homemade orange crush paired with dive-bar classics—like blackened shrimp with boom boom sauce or the original coco’s crush drink—makes for a perfect little escape. We wouldn’t expect less of the friendly owner and attentive staff. Swirls of grouper are fresh, extra satisfying, and while it looks like one measly sandwich couldn’t possibly be enough, the food is solid.
Gyro King
$ | (727) 786-8664 | WEBSITE
One of the best spots in town for gyros, wings, and crispy fries unveiled a daily specials operation known as Gyro King. Whereas other spots in town obsess over complicated fusion dishes, Gyro King sticks with classic, satisfying Greek-American fare—and gets generous with the portions instead. You’ll find options ranging from cheeseburgers to Greek salads with grilled chicken, desserts involving baklava and cannoli, and customizable dishes that let you build your own meal.
We like to keep it simple with their Wednesday gyro special, which is buy one get one free and balances the savory meat with fresh veggies pretty perfectly.
Greek Islands Restaurant
$ | (727) 581-1767 | WEBSITE
At this family-owned Greek spot in Clearwater, you can eat delicious meals like the highly-recommended chopped Greek salad or the grilled chicken—as well as appetizers delivered quickly with attentive service. But afterwards, you should experience the fiery cheese served with a staff yell of “OPA!” Their authentic atmosphere features a big screen TV showing live Greek scenery, and sometimes you’ll catch regulars enjoying favorites like the chicken souvlaki platter or gyro sandwich.
It’s the best way to feel welcomed after experiencing the fresh and tasty meals at Greek Islands Restaurant.
Queen’s Pizza & Restaurant.of Clearwater
$ | (727) 446-6016 | WEBSITE
If you almost skipped this guide because you keep a pizza cutter sewn into your pants pocket at all times, just wait. This neighborhood pizzeria in Clearwater serves families every day. That’s right—all the options are made with care, so no need to work a “kid-friendly day” into your schedule. While you can pass on the slightly small gyro portion, the Queens pizza and chicken tenders are both crispy and delicious. Order it with the amazing sauce, cheese sticks, or lemon soup.
Those are totally satisfying, too.
NY Eastlake Pizza
$ | (727) 210-1144 | WEBSITE
NY Eastlake Pizza in Clearwater is another great option for New York-style pizza. It’s quite authentic—the crispiness of the crust is executed perfectly without being overly greasy. We love it especially when paired with garlic knots and/or eaten with an entire slice of tiramisu on the side.
Savory Restaurant
$ | (727) 593-2030 | WEBSITE
The homemade chicken soup at Savory Restaurant is comforting enough to cure any rainy day and served at a Greek spot that has a warm and inviting dining room—it doesn’t get more Clearwater than that, folks. And when their cod plate is on the menu, it’s a winner. It comes with amazing onion rings and Texas chips alongside the fish, which is a great tribute to the fact that Florida is a top producer of fresh seafood.
Note that if you’re a seafood-hater, you can also get their classic eggs benedict or avocado toast from the breakfast menu.
Sofia’s Greek Grill
$ | (727) 400-4863 | WEBSITE
This Clearwater grill specializes in authentic Greek cuisine, and they’re so committed to the craft that even the simplest dishes shine with traditional flavors. The gyros taste like the most tender, well-seasoned, satisfying version of the classic, only served fresh from the grill. That quality is fantastic on its own, though we also love the way sides like potato salad or tzatziki sauce complement the main dishes perfectly.
Benedict’s Breakfast and Lunch
$ | (727) 441-1644 | WEBSITE
At this Clearwater breakfast spot, the Eggs Benedict is great. And yet, their Greek omelette has a bigger gravitational pull on us. It’s the dish to prioritize, in all of its fluffy egg glory, and its fresh flavor is just as nice plain as it is with whole wheat toast and a side of perfectly cooked potatoes. Sure, there’s another, far more popular brunch place across town, but Benedict’s is open more often (every day of the week)—and you can only get Morgan’s attentive service here.
Famous Greek Salads
$ | (727) 797-4998 | WEBSITE
If you’re not familiar with authentic Greek salads, that’s probably because Famous Greek Salads—a cozy Greek spot in Clearwater—is the only place in town where we’ve found it done this right. Imagine a regular salad, with fresh ingredients tossed in olive oil and herbs, causing, well, bursts of Mediterranean flavor. You get it now. Anyway, there’s nothing quite like crisp greens with a karate chop of tangy feta and kalamata olives.
Ask the owner to top yours with extra gyro meat and tzatziki sauce—it’s savory, creamy, loaded with seasoned lamb, and works surprisingly well as an addition.
