NEW YORK — A handful of Greek restaurants in New York City have been named in media publication Chowhound’s ‘Absolute Best Greek Restaurants In The US’ list.
The list, published on Tuesday, October 14, highlights 17 Greek restaurants which have caught the attention of many across the country, and have been recognized for their fresh and flavorful offering of the Greek cuisine, and its traditional recipes.
Many of these restaurants have also earned recognition from major media and food-related publications and critics in places like New York, Chicago, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Utah, California, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Illinois, and Alabama
To mark the recognition, TNH is dedicating this article to all the stand-out Greek restaurants in New York City that were recognized.
Named at number three was Eléa.
The interior of Elea in New York City. Photo: Facebook
Located at 217 W 85th Street, New York, Eléa is an up-scale Greek restaurant in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, which is known for its contemporary Greek dishes. It blends a warm and elegant atmosphere and is designed with a split level and dark wood flooring, displaying Grecian decor, pottery, olive branches and bottles of Eléa olive oil to add to its aesthetic and transport its guests to a Greek island. Designed with sharing in mind, Elea serves large plates of food, with a carefully curated list of seafood and meat dishes, including an array of Greek and non-Greek desserts including mini baklava rolls, cheesecake, Greek yogurt, portokalopita, sokolatina, gelato and more.
Outdoor dining at Avra 48th Street. Photo: The Avra Group
Listed in fourth place on the list was “Avra – In multiple locations.” Located at 1271 6th Avenue – Avra Rockefeller Center, 14 East 60th Street – Avra Madison, and the beloved original, named Avra, at 141 East 48th Street. Avra is a Michelin-recommended restaurant that offers New York contemporary Greek cuisine in an elegant space. It contains beautiful interiors with bright, inviting white accents and greenery details, and its menu puts a focus on fresh seafood, as well as delicious cocktails. The Greek restaurant additionally prides itself in importing many of its ingredients from artisanal producers in Greece and sourcing its seafood and meat from around the globe.
The interior of Avra Madison. Photo: The Avra Group
Their fish is imported from Southern Europe and flown in fresh, the branzino is from Southern Spain, the fagri is from the Aegean Sea, and Dover sole from the waters of the North Sea. Their lamb is sourced from Australia and the cuts of beef from small ranches around the United States. Its founders are known for taking their food seriously and surveying the world to find the highest caliber products on the market.
Coming in at number 12 was Pylos.
The interior of Pylos restaurant in New York City. Photo: Facebook
Located at 128 E 7th St, New York, Pylos is described as a warm and cozy Greek restaurant in the East Village, that is focused on cooking up traditional dishes with fresh ingredients from various regions of Greece. They pride themselves on their unique array of Greek wines, as well as their offering of delicious mezzethes, which include items like spanakopita, their dip poikoilia (assortment), piperia gemisti me kfteri feta (roasted red pepper filled with spicy feta), pitakia kaisarias (savory phyllo pastries filled with the spiced, cured beef pasturma, fresh tomatoes, and mild kasseri cheese, kolokythakia kai melitzanakia tyganita (fried zucchini and eggplant rounds served with tzatziki), and more.
The final restaurant listed in the article at number 17 was Taverna Kyclades in Queens, New York.
Taverna Kyclades in Astoria, New York, New York’s selection as the best Greek restaurant. (Photo: tavernakyclades.com)
Taverna Cyclades is located at 36-01 Ditmars Boulevard, and at 39-28 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, and is known for being exclusive and delicious. Despite not being able to make a reservation ahead of visiting, and sometimes having to be a little more patient, the wait is always worth it, as this restaurant makes you feel like you’re on a Greek island. It provides you with some of the best authentic flavors right here in New York. You can expect to see an extensive menu of the best seafood, from items like fried calamari, jumbo stuffed shrimp, lobster, grilled swordfish and more, and then there are also dishes like authentic pork and chicken souvlaki, lamb chops and more you can find too.
Dining and Cooking