Gyros, tzatziki, souvlaki: Where you can find must-try Greek dishes in Dubai

There’s a shared history, a commonality of ingredients and an emphasis on eating healthy meals. That in one line is what’s common between Middle Eastern and Greek cuisines. Digging deeper, there are dishes that appear on menus that claim to be Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Greek — gyro/shawarma, stuffed grape vine leaves, baklava/baqlawa, moussaka and several other signature dishes.

You get the drift.

No wonder, Dubai has recently seen an increasing affinity towards Greek cuisine amid the emirate’s emergence as the food capital of the world. It comes as no surprise that foodies in Dubai are suddenly familiar with the Greek tradition of breaking plates, and indulging in keftethes (meat balls), souvlaki (meat on skewers), tzatziki (classic Greek sauce), and more.

Yes, Greek and Middle Eastern food have uncanny similarities, which trace their origin to the Ottoman regime, and whilst Greek and Mediterranean are often synonymous with one another, all Greek food is Mediterranean, but not all Mediterranean food is Greek food!

“Greek gastronomy having had the influence of the Ottomans shares a few similarities with the likes of what is served within the Arabian peninsula region, but with a twist. This zest of familiarity is also what makes it appealing to try. Imagine you’ve landed in a place where you don’t know a single item on the food menu. Chances are you’ll pick the closest thing you can identify with. I think, that’s why people in this region are so attracted to Greek food,” said Timothy Newton, Group Executive Chef/Partner, OPA, a Greek restaurant and Myrra, a Greek-Spanish restaurant, which was launched in 2018.

The rise of Greek eateries in Dubai

Go! Greek was opened in 2018 as a delivery-only restaurant, and now has a brick-mortar address in Dubai. They were one of the first Greek eateries in town. “There was a gap in the market for this cuisine and it’s brilliant to see the rise in its popularity owing to its inclusivity and the ever-loved Greek hospitality and warmth that resonates through its food,” said Soha Merhej, Brand Manager, Kitopi. Go! Greek is part of Go! Restaurants, and falls under the umbrella of Kitopi.

“Although there isn’t a void in Dubai for Greek food, the demand is high among the UAE residents. Ultimately, Greek food is loved by all and that can in part be put down to the fact it strongly promotes healthy eating. The Greek cuisine was perfected centuries ago. It doesn’t need to be reimagined, as people will never get bored of its classic comfort and fresh food, oozing vibrant flavour,” said Nouredin Mugheb, Chef de cuisine, Soluna Restaurant & Lounge, another Greek eatery that opened in early 2021. With the knowledge of the success of OPA, the team opened yet another Greek concept, Myrra last year, which adds a Spanish twist into the mix. “If the consumers see a particular food concept or cuisine do well, they’ll perceive it as a great place to eat/try. All in all, the rise of Greek eateries is dictated by the success of the already established ones,” explained Timothy.

Mediterranean flavours tickle palates

Greek food is renowned for its Mediterranean flavours and inclusive nature where it’s suitable for all types of diners. “This is a perfect concept because Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that is home to expats from all over the world. Besides, Greek food is very wholesome — it’s quite healthy and welcoming,” said Soha. “We’re seeing a rise in Dubai for healthy living and wellness in general. People automatically embrace a cuisine they’ve always known to be healthy, Greek and Mediterranean,” added Nouredin.

Soluna’s patrons are from all over the world. The restaurant receives an average of 50 Arabs from the wider region, 70 expatriates, and up to 25 Emiratis daily. The customer base at Go! Greek has expanded to include several other nationalities such as Asians and Arabs. “The restaurant was created at a time where there was a noticeable gap and high potential because of the nature of Greek cuisine in Dubai,” added Soha.

The visual charm