If you have ever stood at a Greek restaurant counter wondering whether to order souvlaki, gyros, or kebab, you are not alone. These three Mediterranean favourites are often confused, but each has a distinct history, preparation method, and flavour profile that makes it unique.
At The Souvlucky Country in Parramatta, we serve authentic versions of these dishes daily, and our customers frequently ask us to explain the differences. Let us break it down for you.
Quick Comparison: Souvlaki vs Gyros vs Kebab
Before we dive deep, here is a quick overview:
| Feature | Souvlaki | Gyros | Kebab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Greece | Greece | Turkey/Middle East |
| Cooking Method | Skewered & grilled | Vertical rotisserie | Vertical rotisserie or grilled |
| Meat Type | Cubed pieces | Stacked, shaved slices | Minced or stacked |
| Typical Sauce | Tzatziki | Tzatziki | Garlic sauce, chilli |
| Bread | Pita bread | Pita bread | Turkish bread or pide |
What is Souvlaki?
Souvlaki (pronounced soo-VLAH-kee) is one of Greece's oldest and most beloved dishes. The name comes from the Greek word "souvla," meaning skewer.
How Souvlaki is Made
Traditional souvlaki consists of small cubes of meat—typically pork, chicken, or lamb—threaded onto wooden or metal skewers and grilled over charcoal. The meat is marinated in a simple but flavourful mixture of:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
What makes souvlaki special is the char from the open flame and the simplicity of the seasoning, which allows the quality of the meat to shine through.
How Souvlaki is Served
Souvlaki can be enjoyed in several ways:
- On the skewer (Kalamaki): The traditional way, served with pita and tzatziki on the side
- Wrapped in pita: With tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce
- On a plate: With Greek salad, chips, and dips
What is Gyros?
Gyros (pronounced YEE-ros, meaning "turn" in Greek) refers to meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie—the tall spinning cone you see in Greek restaurants.
How Gyros is Made
The preparation of gyros is quite different from souvlaki:
- Thin slices of marinated meat are stacked layer upon layer on a vertical spit
- The meat rotates slowly next to a heat source
- As the outer layer cooks and crisps, it is shaved off to order
- The result is thin, flavourful strips with crispy edges
Traditional Greek gyros uses pork or chicken, while lamb gyros is also popular. The marinade typically includes oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic.
The Gyros Experience
What makes gyros irresistible is the texture contrast—crispy caramelised edges from the rotisserie combined with juicy, tender meat inside. It is typically served in a warm pita with:
- Tzatziki sauce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Red onions
- Optional chips inside the wrap (the Greek way!)
What is Kebab?
Kebab is a broad term covering various meat dishes that originated in the Middle East and Turkey. The word comes from the Arabic "kabāb," meaning grilled meat.
Types of Kebab
There are many varieties of kebab:
- Doner Kebab: Similar to gyros, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The Turkish precursor to Greek gyros.
- Shish Kebab: Cubed meat on skewers, similar to souvlaki but with different spices.
- Kofta Kebab: Minced meat formed around skewers and grilled.
- Adana Kebab: Spicy minced lamb from Turkey's Adana region.
Key Differences from Greek Dishes
While kebab and Greek meat dishes may look similar, there are important differences:
- Spicing: Kebabs often use cumin, sumac, and chilli, while Greek dishes favour oregano and lemon
- Sauces: Kebabs typically come with garlic sauce, chilli sauce, or tahini rather than tzatziki
- Bread: Turkish bread or pide is used instead of Greek pita
- Meat preparation: Doner often uses minced and formed meat, while traditional gyros uses whole meat slices
Souvlaki vs Gyros: The Greek Showdown
Since both souvlaki and gyros are Greek, people often wonder which to choose. Here is how they compare:
Choose Souvlaki When You Want:
- Distinct, chargrilled flavour from the open flame
- Larger, more substantial pieces of meat
- A more traditional, ancient Greek experience
- The ability to taste each individual piece of meat
Choose Gyros When You Want:
- Crispy, caramelised meat with tender interior
- A classic street food experience
- More meat packed into your pita
- That signature rotisserie flavour
Which is Better: Souvlaki, Gyros, or Kebab?
There is no wrong answer here—it truly depends on your mood and preferences:
- For authentic Greek flavour: Choose souvlaki or gyros with tzatziki
- For bold, spicy flavours: Try a traditional kebab with chilli sauce
- For chargrilled taste: Souvlaki wins with its open-flame cooking
- For crispy, shaved meat: Gyros delivers that rotisserie magic
- For a filling meal: All three are excellent wrapped in bread with salad
Where to Find Authentic Souvlaki and Gyros in Parramatta
At The Souvlucky Country, we specialise in authentic Greek souvlaki and gyros made the traditional way. Our meat is marinated fresh daily using family recipes, and we cook everything over charcoal for that genuine Greek flavour.
Whether you are team souvlaki or team gyros, we have you covered with:
- Pork, chicken, and lamb souvlaki grilled to perfection
- Traditional gyros shaved fresh from the spit
- Mixed plates so you can try both
- Authentic tzatziki made fresh in-house
The Bottom Line
Now that you know the difference between souvlaki, gyros, and kebab, you can order with confidence. Each dish has its own charm and tradition, but they all share one thing in common: they are delicious ways to enjoy grilled meat.
Next time you visit The Souvlucky Country in Parramatta, try our souvlaki and gyros side by side. It is the best way to truly appreciate what makes each one special.
Have more questions about Greek food? Follow us on Instagram or stop by our restaurant at Parramatta—we love sharing our passion for authentic Greek cuisine!