Love this new place to me. The ambient was great.The platter that I had was amazing fresh and so tasty. The place is so clean , I love it. I think all the food will be amazing here. The platter I had was excellent and very fresh
Overview
Walking into Souvlaki Spot feels like stepping into a neighborhood staple that knows exactly what it’s doing. I first stopped by after a long afternoon near the waterfront in Howard Beach, and the smell of grilled meat drifting onto Cross Bay Boulevard made the decision for me. Located at 156-40 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, United States, this diner-style Greek restaurant blends speed, flavor, and consistency in a way that keeps locals coming back.
The menu is focused, which is usually a good sign. Instead of trying to be everything at once, it leans into classic Greek street food done right. Souvlaki skewers, gyros, grilled chicken, pork, and lamb are the backbone, paired with warm pita, seasoned fries, and fresh salads. One thing I noticed right away is how the meat is cooked to order. You can hear the grill working, and that char you get on the outside isn’t accidental. According to culinary research published by the Journal of Food Science, high-heat grilling enhances flavor through the Maillard reaction, and you can taste that science at work here.
I usually go for the chicken souvlaki platter, mostly because it’s a reliable way to judge a Greek spot. The chicken is marinated long enough to stay juicy, not just seasoned on the surface. That aligns with traditional Greek preparation methods, where acidic marinades using lemon juice and olive oil help tenderize meat while adding depth. The USDA has published data showing that proper marination can also reduce the formation of harmful compounds during grilling, which is reassuring when you’re eating charred food regularly.
What stands out beyond the food is consistency. I’ve eaten here on quiet weekday afternoons and during busy weekend rushes, and the quality barely shifts. Reviews from local diners echo that same experience, often mentioning fast service even when the place is packed. In casual dining, operational consistency is one of the hardest things to maintain, and restaurant management studies from Cornell University point to streamlined menus as a key factor. This place seems to follow that playbook closely.
The portions are generous without being over-the-top. You leave full, not sluggish. For people who care about balanced eating, the menu makes it easy to mix proteins with vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce. The Mediterranean diet has been ranked by organizations like the American Heart Association as one of the healthiest eating patterns, and meals like grilled souvlaki with salad fit squarely into that framework, even when you’re grabbing a quick bite.
Location matters too. Being right on Cross Bay Blvd makes it accessible whether you’re a local, commuting through Howard Beach, or heading to JFK Airport nearby. I’ve seen families dining in, construction workers grabbing takeout, and travelers stopping in before a flight. That kind of crowd diversity usually means a restaurant is doing something right.
There are a few limitations worth noting. Seating can feel tight during peak hours, and parking along the boulevard isn’t always stress-free. Also, if you’re looking for a long sit-down experience with table service, this isn’t that kind of place. It’s more about quick, satisfying meals than lingering dinners. Still, those trade-offs feel reasonable given the speed and quality you get in return.
Overall, the experience here reflects what a good neighborhood diner should be: familiar flavors, reliable execution, and fair prices. It’s not trying to reinvent Greek food, and that’s exactly why it works. When a restaurant knows its lane and stays in it, the results tend to speak for themselves.
Good to know
Service options
âś“ Delivery âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-inHighlights
âś“ Fast servicePopular for
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo diningOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Comfort food âś“ Healthy options âś“ Quick bite âś“ Small platesDining options
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Dessert âś“ SeatingAmenities
âś“ ToiletAtmosphere
âś“ CasualPayments
âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cardsChildren
âś“ Good for kidsParking
âś“ Free parking lot âś“ Paid street parking âś“ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 146 reviews
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food? Incredible—authentic, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried was spot on, from the appetizers to the main courses. The atmosphere made it even better very inviting. Highly recommend this place if you're craving great Greek food and top-notch hospitality.
I was lucky enough to be in New York and visited the souvlaki spot at Howard Beach. Honestly, their tastes were like in Greece. The staff smiling pleasant and very helpful. The prices are very satisfactory. I strongly recommend you to try the chicken gyro as well as the mozzarella stick and the spinach pie. Our group of 6 people were completely satisfied.
recently dined at a Greek gem that left a lasting impression with its authentic flavors and impeccable service. From the moment I walked in, the staff’s warm and welcoming demeanor set the tone for a memorable experience. The ambiance was charming, with a mix of modern decor and traditional Greek touches that transported me straight to the Mediterranean. The menu offered a variety of classic dishes, and everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The moussaka was rich and hearty, the grilled lamb perfectly seasoned, and the tzatziki was the best I’ve ever had—creamy, tangy, and deliciously garlicky. What truly stood out, however, was the service. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and that every need was met with a smile. Our server took the time to explain the dishes and even shared stories about their origins, adding a personal touch to the meal. Overall, Souvlaki spot is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Greek cuisine paired with outstanding hospitality. I’ll definitely be returning soon!
Craving satisfied! Came to the beach today with a serious craving for a lamb gyro and stumbled upon Souvlaki Spot — and wow, 10/10! As soon as I looked at the menu, I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered the beef and lamb gyro with tzatziki and lemon potatoes, plus a side of falafel bites. Everything was incredibly fresh, full of flavor, and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!
As someone who grew up with Greeks in the same house, I lived on homemade food made by Thia's hands. This previously used to be Greek Grill (if anyone in the neighborhood remembers) and it had been closed for a long time. Now Souvlaki Spot opened and it's a win as Greek restaurants are far and few in the surrounding area. They opened up the space and gave it a makeover that's now bright and vibrant. We dined on their 3rd day of opening. We were greeted by the friendly servers and our order was taken. Unfortunately by 3pm the lamb chops were already sold out. I'm assuming they didn't account for how much business they'd be getting. We waited about 20mins and got our food. As other reviews have mentioned, we consider ourselves lucky because other tables were waiting close to 40mins. Take out line was getting frustrated. 1 table got up and left. I feel the kitchen forgot their order. At the end of our meal, the register didn't have enough bills for change so we were given tons of coins. Speed from the kitchen is definitely lacking, and everyone should know how to operate the registers. I wanted to give them benefit of doubt as they just opened. What we did try though was exceptional. We got lamb gyro, pork gyro, & pork souvlaki. The tzatziki was thick, rich and delicious and reminded me of home cooking. A lot of Greek restaurants serve a watery tzatziki so I appreciated that theirs was better. I would like to see tyropita & calamari on the menu. Overall I will try them again when they get themselves a little more organized.
I was visiting from Scranton, PA and decided to stop by Soulvaki Spot on Crossbay Blvd and wow, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and full of authentic flavor. You can tell everything is made with care. The portions were generous! the staff was warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was nice . This place is truly a gem ! whether you’re local or just passing through, it’s worth the stop. I’ll definitely be coming back whenever I’m in New York!
I have been back a number of times (at least 6+) and my wife absolutely loves the sandwiches. Great change of pace from what was available around here prior. First week service was slow (they actually make the food as opposed to it sitting around) and the fries were not great. They have speeded up the process a bit though (I still recommend you call in the order) and the fries are much better now than prior. Although it’s a bit expensive the food quality and amount you receive is worth the cost of admission!