The 8 Mississippi Restaurants Where You Can Get Gyros And Baklava For Less Than A Chain Dinner
A plain strip-mall door in Mississippi once led me to the best gyro I had eaten in years, followed by a square of honey-soaked baklava that my kids fought over. The whole meal cost less than a basic chain dinner for the family.
Greek and Mediterranean kitchens across the state serve warm pita, juicy meat, and flaky desserts at prices that make sense for parents. Here are eight spots where your family can eat well without the big bill.
1. Acropolis Greek Restaurant, Biloxi, MS
Beef and lamb shaved from a spinning rotisserie set the tone at this Howard Avenue kitchen in Biloxi. The house specialty, the Biloxi Greek Gyros, gives the classic sandwich a Gulf Coast spin that kids and grown-ups both find fun to try.
Gyro platters come generously loaded, so a hungry teenager will not leave asking for a snack.
Families get real perks here. High chairs, a kids’ menu, and free parking make the visit simple, and both counter and table service keep things flexible.
Spanakopita, dolmadakia, Greek fries, and green beans round out the menu for picky eaters who want something smaller.
Save room for dessert, because the house-made baklava is a highlight. The layers are flaky, sweet, and sticky in the best way, and splitting a piece or two across the table is an easy, affordable treat.
Timing matters with this one. The restaurant opens Monday and Tuesday for lunch only, then serves lunch and early dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and stays closed on Sunday.
Weekday mornings tend to be calm, while Friday evenings fill up fast. The cozy, quiet room suits small children, and takeout works well if you plan to eat on the beach a few minutes away.
2. Mr. Greek, Biloxi, MS
Colorful murals cover the walls of this Pass Road taverna, and Greek music drifts through the dining room while plates hit the tables. Kids tend to stare at the painted scenes as if they were looking out a window onto a Greek island.
It feels a little like a mini vacation inside a Biloxi shopping center.
What sets the menu apart is the range of gyro choices. Options include the Gyro Sandwich and Fries, a Gyro Platter with side salad, the Super Gyro for big appetites, and the Gyro a La Costa.
Moussaka and a Greek salad with feta give vegetarians a solid pick too.
Baklava closes out the meal here, and it ranks as a favorite for many regulars who come back just for a slice. Portions are generous, so sharing an entree with a younger child is a smart way to stretch the budget.
Practical details help parents plan ahead. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available, reservations are accepted, and the parking lot is free.
Hours run mornings through early afternoon Monday to Wednesday, with later evenings Thursday through Saturday. Sundays are closed, so build this stop into a weekday or Saturday lunch on the Coast.
3. Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen, Brandon, MS
Yiayia means grandmother in Greek, and the name fits this family-run kitchen in Brandon perfectly. Recipes here lean traditional and homemade, the kind of cooking passed down rather than pulled from a corporate binder.
The result feels personal from the first bite.
A gyro paired with a Greek salad is a popular order, and it makes a filling lunch at modest prices. Stuffed grape leaves are another standout, along with baklava that ranks among the freshest you will find around the Jackson metro area.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are on the menu too, which helps mixed-diet families.
Parents will appreciate the thoughtful setup. The restaurant offers a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a changing table, which is not something every small eatery provides.
The space is clean and calm, and the coffee and tea selection gives adults a nice reason to linger over dessert.
Plan your visit around the schedule. Doors open Tuesday through Saturday from late morning into the evening, while Sunday is a shorter lunch service and Monday is closed.
Weekday lunches are usually quiet, while Friday and Saturday evenings draw bigger crowds. Reservations are accepted, and catering is available for birthday parties or family gatherings.
4. Krilakis Ridgeland, MS, Ridgeland, MS
Gyro burgers, Greek nachos, and gyro salads give this Ridgeland counter-service spot a playful edge that kids love. Ordering at the counter keeps things quick, which is a real win when little ones are hungry and patience is short.
Greek decor and a small patio make the space feel relaxed and friendly.
Choices go beyond the standard sandwich. The Lamb Gyro is the classic, while the Veggie Delight Specialty Gyro offers a full vegan option.
Hummus, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves make easy shareable starters, and flaky spanakopita sits alongside sweet, rich baklava on the dessert side.
Families with dogs get a bonus, since pets are welcome on the patio. High chairs, a kids’ menu, and free Wi-Fi add to the easygoing feel.
The crowd mixes college students, families, and travelers passing through the Jackson area.
Parking can be tight, so arriving a little early helps. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and closes on Sunday.
Tuesday midday and Friday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches, while Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings are calmer. Reservations are not taken, but the fast counter flow keeps waits short, and takeout is always an option.
5. Volta Taverna, Oxford, MS
An old gas station on North Lamar Boulevard now pumps out lamb and beef gyros instead of fuel. Kids usually get a kick out of eating lunch in a building that once served cars, and the converted space has a fun, laid-back energy.
It is one of the more memorable settings on this list.
The menu mixes Greek tradition with Southern twists. Hotty Toddy Balls, named for the famous Ole Miss cheer, share space with spicy Greek pimento cheese, fried Brussels sprouts, and a Greek quesadilla.
The Lamb and Beef Gyro anchors the main dishes, with labneh, lemon chicken wraps, and souvlaki as tasty alternatives.
Baklava appears on the dessert list and makes a sweet finish for the table. Prices stay reasonable, which matters in a college town where families often visit for campus tours or game weekends.
A kids’ menu and high chairs are available, and dogs are welcome both inside and on the outdoor seating area. Hours run late morning to evening Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed.
Friday is the busiest day, so a weekday lunch offers a quieter visit. Reservations are not accepted, but service moves quickly and takeout is easy.
6. Petra Cafe Greek & Mediterranean, Hattiesburg, MS
Late hours make this Hattiesburg cafe a lifesaver for traveling families. Doors stay open every day of the week until late evening, so a delayed drive down Highway 49 does not mean settling for fast food.
Few sit-down spots in the area offer that kind of flexibility.
Greek favorites meet Middle Eastern specialties on the menu. The Traditional Gyro comes with feta and a side salad, while chicken and lamb shawarma plates, Mediterranean chicken, and the Petra Mezza sampler give everyone at the table options.
Tabbouleh and other vegan dishes suit plant-based eaters.
Dessert lovers should look for the baklava, listed playfully on the menu as Bak Lava. A pot of Turkish coffee makes a fun ritual for adults, and the tea selection adds another calm treat after dinner.
Plates arrive beautifully arranged, and the quiet, soothing atmosphere suits families who want a peaceful meal. High chairs, a kids’ menu, and free Wi-Fi are available, along with a patio where dogs are welcome.
Curbside pickup and takeout help on busy nights. Thursday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, while Sunday mornings stay calm.
Catering is offered for team dinners, birthdays, and larger family events.
7. Elpasha Restaurant | Mediterranean • Halal, Meridian, MS
Drive-through gyros are rare, and this Meridian restaurant offers exactly that. Parents juggling sleepy kids in car seats can grab lamb gyros and baklava without unbuckling anyone.
For road-tripping families crossing east Mississippi, that convenience is hard to beat.
Everything here is halal, and the kitchen focuses on fresh kabobs, shawarma, and gyros. Both a Lamb Gyro and a Chicken Gyro sit on the menu, and the lamb version earns praise that rivals what travelers remember from Greece.
Lamb over rice and chicken shawarma give hearty alternatives, while hummus works well for younger eaters.
The baklava here is vegan, which makes it a sweet choice for families with dairy concerns. Many vegetarian and vegan dishes fill out the rest of the menu.
Inside, the dining room feels polished yet relaxed, with high chairs and a changing table ready for little ones. Hours run from morning until late evening every day of the week, and brunch is offered too.
Reservations are accepted for larger groups, and curbside pickup, delivery, and catering add more options. Weekend evenings get busy, so an early dinner or weekday lunch usually means a quieter table and faster service.
8. Halal Mediterranean bakery, grocery&restaurant., Southaven, MS
Part grocery, part bakery, part lunch counter, this Southaven shop packs a lot into one storefront on Airways Boulevard. Shelves of Mediterranean groceries and fresh produce sit near a bakery case filled with trays of baklava.
Kids can browse unfamiliar snacks while parents order lunch.
Gyros are the main draw, and the chicken version has a loyal following. Prices are among the friendliest on this list, making a gyro sandwich lunch far cheaper than a chain sit-down meal.
Calling ahead for a gyro sandwich is a smart move on busy days.
Beyond sandwiches, the kitchen turns out hummus platters, spinach pie, grape leaves, tabouli, and soft pita. Homemade hummus is a crowd favorite, and it doubles as a safe pick for kids who prefer simple flavors.
The real treat is the wide selection of fresh baklava, which is perfect for taking home in a box.
The shop opens every day from morning until evening, so it fits easily into weekend errands or a weekday stop near Memphis. Friday afternoons are busiest, while most other times stay calm.
Free parking makes it a quick, easy visit for families on the go.