Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a Greek dish of small pieces of meat, sometimes with vegetables, grilled on a skewer.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Souvlaki is a Greek dish of small pieces of meat, sometimes with vegetables, grilled on a skewer, commonly eaten hot either straight from the skewer or wrapped in pita with toppings such as tomato, onion, sauces, and fried potatoes. Pork is the most common meat used in Greece and Cyprus. Souvlaki is widely available in Canadian Greek restaurants and takeout shops, especially in cities with large Greek communities.

Description

Souvlaki is prepared by grilling small pieces of meat, sometimes with vegetables, on a skewer. It may be eaten directly from the skewer or served inside pita bread or on a plate with side dishes.

Ingredients and serving styles

Common meats include pork, chicken, lamb, and beef. Typical accompaniments include lemon, tomato, onion, sauces, and fried potatoes, and in some servings the meat is wrapped in pita bread.

Etymology

The word souvlaki comes from Greek and refers to a small skewer. The term reflects the dish’s method of preparation and presentation.

Cultural significance

Souvlaki is widely associated with Greek cuisine and is commonly sold as street food. It is often discussed alongside gyros, which is a different preparation based on meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

Key facts

Souvlaki consists of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer.
It is a well-known Greek street food and fast-food dish.
It is often served with pita bread, vegetables, lemon, and sauces.
Pork is the most common meat in Greece and Cyprus, though other meats are also used.
The name is derived from the Greek word for a skewer.

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Canadian context

Souvlaki is widely available in Canadian Greek restaurants and takeout shops, especially in cities with large Greek communities.

Frequently asked questions

What is souvlaki?

Souvlaki is a Greek dish of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer, sometimes served with vegetables or inside pita bread.

What meat is used in souvlaki?

Pork is most common in Greece and Cyprus, but chicken, lamb, and beef are also used.

Is souvlaki the same as gyros?

No. Souvlaki is grilled on skewers, while gyros is made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved off in slices.

How is souvlaki usually served?

It is served hot, either on the skewer, in pita bread, or on a plate with sides such as tomato, onion, lemon, sauces, and fried potatoes.

What does the word souvlaki mean?

It comes from a Greek word related to a small skewer.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souvlaki
Supports: Definition, common ingredients, serving styles, and typical meat used.
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/souvlaki
Supports: Definition as a Greek food made of small pieces of meat grilled on skewers.
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/souvlaki
Supports: Dictionary definition and relation to shish kebab.
Vocabulary.com — https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/souvlaki
Supports: Etymology and typical meats and serving styles.
This is Athens — https://www.thisisathens.org/restaurants/cheap-eats/souvlaki-gyros-street-food
Supports: Souvlaki as Greek street food and common serving style with pita, tomato, onion, and yoghurt.