Calling All Greek Street Food Fans – The Med Greek Has Opened Its Doors in Leeds

Whether you’re a student grabbing a bite or a family out for lunch, The Med Greek has a plate with your name on it…

The Med Greek began with a family’s love for Greek food and a dream to share it with others. Husband and wife duo Mari and Brikel Filochi have transformed what was once Hyde Park Corner’s beloved Oranaise Café into an authentic slice of the Mediterranean, slinging everything from souvlakis and mixed grill boxes (yep, that one) to Greek salads and baklavas. But how did they make it to this corner of Leeds?

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Well, with a family background in hospitality – Mari’s sister-in-law managed a Pret A Manger and her brother ran a Five Guys – owning a restaurant has always been their dream. Combine that with a desire to serve up tasty eats in a small fast food restaurant and the family’s keen interest to share their beloved Greek food with Leeds and you have the foundations for something really special.

‘‘The most important thing is that we are a family business – we all work together and we really care about our customers,’’ Mari told us. “I left my job as an account manager to make it happen. My husband Brikel and I opened the restaurant and our idea was a straightforward one – we wanted to create a welcoming place where people could grab a quite bite and enjoy real Greek flavours.”

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And they’ve done just that. The interior is a far cry from its past life – in fact, customers often comment on the dramatic change. Inspired by the nearby Woodhouse Moor, Mari wanted to offer guests a view of the beautiful surroundings through light and airy floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s a simple yet inviting decor, with exposed brick and low-hanging lighting, as well as an open plan kitchen so you’re never too far away from the action.

As impressive as The Med Greek’s story is, it’s ultimately the food that’ll keep you coming back. All the classics are here and in order, with the most popular option being – you guessed it – the gyros. Enjoy it in a wrap or a box, with your choice of chicken, pork, kofta, falafel and more. You’ll also get a taste of their homemade fries, which are peeled, cut and cooked fresh every day, before being loaded into their delicious pitta breads.

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If you can take a look past the gyros for a minute, it’ll be the souvlaki that’s sure to catch your attention – the pork is Mari’s favourite. Deliciously marinated pork is wrapped is engulfed in a fluffy pitta bread, smothered in onions, homemade fries, tomatoes and that all-important tzatziki. We recommend getting a side of the signature Med Sauce, a mixture of mayo, mustard and honey – we can’t get enough of it!

If you want a little taste of everything, you have to try The Med’s now-famous Mixed Grill Box. It’s an absolute whopper, and we’d even go as far as to say it’s one of the best in Leeds. Fresh, homemade and fluffy fries serve as the base, before being loaded with pork and chicken gyro, crispy pitta breads and a light side salad. Drizzle your side of tzatziki sauce over and get stuck in.

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For drinks? Well, you’re still getting the authentic experience, of course. There’s a fridge stacked with cans of Greek fizzy drink Loux, with flavours covering cherry, lemon and orange, as well as other soft drinks. Dessert is served up in the form of orange pie and baklava – the latter sees layers of syrupy, buttery pastry spiced with cinnamon and cardamon, filled with chopped nuts. It’s the perfect way to round off the whole affair.

And there you have it – a place to indulge in the essence of the Mediterranean, all without leaving the city limits. Or, as Mari puts it, “At The Med Greek, there’s something for everyone. If you’re from Greece, it’ll remind you of home, if you’ve been on holiday to Greece, our food will bring back those memories even on a rainy day and if you’ve never tried Greek food, these are flavours you need to try”.

The Med Greek, 1 The Crescent, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2NW. It’s open from 12pm to 10pm, every day of the week.

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Ella Aldridge Writer

Ella moved to Leeds in 2018 and has spent the years since getting to know every corner of the city – its bars, restaurants, music venues and hidden gems. She joined the Leeds-List team as a writer in 2023 and covers food, drink, music and nightlife across Leeds, with a particular focus on the city’s independent bar and restaurant scene. She never passes up an opportunity to try somewhere new, be it visiting an exhibition, trying out crafting or dining out somewhere entirely off the beaten track. More from Ella Aldridge