At 150 Markou Botsari Street, a familiar aroma that has remained unchanged for 33 years will lead you straight to “Giotis.” Since 1992, when Panagiotis Semertzidis passionately opened his first store, until today, with his daughters Ioanna and Isidora now at the helm, the gyro here has become more than just food – it’s a tradition and a landmark for locals and beyond, for those who know how to appreciate authentic, handmade gyros!

The story began with Panagiotis’ experience and love for meat preparation. He specialized in
marination and created his own unique gyro recipe – one that quickly became the shop’s signature and left a lasting impression on the taste memories of everyone who tried it.

To this day, Giotis’ pork gyro is considered one of the best, most delicious, and well-known in Thessaloniki. Juicy, well-grilled, with the perfect spice blend, it became the shop’s trademark and remains the number one choice among customers.

In the hands of the new generation

As the years passed, the business evolved, and today, the founder remains an “honorary member” and advisor, while the new generation – Ioanna and Isidora, who have helped at the shop since they were kids – have fully taken over operations. They bring fresh ideas without compromising the character and identity of the business.

A renovation in the last five years marked a new era: a cozy, revamped space, an expanded interior with a seating area, a menu enriched with new dishes – some more classic, others more creative, like bao buns with gyro – a unique fusion of tradition and modern street food, catering to contemporary tastes.

Despite continuous evolution, the philosophy remains the same: strong relationships of trust with producers and suppliers, staff who’ve been around since the early years, and a family-friendly atmosphere that’s also felt by customers.

“What keeps us going is the love we receive from people – inside and outside the shop,” the two sisters say, and they mean it.

Balancing the old with the new

This philosophy is perfectly reflected in the menu, which strikes a balance between tradition and innovation. The pork gyro remains Giotis’ timeless “ace card.” Alongside it, the bao buns bring a modern twist that fits both the customer demand and the shop’s vision, while the 100% beef patties – available in burgers, sandwiches, or as plated portions – offer a delicious and truly unique meat experience.

The menu also includes every type of grilled meat you’d expect: chicken gyro, burgers, skewers (souvlaki), pork belly, sausages, and soutzoukakia (spicy meatballs), plus a wide variety of plates, appetizers, seasonal salads, and handmade dips to suit every taste.

And since a good meal deserves a proper drink, the drink selection follows the same philosophy: Greek beers (Mythos, Fix, Kaiser), select wines, retsinas, and soft drinks – with the amber-colored “Ampelicious” standing out – all come together to offer a complete dining experience.

A tradition that lives on – every day!

Giotis offers full service: dine-in in the newly renovated space, takeaway for those in a hurry, and delivery either via platforms or their own delivery team. The shop serves a wide range of areas daily – from the city center and Aristotelous Square, to 40 Ekklisies, Harilaou, Pylea, Kalamaria, the coastal zone, and the entire eastern side of Thessaloniki.

Now with two generations of loyal customers who know and trust its kitchen, the shop continues to invest in refreshing the space and evolving the menu, while keeping the authenticity of the gyro that made it famous. As the owners put it:
“One doesn’t cancel out the other – old and new coexist, and that’s our identity.”

In 2025, Giotis proves that when taste is combined with consistency, quality, and family tradition, it can become not just a beloved habit, but a part of the culinary memory of two whole generations of Thessaloniki.

Tip: In addition to direct orders via phone or in-store, you can also place orders through e-food and Wolt.