Jimmys Souvlaki

Jimmy's Souvlaki sits in Imerovigli, the quieter clifftop village between Fira and Oia on Santorini's caldera ridge. While the island is better known for white-washed infinity pools and sunset cocktails, this is one of the few places you can eat a proper Greek souvlaki or gyros without paying a tourist-restaurant premium. A 4.8-star rating across more than 600 Google reviews suggests the locals and repeat visitors already know about it.

The operation is straightforward: grilled meats, fresh pita, tzatziki, and a menu that also stretches to salads, sandwiches, and pizza. You can eat there as a takeaway or phone ahead and have your order delivered to wherever you're staying on the island. For visitors spending multiple nights on Santorini, particularly those based in Imerovigli, Firostefani, or Fira, this is a genuinely practical option on nights when a sit-down taverna doesn't fit the plan.

Jimmy's is a family-run spot, and the menu reflects that — it's tight, focused, and consistent. The hours run Monday through Saturday from noon to 11:00 PM, with Sunday closed, so plan accordingly.

What to Expect

The format here is Greek fast food done properly. The core of the menu is souvlaki — pork or chicken kebab skewers served on or off the skewer — and gyros, the slow-roasted rotisserie meat wrapped in a fresh grilled pita with tzatziki, tomato, onion, and fries tucked inside. Pork gyros is the traditional standard; chicken is available for those who prefer it. The pita bread is described on the website as fresh BBQ-wrapped, meaning it gets a quick pass over the grill before assembly, which makes a difference to the texture.

Beyond the core souvlaki and gyros lineup, the menu includes gyros plates (a full portion served on a plate rather than in pita), salads, sandwiches, and pizza — broader than a typical souvlaki stand, which makes it useful when you're feeding a group with different preferences. The homemade tomato sauce is called out specifically on their website as a point of pride alongside the tzatziki.

The setting is informal. This is a takeaway-first operation, though you can eat on-site. The kitchen's focus is on output speed and consistency rather than ambience — which, given that you're in Imerovigli with caldera views a short walk in either direction, is exactly the right call.

Delivery is available by phone on +30 2286 025648. Orders go out warm and, according to the website, fast. If you're staying in accommodation without easy access to a kitchen and don't want to book a restaurant every night, this fills that gap well.

How to Get There

Jimmy's Souvlaki is located in Imerovigli at coordinates 36.4321°N, 25.4246°E, on the main clifftop road that runs through the village. Imerovigli sits roughly 3 kilometres north of Fira along the caldera-edge path and road.

On foot from Fira, the walk along the caldera path takes around 30–40 minutes depending on your pace and how often you stop. From Oia, driving takes roughly 15 minutes south along the provincial road. The KTEL bus service that runs between Fira and Oia stops in Imerovigli; the main bus stop is on or near the main road, a short walk from the restaurant.

By car or scooter, Imerovigli is easily reached via the main island road. Parking in Imerovigli is limited during high season, particularly along the clifftop strip, so arriving on two wheels or using the delivery option from your accommodation avoids that entirely.

If you're staying anywhere in Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli itself, delivery is the most convenient option — call ahead with your address and order.

Best Time to Visit

Jimmy's is open Monday through Saturday, noon to 11:00 PM, and closed on Sundays. If your plans include a Sunday visit, adjust accordingly.

For on-site takeaway, the lunchtime window from noon onwards is generally less congested than the early evening rush, which on Santorini tends to run from around 7:00 PM as visitors return from beaches or pre-sunset positions. If you're planning to eat before heading to a sunset viewpoint — Skaros Rock in Imerovigli is a popular one — picking up souvlaki in the early afternoon works well.

Santorini's main tourist season runs from late April through October. During July and August the island is at peak capacity, and even fast-food spots can see queues during dinner hours. Coming slightly outside the dinner rush (before 7:00 PM or after 9:30 PM) keeps waits shorter.

In shoulder season — May, June, September, and October — the crowds thin and service is faster. The weather is still warm enough to eat outdoors comfortably, and the caldera walk from Fira to Imerovigli is more pleasant than in the August heat.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for delivery. The number is +30 2286 025648. If you're in a hotel or rental without clear street signage, have your accommodation's name or exact address ready when you call.
• Sunday is the one day off. Jimmy's is closed every Sunday — check this against your travel itinerary if souvlaki is part of your plan.
• Gyros plate vs. gyros pita. The pita wrap is the street-food format; the plate is a sit-down-style full portion. If you're eating on the move or want something lighter, pita is the call.
• The homemade tomato sauce is worth trying. It's mentioned specifically on the website as a house item alongside the tzatziki — ask for it if it doesn't come automatically with your order.
• Pair with the caldera walk. Imerovigli is the starting point for the walk to Skaros Rock, a dramatic caldera outcrop with panoramic views. Picking up souvlaki beforehand makes for a straightforward lunch on the go.
• Parking in Imerovigli is tight in peak season. If you're driving up from Fira specifically to eat here, consider whether delivery makes more sense — it saves the parking hassle entirely.
• Check the Instagram for menu updates. The Instagram account (@jimmyssouvlaki) occasionally posts current offerings and specials, which is useful if you want to know what's on before you call.
• Budget-friendly by Santorini standards. Souvlaki and gyros are among the most affordable food categories on an island where restaurant prices can be steep. This is a practical option if you're managing costs across a longer stay.

What to Order

The gyros pita is the anchor dish — pork or chicken, your choice, wrapped in a grilled pita with tzatziki, tomatoes, onion, and fries. Pork is the traditional Greek preference and typically the better-seasoned option at most souvlaki spots.

For a more substantial meal, the gyros plate gives you the same meat in a full plated portion, which works better if you're eating at a table rather than on the move.

Kebab skewers (souvlaki proper) are available either on the skewer or wrapped in pita. The skewer version is drier and better for eating while walking; the pita wrap is messier but holds the whole meal together.

Beyond the meat options, the menu extends to salads and sandwiches, which are worth considering if you're ordering for a group with mixed preferences. The pizza option means this is genuinely one of the more versatile casual-food choices in Imerovigli.

For sauces, tzatziki is the default and the house standard. The homemade tomato sauce is a secondary option worth requesting — it's listed as a point of differentiation on the website.