Savvas Souvlaki

Savvas Souvlaki is a dedicated souvlaki shop on Ampelokipon Street on the edge of Nafplio's old town, operating from the tradition of the Greek street-food staple that outsells every other dish in the country. The establishment is simple: a counter grill, a display of skewers, pita bread stacked warm, and the smell of charcoal-cooked pork that reaches the street. Pork souvlaki in pita is the standard order — meat marinated in olive oil, lemon, and oregano, grilled on skewers, wrapped in soft pita with tzatziki, tomato slices, raw onion, and fried potatoes. Chicken gyros is the alternative: layers of seasoned chicken thigh meat rotating on a vertical spit, carved to order, wrapped in pita with the same accompaniments. The tzatziki at Savvas is made in-house each day from strained Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, and dill — considerably better than the commercial versions found in tourist areas. Fried potatoes (patates tiganites) are thick-cut and cooked in olive oil, more akin to home-fried potatoes than fast-food chips. Loukoumades, the traditional Greek honey fritters dusted with cinnamon and crushed walnut, are made to order and are the single sweet item on the menu. The operation runs from 11:00 until 01:00 daily, making it the most practical late-night option in Nafplio for those who want something filling after the bars close.