The 20 Best Kebabs In Australia

We set out on one of the most important food quests ever: to find the 20 best kebabs in Australia. Now, we know this one will split opinion, as everybody has their favourite kebab, but these places really are the best of the best.

Even getting the name right is tricky. Souvlaki? Gyros? Kebabs? Shawarmas? Whatever you do call them they feature some of the tastiest grilled meat cooked on open charcoal. There are Greek versions, Turkish inspired platters and local foodie start ups all contributing to the cause.

Strap yourself in for the 20 best best kebabs in Australia. Think we’ve missed somewhere amazing? Be sure to let us know in the comments where your local favourite can be found!

20th. Sofra – Toowoomba City, QLD

With one foot in Asia and the other in Europe, Turkey is a rich melting pot of cuisine, and Sofra showcases this perfectly. It’s a beautiful restaurant that does some of the best kebabs in Australia. Take your pick from spicy lamb mince, king prawns, juicy beef or their house speciality with succulent slices of doner kebab, layered on turkish bread topped with home-made tomato concasse and yoghurt.

19th. Efendy Restaurant – Balmain, NSW

Efendy is located in a stunning restored Victorian mansion, with food that’s just as impressive. Chef Sivrioglu spent the first 25 years of his life in Turkey before coming to Oz, so the food here is a cool mix of traditional and urban. The Ali Nazik kebab is a real highlight: lamb short fillet with smoked eggplant, garlic yogurt, and sweet peppers.

18th. The Lamb Shop – Brisbane, QLD

This Gold Coast institution serves up offers a delicious modern spin on traditional Greek Souvlaki, with its signature slow cooked spit-roasted meat with fresh pitas and incredible authentic Greek sides including hand cut chips. Order small plates to mix ‘n’ match, or go all out and order a whole slow roast lamb shoulder to stuff into pita yourself.

17th. Phoenix Hotel – Sydney, NSW

Who would have guessed you’d find one of the best kebabs in Australia in a restaurant with the word ‘hotel’ in its name? Sounds odd, but one bite of the kebab (technically a gyro) here will prove why it’s a must-eat. Juicy chicken thigh is marinated in lemon, oregano and garlic, wrapped in pita bread with tomato, red onion, lettuce and tzatziki.

16th. GRK Souvlaki – Sydney, NSW

GRK Souvlaki is a hotspot for the same sort of traditional Greek street food experience you would find in the streets of Athens. As well as classic pork or chicken gyro meat, there’s pork belly and even calamari options to choose from. You’ll be back here again and again for one of these perfect pitas.

15th. Kalimera Souvlaki Art – Melbourne, VIC

For one of the best traditional souvlaki in the city, Kalimera is the must-visit spot. Forget about what you *think* a souva should be like, because the ones here are actually the real deal. Tender strips of lamb meat in a pita, with a handful of paprika-dusted thick-cut chips on top.

14th. The Ghan Kebab House – Adelaide, SA

The Ghan Kebab House might look unassuming on the outside, but inside lies a treasure trove of grilled meets and other Afghan delights. It recently expanded due to local popularity, as people in Adelaide just can’t get enough of their kebabs.

13th. The Yiros Shop – Brisbane, QLD

Established over 37 years ago, The Yiros Shop has one mission: to bring authentic Greek yiros to Brisbane. And they’re seriously succeeding, with a number of stores across the city. The Yiros Shop serves up traditional greek yiros on fluffy freshly-baked pita filled with juicy pork, chicken or lamb, tomato, red onion, parsley and tzatziki.

12th. Mayfield West Kebabs – Newcastle, NSW

For amazing charcoal chicken and some of the best kebabs in Australia, Mayfield West Kebabs is the place go. The portions here are huge, so come hungry, but it’s so tasty that we guarantee you’ll finish it. Menu options include beef, chicken, schnitzel or fish, with some great veggie kebabs too.

11th. Bay Kebabs – Byron Bay, NSW

Bay Kebabs focuses on one thing and one thing only, so they have an incredibly extensive kebab menu. As well as traditional combos, there’s a Seafood Kebab with King Prawns and Avocado, the Oz Kebab with Bacon and free-range eggs as well as their Pesto Lamb with locally made hommus, basil and pine nut pesto and fresh salsa.

10th. GLENNY KEBABS – Glen Waverley, VIC

This is not your typical kebab shop experience: Glenny Kebab is all about offering a healthier alternative, serving a variety of favourites as well as sweet potato fries, mock meats and veggie kebabs. It’s 100% Halal and is ideal for gym goers, vegetarians, vegans, and just plain ol’ greedy souls like ourselves.

9th. King Kebab House – Campbelltown, NSW

For authentic and delicious Turkish cuisine, King Kebab House always hits the spot. You’ll have a hard time choosing just one dish, but their classic beef kebab roll with juicy beef, lettuce, tomato and onion wrapped in a roll is foolproof. Plus, it’s open from the early hours until midnight, so you can stop by whenever that kebab craving hits.

8th. Kebab Palace – Brisbane, QLD

Ah, Kebab Palace, it really is kebab royalty. They serve up their kebabs and gyros in fresh breads baked daily, only source the highest quality meats and then cook it up to perfection. It’ll be a long time before you have better meat than this. Add on some halloumi cheese for the perfect snack.

7th. New Star Kebab – Sydney, NSW

The menu and the style of kebab here is Turkish, which means wonderfully marinated and well seasoned meat cooked over hot charcoal for smokey perfection. You will smell the chargrill and be licking your lips in anticipation as soon as you walk in the door.

Their special Iskander Kebab plate is a must order: kebab meat served on a layer of Turkish Pide bread topped with yougurt and special red sauce.

6th. Turkish Halal Pide House – Canberra, ACT

This laidback counter-serve spot is home to some of the best kebabs in Australia. This hugely popular kebab joint is in the leafy suburb of Yarralumla, and serves up the freshest lamb kebab, Turkish pizza, dips and salads. But let’s get back to those kebabs, shall we? As well as tasty lamb, there’s a great zucchini roll for veggies.

5th. Istanbul Kitchen – Perth, WA

Their Iskender kebab here is bursting with spices and flavours, with the sliced lamb doner served with chopped bread, a tomato sauce, yogurt and a drizzle of butter. What ends up coming to the table is some of the juiciest and tastiest meat you could ever wish for.

One thing we will say is keep some room for their delicious desserts. You don’t want to miss those.

4th. Yianni’s On Hindley – Adelaide, SA

The meat at Yianni’s is so incredible that it barely needs anything with it, but all the classic sides are there for you to choose from. They serve up traditional Greek yiros, where the marinated meat is cooked up to smokey perfection. You’ll get the lovely aromas as soon as you walk into the building.

3rd. Eat GRK – Sydney, NSW

Eat GRK hits home every single time when it comes to the best kebabs in Australia. Their mouth-watering, self-basting charred meats are cooked over charcoal, just how it should be. Choose from pork, chicken or lamb, all rotisserie carved souvla off the spit and served in soft pita with tomato, red onion, capsicum, cucumber, olive spread, creamy feta sauce and chips.

2nd. Flemington Kebab House – Melbourne, VIC

This popular family-owned kebab house has a menu full of Turkish treats and all the classic, with some seriously irresistible Shish Kebab choices that come on skewers or as a platter.

The key to their success is all about sourcing the very best meat and raw produce. Service comes with a smile; you can be sure you will be leaving here one very happy camper.

1st. Stalactites Restaurant – Melbourne, VIC

Owned and operated by the same Greek family since 1978, Stalactites is a proper institution in Melbourne for authentic Greek grub. Which Melbourne local hasn’t dropped in for a midnight souvlaki or slice of spanakopita, taking advantage of Stalactites’ 24-hour licence?

The Bifteki Souvlaki is an essential order: two Greek style spiced beef patties in pita.

Fancy something sweet after your kebab? Why not check out The 25 Best Ice Cream Parlours In Australia.