Gyro, an iconic and immensely popular Greek street food, has achieved global recognition by being rated the best wrap in the world by TasteAtlas, an online experiential travel guide dedicated to cataloging traditional food, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants.
The word “gyro” literally means “turn” or “ring” in Greek, referencing the cooking method. The dish is centered around meat—most commonly pork or chicken in Greece, although lamb or veal are popular in other parts of the world—which is stacked in a cone shape on a tall, vertical rotisserie spit. As the spit rotates slowly in front of a heat source, the outer layer of meat is cooked and crisped.
The chef then slices thin, crispy, aromatic shavings of the cooked meat with a long knife.
Related: National Gyro Day: The History of the Famous Greek Fast Food
The anatomy of a gyro wrap
The meat shavings are traditionally piled into a lightly grilled, thick pita bread. A classic Greek gyro sandwich is typically finished with:
- Sauce: The cool, garlicky tzatziki (a yogurt, cucumber, and dill/garlic sauce) is the standard choice.
- Vegetables: Sliced tomatoes and onions are essential.
- A unique addition: A signature element of a Greek gyros is often a small handful of French fries placed inside the wrap, which distinguishes it from many other Mediterranean-style sandwiches.
TasteAtlas, known for its extensive database of global dishes and its rankings based on audience ratings, solidifies gyros’ reputation as a must-try culinary experience that extends beyond a simple meal to become a symbol of Greek gastronomic culture.
Best global wraps for 2025
In second place after gyro, TasteAtlas rates South Korea’s sangchu ssam, and in third place, Turkey’s tantuni. Here is the complete list of the best wraps in the world:
Related: Peter Parthenis: From Greek Immigrant to Gyros King of America
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