To Steki sti Gonia is the Greek grill house on Himara's Spile promenade that consistently shows up at the top of "best food we had in Albania" reviews — and it deserves the position. The kitchen does what it does extraordinarily well: charcoal-grilled meats, generous Greek salads, traditional dishes like lamb-and-orzo, all at prices that make most of the surrounding waterfront restaurants look like a joke. Antonia, the front-of-house lead, is the kind of host who turns a meal into the highlight of the trip. With 1,500+ reviews averaging well above 4.5 stars across platforms, this is one of the most-reliable single recommendations in the entire town.
This is a review, not a placement on a list — what to actually order, what you will spend (less than you think), and the practical issues (cash only, the queue at sunset) that the rave reviews leave out.
Quick Take
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Greek, charcoal grill, traditional |
| Location | Spile promenade, Himara |
| Coordinates | 40.1011, 19.7457 |
| Setting | Promenade with sea view, casual taverna |
| Price range | Inexpensive-Moderate (€-€€) |
| Best for | Grilled meat, large portions, value, family dining |
| Must try | Pork skewers, lamb-and-orzo, fried anchovies |
| Reservations | Walk-in friendly; expect a wait at sunset in summer |
| Rating | 4.6+ (1,500+ reviews across Restaurant Guru) |
| Cash or card | Cash only |
What To Steki Is Not
Two expectations to set.
It is not fine dining. Steki is a taverna in the proper Greek sense — wooden tables, paper place mats, plates that come out fast and full. If you want plated, modern, restrained presentation, ELEA up the hill or Bocca on Main Street are the comparable options. Steki's strength is the opposite: comfort food, charcoal smell, generous portions, no pretense.
It does not take cards. This is the single most-mentioned practical issue in 1,500+ reviews. The restaurant operates cash only. Hit the ATM before you walk over. Two people for dinner needs about 4,000-5,000 ALL (€40-50) in cash.
What to Order
Steki is a charcoal grill first, traditional Greek kitchen second. The reviews from the past two years converge on these recommendations.
The grill core
- Pork souvlaki / skewers — the most-recommended single dish across all platforms. Marinated, charcoal-grilled, served with pita and tzatziki. 1,200-1,500 ALL.
- Chicken souvlaki / skewers — equally praised. Slightly cheaper. 1,000-1,300 ALL.
- Mixed grill platter — pork, chicken, sausage, sometimes lamb, with sides. The big-portion order. 2,400-3,200 ALL for two.
- Grilled squid (kalamari) — when in season, lightly charred, served with lemon. 1,400-1,800 ALL.
- Lamb chops (paidakia) — Greek-style, charcoal-grilled, simple. 2,000-2,600 ALL.
The traditional Greek dishes
- Lamb and orzo (giouvetsi) — slow-cooked lamb shoulder over orzo. The signature non-grill main. 1,800-2,200 ALL.
- Moussaka — when on the menu, well-executed. 1,200-1,500 ALL.
- Stuffed tomatoes / peppers (gemista) — when on the menu, vegetarian-friendly. 900-1,200 ALL.
Starters and sides
- Greek salad — proper Greek, slab of feta, no lettuce. 600-800 ALL.
- Fried anchovies (gavros) — light batter, served whole, eaten by hand. 800-1,000 ALL.
- Tzatziki, taramasalata, melitzanosalata, tirokafteri — the standard mezze. 300-500 ALL each.
- Saganaki — pan-fried cheese, simple. 800-1,000 ALL.
What to skip
- The pasta dishes. They are not why this kitchen exists. If you want pasta, Bocca or Lui Potam do that better.
- Heavy desserts — the Greek dessert offering is light, and a gelato walk along the promenade afterwards beats any dessert here. See best dessert and gelato.
What It Costs (May 2026)
Two people, dinner with a Greek salad to share, two pork skewers, one mezze trio, and two beers — roughly 2,800-3,500 ALL (€28-35) total, or €14-18 per person.
A bigger order — mixed grill platter for two, salad, mezze, fried anchovies, two beers — runs 4,000-5,000 ALL (€40-50) total, or €20-25 per person.
That puts Steki at the best price-to-quality ratio in Himara town center, with no real competition at this price level. Compare it with budget eats in Himara — Steki is a step up in atmosphere and a comparable cost.
When to Go
- Dinner (8:00-10:00 PM) — peak vibe, the promenade is busy, the charcoal smell is strongest. Expect a 15-30 minute wait in July-August if you walk in cold.
- Lunch (1:00-3:30 PM) — quieter, full menu available, good for families with kids.
- Avoid the 8:30-9:30 PM sunset window in August without queuing — this is when the wait is longest.
The restaurant operates seasonally — typically May through October, with reduced hours in shoulder months. It is closed in deep winter.
Getting There
Steki is on the Spile promenade in Himara town center — easily walkable from anywhere central:
- From any town hotel — 5-15 minutes on foot.
- From the bus station — 7-10 minutes downhill.
- From the castle / old town — 15 minutes downhill on foot.
- From Livadhi — 25 minutes on foot, or a 5-minute taxi (300-400 ALL).
If you are coming from outside Himara, see our drive times matrix for transit times.
Verdict
9.0 / 10. Steki earns its position because it does the hardest single thing in coastal restaurant economics: it cooks food well, charges fairly, and treats every customer as if they are the first table of the night. The 1,500+ reviews are not exaggerating. Service from Antonia and the family is the kind of warmth you remember weeks after the trip ends. The only deductions: cash-only is a real friction in 2026, and on a peak-summer Saturday night the wait can run 30-45 minutes.
Who it's for: families, budget travelers, anyone who wants the single best-value meal in Himara town. Anyone who has been to Greece and wants a proper taverna meal back. Anyone tired of paying €30+ per person for "mediocre seafood with a view."
Who it's not for: travelers who want fine-dining presentation, anyone without cash on hand, anyone needing a fast in-and-out meal during peak hours.
FAQ
Where is To Steki sti Gonia in Himara?
To Steki sti Gonia is on the Spile promenade in Himara town center. Coordinates: 40.1011, 19.7457. It is a 5-15 minute walk from anywhere central in town.
Does To Steki sti Gonia take credit cards?
No — cash only. This is the most-mentioned practical issue in 1,500+ reviews. Hit a Himara ATM before walking over. A two-person dinner typically needs 3,000-5,000 ALL (€30-50) in cash.
What's the best dish at To Steki sti Gonia?
The pork souvlaki / skewers are the most-recommended single dish across all platforms, followed by the chicken souvlaki and the lamb-and-orzo (giouvetsi). For a fuller experience, share a Greek salad, fried anchovies, and a mezze trio, then order skewers or the mixed grill.
How much does dinner cost at To Steki sti Gonia?
€14-18 per person for a casual dinner, €20-25 per person for a bigger order with mixed grill and mezze. This is the best price-to-quality ratio in Himara town center — significantly cheaper than the seafront seafood spots and a step up in food quality.
Is To Steki sti Gonia open year-round?
No — Steki operates seasonally, typically May through October. Outside that window the restaurant is closed. Confirm via Facebook (@tostekihimare) before traveling in shoulder months.
For more value-focused dining, see our budget eats in Himara and where locals eat in Himara. For comparable Greek-leaning seafood, Taverna Lefteri on Spile is the seafront alternative.
