The cost of a basic souvlaki wrapped in pita is quite steep in the cramped alleyways of Mykonos. Meanwhile, the price range for a gyro starts from 9.40 euros and goes up to 15 euros.
As the owner of a grill reported, speaking to MEGA: “A pita with pork gyro, or skewer is 9.40 euros. We have the special wraps that include gyro and halloumi cheese which is 13.90 euros or with gyro and a kebab inside which is 14.90”.
“The simple portions, chicken, pork, are at 17.50 euros. We also have some specials that include gyros and skewers, which are 19.90 euros.
If you would like a portion with halloumi in it, it is 24.5 euros, let’s say the most special one.”
On Santorini the corresponding prices are:
Pita-wrapped 6.50 euros
A portion from 16 euros
On Paros
Gyros 5.50 euros
A Portion from 14 euros
“Now in the last ten days the prices of meats have gone up again, people are shocked,” says the owner of a steakhouse.
“A grill house rents for 4,000 euros and business use of 150,000 euros”
Petros Nazos, a journalist from Mykonos Live TV, highlighted the situation during an interview with MEGA and Live News, stating, "The truth lies somewhere in the middle. In fact, businesses in the island's capital have been burdened with exorbitant expenses, both in terms of rent and business fees. For instance, a small souvlaki restaurant is being rented for 4,000 euros, and the owner has to pay an additional 150,000 euros for business use. This makes the affordability of souvlaki impossible. Even the accommodations provided for the staff have reached as high as 15,000 euros."
Nazos further noted that despite offering a substantial wage of 3,600 euros, a souvlaki restaurant struggled to find a skilled grill master. However, if one ventures beyond the capital, more reasonably priced steakhouses are available. Overall, he described Mykonos as a very expensive island, emphasizing the challenges businesses and residents face in terms of financial strain.
Greed will in the end kill off Greek tourism if this does not stop.