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Fresh food rooted in Greek tradition
When Dino Vlachos started Soul Souvlaki in 2012 with a market stall in Maboneng, he couldn't have predicted how popular the plant-based offerings on the menu would eventually prove. It took a good seven more years for The Economist to declare 2017 "the year of the vegan". But Greek culture has long revered vegetables; rural village life often meant that meat was a luxury and fresh produce was king.
"Vegetarian dishes form part of our original offering, and are integral to Greek food," Vlachos tells us. Over time, that foundation has grown into something more inclusive and inventive, with vegan and vegetarian dishes forming an integral part of the overall menu.
Today Soul Souvlaki has seven branches around Joburg, including the popular Rosebank and Parktown North restaurants. Everything they serve is made with fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs and spices, and generous amounts of good olive oil. And it's not just "decent vegetarian food" either, as Vlachos notes, but something that feels indulgent without trying too hard.
Vegan and vegetarian favourites at Soul Souvlaki
According to Vlachos, the halloumi pita is a favourite among vegetarians and halal customers, while the mushroom pita served with hummus is especially popular with vegan patrons. These "in-hand" pitas offer an authentic taste of Greek-style street food, and make a great grab-and-go option if you haven't got time to dine in.
When time is on your side, we recommend lazy lunches. We're long-time fans of Soul Souvlaki. A recent visit as part of our concierge walk in Rosebank (Jan 2025) did not disappoint – with one guest claiming, "They had better tapas than I've tasted in Greece." We particularly loved the giant grilled mushroom with hummus, Italian parsley, rocket, red onion, tomato, and fresh chilli.
A more recent addition to the menu, the falafel bifteki (essentially baked patties) with tahinosalata (tahini dip), exotic tomato, capers, kalamata olives, pickled jalapeno, rocket, and avo is next on our list to try. Or opt for the veggie burger, which includes the famous grilled mushroom, but with halloumi, tomato, gherkins, red onion, rocket, and mustard tzatziki – all on a toasted brioche bun.
Shared bites: Plant-based meze at Soul Souvlaki
One of our favourite personalities in food, Kate Liquorish (who you may know as @joburgeats) tells us, "I just love the "in-the-hand" pitas, especially the new falafel one! But sharing food is also fantastic at Soul Souvlaki – the brinjal and zucchini crisps are a must, as are the kalamboki salata, and Aegean slaw. Top it off with harissa tahini, peppadew hummus, and pita bread, and you're golden."
The kalamboki salata is a crunchy chopped salad made of grilled sweet corn cut off the cob, tomato, chilli, red onion, parsley, avocado, chickpeas, shredded rocket, and extra virgin olive oil. The Aegean slaw consists of red and white cabbage, carrot, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and herbs.
The vegan and vegetarian meze combos are ideal for bigger groups looking for a variety of flavours. Our last visit was such an occasion; we tried both, and they were a hit among even the meatiest of eaters.
The vegetarian combo gets you a taste of a giant grilled mushroom, Aegean slaw, mixed olives, zucchini fritters, chilli feta, halloumi, brinjal and zucchini crisps, falafel bifteki, potato wedges, toasted pita bread, and dip.
The vegan combo includes fresh tomato, rocket salad, dolmades (seasoned rice in vine leaves), giant grilled mushroom, grilled vegetables, Aegean slaw, mixed olives, brinjal and zucchini crisps, falafel bifteki, potato wedges, toasted pita bread, and hummus dip. There are portions for both two and four people sharing.
What else is on Soul Souvlaki's menu
While Soul Souvlaki may not have been intended to be at the forefront of vegan and vegetarian offerings in Joburg, this direction has proved smart – and delicious – for all involved. However, it's worth noting that the rest of the menu is just as tasty. Those looking for meat dishes are well catered for, with everything from lamb skewers to chicken souvla and rib-eye. See the full menu here. There are a variety of cocktails, beers, wines, and bubbles as well as soft drinks on offer. For dessert, artisanal ice cream comes in flavours like sour cherry and halva, and you can't go wrong with traditional baklava.We love the eggs and zucchini toasted pita as a breakfast option, or the chilli fried egg and avocado. See the full breakfast menu here.
Soul Souvlaki also does private catering, offering meat, vegetarian or "in-the-hand" catering platters for groups of four to eight people. These are to be enjoyed off-site, with orders placed and paid for at least 48 hours before delivery. Find out more about Soul Souvlaki's catering menu here.
Plan your visit – where to find Soul Souvlaki
Soul Souvlaki has multiple branches in and around Joburg: Alberton, Bedfordview, Broadacres, Dowerglen, Parktown North, Rosebank, and Sandton Central. While walk-ins are welcome and reservations are not necessary, it helps to inform the restaurant prior if you are visiting with a group. Visit soulsouvlaki.co.za for store-specific contact details.
Note: Open days and hours differ by location. Please call the branch you're wanting to visit to confirm.
In review
The vegetarian and vegan offerings: 9/10 (Fresh ingredients, expertly made, with a generous variety of options catering to different tastes.)
Ambience: 10/10 (We visited the Rosebank branch with a large group on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and enjoyed the gentle breeze on the outdoor balcony space. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the staff were welcoming.)
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