Spit-roasted lamb, house-made pita and thrice-cooked chips take centre stage at Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros
Some cooking is about invention. Other cooking is about memory. For Peter Gloftis, the idea behind Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros does not begin with trends or even a business plan. It begins around the table, at long family gatherings where bread was passed from hand to hand and entire sides of lamb cooked slowly over coals.
Those core memories sit at the heart of Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros, now open at The Oxley in Nobby Beach. Taking over the back end of the space formerly occupied by the village grocer, the venue brings Greek heritage and culinary tradition into a relaxed, everyday setting that runs from late morning through to evening.
Don’t be fooled by the rotisserie, Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros is no slap-dash takeaway joint. It is in the sense of it being quick to arrive at your table, but there’s nothing fast about the processes that underpin each and every ingredient on the plate. What looks simple on the surface is, in fact, the result of time, attention and heritage. And although Mr Spiros is a fictional figure, the idea behind him is shaped by growing up in a Greek household where food anchored everything. Easter and Christmas. Name days and long Sundays. A whole lamb on the spit, turned by hand for hours. Basted patiently. Watched closely. Shared generously.
The menu is deliberately short with two clear choices, lamb or chicken. Both options are cooked slowly on the spit and served in house-made pita that is rolled and flattened on site. From there, the decision becomes whether to add chips and salad, which you definitely should. The chips are hand cut and cooked three times for maximum crunch, while sauces, marinades and dressings are all prepared in house.
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For sharing, mixed plates bring lamb and chicken together with warm pita and dips, designed to sit in the middle of the table and be picked at communally rather than eaten alone.
Peter Gloftis is well known on the Gold Coast for creating popular Greek inspired venues, including The Lamb Shop in Broadbeach and Brisbane, though he is no longer involved with the brand. He is also part of the Gloftis hospitality family, with deep roots in the local food scene. At Mr Spiros, that experience has been distilled into something smaller, tighter and more personal.
Beyond the daily offering, Peter is planning a series of limited Sunday releases, where whole lamb shoulders will be slow cooked and served to share, paired with classic Greek sides. These occasional events lean directly into the traditions that inspired the venue, extending the experience beyond fast food and into something more communal. Keep your peepers peeled on Instagram for announcements.
Head to The Directory for opening times.