Best Foods to Eat in Greece

Greece is a fascinating country made of dreamy beaches, high mountains, and a huge and rich cultural heritage, and it offers plenty of opportunity to spend the most unforgettable vacation.

But are you aware that the reason why many people keep choosing to travel to Greece year after year, is the Greek food?

Well, yes! Greece has some of the most delicious dishes you could think of, and this is exactly what we’ll discuss in this article, what are the best foods to eat in Greece! Read on to discover more!

Traditional Greek Food

Greek cuisine is based on one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Mediterranean diet, making use of fresh and seasonal vegetables, abundant extra virgin olive oil, fragrant herbs, locally produced dairy, honey, grain, pulses, and fish.

Sparingly using red meat and saturated fats like butter, the local gastronomy is incredibly healthy and genuinely delicious.

While flavors and cooking techniques vary from one season to the next, as well as from one region to the next, the selection of dishes you can sample is very wide.

Moreover, years of foreign dominance, both from Western and Eastern cultures, have left a savory imprint in the kitchens of every household, made of Venetian cooking methods and Middle Eastern traditions.

The following are some of the most delicious Greek dishes that you cannot miss during your trip to Greece.

LEARN MORE: 10+ Tips – Do’s and Don’ts of Dining in Greece

 

1.  Greek Salad

Locally known as Xoriatiki Salata (meaning village salad), this is a staple dish that no tourist misses ordering when sitting at a Greek taverna.

Although simple and quick to fix, a Greek salad can be a delicious and fresh starter, especially in the summer.

Its main ingredients are tomatoes, onions, peppers (red, or green, or both), onions, olives, oregano, a big chunk of Feta cheese on top, and large quantities of top-quality extra virgin olive oil.

When visiting some of the islands, it’s a good idea to ask for a variation. Cretan salad, for instance, which is more popular on Crete than Greek salad, uses a local variety of cheese known as Myzithra, which is less pungent and more creamy than Feta.

It also has potatoes, eggs, and several local greens, giving the traditional Greek salad a totally different twist.

 

2.  Tzatziki

Universally known as the typical sauce that Greeks use to add flavor to their gyro wraps and sandwiches, tzatziki is a very easy-to-make spread with thick Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, some finely chopped dill, and (…again) olive oil.

This is such a versatile dish that it can be served together with dozens of other dishes.

Tzatziki is really flavorful and perfect to accompany boiled vegetables, meat (usually lamb), or even on top of a slice of warm bread.

Locals love to have tzatziki with their fried potatoes, grilled meat, sausages, or even meatballs.

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3.  Moussaka

One of the most traditional dishes in Greek cuisine, moussaka, is one of the foods you need to try when visiting Greece.

The dish, which has Middle Eastern origins, is served in virtually every restaurant and taverna.

Moussaka is made by layering eggplants, potatoes, and zucchini, alternating with a consistent tomato sauce made with grounded beef and a touch of cinnamon, and a finishing layer of creamy béchamel sauce.

This is baked and served both hot and warm, and it’s so filling that you won’t need any side dishes to enjoy it.

4.  Dolmades

Stuffed grape leaves are known as dolmades. They can be filled with rice, minced beef or lamb, or even a combination of rice and meat.

Dolmades, also called dolmadakia, are one of the most popular dishes served in a round of Greek mezedes (appetizers) together with meatballs, zucchini fritters, olives, and Feta cheese.

These small and delicious bites often come with a portion of plain yogurt on the side for you to dip them in. They are super tasty, and of course, there are many varieties depending on where in Greece you are.

Grape leaves can be replaced with zucchini flowers or cabbage leaves, and the result is equally stunning!

5.  Keftedes

Traditional keftedes are simply meatballs. But the way that the Greeks made them is incredibly flavorful.

In fact, meat is combined with an impressive selection of fresh and dried herbs, including mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sometimes even cinnamon, among others.

Keftedes can be fried and eaten as an appetizer with some tzatziki or yogurt on the side, or cooked in tomato sauce and served with a generous portion of rice or fried potatoes. They are really delicious.

6.  Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters)

Another delicious bite you can get when sitting at a taverna for mezedes and a glass of ouzo is the fritter.

And every island will have its own version of them.

Kolokithokeftedes are among the most popular ones; they are made of zucchini, fresh herbs, and sometimes even cheese and fried in olive oil.

In Santorini, for instance, it’s more common to find tomatokeftedes, made with small Santorini cherry tomatoes instead of courgette and plenty of mint. This variety is also popular on the island of Syros.

On Sifnos Island, instead, these appetizers are commonly made with chickpeas and are known as revithokeftedes.

7.  Gyros

Is there a better-known Greek dish out there? Well, it’s good to know that gyro wraps are nothing but the local version of fast food.

Cheap and filling, this delicious treat is made with a thick and warm pita bread filled with thin slices of meat (normally pork or chicken, but if you find the lamb version, go for it!), onion and tomatoes, and Greek yogurt or tzatziki.

And here, again, we have as many variations as you can think of. They can also include lettuce, french fries, cheese, and even bacon on occasion.

They are really convenient (you’ll never pay more than €3.5 for a gyro wrap) and can be easily eaten on the go.

Both locals and travelers love them!

 

8.  Fava Dip

Despite the fact that its name may remind you of fava beans, this dip, often associated with Santorini cuisine, is made from a completely different pulp, split yellow peas.

The peas are boiled with onions, sometimes also garlic, and then everything is mashed into a sort of purée, decorated with chopped onions and olive oil, and served either warm or cold, depending on the season and the restaurant!

Fava is fantastic when spread on top of triangles of grilled pita bread and is another common dish that can be included in your list of appetizers. Fava can also be part of a main course when served as a side dish of grilled octopus. Yummy!

9.  Saganaki Tyri

Simply and mouthwatering, saganaki tyri (or also saganaki cheese) is made only with cheese and flour, and it will surprise with its incredible taste.

The cheese used is often Kefalotyri, a sheep or goat’s milk cheese that is quite hard, melty, and salted.

Chances are, though, that you will often find the word saganaki on Greek menus referring to other dishes.

In fact, saganaki will be any kind of appetizer cooked in a small frying pan (of course, known as saganaki as well); therefore, you can find mushrooms saganaki, mussels saganaki, shrimp saganaki, and more.

The cheese version in the most common one you’ll find in most Greek tavernas.

10.  Spanakopita

Greece is a land of pies. There are endless varieties of them, and they are easily found in restaurants and bakeries.

In fact, many Greeks will have a slice of savory pie as their breakfast. And although you will be able to find cheese pies, ham pies, meat pies, and more, spinach pie, or spanakopita, remains the most popular of them all.

Spanakopita is a favorite Greek food made with phyllo pastry and a delicious filling of spinach, onions, and Feta cheese. To work the layers of phyllo, Greeks would normally use olive oil instead of butter, making it healthier, more flavorful, and crispy.

11.  Tyropita

Similar to spanakopita, tyropita is the famous Greek cheese pie, and it’s made using the same technique used for spanakopita, but instead of spinach, it will have a delicious filling of a variety of cheeses.

While Feta is a must-have cheese variety for this recipe, there are several variations of this pie that will be filled with other varieties of cheese, depending on each region.

And since Greece is one of the top producers (and consumers) of cheese worldwide, you can find as many different kinds of tyropita as cheese varieties will be available on the market!

12.  Souvlaki

If you’re all for street food, then you will find that souvlaki can be the perfect replacement for gyro if you’re all for a different taste and texture.

Often available in the same food joints where you would get gyros, souvlaki is made with pork or chicken and grilled on a skewer (the skewer is called kalamaki).

Souvlaki can be served in the shape of a gyro wrap with yogurt, onions, and tomatoes (souvlaki gyro), or it can be simply plated on a dish (plain kalamaki) with a side of crispy french fries.

13.  Pastitsio

Together with moussaka, this is another baked comfort food that Greeks love.

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish often described as Greek lasagna. However, pastitsio is made with long bucatini pasta and not with lasagna pasta.

It also has a layer of ground beef cooked in tomato sauce and a top layer of béchamel sauce. Most recipes add grated cheese on top of the béchamel before putting it in the oven.

The dish is served  year-round and is sometimes eaten cold during the summer.

Learn more: When is the Best Time to Visit Greece?

14.  Gemista

Nothing says “Greek summer” more than this traditional recipe.

Take delicious tomatoes, fresh bell peppers, and zucchini and stuff them with a mixture of juicy rice and plenty of herbs and spices (vegetarian version), or also rice and minced meat. These are placed on a baking sheet and baked until golden and the rice is well cooked.

Gemista is often served with dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and a generous serving of thick Greek yogurt. And trust us, they are one of the most delicious staples of Greek food.

Greek Desserts

Probably the area of Greek gastronomy that most clearly sees the influence of Turkish cuisine is desserts.

The most popular sweets in Greece are made by making heavy use of syrup, honey, and nuts (including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios). They are often extremely sweet and are good to serve with a cup of black Greek coffee.

These are some of the most popular Greek desserts around.

15.  Baklava

One of the most typical desserts you will find in Greece is baklava, a dish with a mix of Turkish and Balkan origins that is incredibly sweet (sometimes too sweet), made with nuts, phyllo dough, and honey.

To make matters sweeter, once it’s baked and cut, baklava is poured with a sweet syrup made with honey, which is absorbed by the layers of phyllo pastry.

Try it with a scoop of whipped cream or ice cream in the summer, it will feel less sweet and much more appealing to your taste buds!

16.  Yogurt with honey

One of the most used sweeteners in Greek food is honey, not sugar. In fact, it is a common ingredient for cakes, sweet pies, and other baked goodies.

But it is also the topping of choice for the delicious, thick, strained Greek yogurt served all over the country as a dessert.

Yes, despite the fact that we are used to having yogurt with honey (or fruit) for breakfast, this is a typical dish that most tavernas will offer you as a kerasma.

Kerasma is an on-the-house, small sweet dish that will be brought to you with a shot of a strong liquor, such as raki, after you’ve asked for the bill.

When served as a kerasma, Greek yogurt can be topped with honey and nuts, but also with any kind of fruit spoon sweet or jam, often freshly made.

 

17.  Galaktoboureko

Another typical Greek dessert that combines crispy and creamy all in the same bite. With every grandma in Greece claiming to make the best galaktoboureko in the neighborhood, it is not odd that this dessert is the favorite of every local.

Galaktoboureko is made of several layers of phyllo pastry and melted butter or olive oil, treasuring a rich and very thick layer of sweet, creamy custard.

It can be soaked in sweet honey syrup before being brought to the table too, which truly enhances the taste and aromas.

This dessert is often served warm and plain, while in some tavernas they will serve it cold with a scoop of whipped cream on the side to make it even more inviting!

18.  Loukoumades

The Greek version of donuts, loukoumades, are small, round, puffy balls of dough fried and served steaming hot with a generous drizzle of honey, sometimes chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

In some restaurants and bakeries, you will even be offered a scoop of ice cream on the side that will melt next to the warm, freshly baked pastry.

Traditional Drinks of Greece

All these delicacies are better enjoyed with a glass, a cup, or a shot, depending on what you’re eating. Let’s see which of the more common Greek drinks you can find in the country.

19.  Elliniko

Elliniko, or Greek coffee, is basically nothing other than the local version of Turkish coffee, but never call it that way in Greece!

This very strong coffee is traditionally made in a small copper (or ceramic) pot known as briki. The original elliniko is made by heating the briki with the powdered coffee and water on hot sand in order not to burn it.

Although this unique method is somewhat lost and has been replaced by regular flame, if you find a coffee shop that still uses the hot sand method to prepare coffee, do try it!

In Greece, they will sweeten your coffee for you, so when ordering it, you will be asked if you want it sketo (no sugar), metrio (one spoonful of sugar), or gliko (sweet). But also, if you drink it mono or diplo (single or double).

Greek coffee will perfectly combine with a slice of galaktoboureko, some baklava, or even a portion of loukoumades.

20.  Frappe

The drink of choice on those long summer days, perfect to spend an afternoon on the beach, frappe is an iced coffee drink made with cold water and instant coffee.

Once everything has been perfectly mixed, a few cubes of ice will be added too.

As with the elliniko, you will be asked how much sugar you want in it, or if you want it me gala (with milk).

Frappe is the drink you will have on any occasion, together with any sweet or savory dish. It is great next to a portion of spanakopita for a very Greek-style morning fix.

21.  Greek wine

Although it might be tempting to discuss retsina wine in this section, the Greek wine industry has made giant steps since the times when retsina was the only wine Greece was known for. So much so that Greece is now considered one of the most thriving wine countries in Europe.

Do try grape varieties such as Assyrtiko in Santorini, Moschofilero in the Peloponnese, Malagousia in northern Greece, Savvatiano in central Greece, or Vidiano in Crete. And then come back here to thank us for the tip!

 

22.  Retsina wine

Often considered a more humble wine, the retsina wine industry has taken giant leaps and is again becoming trendy; therefore, you will be able to find retsina made from more elegant grapes, including Assyrtiko or Savvatiano.

Basically, this Greek specialty is a white wine infused with the sap of the Allepo pine tree, which confers aromas of linseed oil and lime peel with a subtle piney finish.

Retsina bears a truly ancient history that goes back thousands of years and is believed to have started with the sealing of wine vessels with pine resin for better preservation, thus infusing the wine with pine resin fragrances.

23.  Ouzo and Raki

Although there are dozens of different liquors and spirits you can try in the country, both ouzo and raki (also known as tsikoudia) are probably the most famous ones.

Ouzo is a dry anise-flavored drink with a high alcohol volume made from rectified spirits that have been distilled and flavored. It is often consumed with mezedes, and it turns into a whitish drink when water or ice is added to it.

On the other hand, tsikoudia (commonly called raki, but completely different from Turkish raki, which does resemble ouzo), tsikoudia is common on many islands and a staple drink in Crete.

Fairly similar to Italian grappa, tsikoudia has a distinctive flavor resembling sun-dried Sultanina grapes, and it can be incredibly strong—as much as 45% in volume!

Final Thoughts

If you’re heading to Greece, you can either venture into any taverna and order the dish of the day or have a far less adventurous but maybe more interesting experience learning to taste Greek foods and wines with an organized tour.

Are you ready to taste some of these fantastic dishes? As you can see, Greek food can be very inviting and flavorful while making use of fresh and healthy ingredients.

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About the Author

Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.