Heading to Greece and wondering what to eat while you're there? This is a Food Checklist that will help you explore the delicious dishes of their cuisine. Expect robust yet elegant and mild flavours as you taste your way through Greece.
Greeks LOVE their food. In fact, they eat up to five times a day relative to our daily three square meals. The rich history of Greek cooking dates back thousands of year where they have absorbed many influences from both the East and West. For those exploring the region for the first time, one may notice the subtle overlaps with cuisines from neighbouring countries and Turkey. This is unsurprising, given that for 400 years, the Turkish Ottomans ruled Greece and the surrounding Balkans countries. Since independence, Greeks have tried to evolve their kitchen to differentiate themselves from the rest. Today, Greek cuisine has become the figurehead of Mediterranean food; a diet that revolves around olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fish and dairy.
And in a country that assures you that you will never feel hungry, explore this list of Greek food that is sure to delight any traveler or food enthusiast.
Bougatsa (Custard Phyllo Pie)
Said to originate from Serres, the phyllo pastry wrapped around a sweet semolina-based custard is especially popular in Thessaloniki. Warm, sweet and sticky; it is served best with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. Savoury options in Thessaloniki are filled with minced meat or cheese. Any version of this breakfast food is still going to be delicious start to the day, especially best enjoyed with good memories. Grab yours at Bantis, Anoteron or Giannis in Thessaloniki. If in Athens, Μπουγατσάδικο η Θεσσαλονίκη στου Ψυρρή is your place to go.
Choriatiki (Greek Salad)
The "national dish" of Greece. Greek salad comes with tomatoes, olives, red onions, peppers, cucumbers and a large slab of feta cheese. Also known as "village salad" as it was a rural dish which farmers simply took essential produces and mix them up to form a meal. Greek salad is a must have for Greeks and a great side dish to almost every meal. Options to grab a bowl: Bairaktaris or O Thanasis.
Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
One of the iconic eats in Greek Cuisine, the stuffed grape/vine or cabbage leaves are traditionally served as an appetiser with lemon wedges. There are a variety of Dolmadakia, although the stuffings are often minced meat with rice, or rice with herbs and/or pine nuts. Another common meze on restaurants' menu like Evgenia and Πάμε τσίπουρο πάμε καφενείο.
Frappé (Foamy Iced Coffee)
Dalgona? You mean Frappé? This Greek take on coffee was accidentally invented in 1950s by a seller during the Thessaloniki International Fair. It's no surprise that Thessaloniki is also known as "fraedoupoli", Frappe-city today. Made by frothing instant coffee granules with water and ice, the result is an addictive and creamy pick-me-up drink. Variations includes added milk or evaporated milk, sweetened according to taste. Sip on this delightful coffee on a summer day at Lena's Bistro.
Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables)
Juicy, vibrant and simply bursting with flavours. Stuffed with rice, herbs chopped vegetables and/or minced meat, these vegetables are then baked until soft and slightly browned. Favourites includes stuffed zucchini flowers and tomatoes. Another common sight in restaurants so it is almost impossible to not find this traditional dish.
Greek Liquor
Greeks seems to be purists when it comes to alcohol. Its famed Ouzo, a Greek liquor with a strong taste of anise and at least 38 % in alcohol percentage, commonly found at dinner tables. (Well, at least mine, in Thessaloniki. 开胃 they said.) Mastika, a sweet liquor flavoured with mastic (a distant relation to the pistachio tree), is also served with meze appetizers. There is also Krasomelo/Oinomelo, Greek version of the mulled wine, the drink for Christmas. YAMAS (cheers)!
Gyros
Derived from the doner kebab, Gyros are a great economical meal choice that is affordable, easily available and yummy. Meat is cooked on a vertical rotisserie before sliced/shredded and placed into pita bread with Gyro sauce, made commonly with yogurt, lemon, garlic and oregano. The accompanying toppings range from red onions, lettuce, tomatoes and even fries! Cookoomela Grill offers vegetarian grill options; from mushroom gyros to lentil kebabs.
Kolokithokeftedes (Courgette Balls)
Tasty fritters made from courgettes (type of summer squash) and mixed with feta cheese, onion, and fresh herbs before being fried. A freshly fried courgette ball has a crispy outside while giving you hat creamy flavourful bite. The popular meze can be found in most Greek restaurants. If you want options, try them at Avli, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or Igglis, a traditional tavern located at Ano Poli.
Koulouria (Sesame Bread Rings)
Another food blessing from Thessaloniki, the street food/breakfast snack is a common grab and go for Greeks. The bread rings are sprinkled with sesame seeds and variations range from multigrain, chocolate spread, cheese or tahini. This snack is most probably the first thing you'll see when in Greece with many vendors selling it and locals munching on them on their way to work. Best enjoyed fresh (as they get stale quite quickly) and with a cup of coffee.
Loukoumades (Fried Doughnuts)
Lovely, bite-sized golden balls of fried dough sprinkled with syrup, cinnamon, powdered sugar and/or walnuts. Crispy on the outside yet fluffy in the inside, it is absolute deliciousness. Have a plate heaped with freshly fried Greek doughnuts in Ktistakis or Krinos. For hipster combinations, LUKUMAΔΕΣ offers a whole bunch of fun variations with loukoumades. Craving for something savoury instead? Kuzina offers some stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and topped with pistachios and pomegranate sauce. Doesn't that sound amazing?
Moussaka
This Greek favourite is a traditional dish that is served in almost all tavernas in the country. The iconic oven-bake dish is made up of layers of eggplants, minced meat, tomato puree, onion, garlic and spices, before being topped of with béchamel sauce and cheese. Creamy and packed with flavours! Grab a table outdoors at Geros Tou Moria while enjoying both your moussaka and the views of Acropolis.
Revani (Greek Semolina Cake)
A popular dessert brought over to Greece since the Ottoman period; this cake is made from semolina, sugar, flour and toppings like raisins and almonds. Either served alone or with vanilla ice cream, Revani is known for its sweetness, a result of being soaked in sugar syrup after being backed. I tried this sugary goodness at Paramithi Taverna.
Souvlaki
Tasty and scrumptious skewered, grilled pieces of meat served with salad, pita bread and fries. Meat varies from pork, beef, chicken to lamb, and grilled fresh to order. Note that the cubed meat differs from the shredded meat used in Gyros. Juiciness from the meat melding with the smokiness from the grill make this dish a favourite among both locals and travelers. Places to get your souvlaki fix are Kalamakia O Elvis, O Thanasis and Lefteris O Politis.
Spanikopita (Spinach Feta Pie)
Greeks love their pies and Spanikopita is one of their specialties. Spinach mixed with feta cheese, butter and olive oil then stuffed in flaky phyllo pastry and baked until golden perfection. This traditional and delicious pastry will definitely satisfy your taste buds at any time of the day. Munch on a freshly baked pie from Takis Bakery or Μπουγατσάδικο η Θεσσαλονίκη στου Ψυρρή. Bakeries may also serve up other pies like tiropita, pie with a savoury cheese fillings or tomatokeftedes, tomato balls stuffed with herbs.
Straggisto (Greek Yogurt)
The Greek yogurt that you know is definitely different from the traditional, real Greek yogurt. In Greece, "straggisto" is the strained, fermented, full-fat sheep's milk yogurt-type product. (That's a mouthful.) Absolutely creamy after being strained so many times, rich and tart; this is amazing when drizzled with honey and topped with walnuts. You have to try the real deal when you are here. Stani, the only dairy bar left in Athens, offers yogurt, whipped cream and rice pudding. And there is the slightly more commercial yogurt bar, Fresko. Since Greek yogurt is relatively pricey, they offer a cheaper cow's milk option on display. Equally yummy, just not as thick. Oh, and they have sour cherry toppings with mandarin spoon sweet and chocolates. I'm craving for one cup right now.
Taramosalata (Fish Roe Salad)
I was confused when my order of "fish roe salad" was in fact a dip. The creamy, pungent blend of fish roe is so good, especially spread over fluffy homemade buns and some olive oil drizzled on top. You can find these pink dips in restaurants and supermarkets. Other interesting Greek dips include melitzanosalata (eggplants) and fava (split pea).
Tiropita (Cheese Pie)
Another pie! Cheese pies, aka Tiropita, are best when hot out of oven (as with any other food, duh). The phyllo dough is stuffed with feta cheese, yogurt and butter. The result? A melt-in-your-mouth, buttery, cheesy flavour that is sure to leave you craving for more. Affordable and substantial, now do you question why pies are my favourite during my Balkans trip? Visit a pie shop like Fillo, Takis Bakery, Μαμά ψωμί and/or Meliartos to taste handmade, traditional Greek pies.
Tzatziki (Yogurt Dip)
Tzatziki is the classic Greek dip that gained international recognition relative to Taramosalata. Made with yogurt, garlic, lemon and dill, then drizzled with olive oil, this refreshing dip is the perfect accompaniment for anything with pita, especially souvlaki.
Just a few pointers when eating in Greece,
Tipping is customary in Athens, where you tip about €2 to €5 for a meal
Tap water is drinkable so go ahead and ask for tapped instead of bottled water
Greeks eat late with lunch around 2pm - 3pm and dinner at 9pm - 10pm
Not eating when offered food can be insulting if you are invited to a Greek home
Most eateries do not usually cater to special dietary restrictions so you would have to hunt down restaurants that meet your requirements
Despite the list, these barely scratch the surface of what Greek cuisine has to offer. The diversity of Greek cuisine makes it difficult to present a full list of representative dishes, especially with each region specialising in their own unique food. Meteroa, known for their wild mushroom dishes; Stamngathi is Crete's trademark leafy greens; Katiki Domokou, cottage cheese from Domokos; Alevropita, this crispy feta pie is a specialty of Epirus and the list simply goes on. If you want to know more about the food specialties for each city, check this food map out. Make sure you sample all the food that your stomach can withstand before leaving Greece because their food is worth it!
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