Greek Food - 2023 Guide

Greek Food 101: Must-Try Dishes and Regional Specialties

Greek cuisine is renowned the world over for its exquisite ingredients, ancient culinary wisdom, and an array of flavor combinations. This legacy has been maintained throughout centuries by skilled chefs who have refined this one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience. 

Dynamic, creative chefs from Greece have left a memorable mark on international events with their innovative take on traditional Greek food. By experimenting and combining exquisite ingredients in uncommon ways, they’ve given the ancient Greek recipes new life. 

The result is an incredibly exciting yet elegant culinary experience that has solidified Greece’s place as one of the most celebrated high-culinary destinations in the world. Read on to know everything about Greek food.

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Culinary Influences in Greek Cuisine

The glorious flavors of Greek cuisine are a testament to the country’s rich cultural and culinary heritage. Herbs such as thyme, oregano, basil, and mint have been utilized for centuries in Greek foods, yet spices remain an integral part of their Byzantine legacy that immigrants coming from Asia Minor brought with them.

As a result of immigration, the country acquired a wide variety of recipes stemming from an intricate culture. Think keftedes (savory meatballs), soutzoukakia (meatballs in tomato sauce with cumin scent), atzem pilaf (lamb with rice), as well as various other rice dishes.

Nowadays, these culinary delicacies have become accepted into mainstream cooking. To sample the original flavors, though, head to tavernas in places where many of the refugees originally moved – Palio Faliro, Nea Smyrni, and Nea Ionia in Athens or Thessaloniki. 

Here you can experience Sephardic Jewish cuisine as well as dishes from across the Balkans and a variety of exquisite seafood like mussels pilaf or shrimp with tomato sauce that tastes even better when accompanied by ouzo.

Local Cuisine: Macedonia

Macedonia is a veritable oasis of abundance. From lush orchards brimming with Edessa cherries to rolling hillsides cloaked with divine white wines, it has everything a nature lover might ask for.

Grevena yields delectable mushrooms, while Florina’s sweet peppers burn bright red from their own unique flavor profile. Not to be outdone, Kastoria and Prespes provide succulent beans on lakefronts.

Journey to the north and you’ll uncover top-notch game, scrumptious sausages, savory pastirma, rich soups, and stews that pair perfectly with the delectable red xinomavro. 

In the summertime, if your visit brings you to Halkidiki’s spectacular shores, indulge in pure seafood heaven and local olive oil. From luxurious hotels or beachside tavernas, all fish & shellfish dishes will be freshly prepped for a delightful feast.

Local Cuisine: Ionian

Taking cues from four centuries of Venetian occupation, the Ionian Sea helps you unlock a world of culinary delights. Corfu is celebrated for its iconic dishes such as pastitsada – beef or cockerel stew simmered with pasta smothered in tomatoes and hot paprika. Corfu is also famous for its olive oil production.

Souvenirs from your Ionian holiday don’t have to be trinkets. Why not take home some of the flavors that will truly bring back memories? For example, Zakynthos’ peppery ladotyri cheese and nougat, alongside Lefkas’s lentils and salami, would make great gifts for your loved ones. 

Local Cuisine: Aegean

The Aegean Islands, one of the world’s most renowned island groups, is a terrain formed through sunrays, ocean waters, and refreshingly brisk winds. Every singular isle has its own microclimate in which it produces special goods that can only be found there.

The Cyclades islands offer a unique charm that appeals to not only travelers but also those in the culinary arts. These individuals come here seeking knowledge and showing their admiration for Greek food. 

This particular gastronomic tradition is ancient and conveys its profound cultural heritage. Its flavors are intense with enticing fragrances, while fruits and vegetables are grown under bright sunshine for an extra layer of flavor.

Foodies around the globe have long held the restaurants of the Cyclades islands in high esteem, and they are often featured among esteemed international rankings. These eateries offer an unparalleled experience that blends haute cuisine with authentic local flavors.

For the traveler seeking a gastronomic journey, some of the thousands of delectable dishes that await in the cozy embrace of the Aegean include: 

• Macarons (hand-made fresh pasta with caramelized onions) 
• Sgardoumia (offal soup) 
• Karpathos vyzanti (stuffed lamb or goat with bulghur wheat cooked in a wood-burning oven)
• Serifos marathotiganites (fennel rissoles) 
• Dolmadakia made with vine leaves and herbs
• Melitera (sweet cheese pies with vanilla) from Anafi
• Sifnos’s melopita honey pie.

  

Experience the unique flavors of Santorini with: 

Charcoal-grilled calamari or octopus, accompanied by a pungent bowl of Kopanisti cheese, flavorful fava (mashed yellow chickpeas), savory tomato and courgette fritters, and mild summer greens. 

For an additional sensory delight, pair your meal with a bottle of local white assyrtiko or red mavrotragano wine – you won’t want anything more! Read next our article “Where is Santorini?”

Local Cuisine: Epirus, Thessaly, Peloponnese

When journeying to Thessaly in the north, tantalizing mysteries of local gastronomy await. From its breadbasket farms come bountiful organic vegetables and succulent charcuterie from small producers that deliver a taste like no other. 

To the west, Epirus is full of mountains and has no other industries except its extraordinary culinary history. We can witness this through their pies which were crafted by nomadic farmers and shepherds. Mixing basic components like cornflour, olive oil, or butter with small handfuls of wild herbs plus a pinch of cheese, these elements bring together rural cooking at its finest.

Journey to Peloponnese and taste its luscious plants, from Laconia’s orchards full of oranges to proud Mani, where citrus adds zest to sausages and stews. The Argolid region yields some fine artichokes too, which Iria showcases at their annual event each year.

Local Cuisine: Crete – the elixir of life

Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of Crete – an island with a rich history, stunning scenery, and hospitable locals. Nowadays, this Mediterranean gem is increasingly becoming renowned for its extraordinary culinary experiences. 

Upon arrival in Crete, the fragrant scent of herbs such as oregano, thyme rosemary, and dittany blended with salty air from both seas will welcome you into a mouth-watering culinary odyssey. 

Here are some of the most beloved recipes from Cretan cuisine:

• The classic pilaf rice of Chania, prepared with the aroma of rooster or beef,
• The renowned “ofto” roasted baby goat known across Crete and offered at almost every restaurant in the region, 
• Greek Salads that are as fresh as they can be, 
• Traditional ‘dakos’ (barley rusks enlivened with succulent tomato, soft white cheese, and olive oil)

Chania, Heraklion, Rethymno, Ierapetra, and Siteia are booming with high-end restaurants that make use of only fresh ingredients. This surge in quality has propelled Cretan cuisine to fame and made way for a new golden age of gastronomy on the island.

Famous Greek Cuisine Dishes to Taste

1. Bougatsa

Bougatsa, a scrumptious sweet pie comprised of phyllo pastry and semolina custard, is most well-known in northern Greece but has recently garnered fans all throughout the country. 

If you ever happen to purchase bougatsa from one of its many roadside food vendors, it will come garnished with powdered sugar and cinnamon to elevate your experience even further.

2. Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Greek cuisine is masterful and multifaceted, as evidenced by the ever-popular Dolmadakia – tiny dolmades made of stuffed grape leaves that often contain ground lamb or beef (and sometimes both) along with rice stuffing. 

This delectable dish is typically served as a starter accompanied by lemon wedges lemon juice and olive oil. For an added layer of flavor, try them with tzatziki or plain yogurt.

3. Greek Fava 

This scrumptious vegetable creation, made with yellow split peas, is a staple in Greece but is most popular on the Greek island of Santorini. 

Bursting with creamy flavor and texture, it’s an ideal starter for any winter day. Enjoy Fava as an appetizer or dip topped off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil – you can’t go wrong when indulging in this heavenly dish.

4. Greek Salad (Choriatiki)

Greek salad is an essential part of any authentic meal. It consists of tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onion, and a considerable slab of feta cheese, all drizzled with olive oil. 

To add some flavor to your dish, you can also sprinkle vinegar or salt to taste. Lastly, don’t forget the oregano for that extra zest. Not just limited as an appetizer, Greek salad makes for a great side dish too.

5. Gyros

Gyros are not only an economical meal option but also oh-so-delicious. The vertical roasting of the meat is what makes it a proper gyro. 

But wait, that’s still not enough to make this scrumptious dish complete – adding some pita bread and various tasteful toppings like sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and potato chips will do the trick perfectly.

6. Keftedes (Meatballs)

Experience the delightful blend of juiciness and crunch in this Greek meatball. Made of minced meat and fried in olive oil, keftedes is traditionally served as an appetizer with a creamy sauce and pita bread, but it can also make for a scrumptious main course accompanied by basmati rice and feta salad. 

7. Moussaka

Moussaka is a classic Greek dish. Consisting of tender minced meat simmered in a tomato sauce accompanied by eggplants and topped off with luxurious béchamel sauce, this dish can be found in almost all tavernas across Greece.

8. Souvlaki

Across Greece, Souvlaki is a much-loved street food with a delectable combination of seasoned meat and tzatziki sauce. 

Meaning “meat-on-a-skewer” in Greek, Souvlaki can come in various forms, such as pork skewers or chicken gyros wrapped inside pita bread. Greeks often refer to any type of this dish simply as ‘Souvlaki,’ but locals are able to differentiate between these flavors based on the types of meats used.

9. Spanakopita

Spanakopita, a classic Greek spinach pie, is renowned for its exceptional flavor and versatility. Deliciously savory with feta cheese, butter, olive oil, and more – this timeless dish will tantalize your taste buds no matter the time of day

10. Tzatziki

This versatile dip or sauce has numerous variations, all crafted by home cooks. To make this delectable dish, you’ll need yogurt that’s been strained for thickness, a hint of garlic and olive oil, plus fresh dill to give it an extra zing.

While there are many ingredients involved in making this classic Greek condiment, it’s surprisingly simple yet powerful enough to liven up any gathering.

11. Kolokithokeftedes (Fried Zucchini/Courgette Balls)

For all the vegetarians out there, tantalize your taste buds and add Kolokithokeftedes to your list of favorite appetizers. 

This popular Cretan starter oozes with flavor and texture from its delectable combination of zucchini, fresh mint, feta cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. Make sure to serve it with tzatziki or plain yogurt for an unforgettable snack.

12. Melitzanosalata – Greek Eggplant Dip

This Greek delicacy is similar in preparation to Baba Ganoush but with simpler ingredients: roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt & pepper, all of which come together for an incredibly flavorsome combination. 

Whether you’re looking for something starter-worthy or just enjoy it as part of a Meze platter served with pita bread, this mouth-watering dip will not disappoint. 

13. Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is an exquisite Greek delicacy that will leave your taste buds tingling. Bite into its crunchy phyllo dough, which has been drenched with melted butter, for a delightful texture. 

This classic Greek treat also boasts a rich custard and subtly sweet syrup to elevate the flavor even further.