One of my favorite ways to explore a destination is through food. And if you’re planning a visit to Greece, I promise that you’re in for a true culinary adventure. Whether you’re heading for a relaxing romantic getaway to Santorini or discovering the rich history of Athens, you will find that the dishes are fresh, simple, and bursting with the flavors of the Mediterranean. To help you make the most of it, I’ve put together a list of 15 local foods you absolutely have to try while you’re there. Trust me, these are the flavors you’ll be dreaming about long after your trip.
15 Best Foods to Try in Greece
Dolmadakia
Also called dolmas, this dish features vine or grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs and sometimes meat. The leaves are carefully folded into small bite-sized parcels and steamed until tender.
Choriatiki
This traditional Greek salad includes fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese, topped with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple yet delicious dish.
Koulouri Thessalonikis
A traditional Greek bread ring encrusted with sesame seeds, known for its crispy crust, soft interior, and popularity as a street food or breakfast staple in Thessaloniki.
Gyros
A popular Greek street food, gyros are made with seasoned meat (often lamb, chicken, or pork) roasted on a vertical spit and served in pita bread with toppings like tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce, and sometimes lettuce or fries.
Spanakopita
A flaky phyllo pastry filled with layers of spinach, feta cheese, and dill. Variations can include other greens, vegetables, or even meats.
Souvlaki
Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish featuring marinated meat, typically pork, chicken, or lamb, grilled on skewers and often served with pita, vegetables, and tzatziki. Souvlaki and gyros are very similar with the main difference only being how the meat is cooked (grilled on a skewer vs. cooked on a vertical rotisserie).
Feta Me Meli
A sweet-savory appetizer from Crete, feta me meli features fried feta cheese wrapped in crispy phyllo dough, drizzled with honey, and perfectly paired with a glass of red wine.
Tomatokeftedes
These crispy tomato fritters, typically served as an appetizer in Santorini, are made with small, waterless tomatoes known for their thick skin and intense flavor.
Baklava
A rich, flaky pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch.
Loukoumades
Bite-sized Greek donuts, deep-fried to golden perfection, soaked in honey or syrup, and often topped with cinnamon, nuts, or powdered sugar. This might be my favorite Greek dessert, but it's so hard to choose!
Kataifi
This dessert features a shredded pastry dough filled with a sweet, nutty mixture, rolled into small bundles, baked until golden, and drizzled with a sweet syrup. It tastes similar to baklava, but the texture is obviously very different! Note: the photo below is kataifi with a whipped topping that I got from a bakery in Santorini - delicious!
Moussaka
A hearty and savory baked dish of layered eggplant or potatoes, spiced minced meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce topping, baked to golden perfection.
Gemista
Meaning "stuffed ones," gemista is a dish of tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant filled with herbed rice, and sometimes meat. It resembles a Mediterranean-style stuffed pepper.
Tzatziki
A creamy Greek dip made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs, often served as an accompaniment to grilled meats, pita bread, or vegetables.
Raki
Not so much a food, but something that is often enjoyed at the end of a meal is a sweet, anise-flavored brandy made from grapes and raisins. Raki is enjoyed as a shot or sipped slowly as an aperitif, often shared by locals with visitors.
Final Thoughts
So, there is my list of the 15 best foods to try in Greece! Out of all of the places I have traveled to, Greece has had some of the best cuisine. From the savory bite of moussaka to the sweetness of loukoumades, the country’s food scene is an adventure in itself. Make sure to take your time and indulge in these iconic flavors during your trip - you’ll leave not only with unforgettable memories but also a taste for Greek culture. Happy eating!
Food Tours in Greece
Join a food tour or a cooking class! It's a great way to explore the cuisine of a new destination with the help of a local guide.
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