Famous for its beautiful natural coastline with more than 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, rich national history and historical monuments, Greece is definitely one of those Mediterranean countries everyone should visit. Even though it offers large spectrum of activities and natural beauties, Greece is also famous for its delicious and original food. Since the next sailing and holiday season is just around the corner, we decided to bring you our list of top 10 Greek food everyone should try while in Greece.
10. Moussaka
A lot of different recipes and variations of this famous dish can be found throughout the Mediterranean, but the Greek version is one of the most popular ones. It combines fried sliced aubergines, layered with tomato and minced lamb, garlic, onion, and other spices, topped with béchamel sauce and cheese.
Special Tip for Making a Moussaka:
If you want to freshen up your meal, serve Moussaka with a simple green salad. It will make the whole meal easier to digest.
9. Greek Salad
Greek salad is one of those dishes that definitely deserves to be on our list of top 10 Greek foods. It is a beautifully simple meal easily prepared on board or while enjoying your summer holidays with your family. Even though there are different variations of recipes, the original Greek recipe includes fresh tomatoes, purple onions, and cucumber, topped with feta cheese and black olives, flavoured with a bit of olive oil and sprinkled with oregano.
Special Tip for Making a Greek Salad:
If you want a stronger taste, add some extra chilli: it works fine, but it’s not necessary if you’re not a fan of spicy food.
8. Tomatokeftedes
These tomato fritters are a traditional main course vegetarian food item in Santorini and Syros. Most of these Greek dishes are cooked, served, and eaten in different parts of the world, but the original recipes in Greek restaurants and private homes simply can’t be compared. Greek people use tomatoes as the core ingredient of Tomatokeftedes, which have rough edges with bits of mint, tomato, and onion chunks. It is a very tasteful dish thanks to the island’s arid volcanic soil.
Special Tip for Making Tomatokeftedes:
The best way to make this beautiful dish is to replace regular tomatoes with small cherry tomatoes. Greek people use cherry tomatoes from Santorini, but you can use even those from your local market.
7. Loukoumades
One of the most famous sweet foods in Greece is definitely Loukoumades. These are bite-sized fried doughnut balls which are crispy outside and fluffy inside. They are often sprinkled with walnuts, sweet syrup, and cinnamon. Their irresistible taste will drive you nuts.
Special Tip for Making Loukoumades:
These delicious mouthfuls are impossible to resist, but if you like your dessert more sweet, add some powdered sugar and rosewater for freshness.
6. Taramasalata
Taramsalata is one of the top Greek dips, often served as part of a Mezze of dishes. Any Greek meal has basically some of the most famous classic dips such as tzatziki (combination of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic), melitzanosalata (aubergine), and fava (creamy split pea purée). But Taramasalata is a very special dip and it definitely deserves to be on our list of top 10 Greek foods. This creamy pungent is made from smoked fish roe blended with olive oil and lemon.
Special Tip for Making Taramasalata:
Try to avoid the pink variety you often find in supermarkets because it can taste strange. Instead, try making some yourself.
5. Bougatsa
Bougatsa is a warm, sweet, sticky kind of pie made of phyllo pastry and semolina custard. It is a famous dish all over Greece, but the most famous one is from Thessaloniki, where the term bougatsa includes savoury pies filled with either minced meat or cheese. You can also have the sweet cream version. These bite-size pieces are the perfect way to start your day.
Special Tip for Making Bougatsa:
Serve this beautiful pie with coffee or add some powdered sugar and cinnamon on top to make it sweeter (it is not sweet enough for Greek standards).
4. Gyro
The list of top 10 best Greek foods should include Gyro. Some people make mistake and think that Kebab, Gyros, and Souvlaki are the same thing, but they aren’t. Gyro is made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Slices of it are placed in pita with some sauce, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and often french fries/chips. It was originally made with lamb, but today people eat it with every kind of meat – pork, chicken, beef.
Special Tip for Making Gyro:
It is a very delicious dish, but be careful when giving it to your children – eating Gyro can be very messy.
3. Olives and Olive Oil
Our list of top 10 Greek foods can’t be complete without Greek olives, one of the most famous Greek dishes that originate from ancient Greece. There is no real Greek food without olive oil or olives as such. Pretty much every restaurant or taverna makes its own oil, and people are just delighted with the intensive and wonderful taste of this old groceries.
Special Tip for Enjoying Olives and Olive Oil:
When you order your meal, ask for domestic olive oil and try it with cheese as the appetizer.
2. Kolokithokeftedes
When you try it, it will immediately become one of your favourite dishes. This is a very popular food, found in most Greek restaurants. The original kolokithokeftedes have to be crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. They come in different shapes (patties or balls) and include tomato and courgette.
Special Tip for Making Kolokithokeftedes:
Kolokithokeftedes make an excellent starter paired with a glass of white wine.
1. Baklava
Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of phyllo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened and held together with syrup or honey. Baklava is probably the most popular food item among all Greek desserts. The classic Greek baklava involves honey, phyllo, and ground nuts. Baklava deserves to be on the top of our list of top 10 Greek foods everyone should try.
Special Tip for Making Baklava:
After baking, pour sweet syrup over it so that the syrup can be absorbed by the crispy layers of phyllo.
Bonus: Hidden Gems of Greek Cuisine
Greece has a plethora of lesser-known but equally delightful dishes. Here are two more that you should definitely try:
Saganaki
Saganaki is a delicious Greek appetiser made from fried cheese. It is typically made from graviera, kefalotyri, or halloumi. The cheese is melted until it forms a golden crust and is served with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Special Tip for Making Saganaki:
To get the perfect golden crust, make sure your pan is very hot before adding the cheese. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for an extra zing.
Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a savoury pie filled with spinach, feta cheese, and onions, all encased in crispy phyllo pastry. It’s a popular snack and can be found in bakeries and tavernas across Greece.
Special Tip for Making Spanakopita:
For extra flavour, add some fresh dill and a pinch of nutmeg to the filling. Serve warm for the best taste experience.
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