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When in Greece, eat like a
Greek
Traditional flavours and modern Greek cuisine combine to create a unique
culinary experience
Greeks approach food with a combination of seriousness and
nostalgia, inevitably thinking back to the dishes they were raised
on. They don’t eat to live but rather live to eat, and a meal is
almost always a social, convivial occasion, which revives the original
meaning of companionship – people who broke bread together.
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There is no notion of the western ‘eat and run’ syndrome. Here in
Greece, lunch or dinner can last for hours, and the more people
gathered at the table the better: for good food and good wine bring
good talk.
So, sit down and prepare to eat like a Greek. You’ll start with a series
of hors d’oeuvres, known as the mezedes. Presented on little plates
and designed to whet your appetite, they may be accompanied
by ouzo, the national drink, schnapps-like tsipouro or, of
course, wine.
They may arrive in no particular order, but cold dishes are apt to be
served first, and fish before meat and they are meant to be shared.
You’ll be struck by the freshness and excellence of the produce: the
just-picked salads, freshly caught seafood, meat from livestock raised
on a hillside, not factory-farmed.
So, what are the basic elements of Greek cuisine? Salt from the
ubiquitous sea, olive oil (our liquid gold that contains all the goodness
of the sun) and bread, the staff of life, ground from wheat, the age-
old crop of the land. Tomatoes, onions, cheese, olives, fresh fish and
seafood… everything you know as the Mediterranean diet.
Traditional Greek cuisine
From ancient times to today, Greek eating habits have changed so
radically that it’s difficult to summarize the gastronomic culture of the
country in a few words. Although it’s highly likely that Homer’s heroes
would feel at home at a Greek Easter, they would not recognize the
lemons, potatoes, tomatoes, and much more. Since those days, so
many new fruits and vegetables have arrived on these shores and
there are so many different ways of cooking them.
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But one thing has always been true: the emphasis on authentic raw
ingredients, unadulterated and grown locally – simple dishes,
cooked slowly and without fussy sauces, seasoned with herbs and
olive oil rather than exotic spices, with love and imagination.
Modern Greek Cuisine
Over the past couple of decades, a new wave of chefs has sprung up,
committed to recreating the traditional cuisine they were brought up
on… but with new combinations and techniques. Often trained
abroad, where they have come into contact with other food cultures,
they are two-way ambassadors. As they return, they experiment with
new approaches to traditional recipes, changing techniques and
creating a new style of Greek cuisine. At the same time, domestic
production, which had been neglected, is also being rediscovered,
transformed and redesigned.
As examples, we have the rare Cretan skolymbous, a wild green that
costs more than fillet mignon, sweet potatoes from Trikala, chestnuts
from Volos, farmed black pork and mountain goat from Crete. An
intriguing fusion: the old, with its historic value, blended with new
ideas, to give it new life.
You’ll be impressed by the inventiveness of the new generation of
cooks in the fine restaurants of the mainland and islands, from
Halkidiki to Laconia and Crete to Corfu.
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The Do's and Don'ts of Eating in Greece
Do try the street food
We can't stress this enough, but if you want to feel like a local and explore
the most exquisite cuisine in the world, try the Athens street food!
Undoubtedly, the king of Greek street food is the world-
famous souvlaki. Available in every corner around the country, it is perhaps
the cheapest way for you to enjoy a full meal. Fresh vegetables, fries and
delicious sauces such as tzatziki, are sided with meat wrapped in warm pita
bread. There is a variety of meat you can choose to add to
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your souvlaki such as gyros, chicken or lamb. In some places, there might be
vegetarian options available such as halloumi cheese or falafel.
Tip: Ordering souvlaki in Greece might turn out to be quite a task depending
on where you are. In Athens and generally in the southern part of the country
souvlaki means the whole wrap, while in Thessaloniki and the northern part of
Greece this is not the case. There, you have to ask for a pita with souvlaki,
otherwise, you will end up holding just a skewer of meat, and no one
deserves that kind of disappointment!
The most popular street snack in Greece, apart from souvlaki,
is koulouri. Koulouri can be found all around the eastern part of the
Mediterranean and the Balkan countries, but each country claims to have a
different recipe for it. The traditional koulouri in Greece is a circular thin
bread with lots of sesame seeds covering it. It is hands down the
favorite breakfast option for Greeks along with a cup of Greek coffee.
Get yours from a traditional vendor on the street; it will set you back only
50cents and it will be a treat to your senses!
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In case you feel hungry while walking around Athens or another Greek city,
the cheapest way to fill your tummy is to choose from an array of traditional
pies. Spot the nearest bakery shop and get the chance to
try spanakopita (spinach pie), tyropita (cheese pie), or ask the baker to
recommend something new. When it comes to pies, the sky's the limit! Each
region is particularly famous for a type of pie depending on the season and its
ingredients. Therefore, keep your eyes open and follow the scent of the
freshly baked phyllo pastry to enjoy a piece of a traditional Greek pie!
Apart from the options mentioned above, there is an endless amount
of options regarding Greek street food. From seafood to middle-eastern
delicacies, Greece has it all! Do not hesitate to ask the locals and find the
place that suits you best!
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Do taste the traditional Greek cuisine
A quick bite is nice, but not as nice as a full Greek meal consisting
of traditional Greek dishes, such as mousaka or pastitsio. Layers of
flavor in the form of mince, pasta, and béchamel await you in almost every
local restaurant, along with an array of other local delicacies. One of the best
places to try local dishes in the heart of Athens is -ironically- 'Lesvos', the
meze restaurant in the neighborhood of Exarcheia, where you can try
delicacies from the island of Lesvos in affordable prices. The local dishes of
grilled octopus, fried courgette balls and local cheeses will make your mouth
water, while its friendly staff and old-time aesthetic will seal the deal! Other
areas that Athenians love to go out for food are the picturesque
neighborhoods of Psyrri and Monastiraki right at the city center. There, all
you have to do is to have a walk through those neighborhoods and find a
place that, along with delightful culinary creations, offers a magnificent view
of the Acropolis!
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What is a typical meal in Greece?
A typical Greek meal includes one or two appetizers, a slice of freshly-baked
bread, the main meal, a glass of the alcohol or soft drink of your choice, and
dessert for the end. When you hear about the Greeks living the good life and
knowing their food, the rumors are true-mors!
What is a typical Greek breakfast?
Pies, buns, rusks, honey, jams, eggs, olives, feta and cheese, legumes,
pastries. Fresh tasty fruits, juices, coffee. The delicious and quality products
of the traditional Greek breakfast take their rightful place, displacing
croissants, bacon, pancakes, and fatty sauces from most other countries. The
local specialties with the unique flavors of each region, make the stay of the
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visitors even more enjoyable, as it helps them discover the gastronomic
heritage of Greece through the local delicacies. A typical Greek breakfast
depends on what each place produces, according to the climatic conditions,
the soil, its historical course, and the influences that have shaped its
gastronomic culture.
What is a typical Greek lunch?
A typical Greek lunch includes a Greek salad and a second appetizer that is
usually either boiled greens or homemade French fries, depending on the how
healthy you want to be that day. Following the first dishes, is the main dish
which can be anything from the world-renowned mousaka, to stuffed wine
leaves -also known as 'dolamdes'- or some kind of roast. As always food is
almost always accompanied by a glass of wine, beer, or ouzo! After your main
dish, more often than not comes dessert which can be anything from
traditional baklava and spoon sweets to cake and chocolate.
What time is dinner in Greece?
In a country that never sleeps, no time is "too late" for dinner. You will find
most eateries open until past 12 at midnight. Regardless, traditionally, dinner
in Greek homes is served at around 8-9 pm. Of course, you can eat whenever
you feel like it; no one's going to stop you!
How much does a meal cost in Greece?
The prices vary depending on where you get your food from. There are high-
class restaurants that that charge up to 80 euros a dish, souvlaki places
where you can eat the favorite wrap with 2 euros, and everything in between.
Therefore, the amount of money you'll spend on food depends solely on your
decisions. Our advice would be to do your research and find family-run
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taverns that serve delectable dishes at incredibly affordable prices. Yes, there
are plenty of those in Greece!
Can you drink the tap water in Greece?
In most big cities including its capital, Athens, it is perfectly fine to drink
water from the tap. Unfortunately, this doesn't stand true for most of the
Greek islands and the countryside. In order to be on the safe side, we would
highly suggest you buy mineral water from the supermarket during your stay
or just ask the locals of each region you visit. An upset stomach is never
welcome, and especially during your holidays.
Do you leave tip in Greece?
Unlike many countries, the tip is not included in the bill in Greece. This means
that you should tip to your heart's desire separately. You can either leave
your tip on the table or at the hands of your waiter/waitress, both will be fine.
The amount of your tip really depends on you and the sum of your bill,
however, a good rule of thumb is not to go under 20% from the listed price.
What can I eat in Greece during my
pregnancy?
Greek cuisine uses fresh and nutritious ingredients, while the traditional
dishes don't typically use any kind of raw or unpasteurized food. It is common
knowledge that sushi -which may not be Greek but you can find it everywhere
in the country- is forbidden and salmon is not preferred for pregnant women,
but other than the obvious, there are no hidden threats in Greece's
gastronomy. Therefore, even if you're pregnant during your trip to Greece,
you will still have the opportunity to try all of its cuisine's riches.
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What can you not eat in Greece?
That is a tough question and the immediate reaction is to answer "nothing".
Greek cuisine is very different from any other cuisine in the world, and
especially Asian cuisine, therefore it is unlikely to find insects and other
eccentric food of that kind readily available. However, especially in Athens
and the most popular and cosmopolitan regions of Greece you can find dishes
from all over the world to feast upon. To be honest, the only thing you will
not have the opportunity to eat in Greece is bad-tasting food.
In conclusion, Greek eating etiquette consists of few and simple rules.
Don’t settle for less when it is easy to find more, cheaper, and better food.
Don’t say no to treats and offers, but don’t get carried away -a hangover is
fun only as a film. Compliment and show your gratitude to the owners and
waiters. Be open to advice from the local people and explore the
culinary excellence of Greece. Don't forget you can also plan your
own culinary exploration of Athens or check one of our Greece tours to
optimize your gastronomic experience in our country in an easy and clever
way that will ensure you get to live your myth in Greece to the fullest!
