Greek Food to try in Greece

There is no denying that Greece is a must-visit destination for any lover of Mediterranean cuisine. Known for its beautiful blue waters, child-friendly beaches, and an abundance of delicious food made with fresh ingredients, Greece is a food lover’s paradise. Here are some of the best food to try on your next visit in Greece:

Taramasalata:
A mainstay of any Greek meal is classic dips, but the delectable taramasalata (fish roe dip) is a must. This creamy blend of pink or white fish roe, with either a potato or bread base, is best with a drizzle of virgin olive oil or a squeeze of lemon.

Olives and olive oil:
Greeks have been cultivating olives for millennia, and Greek meals are accompanied by local olives, some cured in a hearty sea salt brine, others, like wrinkly throubes, eaten uncured from the tree. Similarly, olive oil, the elixir of Greece, is used liberally in cooking and salads, and drizzled over most dips and dishes.

Dolmades:
Each region in Greece has its variation on dolmades, whether it’s the classic vine leaf parcel or hollowed-out vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and courgettes, stuffed and baked in the oven.

Moussaka:
The iconic Greek oven-bake is based on layers of sautéed aubergine, minced lamb, fried puréed tomato, onion, garlic, and spices like cinnamon and allspice, a bit of potato, then a final creamy topping of béchamel sauce and cheese.

Grilled meat:
Greeks are masters of charcoal-grilled and spit-roasted meats. Souvlaki, chunks of skewered pork, is still Greece’s favorite fast food, served on chopped tomatoes and onions in pitta bread with lashings of tzatziki.

Fresh fish:
Fish and calamari fresh from the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas are incredibly tasty and cooked with minimum fuss – grilled whole and drizzled with ladolemono (a lemon and oil dressing).

Courgette balls (kolokythokeftedes):
These starters are usually made from grated or puréed courgette blended with dill, mint, or other top-secret spice combinations.

Octopus:
Grilled or marinated, octopus makes a fine meze (appetizer) or main course stewed in wine.

Feta & other cheeses:
Ask behind market counters for creamy and delicious feta kept in big barrels of brine or sample graviera, a hard golden-white cheese, perfect eaten cubed, or fried as saganaki.

Honey & baklava:
Greeks love their sweets, which are often based on olive oil and honey combinations encased in flaky filo pastry. The classic baklava involves honey, filo, and ground nuts. A simpler sweet is local thyme honey drizzled over fresh, thick Greek yogurt.

Greece’s rich history and Mediterranean location have created a unique cuisine, with a wealth of fresh, seasonal ingredients, spices, and flavors. No trip to Greece is complete without trying these top 10 traditional Greek dishes, which are bound to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

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