Top-of-the-line elements of touring is attempting new meals. Greek meals is stuffed with historical past, conventional recipes and genuine components. All the pieces is stuffed with taste and positive to have you ever wishing you may lengthen your journey. From easy treats like feta cheese and olives to hearty meals like stifado and pastitsio, there are not any meals to keep away from in Greece. The Greeks put their very own twist on every little thing, so even acquainted requirements will really feel like one thing new.
With so many various kinds of dishes in Greece, everybody is bound to seek out one thing they’ll take pleasure in.
In This Article
20 Finest Greek Meals to Attempt In Greece
In the event you’re planning a visit to Greece, you should definitely attempt a few of these in style dishes.
1. Olives and Olive Oil
Olives have an extended historical past in Greece — many say they originated from the olive tree the Greek goddess Athena gifted to town of Athens. Olives have grown in Greece for 1000’s of years, turning into a staple in Greek delicacies. Native olives, both uncured or soaked in sea salt brine, typically accompany Greek meals. Extra importantly, olive oil is so important to Greek meals that it’s utilized in most dishes. From topping salads, dips and most important dishes to cooking, olive oil is a continuing throughout the board.
Whilst you’ve seemingly already tried some model of olives or olive oil, you should definitely attempt them once more in Greece. The Greeks have had 1000’s of years to good their craft, and the recent, native merchandise listed below are extra genuine than in different areas.
2. Taramasalata
A conventional Greek recipe most frequently served as a “meze,” or appetizer, taramasalata is a creamy dip usually eaten with pita. Taramasalata is fabricated from fish roe, most frequently carp or cod, that’s been salted and cured. The roe is then blended with lemon juice, olive oil and both bread or potatoes. The mixture creates a easy, velvety texture. You’ll discover plain taramasalata most frequently, although garlic, onion or peppers are additionally typically added for extra taste.
3. Courgette Balls
Courgette balls, also referred to as kolokythokeftedes, are fried zucchini balls or patties. The dish consists of zucchini, feta cheese, mint and olive oil, mixed and shaped into balls or patties. The skin of the courgette balls is crispy, whereas the within stays creamy. Courgette balls are served sizzling with chilly yogurt or tzatziki for dipping.
This appetizer is a well-liked selection on Crete, one of many Greek islands. Nonetheless, courgette balls are on the menu in most Greek eating places, even exterior of Crete.
4. Tomatokeftedes
The island of Santorini is house to the normal appetizer tomatokeftedes, or tomato fritters. Santorini’s soil is volcanic, giving the tomatoes a novel texture ultimate for these fritters. They consist primarily of diced tomatoes, feta cheese, onions and mint, shaped into patties and fried till their edges are crispy. This dish is the proper addition to a meze platter and a yogurt dip.
5. Dolmades
Dolmades are a well-liked appetizer, typically served alongside others on a meze platter. These stuffed grapevine leaves can differ relying on who’s making them. Vegetarian dolmades are filled with rice, spices and herbs and generally flavored with lemon. You may additionally discover dolmades full of rice and floor beef or lamb. As soon as the grapevine leaves are stuffed, they’re rolled up and secured, then boiled till tender.
Dolmades are a must-try as a result of there are such a lot of potential variations, from the seasonings and herbs to the meat inside. You might even come throughout dolmades that substitute the grapevine leaves with cabbage.
6. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a traditional appetizer dip and sauce which you could pair with many dishes. Whereas most cooks put their very own twist on it, primary tzatziki recipes encompass yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil and lemon juice. As a result of you may eat this dip with so many alternative dishes, it’s a staple on most restaurant menus. You’ll seemingly encounter it with out even needing to ask!
7. Tiropita
This in style Greek dish is a cheese pie most frequently loved for breakfast or as a snack all through the day. This tacky dish consists primarily of feta blended with different yellow cheeses for added taste. The cheese is wrapped in phyllo dough and coated in melted butter or olive oil to make sure a crisp, golden crust when baked. You may additionally discover tiropita with further components, like hen.
Tiropita can are available in quite a lot of dimensions and shapes. The identify of the dish might also differ, relying on the form of the pie. A triangle, which is the form when the pie is named tiropita, is most typical.
8. Choriatiki
Often known as a Greek salad, choriatiki is offered year-round in Greece. Whilst you can take pleasure in it as the principle portion of a meal, Greek salad is most frequently served as a starter or aspect to different dishes.
Choriatiki consists of cucumber, tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, olives and a bit of feta cheese. Greek salad is served with dressing choices on the aspect, so you may select the way you need it dressed. Your choices will seemingly embody olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
9. Pastitsio
In the event you’re searching for conventional Greek consolation meals, attempt pastitsio. Pastitsio is called a Greek lasagna as a result of it has the same style and layered components. As a substitute of the flat lasagna pasta it’s possible you’ll be used to, pastitsio layers tubular pasta in a crimson beef sauce. This dish is topped with a thick, tacky béchamel sauce and baked till the highest is golden brown.
This scrumptious dish is usually served with a refreshing salad to spherical out the meal.
10. Papoutsakia
Papoutsakia, which interprets to “little footwear,” is a stuffed eggplant dish. The eggplant is halved and baked to melt the vegetable. Every half is then full of a crimson meat sauce and mashed potatoes, topped with béchamel and cheese and baked once more to achieve a golden colour. This juicy dish is just like one other in style Greek meal, moussaka, which incorporates lots of the similar components.
Easy, conventional Greek meals like papoutsakia are sometimes a number of the greatest dishes to attempt as a result of they’re full of taste.
11. Souvlaki
Souvlaki, which means “meat on a skewer,” is a well-liked kind of Greek road meals just like gyros, top-of-the-line and most well-known Greek meals. Souvlaki is skewered meat wrapped in a pita, usually served with tomato, onion and tzatziki. The meat is most frequently hen, lamb or pork, although many Greek individuals seek advice from any pita-wrapped meat as souvlaki.
Souvlaki is among the first Greek meals many individuals consider and may differ considerably from metropolis to metropolis and even vendor to vendor. Everybody has their very own recipes and preferences for the kind of meat and sauce they use. Whilst you might discover them in Greek meals vehicles at house, there’s nothing just like the genuine souvlaki you’ll discover in Greece.
12. Stifado
Stifado, a hearty beef stew, is one other well-loved conventional Greek dish. The stew is cooked with onions or shallots, tomatoes, crimson wine and quite a lot of candy herbs and spices. Cooking the meat in crimson wine helps tenderize the meat whereas including juicy taste.
In some locations, stifado continues to be made with conventional rabbit meat, although beef has grow to be a extensively accepted substitute that provides a richer taste. It’s generally served with or over rice, pasta or potatoes. The heartiness of this meal makes it appropriate for winter, although it’s provided and could be loved year-round.
13. Bougatsa
Whereas savory dishes are frequent Greek meals favorites, keep in mind to attempt the sweets and desserts too! Bougatsa is a semi-sweet breakfast dessert, just like a pastry. Because it’s not too sugary, you may take pleasure in it at any time of the day.
This dish options cheese or semolina custard wrapped in skinny layers of phyllo dough. The pie is baked or fried to make the dough crispy and the custard heat and gooey. Powdered sugar and cinnamon are sprinkled excessive of the pastry to complete it off.
14. Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a standard recipe for Greek spinach pie. You may eat this dish at any time of day, whilst an appetizer or snack. Spanakopita consists of spinach and crumbled feta cheese wrapped in phyllo pastry dough. Different frequent components embody onions, dill and eggs, which assist maintain the combination of components collectively. As soon as the filling has been wrapped in phyllo, olive oil is brushed excessive, so the pastry turns crispy and golden when baked.
15. Octopus and Different Seafood
Seafood is sort of in style in Greece, particularly recent fish and octopus. Harbor and seaside eating places serve an abundance of Mediterranean and Aegean seafood. Fish like crimson mullet are grilled in lemon-oil dressings, and calamari and octopus could also be grilled or simmered in wine.
Greek seafood dishes are at all times value attempting, whether or not they’re an appetizer or the principle course. In the event you’ve by no means eaten octopus earlier than, your journey to Greece is an ideal first time to attempt it. Even should you’ve eaten it elsewhere, it is best to attempt it once more — Greek octopus is a novel expertise.
16. Kleftiko
Lamb is a Greek specialty, and the Greeks know find out how to cook dinner it to perfection. This conventional recipe begins with marinating the lamb meat in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic.
The recipe originates from the Klephts, who secretly cooked lambs and goats in underground ovens. At this time, the meat is slow-cooked to lock in flavors and juices. Kleftiko is commonly cooked and served with greens like peppers, onions, potatoes and garlic so as to add taste and make this dish a filling meal.
17. Briam
Whether or not you’re a vegetarian or just a veggie-lover, briam is a must-try meal. This all-vegetable dish consists of thinly sliced potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, garlic and onions baked in a casserole with tomato sauce. Olive oil and oregano high the dish, making this a easy but fulfilling meal. Briam is commonly served with a aspect of heat bread, although it’s additionally frequent to see it served over rice.
18. Feta Cheese and Honey
Whereas cheese and honey might sound like an unlikely mixture, it’s vital when visiting Greece. Often known as “feta me meli,” this dish options feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough with a honey drizzle and a sprinkle of sesame seeds excessive. When baked, the dough will get crispy, and the cheese will get heat and creamy. The sweetness of the honey balances the saltiness of the feta cheese to create the proper taste mixture.
19. Baklava
Sweets are in style in Greece, so it’s no shock that baklava is among the hottest Greek meals. Baklava is bound to impress, despite the fact that the dish consists of solely a handful of components. Chopped walnuts, sugar and butter are layered with phyllo pastry dough, baked till crispy and drizzled with honey syrup. The crisp phyllo soaks up the honey, making a scrumptious deal with you’ll perpetually affiliate along with your journey to Greece.
Totally different areas use totally different nuts for this dessert. Baklava can also be in style in Turkey and Turkish, and northern Greek baklava is made with pistachios, whereas central Greece primarily makes use of almonds. Attempt all of them to seek out your favourite!
20. Ellinikos
Craving your espresso repair? Ellinikos is among the greatest types of espresso in Greece. This fashion of espresso is served in a briki, the normal long-handled copper espresso pot. You may order ellinikos in three other ways, relying on how candy you want your espresso:
- Vari glyko may be very candy, nearly like honey.
- Metrios has a medium sweetness.
- Sketos has no sugar.
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Our cruises are smaller than most important cruise traces, giving our company a extra personal and immersive touring expertise. Windstar yachts are the proper measurement for exploring less-visited ports and hidden gems. We’ll provide you with a front-row seat to the most effective views on the planet.
Curious to attempt a few of these in style Greek dishes for your self? Discover a Windstar Cruise to Greece or request extra info right this moment!
