Traveling in Greece is very popular because of the beautiful weather, stunning landscapes, gorgeous architecture, and wealth of ancient ruins. However, another wonderful aspect of this Mediterranean paradise is the food!
Greek cuisine is influenced by many cultures, including Italy, the Balkans, and Turkey, but it has its own unique tastes. Always fresh and flavorful, Greek dishes commonly contain olive oil, wine, fish, vegetables, herbs, olives, feta cheese, and yogurt. If the mere mention of words like souvlaki or spanakopita makes you begin to salivate, you will find yourself in food heaven when in Greece.
Dining out is a well-loved pastime in Greece, and it is common to spend many hours lingering over good food, good wine, and good company. If you find yourself enjoying a delicious meal in a Greek tavern, here are some of the best traditional dishes to order:
Souvlaki
Hearty, meaty, aromatic and flavorful, souvlaki is a must-eat food while you are in Greece. Souvlaki is a skewer with small pieces of grilled meat and sometimes vegetables, and it can be eaten straight from the skewer or the meat can be added to a pita sandwich with vegetables, garnishes, and sauce. The meat is usually lamb, although pork can also be used.
This delicious dish dates back to antiquity and was eaten by Aristophanes and Aristotle. In fact, excavations on the Greek island of Santorini have revealed barbeque sets of skewers which were used in the 17th Century BCE. It seems as though the Greeks have known for a long time how amazingly delicious souvlaki can be!
Greek Salad
This refreshing summer salad is perfect for a hot and sunny Greek day! It is a delicious mix of cucumber, bell pepper, feta cheese, red onion, tomatoes, and olives. It is usually very lightly seasoned with some olive oil and oregano and perhaps a bit of salt. Some restaurants might deviate from the traditional recipe, and add interesting extras such as capers, lemon juice or parsley. Healthy and tasty, the authentic Greek salad is definitely worth a try.
Moussaka
This is true Greek comfort food. A hearty casserole dish made with ground meat, vegetables, eggplant, and a rich and creamy sauce. Order a large plate of Moussaka and this yummy traditional dish will satisfy any level of hunger.
Spanakopita
You haven’t really been to Greece until you have tried a fresh, warm spanakopita. It is a savory pastry which is filled with spinach, feta cheese, eggs, seasoning, and onions. The light and flaky phyllo pasty simply melts in your mouth and the salty and warm insides fill you up! Spanakopita is usually eaten as a quick snack in Greece and can be found almost everywhere you go.
These are just a few of the delicious local foods available in Greece, so go ahead and try something you have never had before. You might just discover your new favorite!
Simon Grant’s main two passions are food and travel, he writes about his comestible experience over on his blog Amateur Gastronomy and is looking forward to booking future flights to Greece.
