A Food Lover’s Guide to Greece: Top 10 Dishes and Where to Try Them

Greece is a paradise for food lovers.

Whether you’re craving scrumptious seafood, warming pastries, or the tastiest olives you’ll ever try, Greek food illustrates the country’s deep cultural history as well as its association with the land and sea.

But if you’re a traveler, where do you begin?

Every region has its own flavors, and Greek food is so much more than souvlaki and feta.

This food lover’s guide to Greece will walk you through some of the must-have dishes, as well as the best places to eat them.

Whether you find yourself at a seaside taverna dotting the islands, nibbling through street food in Athens or tasting authenticity in a village in the hinterland, these culinary experiences will bring Greece’s lively food culture to life.

1. Moussaka: The Comforting Greek Dish

Moussaka is one of the most emblematic dishes in Greece and something you can find all across the country.

This casserole dish is traditionally made of minced meat, eggplant, potatoes and béchamel sauce layered on top.

And the contrast between the creamy top layer and the decadent, savory filling is a textural experience in every bite.

Where to Find It: Moussaka can be found in almost every taverna in Greece, but Ouzeri Lesvos in Athens serves a showstopping version.

Famous for its homey flavors and rustic setting, this place in the Plaka neighborhood offers one of the most authentic moussakas in the city.

2. Kulfi: Traditional Indian Ice Cream

A trip to Greece is not complete without some souvlaki or gyros.

These dishes are similar, but they’re served differently.

Souvlaki are skewered and grilled pieces of meat, while gyros are slivers of seasoned meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit.

The two are often served in pita wrap form with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and occasionally fries, which gives them the crown: The Ultimate Greek Street Food.

Where to Try It: Head to Kostas Souvlaki near Syntagma Square for one of the best gyros in Athens.

It’s just a hole-in-the-wall, no-frills place that has been dishing up this classic for decades, and the line of locals bears witness that it’s worth the wait.

3. Spanakopita. The Ideal Snack or (part of) Breakfast

Spanakopita, or spinach pie, is a flaky pastry stuffed with spinach, feta cheese, onions and herbs.

This savory pie, which is encased in buttery phyllo dough and eaten for breakfast or snacking, is one of those things.

Spanakopita has its regional variations, and in all of them this is a very tasty way to partake of Greece’s most famous cheese as well as her garden of fresh greens.

Where to Try It: Go to Ariston Bakery in Athens, where spanakopita and other pastries have been served for more than a century.

They do their own take on this classic pie in several varieties, including vegan and gluten-free, all with lots of flavor.

4. Greek Salad: The Quintessence of Greek Food

Traditional Greek salad, called horiatiki, is a refreshing, simple mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, red onions, kalamata olives and a slab of feta cheese.

Topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano, Greek salad is the epitome of the country’s commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Where to Try It: Nearly any taverna in Greece will offer you a solid Greek salad, but if you’re in Crete, Taverna To Maridaki in Chania is particularly known for its super-fresh ingredients and hearty portions.

5. Dolmades – Greek–Style Stuffed Vine Leaves

Dolmades are grape leaves filled with rice, herbs and, in some cases, minced meat.

They’re just a wonderful combination of savory and tangy, because you put lemon in the cooking.

Dolmades may be served hot or cold and are often enjoyed as a meze (appetizer) with tzatziki on the side.

Where to Have It: For dolmades you’ll never forget, head to Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani in Athens.

This favorite deli-meze bar serves a range of Greek appetizers, including some of the best dolmades in the city.

6. Baklava: Phyllo and Honey with Sweet Layers

Baklava is a popular greek dessert with phyllo dough, crushed nuts (walnuts or pistachios) and honey or syrup.

They are crunchy, sticky and, very satisfying in every bite.

Although location is inflected on baklava everywhere in the Middle East, Greece’s version is a particular treat, especially partnered with a glass of Greek coffee.

Where to Try It: In Athens, Karakoy Gulluoglu specializes in these Turkish-style and Greek-style baklava and you can taste great renditions of both.

A popular destination among baklava enthusiasts, this place is well-known for superior, authentic ingredients and recipes.

7. Honey and Sesame Feta Cheese

Feta may be Greece’s most famous cheese, but have you had it fried and drizzled with honey and sesame?

Called “saganaki,” the dish is a block of feta or other cheese fried until it has a crust, then drizzled with honey.

The result is a heavenly blend of salty, sweet and creamy — an appetizer to remember.

Where to Sample It: Avli Taverna in Santorini does a mouthwatering version with local honey.

Combine that atmosphere with the view, and you have a dining experience you won’t forget, which is ideal for enjoying a modern take on Greek cuisine.

8. Kleftiko: A Dish with a Story

Kleftiko, or “stolen meat,” dates back to the days of the klephts, or mountain rebels, who would bake stolen meat with potatoes in underground ovens to avoid detection.

Slow-cooked with garlic, lemon and oregano, the meat becomes tender and literally falls off the bone; it’s flavorful and succulent.

Where to Try It: Taverna O Nikos in Mykonos is famous for its kleftiko.

No trips to Greece are complete without visiting Mykonos and this family-owned restaurant specializing in traditional recipes from generation to generation, located in the heart of Mykonos Town.

9. Loukoumades: Donuts, Greek Style

Loukoumades are tiny, puffy donuts that are drenched in honey and dusted with cinnamon and walnuts.

These delicious golden squares are the ultimate Greek sweet or dessert and can be found in most of the festivals and markets in Greece.

Crispy outside and soft inside, they’re a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Where to Try It: Krios Loukoumades in Athens makes these Greek-style donuts, with toppings from chocolate to powdered sugar.

Grab some and ask if you can have a destination view of the Acropolis for a sweet finish to your culinary journey.

10. Pastitsio Is Greece’s Response to Lasagna

Pastitsio is a rich baked pasta dish that’s layered with ground meat (usually beef or lamb), tubular pasta, a creamy béchamel sauce and a cheesy crust.

It’s like Italian lasagna but has its own particular Greek flavors, due to seasonings such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

This hearty meal is ideal for anybody who wants a rich and filling dish to sink into.

Where to Try It: Kati Allo in Athens — a rustic, family-run taverna a stone’s throw from the Acropolis — serves a classic, homestyle pastitsio.

Their version features a generous béchamel layer and a perfectly spiced meat filling, and it’s one of those dishes you’ll be hard-pressed to not get when in Greece.

Conclusion

From ancient recipes to the inventive variation of classics, the country boasts a fantastic range of dishes that capture its history, geology, climate and way of life.

A taste of Greek cuisine is among the best ways to connect with the culture and with the land and its people.

Whether you’re enjoying freshly prepared seafood by the sea, tasting traditional cheese pies in the mountains or sampling loukoumades in a bustling market, each meal is part of the adventure.

So if you know, get ready zu eat and taste the lovely facets of Greek food — because in Greece, every getting together is an festivity!