Home to mesmerizing beaches, picturesque towns and oh-so-delicious food, it’s no wonder Greece is one of the favourite holiday destinations for Indians. When it comes to food, Mediterranean cuisine is world renowned for its mouth-watering powers. Within the Mediterranean Cuisine, some of the most versatile and palate-tantalizing dishes are contributed by the Greek. Over the next few paragraphs, you will be introduced to the best of Greek Food that you MUST have once in your lifetime.
- Pastitsio – A baked pasta dish
- Grilled octopus – Best of Greece’s seafood
- Souvlaki – Greece’s top-selling Fast food, similar to Tacos
- Spanakopita – Mouth-watering spinach and cheese pie
- Fasolatha – Greece’s national dish; a white bean soup
- Yemista – Tomatoes stuffed with delicious herbs & rice
- Moussaka- Egg plants layered with creamy, juicy fillings
- Keftedes – Greek version of Meatballs
- Gyro – Greek version of Shawarma
- Courgette Balls – Best Greek vegetarian starter
10 Greek food you must try
1. Pastitsio
Where there is the fabled lasagne in Italy, similarly there the pastitsio in Greece. This delectable baked pasta dish is made of ground beef, bechamel sauce, pasta, wine vinegar and Olive oil. Pastitsio is a comfort greek food that is layered at the bottom and top with the tubular pasta which has cheese or egg as a binding element. The centre layer consists of Ground beef or lamb that is flavoured with the bechamel sauce. Cinnamon, nutmeg and Greek herbs are often used to season Pasticio.
Where can you have the best Pastisio in Greece: Ydria is a restaurant in Athens is best known for their traditional Greek recipes and Season. Pastitsio is One of their must-have dishes. Check out Ydria’s Facebook page here.
Make Pasticio yourself: Follow recipe by the Mediterranean dish
2. Grilled Octopus
Seafood is a staple in Greece. The most popular Greek seafood is Octopus. The sight of hanging octopuses by the shore is quite common. You’ll see fishermen’s children beating the octopus to improve its texture and once they are done the parents throw the octopuses in the grill and serve them in small plates (mezes) along with cheese, olives and peppers.
Where can you have best Octopus in Greece: Taverna Babis in Crete is among the top places to have grilled octopus in Greece. Other popular greek food you must try here is Stifado.
Also See: Amazing Indian restaurants in Athens
3. Souvlaki
This Greek fast Food is abundantly available on the street-side cafes or Tavernas. The greeks are often considered to be the masters of charcoal-grilled meats and spit-roasted meats. Take, for example, Souvlaki. This Greek food is made using pieces of Skewered pork, chopped onions and tomatoes served inside pita bread. The flavouring of this dish is done using the mouth-watering Tzatziki.
Where can you have the best Souvlaki in Greece: Make sure you have Athens in your Greece holiday itinerary, as it’s here you’ll find one of the best souvlakis in Greece! Kostas (location) is one of the highly recommended shops in Greece, known to serve great Souvlaki! The shop isn’t anything ance when it comes to its interiors, but as long as you are looking just a mouth-watering experience, this is the place for you.
Make Souvlaki yourself: Follow the recipe by BBC good food
4. Spanakopita
A flaky pie with the heavenly layers of spinach and cheese, Spanakopita is one of the super delicious Greek food you will ever have. This traditional spinach pie is made with Phyllo pastry, feta cheese, spinach and dill. There are many variations of this recipe where other ingredients such as aubergines are also added to the filling. This simple yet tantalizing recipe is one of the best vegetarian greek food you can try.
Where can you have the best Spanakopita in Greece: Crete island is a great place to try out greek pies as well as many other greek foods! The island is home to numerous greek tavernas and bakeries where you can find Spanakopita. No wonder having a Spanakopita in Crete is considered to be one of the best things to do in Greece.
Make Spanakopita yourself: Follow this recipe to make this delicious greek dish
5. Fasolatha
One of Greece’s national dishes, Faslatha is yet another must-have greek foods. Fasolatha is a white bean soup that is traditionally made using beans, tomatoes, vegetables and virgin olive oil. Those looking for vegan/vegetarian greek food should definitely try this recipe. This dish will also satiate the cravings of those looking for healthier food options.
Where can you have the best Fasolatha in Greece: Almost everywhere! This dish is widely prepared all over Greece and you’ll be able to get your hands on it in every other tavernas or restaurant.
6. Yemista
If you are looking for something that will satisfy all your senses the Yemista is the greek food you are looking for. This greek dish of stuffed tomatoes is full of flavour and leaves you wanting more. The juicy dish is made by baking tomatoes that are stuffed with rice, herbs or even minced meat. There are numerous variations to how this dish is prepared, and each of them will get you saying Yummmm-ista.
Where can you have the best Yemista: While you will get this dish anywhere in Greece, Santorini is the best place for you to try out this food. One of the restaurants we recommend is Revmi in Firostefani. This restaurant is home to stunning views of the seas and neighbouring islands, which will only compliment the delicious Yemista on your table.
Make Yemista on yourself: Follow this Recipe
Also See: Top Indian Restaurants in Santorini
7. Moussaka
Moussaka is a creamy, juicy dish that has gained popularity all over the world. One of the popular traditional Greek food, this dish is prepared at home on special occasions like family gatherings. Minced beef, bechamel sauce, eggplants and tomato sauce are used to make this heavenly dish.
Where to have the best Moussaka in Greece: To continue on your culinary journey through Greece head to Lesvos. This island in the Aegean sea is best known for its agritourism. Head to any one of the tavernas dotting this island to have your Moussaka. Lesvos is situated close to Turkey. Which means you can find a bit of Turkish influence in the food.
Make Moussaka yourself: Try out this recipe
Further Read: Feel homely in Mykonos with these Indian Restaurants
8. Keftedes
Keftedes is a dish of Greek meatballs that is popularly made all over Greece. Prepared on every festive occasion, Keftedes are made of pork or beef and seasoned using garlic, onions, oregano and cinnamon. One of the healthy foods loved by mothers all over Greece, Keftedes should be high on your list of must-try dishes in Greece.
Where to have the best Keftedes in Greece: On your gastronomic journey around Greece, Naxos has to be a part of your itinerary. This island in the Aegean sea is known for its blissful rural life and booming agriculture. The organically grown crops help make the food taste a bit more amazing!
Make Keftedes yourself: Follow this recipe to make this delicious greek food
9. Gyro
Gyro is a classic Greek dish, popularly eaten all over the country. Most likely, you have already tasted non-traditional version of this dish as variations of it a wildly popular all over the world. Gyro is similar to shawarma from the east and tacos from the west. It is made of small pieces of meat (Chicken, Lamb, Pork, or Beef) seasoned with onions, salad and traditional Greek sauces which are finally served in a flatbread or pita.
Where can you have the best Gyro in Greece: Sifnos is an island located close to Athens that is often regarded as a foodie haven in Greece. Enter one of the tavernas and treat yourself to this amazing Greek food.
Make Gyro yourself: Follow this recipe by the spruce eats
10. Courgette Balls- Kolokithokeftedes
Though the Greek name of this dish can a little intimidating, this dish is certainly amongst the top 10 mouth-watering greek foods. These fritters made of grated Courgettes (unripe vegetable marrow) mixed with mint, dill and spices. These fritters are so good that you simply won’t be able to resist a second helping.
Where can you find the best Courgette Balls in Greece: Honestly, you’ll find this dish almost anywhere in Greece. But if you happen to have Mykonos on your Greece holiday itinerary, then you should certainly have this delicacy in one of the gastropubs in Mykonos.
Make Courgette Balls yourself: Follow this recipe by Lemon and Olives
Other Must-have Greek food
Must-drink Greek Beverages
- Retsina Wine
- Greek Coffee-Ellinikos
- Mastika
- Raki
Starters and Snacks
- Saganaki
- Greek salad
- Pasteli
- Tomatokeftedes
- Dolmadakia
Dessert
- Revami
- Baklava
- Loukoumades
- Kataifi
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