Anyone visiting a new place never misses the chance to taste the local delicacies.
The same applies to Greece, a country with a rich gastronomic heritage, delicious and nutritious raw ingredients, and acclaimed chefs who know how to make the most of them!
Greek gastronomy is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, which features a variety of plant and animal-based foods, the famous Greek olive oil, and shared meals that foster social interaction — all of which are key factors in promoting both physical and mental well-being. Moreover, it offers travelers an unforgettable sensory experience.
Visitors enjoy high-quality meals made from local ingredients. Every dish reflects the chef’s personal touch, but what truly gives each meal its unique identity is the setting — traditional tavernas and cafés — and the way food is served.
Greece also offers options for everyone, whether one follows a vegetarian diet or not!
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular products and dishes among visitors to Greece:
Olive oil: The cornerstone of the Greek Mediterranean diet, known for its high nutritional value. Numerous studies confirm its benefits for human health.
Traditional dishes & appetizers:
Greek salad garnished with capers and olives, tzatziki, eggplant dip, wild greens, Cretan dakos, zucchini fritters, saganaki (fried cheese), and fava (yellow split pea purée).
Vegetable-based dishes ("ladera"):
Stuffed vegetables (gemista), vine leaves (dolmadakia), okra, giant beans (gigantes).
Savory specialties:
Scrambled eggs with tomato (kagianas), spinach pie, traditional cheese pie, souvlaki, moussaka, pastitsio, rabbit stew (stifado), roast lamb or goat, meatballs, and yuvarlakia (meatball soup with egg-lemon sauce).
Cheeses:
While feta is the most well-known, visitors are eager to try the vast range of Greek cheeses such as anthotyro, manouri, xinomizithra, katiki, kasseri, kefalograviera, metsovone, graviera (from Naxos, Crete, etc.), kefalotyri, and ladotyri.
Pasta varieties:
Matzata (from the Cyclades), trahana, couscousaki, makarounes, and more.
Seafood:
Whitebait, octopus, calamari, mussels saganaki.
Beverages:
Ouzo, tsipouro, and local wines.
Sweets:
Spoon sweets, loukoumades (honey donuts), bougatsa, diples (crispy pastries with honey), baklava, almond sweets, pasteli (sesame-honey bars), honey, and halva.
Greek superfoods:
Chios mastiha, Greek yogurt, Kozani saffron, and Messolonghi bottarga (avgotaracho).
When their journey comes to an end, visitors take with them not only memories of the landscapes and culture but also the rich flavors of traditional Greek cuisine.
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Sources
Boskou & Palisidis
Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)