One of the best parts of visiting Greece is the amazing Greek food and drinks. The food in Greece is rich and fresh. Not to mention how unique the drinks are there.
We were in Greece for a little over two weeks and I enjoyed the food and wine so much I gained 7 pounds while we were there. Oops. Now I’m hitting the gym multiple times a week. It always amazes me how easy it is to gain weight and how hard it is to lose. It’s so unfair.
One great thing about Greek food is no matter what part of Greece you visit, it is easy to find something you like to eat, even if you have dietary restrictions. If you are vegetarian
Now I left out some obvious foods, like olives and tzatziki. The olives in Greece are phenomenal and I think we ate them with at least one meal today. The same goes for tzatziki. It is served with lots of food and should be enjoyed as much as possible!
Table of Contents
16 Greek Foods and Drinks in Greece You Must Try
1. Gyros
Okay, maybe I shouldn’t put it at the top of the list, but they are just so good. I could have eaten a gyro every day we were in Greece. And they are so cheap! In Greece, you can have them add French Fries inside your gyro. Also, many times they offer a gyro plate or a gyro, be careful when you order or you will end up with the plate which tends to cost double.
2. Greek Salad (Choriatiki)
When in doubt, you cannot go wrong with a Greek Salad. Everywhere you go, these salads will be available and they are always good.
3. Souvlaki
One of the most popular things to eat in Greece is Souvlaki. It’s always some type of grilled meat cut into small pieces and served on a skewer.
4. Kebabs
Kebabs is another popular dish that can be served in several ways. When we tried it the meat kebabs were topped with tzatziki and served over pita bread.
5. Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmadakia)
Stuffed grape leaves are not my favorite, but if you are in Greece you have to give them a try. They are certainly much tastier in Greece than in the places in America I have had them. They are grapevine leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, meat, and spices.
6. Moussaka
Moussaka is an eggplant- or potato-based dish popular in Greece. Some refer to it as eggplant casserole. Greek Moussaka is layers of minced beef or lamb cooked in a tomato-based sauce, layered with eggplants and béchamel sauce, and baked together.
7. Halloumi
Halloumi cheese, part of the breakfast buffet at Xenia Ouranoupolis
Halloumi is a type of white Greek cheese and in my opinion the best cheese I have ever had. I’m obsessed with it after our last trip to Greece. It’s a mixture of goat and sheep cheese, except I think it tastes nothing like goat cheese.
Fun Fact: In ancient Greece, they believed that the son of Apollo, Aristaios, was the god that brought cheese-making to Greece.
8. Tirokafteri
Tirokafteri also sometimes referred to as Ktipiti is a warm cheese dip. Ingredients most commonly include feta and sometimes other types of soft white cheese, red cherry pepper, roasted peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, and yogurt. It is commonly eaten as part of a platter, or by itself, with slices of bread.
9. Stuffed Aubergine
Stuffed Aubergine
Aubergine means eggplant, so this is usually a vegetarian dish. The eggplant is stuffed with things like cheese, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and baked. Sometimes it is stuffed with meat. This was one of the best things I ate while in Greece.
10. Pastitsio
Pastitsio is a Greek baked pasta dish that contains ground lamb and béchamel sauce. Many people refer to it as Greek lasagna or a Greek casserole.
11. Gemista
Gemista
Gemista is a stuffed pepper dish that is usually vegetarian but sometimes stuffed with meat.
12. Loukoumades
Loukoumades at Alexander the Great Hotel
Loukoumades are like Greek donut holes. Loukoumades are little fried dough balls that are sometimes sprinkled with sweet syrup or honey, nuts, and cinnamon. We found these being served as dessert on a dinner buffet and as breakfast on a breakfast buffet.
13. Greek Yogurt
Room service at Astoria Hotel in Thessaloniki.
Greek yogurt is a staple for breakfast in Greece. Drizzle some honey over it and add a bit of granola and enjoy.
14. Greek Wines
Greek Wines at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel
When in Greece you must experience some of their wines. They have wines I had never heard of before. Try Agiorgitiko the Merlot of Greece, an Assyrtiko usually from Santorini, a Malagousia, a Moschofilero, and a Xinomavro.
The most popular wine is Restina. Retsina is a Greek white resinated wine, which has been made for over 2,000 years.
15. Ouzo
Ouzo is a dry anise-flavored aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel. Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca. I think it tastes like black licorice. It’s strong, up to 90 proof, so only drink a little!
16. Tsipouro
Tsipouro is a pomace (the residue of the wine press) brandy from Greece and in particular Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, and the island of Crete. Tsipouro is a pure grape distillate, similar to Italian Grappa. Tsipouro is a strong distilled spirit containing 40-45% alcohol by volume.
Take a walking food tour in Athens, Greece.
Have you experienced the fantastic drinks and food in Greece? What is your favorite Greek food?
We would love suggestions for more things to try in the comments below!
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