Must-Try Greek Food You Can’t Miss

While millions of us travel to Greece for the sun, sea, and sand, plenty of us go purely for the cuisine! In fact, there are more than a few of us here at SIMOVO who argue that the food to eat in Greece is some of the best on the continent, if not the world. So, what’s the Greek palate all about, and why should you make restaurants and cafes your priority when you visit?

Let’s dive into what makes Greek food so popular all over the world, and what dishes you should try first when you land.

Why Greek food is so popular worldwide

There’s a reason why making room for food and drink is such a big part of the average Greece itinerary. Greek cuisine is surprisingly simple, healthy, and packed full of flavour. You can’t make a truly authentic Greek dish (salads or otherwise) without having fresh ingredients to hand, and fans of the famous Mediterranean Diet will tell you that the cuisine here is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins.

Greek cuisine is absolutely stuffed with grilled vegetables, soups, pita breads, and high-quality marinated meats (or alternatives). Greek dining experiences are also very open and very communal, meaning there’s often an emphasis on small plates, dips, and finger foods. This has grown extremely popular in the UK and US, where Spanish tapas, too, has inspired foodies who want to try a bit of everything.

If you’re sick of processed foods and are looking for fresh, filling dishes that are memorable for all the right reasons, Greece is absolutely the best place to head to. The restaurants here are warm and friendly, and you’ll likely take a few new favourite dishes back with you, too! 

Top food to try when travelling to Greece

We surveyed the SIMOVO crew who’d travelled to Greece before to come up with their favourite dishes, and the results were pretty unanimous on a few tasty treats! For example, souvlaki, moussaka, and gyros are all must-tries - and while you might be able to enjoy them at home, there is nothing quite like the real deal.

Beyond that, you really can’t beat the classic Greek salad, and we seriously recommend you try spanikopita and baklava when you arrive in Greece, too. Let’s tuck into what these dishes all look and taste like when they’re plated up!

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a fantastic Greek street food treat that’s typically grilled meat skewered to eat by hand or plated with pita and side salad. Usually, it’s skewered pork or chicken, but you might also find variations with lamb or beef. It’s cubed meat that’s perhaps the quintessential example of Greek fast food, and it’s rare you’ll find a restaurant or taverna in the country that doesn’t serve some kind of twist on souvlaki.

Moussaka

Moussaka is a delicious Greek dish usually made with potato, a choice of lamb or beef, and aubergines/eggplants, baked together in bechamel - or, you can choose to fry it all up in a pan. It’s warm and comforting, and it’s a fitting symbol of Greek food culture. You can give moussaka a go on your own with an authentic recipe to see if you like it before you travel, but trust us - it won’t taste better than from a real Greek restaurant.

Gyros

Gyros, again, are fantastic fast finger foods that you can enjoy on the go in Greece, or as part of a meal with a Greek salad (more on what that entails shortly). Typically, the traditional gyro is shaved meat from a rotisserie that’s rolled up in a pita with veggies and tzatziki, or cucumber yogurt. It’s spicy, it’s refreshing, and it’s amazingly moreish. Who needs sandwiches when you’ve got gyros?

Spanakopita

If flaky pastries and filled pies are more tantalising to you, be sure to try some authentic spanakopita when you head to Greece. This savoury favourite packs spinach, olive oil, feta cheese, and a variety of fresh herbs into a baked pie that’s moreish and great for you. Even if you’re not usually one for eating your greens too often, spanakopita might just surprise you.

Greek salad

Greek salads might differ depending on where you travel in the country, but traditionally, you’ll find a refreshing bowl of feta, kalamata olives, bell peppers, red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes waiting for you. To dress, you’d usually drizzle some vinegar and olive oil to taste.

Baklava

For dessert, you’ll usually find that baklava is high up on plenty of Greek taverna menus. This delicious pastry treat is nutty and syrupy, and surprisingly simple. It’s another example of food to eat in Greece that keeps things straightforward while never compromising on flavours.

Regional Greek dishes to discover

The dishes we’ve covered so far are national favourites you might even have tried at home or at Greek restaurants near you before - so, what about some of the more hidden recipes you’ll find in local corners of the map? Here are a few dishes to look for, depending on where you travel.

• Stifado, a type of stew consisting of meat, seafood, nuts, mushrooms, and vegetables
• Dolmades, vine leaves usually stuffed with onion, rice, and dill, with some regions replacing leaves with cabbage
• Bouyiourdi, a meze consisting of feta cheese, oregano, tomato, and chilies - baked in the oven
• Fasolatha, a budget-friendly stew consisting of haricot beans and a mess of root vegetables
• Glyka Koutaliou, or spoon sweets, which are sugary, preserved fruits often served with yogurt
• Kleftiko, a traditional lamb dish cooked with spices and potatoes, wrapped in paper during cooking

Best places to eat Greek food

As you explore Greece, you’ll likely find plenty of highly-recommended restaurants and tavernas (and if not, TripAdvisor is a great place to start) - but, as the Travel Psychologist suggests, it’s sometimes best to choose an area or two that’s famous for its food!

Chania, as the source suggests, is an area of Crete that’s famous for its wine and its incredible selection of restaurants. Paros in Cyclades, meanwhile, scores high marks for its blend of the traditional and contemporary in cuisine. There are plenty of options for seafood thanks to its location, but you’re never too far from a gyro or two!

Otherwise, you could stick to the mainland and still sample some sumptuous cuisine! Athens, for example, is brimming with top restaurants to try - maybe head here first!

Tips for food lovers visiting Greece

If you’re new to exploring food to eat in Greece, here are a few final tips to keep in mind to excite your palate.

• Try as much as you can via small dishes, or meze - share dishes with loved ones to get as broad a taste experience as possible.
• Load up an eSIM for Greece before you travel so you can easily access local recommendations on the go without hunting down WiFi.
• Try different regional or local twists on Greek cuisine - everywhere has a different way of doing things!
• You don’t have to make dining a social experience unless you want to - solo dining is not frowned upon in Greece!
• Prioritise warming stews in the winter, and enjoy fresh salads with the best ingredients in summer.

Whether you’re making a short stop in Greece and are using an eSIM for Europe to explore the wider continent, or are staying for a few days, be sure to take the time to tuck in here. The food to eat in Greece is worth every penny!