When you imagine the Greek food you might enjoy on a vacation to Athens or the Greek islands, gyros, souvlaki, and pita probably come to mind first. While those are definitely worth trying, there’s so many more traditional dishes you need to try in Greece.
During my travels around Athens, Mykonos and Paros, I made it a mission to try as many local specialties as possible. Greek food quickly became one of my favorite parts of visiting the country.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Greece or heading back to explore more of its islands, here are twelve Greek foods and drinks you should add to your list, plus one bonus supermarket snack you won’t want to miss.
1. Loukoumades
I learned quickly that Greek doughnuts are always a good idea.
If you get them from the right places, like To Paradosiako in Paros, they’re freshly made and served warm. Loukoumades are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, traditionally served covered in honey and sometimes topped with cinnamon or crushed nuts.
They’re the perfect treat after a long day spent exploring the Greek islands. If you have a sweet tooth, these are a must-try.
2. Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a savory Greek pastry made with layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with spinach and feta cheese. I first tried it while out for lunch in Mykonos at Nikos Taverna. We also made it in the amazing cooking class we attended at Anezina Village in Paros, which I reference a lot in this article.
You’ll often find spanakopita in Greek bakeries, making it a great option for a quick breakfast or something to grab before heading out to explore. Pair it with a freddo espresso for a very Greek start to your morning.
3. Grilled Octopus
If you’re visiting the Greek islands, grilled octopus is one dish worth looking for on a traditional taverna menu. Often served with olive oil, lemon, and seasonings, grilled octopus is an excellent island dish.
Even if octopus isn’t something you usually order, this is a great opportunity to try something new.
During my travels, I opted for salad with grilled octopus pictured below, and it was delicious. This was at Kavos in Mykonos where we enjoyed a lovely dinner with a view of the harbor.
4. Saganaki
Cheese lovers, this one’s for you! Saganaki is a Greek dish made by frying cheese until the outside becomes crispy while the inside stays soft and melty… yeah, I know you just added that to your list of Greek dishes to try.
Depending on the restaurant, it may be served with a squeeze of lemon, which balances out the richness of the cheese and maybe even some fig jam – that’s how it was served at Pasta Fresca Barkia in Mykonos.
It’s a great appetizer to add to the table, which is perfect for trying several Greek dishes at once. If you enjoy trying local specialties rather than sticking to familiar menu items, put saganaki on your list.
5. Moussaka
Moussaka is one of Greece’s best-known traditional comfort foods. This baked dish features layers of eggplant, a seasoned meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping.
You’ll find different versions throughout the country, but it’s a classic worth ordering at least once during your trip. Check out the photo below of the “Modern Moussaka” I tried at Attic Urban in Athens – it was more of a deconstructed moussaka, still very good but not as traditional as the one we made in the cooking class at Anezina Village in Paros.
6. Dolmades
My absolute favorite! Dolmades are grape leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat. They make for a perfect appetizer or side dish.
The ones filled with rice and herbs are particularly delicious, and I couldn’t get enough of them while in Greece. I ate them in Athens, Mykonos and Paros. They’re a great example of how Greek cuisine uses simple, fresh ingredients for unbeatable flavors.
My favorite dolmades were the ones we made ourselves at the Anezina Village cooking class. These leaves were hand picked by Maria Anousaki, who teaches this amazing class, which made the entire experience feel even more special.
7. Greek Salad
A Greek salad might sound like an obvious choice, but it’s worth ordering in Greece even if you’ve had it countless times at home.
Traditional Greek salad, also known as horiatiki, is made with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and a generous piece of feta cheese, dressed with olive oil and oregano. I swear, it’s just somehow more delicious in Greece.
This salad is fresh and beyond refreshing to eat in the Greek heat. I ate it as my entire meal one day and shared it as a side dish the next. The photo below was from my first Greek salad of my trip, fresh off the plane, at Kekkos Cafe in Athens.
8. Gemista (Stuffed Tomatoes)
Gemista is a traditional Greek dish which consists of tomatoes and sometimes peppers stuffed with seasoned rice, herbs, and other ingredients. They’re baked until tender, allowing all the flavors to come together and the tomatoes to cut very easily.
Depending on the recipe, gemista can be vegetarian or include ground meat. It’s a comforting, home-style dish that makes a nice change from the grilled meats and seafood you might order throughout your trip.
The first time I had ever heard of gemista was during our cooking class in Paros, and we made a vegetarian version that night. Incredible dish! I made it at home following the class, and I fear nothing will ever be as delicious as the way we prepared it with Maria.
9. Freddo Espresso
Coffee is a big part of everyday life in Greece, and freddo espresso is one of the drinks you’ll see everywhere. It’s freshly brewed espresso shaken with ice until it becomes chilled and slightly frothy. For you iced coffee lovers, here’s your coffee hyper-fixation for your time in Greece.
It’s strong, refreshing, and makes for great company while exploring busy city streets.
You’ll also see freddo cappuccino on menus, which adds a layer of cold, frothed milk. Both are worth trying!
Coffee breaks in Greece are often meant to be enjoyed slowly, so find a café with a nice view and take your time.
10. Greek Yogurt Bowls
Greek yogurt is famous around the world, but enjoying it in Greece is nonnegotiable. It’s a delicious breakfast option if you want something lighter before a day of sightseeing.
You can find yogurt bowls at cafés and breakfast spots throughout Greece, and the toppings are often a selection of what’s fresh and available locally, which makes for a nice surprise as you move from place to place.
And try it frozen, too… you won’t regret it. Honey, granola and fresh fruit on frozen yogurt is better in Greece, especially from Trio Bambini.
11. Pastitsio
Pastitsio is another Greek comfort-food classic, and it’s often compared to lasagna because of its baked layers with meat and noodles. Instead of lasagna sheets, it typically uses tubular pasta layered with a seasoned meat sauce and topped with a béchamel sauce.
It’s hearty, filling, and a great option when you’re in the mood for traditional, comforting Greek cooking.
If you’re deciding between moussaka and pastitsio, try one at lunch and the other on a different day. Both offer a delicious introduction to Greece’s baked dishes. We had to end our trip with one last pastitso meal. We tried the pastitso from Liondi Restaurant in Athens, and it was exactly what we needed. They even serve a small piece of complimentary cheesecake after dinner, which was a nice surprise.
12. Baklava
No Greek food list would be complete without something sweet to finish the meal. Baklava is a very sweet traditional dessert made with layers of phyllo pastry, chopped nuts, and a syrup that soaks into the layers.
You’ll find baklava in bakeries, pastry shops, and restaurants throughout Greece. We even got to make baklava in our Paros cooking class, but I also tried it in Mykonos from Giora’s Pastry Cafe.
Bonus: Yogurt and Herb Lay’s
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is visit a local supermarket and see which snacks and flavors are different from what we have at home in the US. Greece is a fun place to do this, and one flavor I discovered on this trip was Yogurt and Herb Lay’s baked potato chips.
It’s a fun, distinctly different snack to bring back to your hotel to try, or have it as your beach snack like I did.
You won’t typically find this exact flavor in the United States, which makes it a fun little discovery for anyone who enjoys trying international snacks.
Final Thoughts: What to Eat in Greece
One of my favorite parts of traveling is discovering the food that makes each destination unique, and Greece was an amazing place to do just that. From traditional dishes like moussaka and pastitsio to loukoumades and refreshing freddo espresso, there’s so much to try beyond the classic gyro. Obviously I had gyros and souvlaki plates during my visit… how could I not?
My biggest recommendation is to order a variety of dishes, especially when dining with friends or family. Sharing plates lets you sample more of the menu and discover something you might not have ordered on your own.
If you’re planning a trip to Greece, save this list for later and use it as a starting point for your own Greek food bucket list.
Looking for more ideas for spending time in Greece? Check out my other articles:
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