What to eat in Greece

Mezedes are small dishes made for sharing – either as an appetiser or a full meal. A typical spread includes hot and cold dishes like dips – tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber and garlic) and taramosalata (fish roe, lemon juice and olive oil) are classics – dolmades, fresh pita, meatballs, saganaki and calamari. If you want to sample a little bit of everything, this is how to do it!

Probably one of Greece’s most famous culinary triumphs, these vine leaves stuffed with rice or ground meat, pine nuts, dill and mint are usually served with tangy yoghurt as an appetiser. Due to their supreme ‘eatability’, they don't take long to disappear from the table!

Surrounded by water, the Greek Islands are a prime spot for seafood lovers, especially octopus. It’s grilled over charcoal and seasoned with olive oil, salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Eat it as a main or as part of a mezedes platter – ideally from the deck of a sailing boat with a cold beer and a golden sunset.

Known as Greek salad in English, or 'village salad' in Greece, this simple combination of juicy tomato, crunchy cucumber, red onion and kalamata olives dressed with olive oil, salt, lemon juice and oregano shows that less is often more – especially when the produce is this fresh.

The ultimate finger food, squid tubes are cut into rings, lightly floured and then fried until crispy. Calamari is best served simply with a slice of lemon, creamy aioli and a sea view. Another favourite is rice and herb-stuffed calamari in a tomato-y sauce.

This dish features a mouth-watering mix of lamb shoulder slow-cooked with garlic, herbs, lemon and vegetables. The cooking method ensures the meat falls off the bone. Eat kleftiko with a Greek salad, fresh-baked pita and yogurt dip.

This casserole dish of layered eggplant, spiced ground beef or lamb, and creamy bechamel sauce may be the ultimate Greek comfort food. Hearty, filling and delicious, moussaka goes down extra well in winter when the weather is cooler.

Sweet-toothed travellers shouldn’t miss these deep-fried doughy treats. Soaked in cinnamon and sugar syrup or honey, they’re perfect to enjoy with a strong Greek coffee. For the ultimate treat, eat them with vanilla ice cream.

Souvlaki could possibly be one of the tastiest examples of ‘fast food’! Chunks of marinated pork, chicken or lamb are grilled on a skewer and served with warm pita, salad, chips and a generous dollop of tzatziki. A gyro is similar, but with shaved meat from a vertical rotisserie.

This pastry is made with feta cheese, spinach and herbs baked in flaky filo pastry. But there are many regional variations to try! Spanakopita can be eaten hot or cold as an appetiser with a cup of strong Greek coffee or as a main course with salad and dip.

This Cretan dish is a go-to for locals on a hot summer's day. It consists of a twice-baked barley rusk topped with juicy chopped tomatoes, crumbled mizithra or feta cheese, olive oil and oregano. Simple, but delicious.

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