Type to Search
10+1 Traditional Greek Foods and Drinks
to Try when you Visit Greece

The best traditional Greek Foods & Drinks to Try while in Greece

Date
10 December 2019

Visiting Greece is a journey of a wide range of culinary sensations and possibilities! Join in the game of discovering new experiences, scents and flavors, unique colors and authentic products. The gastronomy of Greek land will excite you; traditional Greek breakfasts, colorful dishes of authentic Mediterranean cuisine, refined wines, tasty beers and strong spirits. Here is a list of Greek foods and drinks that you should taste when in Greece!

Image after introtext
Greek herbs in local market - @ Greek TravelTellers

1. Bougatsa

Bougatsa is a must for a Greek’s breakfast. Greeks are not big on breakfast but when it comes to leaf pies, especially bougatsa, they make an exception. Bougatsa is a traditional Greek dessert with creamy custard wrapped in phyllo and served with icing sugar and cinnamon on the top. You should try this delicatessen with your morning coffee! 

Bougatsa

2. Tomatokeftedes (Santorini Tomato Fritters)

Made by tiny tomatoes from the unique volcanic Santorini tomatoes, this dish is served from small taverns to the most expensive gourmet restaurants. Santorini tomatokeftedes (tomatoballs), are fluffy in the inside and crunchy on the outside. One bite is enough to experience its aromas, flavors and evoke sentiments! Enjoy your tomatokeftedes everywhere in Greece and imagine you are in Santorini by the sea, gazing at the endless blue and the white little houses above the Caldera!

You may also like: Best Places to Eat in Athens - Food Guide (by Locals)

Tomatokeftedes

3. Moussaka

The legendary dish of Greece! Moussaka is served in every tavern and every family table of Greece. It is made with beef mince, rich béchamel, potatoes and layered with sweet eggplants. Prepare your forks and indulge yourself to a creamy, juicy and absolutely delicious experience! 

Tip! To enjoy a truly homemade and authentic dish of Moussaka, avoid the so-called ‘tourist traps’ and search for an authentic local restaurant or tavern. 

Moussaka

4. Ouzo

Eating without drinking is not a thing for Greeks. While enjoying the rich flavors of the Greek dishes you have to accompany your food with a proper drink. And we have the perfect candidate: Ouzo! Add two ice cubes on your glass and fill half of it with ouzo! Taste the aniseed and the island vibes and enjoy the complete Greek experience.

Ouzo

5. Fava

Greek fava is a dish made with yellow split peas to create an appetizer or meze (small dish). For more than 3,500 years the inhabitants of Santorini and neighboring islands cultivate this legume. Creamy and super tasty, fava can be enjoyed as an appetizer or dip with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Today, there are many variations of the dish depending on which part of Greece you are or even in which restaurant. But the one you should definitely try is the classic onion recipe!

Traditional fava 

6. Dolmadakia Yalantzi (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Little bites of heaven! Dolmadakia Yalantzi are made from tender vine leaves wrapped into little rolls and stuffed with rice and fresh herbs. In Greece it is an all-time-honored meze! Taste the Greek olive oil and herbs in the rice; feel the smooth vine leaves holding everything together; put some extra lemon on the top and take a sip of ouzo to complete the procedure like a local!

Dolmadakia

7. Koulouri of Thessaloniki

If you ever walk the streets of Athens or Thessaloniki, you will see almost in every corner of the city, in every bakery and in every street vendor the famous Greek koulouri! Super crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, koulouri is the most famous breakfast for Greeks, along with a cup of coffee of course. The name comes from the city of Thessaloniki, situated in Northern Greece. Koulouri translates literally as "round". This round piece of heaven is for most Greeks the reason to be happy in the morning (or the evening, or the night, or the dawn). Try it!

Koulouri of Thessaloniki

8. Raki

Have you ever been to Crete? If the answer is yes, then you know all about raki! Raki is a strong drink that comes from grapes. Many villages and islanders make their own raki from the grapes they grow. If you ever visit their house, the first thing you will be asked, even before the question “how are you”, is “do you want a glass of raki”? Its substance is beautiful as crystal clear water and strong as a lightning. This is not just a drink; it’s a tradition that comes with its own drinking ritual.

Tip! During the winter, you can drink it warm with honey and cinnamon!

 Greek raki

9. Greek olives (green or black)

You have heard about the Greek olive oil. But have you ever tried Greek olives? Growing under the amazing Greek sun, these olives are unique and considered among the healthiest foods on earth! They are crunchy, with a subtle fruity flavor, which is also salty, slightly bitter, and charred. They are eaten as appetizers (meze), in salads and especially the black ones (olives Kalamon) are used in the famous Greek salad! 

Greek olives

10. Masticha of Chios Liqueur

The first official reference of Masticha comes from ancient times. Greek doctors such as Hippocrates, the father of medicine, have recognized the therapeutic properties of Masticha as well as its ability to increase the male libido! Masticha comes from teardrops of resin from the mastic trees. Its liqueur has a very unique taste and it is distilled in Greece, exclusively in the island of Chios. 

Mastiha harvesting

Bonus: And of course... Greek coffee! 

Try the traditional Greek coffee as your morning coffee or after your meal to ease your digestion process. Research shows that Greek coffee contributes to longevity and good health! If you are in Athens, head to Psyri neighborhood and look for traditional coffee shops that still serve Greek coffee the old way: they roast the coffee in embers and then put it in containers filled with hot sand where they simmer. Enjoy!

You may also like:

 

Prev Article Next Article

Other articles you may like...

23 Feb 2024
Weather in Greece in June: Best Destinations and Tips
7 Feb 2024
Weather in Greece in May: Best Destinations and Tips
6 Sep 2023
All Percy Jackson Tours in Greece with Practical Info
23 Nov 2022
Athens Street Art Guide and Which Neighborhoods to Visit
19 Aug 2022
Women in ancient Greece: The role of women in the Classical Period
12 Jul 2022
Best Time to Visit the Acropolis and Why
6 Jun 2022
The Most Famous Greek Dances (video)
23 Mar 2022
One Day in Hydra: Best Things to Do (Insider Guide)
17 Feb 2022
Travel to Greece from USA: All the Direct Flights to Start Off 2022
17 Jan 2022
Kallos: The Ancient Greek Ideal for Beauty
22 Nov 2021
Sparta: Things to do and see in the Greek city
3 Nov 2021
A Sightseeing Itinerary for your Holiday to Mykonos
26 Oct 2021
Things to Do in Athens: The ‘must-see’ and the local vibes
24 Sep 2021
Customs in Ancient Greece Associated with September
16 Aug 2021
Eat Like a Local in Athens: 5 Rules to Follow
24 Feb 2021
Greek Mythology Books you need to read (for adults & kids)
20 Jan 2021
Best Places to Eat in Athens - Food Guide (by Locals)
23 Dec 2020
Merry Belly! Authentic Greek Christmas Meal (with recipes)
18 Nov 2020
One day in Athens: How to make the most of it
1 Oct 2020
Athens in October: Reasons to Visit Athens This Month
16 Sep 2020
The Parthenon: 10 Surprising Facts about the Temple
2 Sep 2020
Creating your Dream Vacation with Tailor-made Tours in Greece
20 Aug 2020
Day Trips from Athens - Where the Locals Go
5 Aug 2020
Caryatids: The Daughters of Athens
22 Jul 2020
Monastiraki: Complete Guide and Things to Do
24 Jun 2020
Athens Cultural Highlights Off The Beaten Path
17 Jun 2020
Athens City Break For Foodies
10 Jun 2020
6 Greek Myths to Know Before Visiting Athens
3 Jun 2020
10 Landmarks and Monuments You Should Not Miss in Athens
27 May 2020
Greece from Home: 10 Ideas for a Virtual Athens Tour
20 May 2020
Books on Greek Food and Culture That We Love
6 May 2020
20 Most Famous Greek Mythology Movies
29 Apr 2020
The Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece
22 Apr 2020
Basic Greek Words to Know Before Traveling to Greece
15 Apr 2020
Interview With a Local: Ancient Greek Rituals and the Alternative Athens
8 Apr 2020
The Delphic Idea
18 Mar 2020
Best Walking Tours in Athens, Magical Walking Routes
11 Mar 2020
Private Tours in Athens: The Benefits of Booking in Private
4 Mar 2020
Acropolis Tour: Why a Guided Tour is Necessary
26 Feb 2020
9 Things to Know About Eleusis The European Capital of Culture 2023
19 Feb 2020
Battles of Ancient Greeks That Shaped Western Civilization
12 Feb 2020
The Best Places to Enjoy Vegan Food in Athens
7 Feb 2020
9+1 Unique Things to Do in Athens this Summer for Free
4 Feb 2020
Interview With a Local: Athens Through the Prism of Art
28 Jan 2020
The Role of Greek Mythology in the Creation of Athenian Wonders
21 Jan 2020
10 Reasons Why You Should Join a Food Tour in Athens
14 Jan 2020
Top 10 Alternative Destinations in Greece
8 Jan 2020
The 10 Best Places to Visit in Greece
4 Jan 2020
10 Sights to Tour in Athens and Bring Greek Mythology to Life
30 Dec 2019
Top 10 Tips to Know Before Traveling to Athens
27 Dec 2019
10 Things to Do in Delphi Home to the Oracle of Apollo
24 Dec 2019
Symposia in Ancient Greece: Reviving the Ancient Custom
17 Dec 2019
Interview with a Local: Greek Neoclassicism and the Unseen Athens
14 Dec 2019
10 Things you didn't Know about Ancient Greeks
12 Dec 2019
48 Hours in Athens: Full Itinerary by Locals - Greek TravelTellers
7 Dec 2019
10+3 Things to Do in Athens on a Rainy Day
5 Dec 2019
Alternative Things to Do in Athens: Getting Off the Beaten Path in the City of Wonders
3 Dec 2019
Christmas in Athens: Top Things to Do and Know
30 Nov 2019
December in Athens: 4 Reasons why you Should Choose this Month for your Greek Getaway
28 Nov 2019
Interview with a Local: Greek Gastronomy and Athens for Foodies
26 Nov 2019
10+1 Things to Do in Athens to Time Travel to Ancient Greece
23 Nov 2019
How to Travel in Greece Differently: a Guide for Delving Deeper into the Greek Culture