Greece is famous for its. Some dishes are the same all over the country –mainland and islands- and some a locally culinary specialties. The cuisine is generally Mediterranean and uses a lot of olive oil. Lamb is another Greek favorite, mostly during Easter.

Street Food & Quick Eats

Before you even sit down at a taverna, you’ll probably encounter Greece’s excellent street food scene. This is what locals grab for quick meals and what budget travelers live on.

Gyros and Souvlaki are Greece’s most popular fast food. A gyros is meat (usually pork or chicken) shaved from a rotating spit, wrapped in pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and fries. Souvlaki is skewered grilled meat, also served in pita or on a plate. Both are filling, delicious, and available everywhere from street vendors to dedicated souvlatzidika (souvlaki shops).

Bakery pies are found at every Greek bakery and make perfect breakfast or snacks. Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), tiropita (cheese pie), and bougatsa (custard-filled phyllo pastry, either sweet or savory) are the classics. Grab one warm from the bakery in the morning and you’re set.

Koulouri is a circular sesame-covered bread sold by street vendors, especially in cities. It’s cheap, portable, and perfect with coffee for breakfast.

Greek yogurt with honey appears on every breakfast menu and in supermarkets. The real stuff is thick, creamy, and nothing like the watered-down versions sold abroad.

Look for bakeries (φούρνος – fournos), souvlaki shops, and street vendors. These places are everywhere, stay open late, and won’t break your budget.

Mezedes

The appetizers, served before or with the main dishes are called mezedes. Mezedes are usually accompanied by ouzo or tsipouro. The appetizers are one of the main elements of the Mediterranean cuisine and culture and are served in small plates. Some of the traditional mezedes include: Horiatiki Salata, Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata, Keftedakia, Spanakopitakia, Tiropitakia, Dolmadakia, Kalamarakia and Feta cheese.

• The Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata) is a mix of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onions, green pepper, olive oil, oregano and feta cheese.
• Tzatziki is made from yogurt mixed with finely chopped (or grated) cucumber, garlic and olive oil.
• Melitzanosalata is a puree made of eggplant, garlic and olive oil.
• Keftedakia are fried meatballs made from beef mixed with garlic and bread.
• Spanakopitakia are small spinach pies with feta cheese, while Tiropitakia are small cheese pies.
• Dolmadakia/Dolmades is a dish made from grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice, onions and minced beef.
• Kalamarakia is fried squid served with lemon, while Htapodi is fried octopus served with lemon juice, olive oil and oregano.
• Feta cheese is the traditional Greek cheese. It can be eaten as a meze with oregano and olive oil.

Main Dishes

Almost all of the Greek main dishes contain meat. Some of the traditional main dishes are: Moussaka, Pastitsio, Paidakia and Kokoretsi.

• Moussaka is one of the most famous Greek dishes and has a base made of eggplants, topped with minced beef, tomatoes, onions and béchamel.
• Pastitsio is similar to Italian Lasagna. The dish is made from noodles topped with minced beef, onions, tomato sauce and béchamel.
• Paidakia is a dish made of grilled lamb’s ribs and is served with lemons.
• Kokoretsi is very popular dish and is served mainly during Easter and consists of wrapped and roasted entrails of lamb, served with a lot of lemon.

Soups

The soups are Greek’s favorite during winter. Some of the traditional ones include: Kotossoupa –chicken soup-, Psarossoupa and Kakavia –fish soups-, Fassolatha (Fassolada)– white beans soup-, Fakies –lentil soup-, Magiritsa-lamb soup served after Resurrection – and Patsa-tripe soup, the Greek’s remedy for hangover.

Wines and Alcoholic Drinks

Greece is famous of its wines and strong drinks. There is a huge variety of Greek wines, each region being famous for their own variety of grapes. The Wines of Santorini are unique in Greece as the grapes grown on the volcanic soil, which gives the wine an interesting mineral aftertaste.

• Ouzo is the most famous Greek alcoholic drink. Everyone heard of the Greek ouzo. It’s a strong alcohol. Greeks drink it straight with ice or a bit of water. It’s served with mezedes. The best Greek ouzo is made in Lesvo.
  >>more information on Ouzo Cocktails
• Tsipouro looks like ouzo but has a stronger taste of anis. It’s strong and, just like ouzo, is drinkable straight with ice or with some water. It’s always served with mezedes. In Crete it’s called Raki.
• Mavrodafni is a sweet wine made in Patras. It’s dark and is usually served as a digestive or a late night drink.
• Retsina is a famous Greek white wine with a particular resin taste which is obtained during production.

Although not as famous as the wine or ouzo, the Greek beer is a good option for any traveler, especially during the summer heat.

Practical Tips for Eating in Greece

How tavernas work: Greeks typically order several mezedes to share rather than individual main courses. Dishes arrive as they’re ready, not all at once. This is normal—relax and enjoy them as they come. Don’t expect fast service; meals are social occasions, not quick transactions.

Spotting tourist traps: Restaurants with large photo menus in five languages are almost always overpriced with mediocre food. Look for places full of Greek families, menus mostly in Greek, and no one aggressively trying to pull you inside. If the Greek salad costs over €7-8, you’re paying tourist prices.

Tipping: Service charge isn’t automatically included. Tipping 5-10% is appreciated but not mandatory like in the US. Many Greeks just round up the bill or leave a few euros. Do what feels right.

Meal times: Greeks eat late. Lunch is typically 2-4pm, dinner starts around 9pm or later, especially in summer. If you show up at 6pm for dinner, you might be the only person in the restaurant. Many tourist-area restaurants adjust hours for foreign visitors, but traditional tavernas follow Greek schedules.

Water: Tap water is safe to drink in most of Greece, but locals typically drink bottled water and that’s what restaurants serve. Expect to pay €1-2 for bottled water at restaurants.

Bread and small dishes: Many tavernas bring bread and sometimes small dishes (olives, a tiny salad) when you sit down. These aren’t always free—check if you’ll be charged before eating them, especially in tourist areas.

Fresh fish pricing: Fish is often sold by weight (per kilo) rather than per dish. Always ask the price before ordering, see the fish before it’s cooked if possible, and confirm the total weight. Fresh fish is expensive but delicious—budget accordingly.

Vegetarian options: Greek cuisine is naturally vegetarian-friendly. Mezedes like tzatziki, melitzanosalata, dolmades (ask if they’re made with or without meat), Greek salad (ask for no feta if vegan), and most pies work well. Fasting periods in the Greek Orthodox calendar mean many restaurants offer vegan options marked as “nistisimo” (fasting food).

>> For detailed pricing on food, drinks, and dining out, check our complete guide to costs in Greece.

Don’t forget to read about:

>> Fast & Easy Greek Salads: perfect for the summer
>> Greek Christmas Menu and Recipes
>> Easter Food in Greece

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