Cuisine of Corfu island for gourmets. Places for dinner - best restaurants

You will never fully immerse in the unique atmosphere of Corfu unless you try the traditional local cuisine. If you want to enjoy a real Greek charm, you should definitely have a meal in one of the local taverns. Most of them run in families for over a century. Their regulars are local people, who come over to have a dinner and to chat. In such places, you will be able to try the food people make for themselves, and not for tourists. Don’t worry about the slow service, it is a national pattern of life. In the evening in many taverns, called buzuluks, you may see dancers in traditional Greek clothes.

If you don’t feel comfortable in the intimate atmosphere of taverns, or if you want to try different cuisines made by the local chefs, visit the restaurants called estiatorio. You will recognize them by a snow-white linen tablecloth. Suvladzidiko – a kebab house, where you can find gyros, souvlaki, and beverages – is great for a quick bite. In periptero (a kiosk), besides fresh press, one can get nuts-and-honey bars, ice cream, and nougat. If you decide to go to a cake shop, look for zaharoplastio – that’s how the Greeks call it. The tourists are not advised to go to a kafevio – a traditional men-only café, where the Greeks like to discuss the politics.

Local people prefer eggplants to any other vegetables, cooking them in multiple variations. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, artichokes, and beans are added fresh into salads. The Greeks don’t usually boil or steam vegetables, as they rightfully assume the vegetables lose the useful substances. You should try peculiar and tasty vine leaves salad and tzatziki sauce made of cucumber, yogurt, and garlic. Keep in mind, that soups are not a common food here. The Greeks consider it quite a “heavy” food, so you won’t find them on the menu of the most taverns. The exceptions are vrasto – a rich beef broth – and kotosoupa me avgolemono with chicken, rice, and eggs. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The fish dishes are better at the psarotaverns. They are usually located along the seaside. The chef will prepare the fish from the morning haul in different variations, from fried to smoked or stuffed. You should definitely try seafood – mussels, ink-fish and much more are served with the most delicious sauces. Just remember, that the portions are truly gigantic. Meat courses are more expensive, but souvlaki or rabbit pot roast with spices and wine are worth it. Grilled lamb leg in lemon juice is the signature Corfu dish. Local feta and kefalotyri cheese, made from goat’s milk, are also good to try.

For a desert the Greeks prefer to eat fresh fruit, that grows in plenty on the island. They also make different pastries with thin dough, stuffed with nuts or honey, that is called “filo baklava”. Coffee is always easy to find on Corfu – from iced frappe to hot, strong and sweet vari glyko. Taverns and restaurants offer juices and mineral water, though it is not so easy to find tea, as here it is mainly used for cold treatment. Besides the well-known Greek wine you should try ouzo – anise vodka, mixed with water, and raki – very strong grape-infused vodka.

With the countless amount of restaurants and taverns for any taste and budget, that Corfu has to offer, you won’t starve. Do you want luxury and glamour? Fantasea Bar Restaurant and To Mike are waiting for you, but don’t be surprised when you see the bill. When in Paleokastritsa, visit Nereids – the most beautiful place with reasonable prices. It will be good for a romantic evening as well as for those, who like loud gatherings. Almost every evening the guests can enjoy national dances and fire-show. The Avli restaurant is proud not only for its wonderful wine liqueur Tsipoura and delicious Greek food but also for its old fortress view. Ammus Restaurant Cafe is the most cost-conscious choice for those, who want to connect with the national cuisine.