National cuisine of Greece for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

The cuisine of Greece is one of the most beneficial in the whole world. It is based on vegetables, seafood, goat, and lamb. Pork and beef are less common in the traditional cuisine, because local residents could not breed cattle due to the specific landscape. Greece is the birthplace of olive oil. This oil is added to almost all dishes to give them an exceptional taste. A special attention is paid to spices. Unlike other Mediterranean cuisines, Greek one uses seasonings abundantly. Mint, oregano, dill, and bay leaf are among popular spices. In most dishes, onions and garlic are also added; they make flavor saturated.

When and where to 'hang out' in Greece - festivals and celebrations

Greece is a fairly religious country. Although many modern Greeks have moved away from strict Orthodox rites, religious holidays are celebrated in …
Read further

Olive oil is the basis of Greek cuisine.The oil is cold-pressed, which ensures preservation of olive hale. Lemon is used to emphasize the taste of the oil; it is also added to many dishes. Much attention is paid to vegetables. The most iconic example is the famous Greek salad. Mandatory ingredients are tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese. Latter is made of sheep's milk with an addition of goat’s milk. Feta has a high fat content and recognizable taste. The salad is seasoned with olive oil, black pepper, oregano, shallots, and garlic. Greek snacks are simple; they are often based on yoghurt or cheese and are served with bread. The most popular meat snack are pork kebabs, souvlaki.

Among the hot dishes, musaka deserves a special attention. That’s a baked dish of ground beef (usually lamb or veal), eggplant, and tomato. On top, the dish is seasoned with Bechamel sauce. Sometimes, potatoes, zucchini or mushrooms are also added to the casserole. Traditional soup, avgolemono, is cooked on the basis of chicken broth; lamb or beef may be used too. A fine pasta and egg-lemon mixture, which gives the soup an acidic taste, are added later. The dish is served as a puree; in cold state, it can be used as a sauce for other hot dishes. Spartan chowder is one of the most specific dishes of Greek cuisine. It is cooked of pork legs and blood with an addition of lentils and vinegar. The history of the soup goes deep into the antiquity. This kind of food was intended for old people who refused meat in favor of the young. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

For active traveler - national parks, landscapes and nature of Greece

Greece is a country with one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The terrain consists of rocks and mountains separated by densely populated …
Read further

Dolmades are cabbage rolls wrapped in grape leaves. They can also be called the main dish of Greek cuisine. The peculiarity of the treat is that before serving it is seasoned with olive oil and poured with lemon juice. That’s why it has a piquant taste. The great attention is paid to seafood dishes in Greece, especially in coastal cities. Each morning, local fishermen deliver their catch. Cafes and restaurants offer the freshest and most tasty seafood. Be sure to try the steamed mussels or midia yahnista and mussels in tomato sauce. Dishes of fish are really numerous in local taverns. Fish is served marinated, stewed, baked, dried, or smoked.

Favorite desserts in Greece are melomakarona, which are cookies with honey, and loukoumades. Latter are deep-fried donuts with cinnamon. Loukoumades are often a part of the breakfast for those who like to start the day with sweets. To quench thirst in Greece, you can drink a local kind of coffee, frappe, which is served with ice. Among the drinks of Greece, wine is the most popular. Wine-making in this country originated thousands of years ago. The most popular wines are Retsina, Moshato, and Robola. Another famous Greek drink is Metaxa, which is a sort of brandy. Locals also produce their own aniseed vodka, Ouzo, and grape vodka, Raki. No feast in Greece can go without water and bread on the table. These are the obligatory attributes of both a gala dinner and an ordinary meal.

This article about national cuisine of Greece is protected by the copyright law. You can re-use the content, but only under the condition of placement of an active link to www.orangesmile.com.

Greece guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Greece

Reference information

Map of all Michelin restaurants

Michelin-starred restaurants in Greece
♥ Restaurant '2 Mazi' Αθήνα. Type - Greek. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Aneton' Athína. Type - Greek. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Athiri' Athína. Type - Greek. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Botrini’s' Athens. Type - Mediterranean cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'CTC' Athens. Type - Modern cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Cookoovaya' Athens. Type - Greek. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Electra Roof Garden' Athína. Type - Mediterranean cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Funky Gourmet' Athína. Type - Creative. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'GB Roof Garden' Athína. Type - Mediterranean cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Hytra' Athens. Type - Modern cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Kuzina' Athína. Type - Mediterranean cuisine. On the map Show on the map

Photos

♥ Restaurant 'Mama Tierra' Αthens. Type - Vegetarian|International. On the map Show on the map

Photos

Cuisine and restaurants in popular cities of Greece

Athens

Petrino is considered the best restaurant devoted to national cuisine. Here you will be served delicious lobster with Greek feta cheese, meat with vegetables and mushrooms, as well as most exotic desserts and best Greek wine. Among the restaurants devoted to Spanish cuisine the most famous one is Puerta de Espana. The menu of this dining facility contains delicious paella in its classical performance, seafood, and fruit desserts. Seafood lovers will surely like the restaurant named Garbi. Its … Read more

Naxos

Meat dishes admirers should necessarily try the stuffed lamb “patudo” which is one of the main festive treats on the island. Some ethnic dishes may seem to foreign travelers rather unusual. Among local delicacies tourists will discover wine stewed chicken “rosto”. Each cook prepares the dish following his or her own original recipe. Italian cuisine and sea foods fans will estimate the astakomakaronada treat which is traditional spaghetti with lobsters which is served in every upscale … Read more

Chania

You can continue tasting treats in Strata; it is the classic Greek tavern. Among special treats, Greek salad and meatballs are in special demand. Strata also features a large selection of refreshing desserts. The Kouzina e.p.e. restaurant serves popular Mediterranean cuisine in addition to classic Greek dishes. Attractive prices are among its main features; for a moderate fee visitors can enjoy delicious meat treats and dishes made of seafood. Those who are fond of seafood are sure to enjoy … Read more

Rethymno

The Maistros Gourmet restaurant is one of the best eating houses of the resort with seafood dishes being the main specialities of the menu. Its customers can either choose treats from a vast assortment of dishes on the menu or order a special dish which will be cooked by chef asap. The Maistros Gourmet eating house features also a perfect wine cellar keeping the vastest choice of wines being able to complement any dish. The Pigadi restaurant is popular eating house specializing in ethnic … Read more

Mykonos City

The same popular and interesting for tourists is the Kikis Tavern restaurant. The restaurant is elegant and warm and due to its inimitable atmosphere, romantic ambience and excellent quality of treats the place has gained popularity among travelers. By its decoration and appearance the restaurant resembles a cozy tavern or porter house, its hall is decorated with massive wooden furniture and original décor items. The Fokos restaurant greets the visitors with popular Mediterranean cuisine … Read more

Thessaloniki

One of the most in demand restaurants of the resort is the Trigona Elenidis eating house being a favorite destination for sweets addicts. The menu of the Trigona Elenidis restaurant includes a great variety of dainty desserts. Its guests can buy take away candies, chocolate and cakes. Many tourists choose speciality treats of the restaurant as memorable gifts for relatives and friends. The Sokratis restaurant specializes in the Mediterranean cuisine trend. All the gastronomy masterpieces of the … Read more

Hersonissos

Those who want to relax in a typical Greek tavern are recommended to pop into the cozy restaurant David Vegera. It serves visitors till the night and features a beautiful terrace with panoramic view of surroundings. In the evening, the restaurant is always full of visitors, so it’s better to take a table in advance. Among European cuisine places the Coast cafe is notable; both classic and original branded treats are served there. The restaurant is located a few steps away from the coast and … Read more

Agios Nikolaos

Perhaps souvlaki and giros remain the most popular meat dishes. Slices of meat are roasted on a grill, and crispy potato is added as a garnish. The potato is slightly reminiscent of the traditional French fries. Moussaka occupies an important role among the best known vegetable dishes. In the cooking of this dish are used eggplants, cheese and potatoes. Tsadziki is another very interesting seasoning. This is a gentle yogurt mixed with finely shredded cucumber and garlic. The seasoning is served … Read more

National cuisine of Greece for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Greece

Sights of Greece - photostream

Cuisine and restaurants in popular cities of Greece

Map of Greece cities with popular restaurants