If you are traveling to Greece for the first time, get your taste buds ready! We were there for seven days and not once did we have a disappointing meal. From the Greek hospitality to the baklava, the Greek’s know how to do food!
It was refreshing to hear the locals tell us that McDonald’s is not very popular in Greece and that they all prefer authentic Greek food over American fast food – hey us too! The food in Greece surpassed all our expectations. We are going to share our must-try list of authentic Greek food.
Gyro: The gyro’s in Greece surpassed all my wildest dreams! The tender pita with crunchy veggies, slow roasted meat, and a few french fries thrown in for good measure was hands down my favorite thing to eat! If I am being honest, I ate a gyro almost every single day while I was in Greece. What can I say? YOLO! You can find the BEST gyro in Santorini at The Grill in Karterados.
Moussaka: A version of this dish was on pretty much every single menu that we viewed. It is a dish traditionally made with eggplant, potatoes, and minced meat. Eggplant is used in many dishes in Greece. We enjoyed trying the different moussaka dishes in Athens and Santorini. The eggplant has a mild flavor and the meat is able to shine. It’s unlike any dish I have ever had in the United States.
Greek Salad: This salad is a given on the must-try list. The crunch of the cucumber, the perfectly ripe tomatoes, and the large portions of feta make this salad a great option for lunch or dinner. We regularly ordered a greek salad as an appetizer before our meals. Delicious!
Souvlaki: Along with gyro’s you have to try Souvlaki while in Greece. Greek slow-roasted meat is an art form. You can usually choose between chicken, pork, or beef.
Loukoumades: These are Greek honey donuts. They are similar to American donut holes. However, they fill them with custard or cream and then cover them in chocolate or ice cream! Hands down the best dessert we had in Greece! My personal favorite was the Bueno Bar Loukoumades that were drenched in the melted European chocolate bar. If you are committed to trying the “real thing” then get the traditional honey only. To die for!
Baklava: This traditional Greek pastry is plentiful throughout Athens and Santorini. If you go to a pastry shop or restaurant, 9 out of 10 times they will have their own form of baklava. We enjoyed trying all different forms of the treat but especially liked the “deconstructed” baklava with ice cream on the side. It balanced out the sweetness perfectly.
Bread with olive spread and hummus: As Americans, we get excited when we sit down at a restaurant to find a loaf of piping hot bread fresh from the oven. Well, in Greece they take this nice surprise up one more level and serve the bread with an olive spread and local hummus. I don’t ever want to eat fresh bread any other way! This is the best savory appetizer before a meal.
Mushroom Toast: The Greeks know how to prepare mushrooms. The mushroom toast dish at Roka in Oia on Santorini won over some mushroom haters in our group – it’s that good! If you are stopping in Oia this a must to go and try. The toast is completed with a bearnaise sauce that is one of the best I have ever tasted!
Gelato: You cannot take a vacation to Europe without enjoying your fair share of gelato. Gelato stops were hit and miss so make sure you go to a recommended spot. A local told us to try Lolita’s in Oia and it was divine. We all ordered different flavors and they were all perfectly smooth and creamy. Plus, the ambiance at Lolita’s is idyllic!
Enjoy your time in Greece! The Greek people are so wonderful and welcoming. At almost every restaurant we tried they gave us something “on the house”. It truly is a magical place and I cannot wait to go back again someday.
