Best Greek food: 22 delicious dishes you need to try
21.07.2023 - 07:53
/ roughguides.com
Greeks are known for loving food, loving to eat, and loving to feed others. Greece is one place you are guaranteed to never feel hungry. Traditional Greek food is packed with flavour and made mainly with fresh local ingredients — such as Mediterranean vegetables, olive oil, and cheeses. If you're planning a trip to the Mediterranean, make sure to try at least a few of these delicious Greek dishes.
The information in this article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Greece, your essential guide for visiting Greece.
Probably the most famous of Greek dishes, moussaka consists of layers of fried aubergine, minced meat and potatoes. That's all topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and then baked until golden brown. Some Greek restaurants will also serve an equally delectable vegetarian version.
Moussaka can be made with mince or as a vegetarian version © Irina Meliukh / Shutterstock
Another of Greece’s national dishes, although not so well known internationally, is this classic white bean soup. It’s a simple, yet hearty affair consisting of beans, crushed tomatoes, and vegetables such as onions, carrots and celery. It’s often flavoured with thyme, parsley and bay leaves.
This Greek bean soup is not as well known internationally but is a national staple © NoirChocolate / Shutterstock
Walk around any of the big Greek cities such as Athens or Thessaloniki in the mornings and you’ll often see locals on their way to work munching on koulouri – large soft bread rings covered in sesame seeds. They’re often sold from yellow street carts and eaten on the go with a cup of coffee.
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Koulouri are large soft bread rings covered in sesame seeds, a traditional Greek food © PosiNote/Shutterstock
This traditional Greek food is made of juicy local vegetables, typically tomatoes or peppers, that are stuffed with rice and then roasted in the oven. Some versions of Yemista (which in Greek means 'filled with') also include minced meat.
Yemista, traditional Greek dish © Konstantin Kopachinsky/Shutterstock
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A Greek delicacy loved by children and adults alike, loukoumades are small fried doughnut-like balls drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with various toppings such as cinnamon or crushed walnuts. People usually order a large plate of them to share with friends or family. This is Greek dining at its very best.
If you'd prefer to dine with a sea view, why not read up on the 20 best beaches in Greece?
This Greek delicacy is a sweet normally shared between family and friends © Philippos Philippou / Shutterstock
Perennially popular all over the world, these grilled meat (usually pork) skewers are often served