What to Eat in Greece – 10 Best Foods and Drinks

I got hopelessly lost in the Athens Central Market on my first morning in Greece, and it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.

Between the shouting fishmongers and the stalls piled high with olives I couldn’t name, an older vendor handed me a piece of bread dipped in olive oil and told me to taste it before I bought anything.

That one bite of peppery, grassy oil changed how I thought about Greek food for the rest of the trip.

Greek food is simple in the best way. A handful of good ingredients, a splash of olive oil, and time.

But when you’re traveling, it helps to know what to look for and where to find it, so you’re not stuck ordering the same gyro every night (as delicious as that gyro might be).

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Amazon Shopping List: 10 Best Foods and Drinks

What I Wish I Knew Before Eating in Greece

I quickly learned that Greek food is best enjoyed slowly and shared.

Traditional meals are often more relaxed, and the portions can be larger than you expect.

A few things that made eating out easier for me:

Dinner often starts later than you may be used to.
Ask about bread or extras placed on your table if you are unsure whether they cost extra.
Order several dishes to share instead of one large meal each.
A small tip or rounding up the bill is always appreciated.

Once I stopped rushing through meals, I enjoyed Greek food so much more. Now, let’s get into the dishes worth trying.

Yes, I understand the style you want now.

I would make it feel like you are personally sharing what stood out to you while eating in Greece, not just listing facts.

1. Souvlaki

Souvlaki was one of those foods I kept coming back to in Greece.

I could grab a warm pita filled with grilled pork or chicken, tomato, onion, and plenty of tzatziki, and somehow it always felt like the perfect meal after a long day of walking. It is simple, affordable, and full of flavor.

Where to try it: I would skip the obvious tourist restaurants and look for a small souvlaki spot with locals coming in and out.

In Athens, the Monastiraki area has some great options, but honestly, the best places are often tucked into ordinary neighborhoods.

My tip: Ask for it “me ola,” which means “with everything.”

It is the easiest way to get the full souvlaki experience without overthinking the toppings.

A wrap is also one of the most affordable meals you can find in Greece.

2. Horiatiki Greek Salad

I honestly did not expect a Greek salad to be one of the dishes I remembered so clearly from my trip.

Horiatiki is much simpler than the salads I was used to at home, with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onion, olives, feta, olive oil, and oregano.

There is no lettuce, and I quickly realized it does not need any.

The tomatoes are what make the biggest difference. When they are fresh and sun ripened, the whole salad tastes completely different.

Where to try it: I especially enjoyed this in small seaside tavernas where the vegetables tasted incredibly fresh.

My tip: Do not leave the olive oil behind.

I always use a piece of bread to soak up what is left at the bottom of the bowl.

It is too good to waste.

3. Moussaka

Moussaka is the dish I would order when I want something comforting and filling.

The layers of eggplant, seasoned ground meat, and creamy béchamel are baked together until the top is beautifully golden.

It is rich, hearty, and the kind of meal I prefer to eat slowly.

Where to try it: I look for traditional family run tavernas, especially ones with prepared dishes displayed near the kitchen.

Being able to see the food before ordering is something I found really helpful.

My tip: Pair it with a glass of local red wine.

I usually find the house wine served by the carafe to be a great value, and it works beautifully with the richness of the moussaka.

4. Tzatziki

Tzatziki shows up next to almost everything in Greece, but the good stuff is nothing like the thin, garlicky dip you might have had at a chain restaurant back home.

Real tzatziki is thick, made with strained Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes a touch of fresh dill or mint depending on the region.

I made the mistake early in my trip of assuming tzatziki was just a topping, until a taverna owner in Crete served it as its own small plate with warm bread on the side.

It completely changed how I ordered for the rest of the week.

Where to try it: Ask for it as a side dish rather than just a sauce on your souvlaki. Many tavernas will happily bring a small bowl for the table.

My tip: If you’re sensitive to garlic, ask if it’s mild before ordering, since some versions are made quite strong.

There’s no shame in asking, and most servers appreciate knowing your preference upfront.

Spanakopita

Spanakopita became one of my favorite foods to grab while exploring Greece.

The flaky phyllo pastry filled with spinach, feta, and herbs makes a perfect breakfast or quick snack when I want something filling without sitting down for a full meal.

Where to try it: Look for a local fournos, or Greek bakery.

I would choose one that is baking throughout the day instead of displaying pastries that have been sitting out for hours.

My tip: Buy it warm if you can. I noticed a huge difference between freshly baked spanakopita and a cold piece.

If you are willing to wait a little, ask the bakery when the next batch will be ready.

6. Fresh Grilled Octopus

Grilled octopus is one of those dishes that looks intimidating on the plate but turns out to be one of the most tender, flavorful things you’ll eat in Greece.

It’s typically boiled first to tenderize it, then finished on the grill until slightly charred, and served with olive oil, lemon, and capers.

I’ll admit I almost skipped this one on my first trip because the idea of octopus felt strange to me.

A fisherman at a small harbor taverna talked me into trying a single piece, and I ended up ordering a full plate for myself before the meal was over.

Where to try it: Harbor side tavernas, especially ones where you can see the day’s catch, tend to serve the freshest versions.

If the restaurant is near a working fishing harbor, that’s usually a good sign.

My tip: Ask if the octopus was caught locally that day.

Many smaller tavernas are proud to tell you, and it’s a good way to gauge freshness before ordering.

7. Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts

Greek yogurt surprised me more than I expected.

I thought I knew what Greek yogurt tasted like, but the thick, creamy version I tried in Greece felt completely different.

Add local honey and crunchy walnuts, and suddenly it becomes the kind of simple dish I found myself craving again later.

I started ordering it almost every day after trying it at a small café in Nafplio.

The honey was so good that I actually bought a jar to take home, which probably says everything about how much I enjoyed it.

Where to try it: Look for it at local cafés and bakeries. It is often listed as “yiaourti me meli.”

My tip: Ask where the honey comes from if you can. Thyme honey is especially worth trying because it has a unique, slightly earthy flavor.

8. Dolmades

Dolmades were one of those dishes I enjoyed more once I stopped trying to compare them to anything familiar.

Grape leaves are wrapped around a filling of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat, creating small, flavorful bites that are perfect for sharing.

I especially recommend ordering them when you are eating meze style.

Having several small plates on the table makes the whole experience feel more relaxed and gives you the chance to try different Greek flavors at once.

Where to try it: Meze restaurants are my favorite place to order dolmades.

My tip: Always ask whether they are vegetarian or made with meat. The two versions taste quite different.

9. Ouzo

Ouzo is not really a drink I would rush through.

I learned that quickly one warm evening in Thessaloniki when a group of locals encouraged me to try it properly with small plates of food.

What I thought would be a quick dinner turned into a much longer evening, and honestly, that was part of the charm.

The anise flavor is quite strong, but it becomes much easier to enjoy when it is served with water and ice.

I also loved how naturally it fits into the slow, social style of Greek dining.

Where to try it: Visit an ouzerie, where ouzo is served alongside small plates.

My tip: Take your time with it. Ouzo is stronger than it tastes, so I would never treat it like a quick shot.

10. Greek Coffee and Frappe

Coffee became part of my daily routine in Greece without me even planning for it.

I quickly became a frappe person, mostly because sitting outside with a cold coffee and watching people go about their day became one of my favorite parts of traveling.

Traditional Greek coffee is thick and strong, while frappe is cold, frothy, and perfect for hot afternoons.

I honestly enjoyed both, but I found myself looking forward to my daily frappe more than I expected.

Where to try it: Any local café with outdoor seating is a good place to start.

My tip: If you are unsure how sweet to order your frappe, ask for “metrio,” which means medium sweetness.

A Few Things I Learned While Eating in Greece

A few small details made eating in Greece much easier for me, especially when I moved away from the busier tourist areas.

Keep some cash with you. Smaller tavernas and island restaurants may not always accept cards.
Do not order too much at once. Greek portions can be generous, and sharing several dishes is often the best way to enjoy more food.
Eat later than you may be used to. Some restaurants look completely quiet early in the evening and become busy much later.
Ask locals what they recommend. Some of my best food finds came from simply asking a restaurant owner where they would eat nearby.

The best Greek meals are often the ones you do not plan too carefully. Leave a little room for local recommendations and unexpected discoveries.

FAQ: What to Eat in Greece

Is Greek food spicy?
Not typically. Greek cuisine relies on fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil rather than heat, so most dishes are mild and flavorful rather than spicy.

Is it easy to eat vegetarian in Greece?
Yes. Dishes like horiatiki, spanakopita, and dolmades are naturally vegetarian, and Lenten fasting traditions mean many tavernas already have plant based options on the menu, even if they’re not labeled that way.

What should I drink with a Greek meal besides wine or ouzo?
Tap water is generally safe in most parts of Greece, though bottled water is common on smaller islands.

Frappe and Greek coffee are also popular any time of day, not just morning.

Do I need to tip at restaurants in Greece?
Tipping isn’t required, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount in cash is appreciated, especially at smaller, family run tavernas.

Can I find good Greek food outside of Athens and the islands?
Absolutely. Some of the best meals I had were in smaller towns like Nafplio, where fewer tourists mean restaurants cook more for locals than for visitors passing through.

Final Thoughts on Eating Your Way Through Greece

Greek food rewards curiosity more than planning.

Some of my best meals happened because I asked a server what they’d recommend instead of sticking to what I already knew, or because I followed a group of locals into a taverna with no English menu in sight.

If you take one thing from this list, let it be that: stay open to recommendations, and don’t be afraid to order something you can’t quite pronounce.