Greek cuisine is enjoyed all over the world and is known for its rich flavours and healthy ingredients. In fact, Greek cuisine was recently named the best in the world by TasteAtlas with a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars. This recognition highlights the global appreciation for Greek culinary traditions. For holidaymakers visiting Greece, understanding the local food culture can greatly enhance your travel experience. With this in mind, here is a beginner’s guide to Greek cuisine.
Essential Greek Dishes to Try
First, you will want to know what Greek dishes you will want to try on your holiday. There are a number of must-try Greek dishes that will give you an authentic experience. These include:
Moussaka: A hearty dish made with layers of potato, aubergine, and tomato-based meat sauce blanketed in creamy béchamel.
Souvlaki: A popular street food consisting of grilled and skewered meat served with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki.
Spanakopita: A savoury pastry with spinach, feta cheese, and herbs encased in phyllo dough.
These are a few must-try Greek dishes, but there are many others. In Greek cuisine, there is a real prominence of fresh vegetables, olive oil, and herbs, making it a flavourful yet healthy cuisine.
Dining Etiquette & Traditions
It is always important to be aware of dining etiquette and traditions when visiting a new country. In Greece, meze is an important tradition that involves small sharing plates to begin a meal. This then progresses to main dishes like grilled seafood or lamb before finishing with desserts, such as baklava. Eating out in Greece is all about socialising and a sense of community, which is why sharing dishes is commonplace.
Regional Specialities & Local Ingredients
As with any cuisine, there are regional specialists and local ingredients to be aware of. For instance, Crete is known for its use of wild greens and herbs, while the Peloponnese is famous for its olives and citrus fruits. Local ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and seafood are the key components of many regional dishes. This is why it is always worthwhile researching what regional dishes there are in the area you are visiting – this will help you immerse yourself in the local culture and will be a lot tastier than the version you get back home! When planning your stay, consider accommodations that offer authentic culinary experiences, such as villas in Greece, where you can enjoy home-cooked meals and local delicacies.
Experiencing Greek Cuisine in the UK
Greek cuisine is growing in popularity around the UK, with new eateries and restaurants opening up and offering authentic dishes up and down the country. A few notable Greek restaurants in the UK include:
- Betto Tapas Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
- Alexander the Great
- Andromeda Restaurant
- Andy’s Greek Taverna
- Brother Marcus Covent Garden
In addition to this, Greek ingredients are increasingly available in major UK supermarkets. This gives people the ability to familiarise themselves with Greek cuisine before they visit, allowing them to find the dishes that they enjoy the most.
Hopefully, the information in this guide will give you a strong foundational knowledge of Greek cuisine so that you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture.