Greece offers a captivating blend of ancient history, stunning islands, and Mediterranean culture. From the iconic Acropolis in Athens to the whitewashed villages of Santorini, this sun-soaked destination combines archaeological wonders with pristine beaches and world-class cuisine.
Greek cuisine is one of the world's great Mediterranean traditions, built on a 'holy trinity' of olive oil, lemon, and wild herbs. The diet is simple but deeply flavourful - fresh fish grilled with olive oil, slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, stuffed vine leaves, creamy dips, and cheeses that vary by region. Taverna culture is central to Greek life; meals are shared affairs lasting hours. Regional variations are significant: Cretan cuisine emphasises wild greens, snails, and superior olive oil; Thessaloniki has unrivalled pastry and street food; island cooking highlights ultra-fresh seafood.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Greece.
Moussaka
Greece's most iconic dish: layers of minced lamb, sliced aubergine, and béchamel sauce baked until golden. Each family and region has their own recipe - the best versions are nothing like the tourist-trap renditions.
Where to try: Traditional tavernas throughout Greece
Price: €10-16
Souvlaki / Gyros
Marinated meat (pork, chicken, or lamb) grilled on skewers (souvlaki) or from a rotating spit (gyros), served in pitta bread with tzatziki, tomato, and onion. The quality benchmark for any Greek town - find the busiest spot with a queue.
Where to try: Souvlaki shops throughout Greece; Monastiraki Square in Athens is famous
Price: €2-4 per wrap
Fresh grilled octopus
Sun-dried then char-grilled octopus with olive oil and lemon - a quintessential Aegean taverna dish. Look for it hanging to dry outside traditional tavernas as a sign of quality.
Where to try: Seafront tavernas on any Greek island
Price: €12-20
Spanakopita and Tiropita
Spinach and feta pie (spanakopita) and cheese pie (tiropita) in handmade filo pastry - the artisan versions from bakeries bear no resemblance to commercial equivalents. Greek bakeries serve these freshly baked throughout the day.
Where to try: Greek bakeries (fournos) throughout Greece
Price: €1.50-3
Horiatiki (Greek Village Salad)
The authentic version features tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion, olives, and a thick slab of creamy feta with olive oil - no lettuce. The best Greek salads use heirloom tomatoes that taste nothing like supermarket produce.
Where to try: All tavernas; best with summer tomatoes June-September
Price: €6-10
Loukoumades
Hot fried dough balls drizzled with thyme honey and dusted with cinnamon - Greece's answer to doughnuts, eaten since ancient times when they were offered at the Olympic Games. Best from dedicated loukoumadika shops.
Where to try: Loukoumadika shops throughout Athens and Greece
Price: €3-6
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Spondi
Two Michelin-starred restaurant in Athens offering exquisite French-Mediterranean fusion in an elegant garden setting. Impeccable service and wine pairing elevate the tasting menu experience.
5 Pyrronos, Pagrati, Athens 116 36, Greece
To Kafeneio
Authentic Athens taverna in Plaka serving classic Greek dishes in charming courtyard. Family recipes and warm hospitality without tourist-trap prices.
26 Epicharmou & Loukianou, Athens 106 75, Greece
O Thanasis
Legendary souvlaki joint in Monastiraki serving kebabs since 1964. Always packed with locals - cash only, minimal seating, maximum flavor.
69 Mitropoleos, Monastiraki, Athens 105 55, Greece
Koulouri Cart - Syntagma
Traditional sesame bread rings sold from carts throughout Athens. Perfect breakfast on-the-go, incredibly cheap, authentically Greek.
Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece
Little Kook
Instagram-famous themed cafe in Psyrri with over-the-top decorations changing seasonally. Elaborate desserts and hot chocolate in fairytale setting.
17 Karaiskaki, Psyrri, Athens 105 54, Greece
Varoulko Seaside
Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou's waterfront restaurant showcasing innovative Greek seafood. Stunning marina views and creative Mediterranean plates.
54 Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano, Piraeus 185 33, Greece
Ouzeri Lesvos
Lively meze restaurant in Thessaloniki specializing in small plates and ouzo. Extensive seafood selection and vibrant atmosphere.
Salaminos 5, Thessaloniki 546 35, Greece
Kostas
Tiny hole-in-the-wall near Syntagma serving Athens' best souvlaki since 1950. Stand-up eating, perfect pita wrapping, unbeatable value.
2 Pentelis & Apollonos, Syntagma, Athens 105 57, Greece
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
French Mediterranean
Spondi
Traditional Greek
To Kafeneio
Nikolas Taverna
O Platanos
Metaxi Mas
Mama's House
Greek Souvlaki
O Thanasis
Kostas
Bairaktaris
Greek Street Food
Koulouri Cart - Syntagma
Cafe & Desserts
Little Kook
Greek Seafood
Varoulko Seaside
Melilotos
Taverna Paradosiaki
Avli Tou Thodori
Armenaki Restaurant
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Souvlaki pita (gyros wrap)
The national fast food: pork or chicken from a rotating spit sliced into pitta bread with tzatziki, tomato, onion, and chips. At under €3, this is Greece's ultimate budget meal and many argue the best food in the country.
Find it at: Souvlaki shops throughout Greece; O Thanasis and Bairaktaris in Monastiraki Square, Athens
Koulouri Thessalonikis
Sesame-coated bread ring sold from street carts at €0.50-1 each - a Thessaloniki institution now found throughout Greece. The sesame rings are breakfast for millions of Greeks and a perfect companion to Greek coffee.
Find it at: Street carts at metro stations and squares throughout Athens and Greece
Bougatsa
Flaky filo pastry filled with warm semolina custard and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon - a Thessaloniki breakfast tradition now found everywhere. Also available with spinach-cheese filling for a savoury version.
Find it at: Pastry shops (zacharoplasteion); Bantis and Giannis bougatsa shops in Thessaloniki
Loukoumades
Freshly fried honey-doused dough balls eaten since ancient times - served hot from dedicated shops with thyme honey and cinnamon. A street food experience unchanged for millennia.
Find it at: Loukoumadika throughout Athens; Lukumades shop in Koukaki, Athens
Spanakopita from the bakery
A freshly baked spinach and feta filo pie from the local bakery is one of Greece's great simple pleasures - hot, flaky, and deeply savoury for under €2. Look for local bakeries (fournos) away from tourist areas.
Find it at: Local Greek bakeries (fournos) throughout Greece
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Varvakios Central Market, Athens
Athens' covered central market from 1886 with separate meat, fish, and produce halls surrounding the central building on Athinas Street. The surrounding shops sell olives, spices, honey, and cheese - a complete sensory immersion in Greek food culture.
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Modiano Market, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki's beloved 1922 covered market with butchers, fishmongers, and delicatessens in a grand colonnaded building. The surrounding Kapani Market extends into adjacent streets for produce, clothing, and everyday goods.
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-4PM
Chania Agora (Municipal Market)
Cruciform 1913 covered market in central Chania modelled on Marseille's market, excellent for Cretan specialties including thyme honey, aged cheeses, carob products, and locally produced olive oil.
Hours: Mon, Wed, Sat 8AM-2PM; Tue, Thu, Fri 8AM-7PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Greeks eat late: lunch 2-4PM, dinner 9-11PM. A restaurant full at 8PM is tourist-oriented; locals arrive from 9:30PM.
Order mezze (small plates) to share rather than individual mains - this is authentic Greek dining culture and gives far more variety.
Fresh fish is priced by weight (kilo) - always confirm the price before ordering, as grilled fish for two can cost €60-80.
The bread and cover charge (€0.50-1.50) is standard at tavernas - not a scam, but you can politely decline it.
Look for the daily specials chalked on a board (the 'mageirefta' - oven dishes) rather than the printed tourist menu for better quality and value.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €5-12/meal | Souvlaki wraps, bakery pies, market produce, budget taverna lunch with carafe wine |
| Mid-range | €18-35/meal | Traditional taverna dinner with starters, main, and house wine for two |
| Upscale | €60-150+/meal | Fine dining at Athens or Santorini top restaurants with wine pairing |