Top 25 Greek Foods – The Most Popular Dishes in Greece

Sun kissed beaches, tranquil seas, dramatic sunsets, lazy days and Greek food… Time in Greece really is an enchantment, the perfect laid back treat for your senses.

It is a place where the ancient world peeks into the modern, whether its impressive temples, the catharsis of a Greek tragedy or the age-old recipes spiced with influences from the Middle East, Italy and the Ottoman Empire.

This is Mediterranean cuisine at its best: high quality, fresh local ingredients, copious amounts of olive oil, garlic, herbs and yogurt; the freshest of fish and tenderest of meat; cheese, bread, and wines to your heart’s content.

Greek food is best tasted when you have relieved yourself of the stresses and strains of everyday life. So sit back and take our top 20 dishes while you start thinking about planning your next trip.

1. Moussaka

The iconic Greek dish, moussaka is creamy, delicious, and fit for a balmy summer evening under the stars.

Spiced lamb or beef cooked in a rich tomato sauce, then layered with fried eggplant and béchamel sauce and baked til the flavors have all seeped through. It really is the ultimate traditional Greek dish. 

2. Papoutsakia (Stuffed Eggplants)

Papoutsakia means little shoes in reference to the shape of the dish. But that is the only resemblance to shoes as this is moreish eggplants stuffed with a tomato-based beef or lamb sauce.

Topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and sprinkled with cheese, it is then baked til it comes out golden. All it needs is a crisp fresh salad, quality bread, and a glass of the local wine.

3. Pastitsio (Greek lasagna)

It’s known as the Greek lasagne; though why isn’t lasagne known as the Italian pastitsio?

This is a pasta bake with unique Greek twists that elevate it beyond a staple lunch dish. The bucatini pasta is tossed with feta cheese and egg white, while the meat sauce is dusted with cinnamon and cloves. It is unmistakenly Greek, right down to the thick béchamel sauce flavored with nutmeg, enriched with egg yolk, and full of kefalotyri cheese – a hard goat’s or sheep’s cheese, much like parmesan (or parmesan is much like kefalotyri).

4. Souvlaki (Gyros)

Ah! Souvlaki! Cubes of marinated lamb, chicken, or pork are grilled on a skewer with onions. Plated on a green salad, you can eat it straight off the skewer. Or order it wrapped in pita and eat it on the go.

One thing to remember about souvlaki is that the quality and taste will differ from restaurant to restaurant and from street stall to street stall. Each establishment will have its own recipes and the quality of the meat and sauce will not always be the same.

5. Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs) 

Pronouncing this dish is a mouthful in itself, so if you prefer, you can refer to it as Izmir köfte, Izmir being the Turkish city from whence it hails.

Soutzoukakia are ground beef, or beef and pork, meatballs baked in a tomato sauce and served with rice. It sounds simple, but there is a little more to it.

The meat is flavored with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs, and a comforting, earthy combination of cinnamon and cumin. Cinnamon features in the sauce too, along with bay leaves and garlic.

All baked together makes this a heart-warming, comforting dish perfect for ending a day of sight-seeing on cool evenings.

6. Seafood 

With 8 and a half thousand miles of coastline encompassing the mainland and a little over 200 inhabited islands, it is no wonder that foods from the sea feature so highly in the Greek diet.

Try a plate of lightly floured and fried calamari with a squeeze of lemon for starters, or saganaki prawns cooked in red sauce, chili, feta cheese, and ouzo with some crusty bread.

Mussels as main course or meze are loved here, especially on the islands. They come in various sauces – lemon and parsley, mustard sauce, red sauce or even cooked in ouzo.

Kitharaki shrimps with orzo are beautiful cooked in red sauce, onion and garlic. Eat them hot with a squeeze of lemon or even some Greek yogurt.

Otopus is really popular here and you’ll see it on almost every menu. Whether marinated and cooked in a light tomato sauce or marinated in rosemary and garlic and chargrilled, it will never disappoint.

The fish here is super fresh. You’ll find grouper, sea bass and sea bream fried and served up with potatoes, carrots, and skordalia – a delicious garlic sauce –  or grilled and finished with a light seasoning and a squeeze of lemon.

Gavros, or anchovies, will often be fried and served with a lush green salad. Though you might find them marinated in lemon, olive oil and garlic – “cooked” by the lemon – and this is truly delicious.

But despite the freshness of the fish, one dish really worth seeking out is lakerda. This is pickled mackerel or tuna, salted, brined and immersed in olive oil. It is a celebration of a centuries-old tradition and needs the simple addition of olives and fresh tomatoes.

7. Stifado (Greek Beef Stew)

Tender, slow-cooked beef and onions steeped in a rich tomato sauce with cinnamon, vinegar and red wine, stifado is as traditional as they come. It is perfect on cold winter days served up with rice or mashed potates, making a truly hearthy meal.

With meals like this readily available, it is no surprise that Greece has been named one of the best holiday destinations of 2021.

8. Tomatokeftedes (Fried Tomato Balls)

Tomatokeftedes, or tomato fritters, are a traditional appetizer on the island of Santorini. Made with diced tomatoes, onions, mint, and feta cheese, these small bites of heaven provide a unique combination of flavors.

Due to the volcanic nature of the island’s soil, the local tomatoes have an amazing texture, which make for the best tomato fritters! 

9. Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a classic Greek dip/appetizer made of strained yogurt, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, fresh dill, and sometimes lemon juice. It is a simple and easy appetizer to prepare and it goes perfectly with almost every dish!

10. Kolokithokeftedes (Fried Zucchini/Courgette Balls)

Kolokithokeftedes is a popular Cretan appetizer that will mesmerize your taste buds with its flavorful texture. This starter is made with grated zucchini, fresh mint, feta cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. 

Served with tzatziki or a plain yogurt dip, they make a wonderful, very tasty vegetarian appetizer. 

11. Giouvetsi (Beef/Lamb Stew with Orzo Pasta)

The Greek Giouvetsi is made with orzo pasta, onions, red wine, delicious tomato sauce, and a protein of choice (usually beef or lamb). It makes for a perfect Sunday family dish!

Giovetsi can also be prepared with chicken or even mushrooms. Check out our fantastic lamb giovetsi recipe shared with us by Greek celebrity chef Giorgos Tsoulis.

12. Choriatiki (Greek Salad)

An all-time favorite for all Greeks is choriatiki salad, which is a must with almost every single meal. A traditional Greek salad, it is made with cucumber, olives, tomatoes, and a big piece of feta cheese.

The dressing is left to personal preference, which is why every restaurant it comes with olive oil, salt, vinegar, and pepper. Choriatiki is traditionally eaten as a starter but can also be a great side dish. 

13. Kleftiko

Just like seafood, lamb is a specialty in Greece and their lamb dishes are exceptional! This traditional Greek dish is slow oven cooked lamb infused with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. The recipe was originally called for an earthen oven to trap smoke and heat. 

The word ‘Kleftiko’ translates as ‘stolen’ and the name for the dish is said to have originated from the Klephts (descendents of Greeks who were anti-Ottoman insurgents) who would steal goats or lamb and cook the meat in hidden underground ovens in order to seal the smells and flavors and avoid getting caught! 

14. Gemista (Stuffed Veggies with Rice)

Gemista is a traditional home cooked meal that includes tomatoes stuffed with rice, various herbs, and minced meat (meat can be excluded). You can experiment with different types of herbs and spices and you can use different types of vegetables, such as potatoes or green peppers, instead of tomatoes. 

15. Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)

Although not so well known internationally, another traditional Greek dish, is this simple and hearty white bean soup called Fasolada.

Consisting of beans, crushed tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onion and flavored with bay leaves, parsley, and thyme, it is an oh so tasty vegan meal.

16. Bougatsa (Custard Pie with Phyllo Pastry)

When in Greece, eat a Greek breakfast. Bougatsa is semolina custard or cheese wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo, a thin dough used in pastries.

Garnished with cinnamon and powdered sugar, it is much more scrumptious than a pancake. 

17. Tiropita (Greek Cheese Pie)

Tiropita, otherwise known as ‘Greek cheese pie’, is popular throughout Greece and is eaten for breakfast or as a mid-day snack. The main ingredient you will need to make these phyllo dough triangles are various types of cheese (mostly feta). 

Crumbled feta cheese is mixed with two other kinds of yellow cheese, for added flavor. The mixture is then wrapped in phyllo pastry, brushed with olive oil or melted butter, and baked until crispy and golden! 

This heartwarming dish can also be made with chicken if you prefer!

18. Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

Spanikopita, otherwise known as Greek spinach pie, is another pie popular throughout Greece. It is prepared in a similar way to the tiropita dish, aboveand is delicious eaten any time of day for breakfast, dinner, or as a starter or snack. It’s a very popular Greek Easter dish.

To prepare the spanakopita, you will need to crumble feta cheese and mix it with spinach. The mixture is then wrapped in phyllo pastry, brushed with olive oil or melted butter and baked until crispy and golden.  In the spinach-feta filling you can use dill, onions, and eggs (the eggs hold the mixture together). 

19. Feta Cheese with Honey

You may find the combination of honey and feta cheese odd but, honestly, this dish is not to be missed. The feta cheese is wrapped in layers of phyllo and after it’s baked, some Greek honey is drizzled over it and it’s topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. 

20. Horta (Leafy Boiled Greens)

Horta is the classic vegetable dish in Greece that consists of lightly-boiled leafy greens, including vleeta, chicory, dandelion, or mustard, seasoned and served with lemon or vinegar and olive oil. 

21. Tirokroketes (Fried Cheese Balls)

Tirokroketes (fried cheese balls) is a dish for all you cheese lovers out there. Usually eaten as an appetizer, these delicious small bites are made from a combination of cheeses, graviera, feta, and gouda, which is then mixed with bread crumbs before being fried.

22. Briam (Roasted Vegetables)

Look at this vibrant, delectable dish! There is something so inviting about the brightness and design of this medley of vegetables. Slices of zucchini, eggplant, and potato are smothered in tomato sauce and garnished with oregano.

Flavored with garlic and onions and coated with olive oil, it is then baked to create a tasty Mediterranean flavored dish.

23. Saganaki (Fried Cheese)

How simple is this! Cheese dredged in flour and fried. Simple and very more-ish, if you see this on the menu you have to give it a try.

Made with graviera, kefalograviera, halloumi, kasseri, kefalotyri, or sheep’s milk feta cheese, thinly sliced and fired at a high temperature, it forms a golden crust. You will love cruching into it!

24. Gigantes (Giant Beans)

You will be disappointed every time you dish up a portion of tinned baked bins once you have tried gigantes.

These hearty beans are baked in tomato sauce and fresh herbs and will often come garnished with crumbled feta cheese. Not to be missed!

25. Dolmades (Stuffed Grapevine Leaves)

Dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves, are a great vegetarian dish that you will find in Greek restaurants worldwide.

Rolled up with a mixture of lemon-flavored rice, fresh herbs, and spices, they are then boiled until tender. Note: The grapevine leaves can be substituted with cabbage. 

If you love Greek cuisine, check out our next articles on the best 20 Greek desserts and the most popular Greek Christmas Foods & Desserts.

Nest of Chef Staff

Our editorial team is responsible for the research, creation, and publishing of in-house studies, original reports and articles on food trends, industry news and guides.