Top 20 Famous Dishes in Greece + Traditional Desserts You Must Try
Greek food (food Greece) is one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines—fresh, flavorful, healthy, and deeply connected to Mediterranean culture. Whether you’re walking around Athens, relaxing on Santorini, island-hopping on the Cyclades, or traveling mainland Greece, you’ll discover famous dishes in Greece that have been enjoyed for centuries.
This guide includes:
- Top 20 Greek dishes every tourist must try
- Top 5 classic Greek desserts
- Origins, tips, cultural insights, and local recommendations
Let’s dive into the delicious world of Greece traditional food.
Top 20 Famous Dishes in Greece
1. Moussaka
Perhaps the most famous dish in Greece, moussaka is a layered casserole of eggplant, minced meat, potatoes, and creamy béchamel sauce.
It’s rich, comforting, and an essential first bite for any traveler.
2. Gyro
The iconic Greece gyro is a street-food legend—pork or chicken roasted on a vertical spit, wrapped in pita with tomatoes, onions, fries, and tzatziki.
Perfect for lunch on the go, extremely affordable, and available everywhere.
3. Domatokeftedes
This dish looks like fried pancakes mixed with mashed tomatoes, onion and dill. One of the most famous appetizer in Greece
4. Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, olive oil, capers (on islands), and a thick block of feta cheese.
Healthy, refreshing, and a true taste of Greek summer.
5. Pastitsio
Often called “Greek lasagna,” pastitsio uses layered pasta, minced beef, tomato-cinnamon sauce, and béchamel.
A childhood favorite for many Greeks.
6. Dolmades
Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat. Served chilled with lemon.
A classic meze with Ottoman roots deeply woven into Greek cuisine.
7. Gemista
Tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat.
A popular vegetarian dish packed with fresh garden flavors.
8. Tzatziki
Greek yogurt with cucumber, garlic, and olive oil.
Pairs with almost anything—especially grilled meats and pita.
9. Spanakopita
Spinach pie with feta cheese wrapped in crispy phyllo pastry.
Served everywhere from bakeries to restaurants.
10. Saganaki
A fried cheese appetizer—crispy outside, melty inside.
Try it with honey and sesame for a modern twist.
11. Fava Santorini
A creamy yellow split-pea puree unique to Santorini.
Drizzled with olive oil, capers, and onions—simple yet unforgettable.
12. Octopus (Grilled or Marinated)
A Cycladic island classic.
Sun-dried octopus grilled to perfection and served with lemon.
13. Kleftiko
Slow-cooked lamb wrapped in parchment with potatoes and herbs.
A rustic mountain dish with deep history.
14. Lamb Chops (Paidakia)
Juicy, perfectly seasoned lamb chops grilled over charcoal.
A must if you love meat.
15. Bakaliaros & Skordalia
Fried cod served with garlic potato dip.
Traditionally eaten on national holidays but available year-round.
16. Briam
A vegetarian oven-baked medley of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes.
Often called the Greek ratatouille.
17. Kakavia (Greek Fisherman’s Soup)
A light soup typically made by fishermen from the day’s catch.
Simple, authentic, and best enjoyed by the sea.
18. Youvarlakia
Meatball soup with rice served in lemon-egg sauce (avgolemono).
Comfort food for colder seasons.
19. Loukaniko (Greek Sausage)
Smoky, sometimes flavored with orange peel or oregano.
Best enjoyed grilled with bread and mustard.
20. Seafood Pasta
Greece is full of fresh seafood—mussels, shrimp, octopus, calamari mix into delicious island pasta dishes.
Expect garlic, white wine, and local tomatoes.
Top 5 Classic Desserts From Greece
1. Baklava
Layers of phyllo filled with walnuts or pistachios, soaked in honey syrup.
One of the most famous desserts from Greece and the Middle East.
2. Loukoumades
Light dough balls fried and topped with honey, cinnamon, or melted chocolate.
A favorite Greek street sweet.
3. Galaktoboureko
Custard pie wrapped in crispy phyllo and soaked in syrup.
A heavenly dessert often served warm.
4. Kataifi
Shredded pastry rolled around nuts and soaked in sweet syrup.
Has a unique texture and rich flavor.
5. Greek Yogurt With Honey & Walnuts
Simple but iconic.
Using thick strained yogurt, Greek honey, and crunchy nuts—perfect after a heavy meal.
What Makes Greek Food So Special?
Mediterranean ingredients:
Olive oil, tomatoes, lemon, oregano, seafood, and fresh vegetables.
Healthy cooking traditions:
Grilling, slow-cooking, olive-oil dishes, and fresh salads.
Deep cultural history:
Greek cuisine blends influences from Ancient Greece, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire.
Island vs Mainland styles:
Seafood dominates the islands, while meat and slow-cooked dishes are common inland.
Tips for Tourists Trying Greek Food for the First Time
- Eat where locals eat. Avoid tourist-trap menus with photos.
- Try dishes by region:
- Santorini: fava, white eggplant
- Crete: dakos, local cheeses
- Athens: street food
- Northern Greece: hearty meat dishes
- Order meze: Small shared plates offer the best variety.
- Don’t skip the wine. Especially Santorini wines (Assyrtiko).
FAQ
1. What is the most famous food in Greece?
Moussaka, souvlaki, gyro, and Greek salad are among the most famous dishes in Greece and the most recognized worldwide.
2. What Greek dishes should tourists try first?
Start with moussaka, gyro, souvlaki, saganaki, Greek salad, domatokeftedes and fava—these represent classic Greek flavors.
3. Is Greek food healthy?
Yes. Greek cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, olive oil, seafood, legumes, and lean meats, making it one of the healthiest diets globally.
4. What is a traditional Greek dessert?
Baklava, kataifi, loukoumades, and galaktoboureko are popular traditional Greek desserts.
5. Is gyro the same as souvlaki?
No. Gyro is meat shaved from a rotating spit, while souvlaki is grilled meat on skewers.
6. What Greek foods are best for vegetarians?
Gemista, briam, Greek salad, spanakopita, fava, and dolmades are excellent vegetarian options.
7. Where can I try authentic Greek food?
Choose small tavernas, family-owned restaurants, and places where locals are eating—not tourist areas with multilingual picture menus.
