Greeks don’t just love food – they live for it. Sharing meals is part of the culture, and you’ll rarely leave a table without feeling full (and maybe a little spoiled). Traditional Greek food is all about bold flavors and fresh, local ingredients – think sun-ripened vegetables, tangy cheeses, and lots of olive oil.
Heading to Greece? Don’t miss your chance to dig into these unforgettable dishes.
What are the best Greek dishes? The ones that show up at every family table, taverna, and late-night feast – always shared, never rushed. Greek cuisine is a celebration of simple, bold ingredients: olive oil, feta, fresh herbs, and sun-soaked vegetables. It’s not just healthy – it’s full of flavor, history, and heart.
Greece also happens to be one of the top consumers of olive oil per capita (you’ll taste why), and the Mediterranean diet, rooted in Greek traditions, is so good it’s been recognized by UNESCO.
On my recent trip, what stood out most wasn’t just the food, but the way it’s shared. Meals aren’t just eaten – they’re experienced. Here are 20 dishes that truly capture what Greek food is all about.
You can’t talk about Greek food without mentioning moussaka. This baked classic is comfort food at its finest – layered with fried eggplant, spiced minced meat (usually lamb or beef), and thin slices of potato. Then comes the star: a thick, creamy béchamel sauce baked until golden and bubbling.
Moussaka is rich, filling, and full of flavor. You’ll find it across Greece, from rustic tavernas to city bistros. And if you’re veggie, no worries – many places serve meat-free versions with zucchini, mushrooms, or lentils. No matter how it’s made, moussaka is a dish you shouldn’t leave Greece without trying.
Moussaka can be made with mince or as a vegetarian version © Irina Meliukh / Shutterstock
Move over souvlaki – bean dishes are a big deal in Greece. Often called the country’s unofficial national dish, fasolatha is a hearty white bean soup that locals swear by. It’s made with simple, honest ingredients: white beans, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and celery, simmered with herbs like thyme, parsley, and bay leaves for that homemade depth.
A drizzle of olive oil and a slice of crusty bread turn it into a satisfying, feel-good meal. You won’t see fasolatha topping tourist menus, but it’s a staple in Greek homes – and worth seeking out.
Love beans? Don’t miss gigantes plaki (oven-baked giant beans in tomato sauce) or revithada, a slow-cooked chickpea stew from Sifnos that’s packed with earthy flavor.
This Greek bean soup is not as well known internationally but is a national staple © NoirChocolate / Shutterstock
In Athens and Thessaloniki, mornings start with koulouri – soft, sesame-crusted bread rings that are as Greek as it gets. Sold from street carts across the cities, they’re the go-to grab-and-go breakfast for locals on their way to work.
Traditionally plain and slightly chewy, koulouri is perfect with a strong Greek coffee or a chilled freddo espresso. These days, you’ll also find versions filled with cheese, chocolate, or tahini, adding a modern twist to a classic street snack. Cheap, filling, and easy to eat on the move, koulouri is a must-try for any early morning wander.
Koulouri are large soft bread rings covered in sesame seeds, a traditional Greek food © PosiNote/Shutterstock
Yemista (which means “stuffed” in Greek) is a homestyle classic that turns everyday vegetables into something special. Think ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini hollowed out and filled with a mix of rice, fresh herbs like dill and parsley, and sometimes minced meat.
They're baked until soft and bursting with flavor, soaking up all the juices from the filling. You’ll find both vegetarian and meat-filled versions across Greece, often served with a slab of feta and a drizzle of olive oil. Simple, seasonal, and satisfying, yemista is Greek comfort food at its best.
Yemista, traditional Greek dish © Konstantin Kopachinsky/Shutterstock
Loukoumades are Greece’s answer to doughnuts – and they’re dangerously good. These golden, bite-sized balls are fried until crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, then soaked in honey syrup while they’re still warm.
Traditionally topped with cinnamon and crushed walnuts (or sometimes sesame seeds), loukoumades are sweet, sticky, and seriously addictive. Newer spots may jazz them up with chocolate drizzle or pistachio sprinkles, but the classic version still steals the show.
You’ll usually get a big plate to share, perfect with a strong coffee or a glass of dessert wine. Sweet tooth? Sorted.
This Greek delicacy is a sweet normally shared between family and friends © Philippos Philippou / Shutterstock
If you try just one Greek street food, make it souvlaki. These grilled meat skewers – usually pork or chicken – are a go-to across the country. Cooked over open flames until smoky and tender, they’re served with warm pita, creamy tzatziki, crisp salad, and slices of fresh tomato.
Some spots serve them with fries or rice instead, but the flavor’s always spot on. In Athens, look out for kalamaki, a local version where the meat is marinated overnight in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. Simple, juicy, and straight off the grill – this is Greek fast food done right.
Souvlaki is a popular Greek food item around the world © hlphoto / Shutterstock
Dolmades – stuffed grape leaves – are a Greek classic you’ll find everywhere from meze platters to home kitchens. These bite-sized rolls are filled with herby, lemon-scented rice, then wrapped in tender vine leaves and steamed until soft.
The vegetarian version is most common, but you’ll also come across meatier takes made with minced lamb or beef. They’re usually served with a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of lemon juice to bring out the zing.
Enjoy them warm or cold, solo or dipped in tzatziki or plain yogurt. However you eat them, dolmades are proof that Greek cuisine knows how to elevate even the simplest ingredients.
Dolmades are usually eaten as an accompaniment to a main meal © Ryzhkov Photography / Shutterstock
Keftethes are Greek meatballs done right – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor. Made with minced lamb or beef, they’re mixed with grated potato, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs like mint or oregano for a hit of brightness.
Fried to golden perfection, keftethes are often served with a side of yogurt or tzatziki to balance their rich, savory bite. You’ll find them paired with salad, rice, or fries – perfect as part of a meze spread or a quick, satisfying lunch.
Keftedakia with tzatziki © Sergii Koval/Shutterstock
Spanakopita is the queen of Greek pies – and that’s saying something in a country obsessed with pastry. Made with layers of buttery, flaky phyllo dough, it’s filled with a savory mix of spinach, feta, and fresh dill, then baked until crisp and golden.
You’ll find it everywhere in Greece, from corner bakeries to seaside tavernas, served as neat triangles or in hearty slices from a big tray. It’s perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a light lunch.
And if you love spanakopita, try tyropita (filled with cheese), or other regional pies packed with eggplant, mushrooms, or minced meat. Greece does pies like no one else.
Spanakopita is a delicious greek spinach pie © Igor Dutina / Shutterstock
Stifado is Greece’s answer to a slow-cooked stew – rich, warming, and packed with flavor. Traditionally made with beef or rabbit, it’s braised low and slow in a spiced tomato sauce until the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
What sets stifado apart? The onions. Lots of them. Small shallots or pearl onions cook down to add a natural sweetness that balances the depth of cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, and sometimes a splash of red wine.
It’s comfort food at its finest – served with crusty bread, buttery mash, or rice to soak up every drop of that bold, aromatic sauce. Rustic, hearty, and unforgettable.
Stifado, a traditional Greek food © Food Via Lenses/Shutterstock
Gyros is Greek street food at its finest – and you’ll find it everywhere. Similar to a kebab, gyros is made with thin slices of spit-roasted meat (usually pork, chicken, or sometimes lamb or beef), wrapped in warm pita and stuffed with tomato, onion, lettuce, and a dollop of tzatziki or hot sauce.
The pita is often grilled and brushed with olive oil, adding even more flavor to each bite. It’s messy, satisfying, and totally worth it.
Vegetarian? No problem. Many spots offer gyros packed with fried halloumi or crumbled feta and roasted veg. Whatever version you go for, it’s fast, filling, and seriously tasty.
Gyros is one of the most popular Greek dishes with travelers © rawf8 / Shutterstock
Galaktoboureko is a Greek custard dessert that hits the sweet spot – literally. Made with layers of flaky phyllo pastry and filled with creamy, semolina-based custard, it’s baked until golden and then soaked in a light citrus or vanilla syrup.
The result? A crisp top, silky middle, and syrupy base that’s rich without being heavy. A dusting of cinnamon adds a warm finish. It's best eaten warm, when the syrup has soaked through but the phyllo still crunches with every bite.
You’ll find galaktoboureko in bakeries all over Greece, but it’s also a homemade favorite for holidays and celebrations. One bite, and you'll get why it's a national treasure.
Custard, phyllo pastry, melted butter and cinnamon make up this mouth-watering Greek dish © Pit Stock / Shutterstock
Papoutsakia – literally “little shoes” in Greek – is a comfort food classic that’s big on flavor. Halved eggplants are roasted, hollowed out, and packed with a savory mix of minced meat, tomatoes, and peppers, seasoned with herbs and a squeeze of lemon.
They’re then topped with creamy béchamel or a layer of sharp Greek cheese like kefalotyri or graviera, and baked until golden and bubbling. Think of it as moussaka’s cousin – just served in its own edible dish.
Best enjoyed with crusty bread or a fresh Greek salad, papoutsakia is a must for anyone into rich, home-style cooking with a punch of Mediterranean flavor.
Papoutsakia stuffed eggplants dish of Greek cuisine © Victoria Kurylo/Shutterstock
Baklava is one Greek dessert you’ve probably heard of – and with good reason. Made with layers of paper-thin phyllo pastry, crushed nuts (usually walnuts, almonds, or pistachios), and drenched in fragrant honey syrup, it’s sticky, crunchy, and completely addictive.
What sets Greek baklava apart is the syrup, often infused with citrus zest, cinnamon, or clove for a warm, aromatic finish. You’ll find regional twists too: almond-heavy versions in central Greece, walnut baklava in the east, and pistachio-packed slices up north.
Baklava might not be a hidden gem, but it’s a must-try, especially fresh from a bakery with a side of strong Greek coffee.
The crushed nuts in baklava can be different depending on where they're made — usually walnuts, almonds or pistachios © korkut kazcin / Shutterstock
Choriatiki – aka Greek salad – is as essential to a Greek meal as olive oil itself. It’s a no-fuss mix of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, and plump kalamata olives, all topped with a thick slab of feta and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. A sprinkle of oregano seals the deal.
You won’t find lettuce here – this is the real deal, fresh and full of flavor. It’s the perfect dish on a hot day, whether eaten as a starter, a side, or a light lunch with crusty bread to mop up the juices.
Choriatiki – or greek salad – what comes to mind when thinking about Greek food © Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
Kleftiko is slow-cooked Greek lamb at its best – tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Chunks of lamb are baked with potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, all sealed in parchment to trap the steam and aromas.
The name comes from the klephts – Greek bandits who once cooked meat in underground pits to avoid detection. That old-school method lives on in spirit: the lamb falls apart, the vegetables soak up the juices, and the whole thing bursts with rustic, herby goodness.
Kleftiko, one of the most delicious Greek foods © Alizada Studios/Shutterstock
Pastitsio is Greece’s take on a pasta bake, with serious comfort food credentials. Picture layers of tubular pasta, spiced ground beef or lamb, and creamy béchamel, all topped with grated cheese like kefalotyri or graviera and baked until golden and bubbling.
Cinnamon and nutmeg give it a warm, unmistakably Greek flavor – rich and aromatic with every bite. Think lasagna, but with a Mediterranean soul.
Popular across the country (especially in Kefalonia, where Italian influence runs deep), pastitsio is the kind of dish that fills both your stomach and your soul. A true family favorite.
Like lasagne, but instead of pasta sheets, macaroni is used for this traditional Greek food © NTOUMAS ANTONIOS / Shutterstock
Amygdalota – often called Greek macaroons – are delicate almond cookies with just the right mix of crunch and chew. Made with ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, they’re lightly sweet and often scented with orange blossom or rose water for a subtle floral note.
You’ll spot them around holidays or paired with coffee as a midday treat. Some are dusted with powdered sugar, while others are topped with a whole almond pressed into the center.
Amygdalota, one of many Greek desserts © Vesna Markovic/Shutterstock
Giouvetsi is a Greek baked pasta dish that’s pure comfort. It’s made with kritharaki (rice-shaped pasta, similar to orzo), slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce with tender chunks of lamb, beef, or sometimes seafood.
Spiced with cinnamon, bay leaves, and warming herbs, giouvetsi is traditionally baked in a clay pot until everything melts together. Just before serving, it’s topped with grated cheese – usually kefalotyri or mizithra – that adds a salty, creamy finish.
Giouvetsi, a traditional Greek food © Sokor Space/Shutterstock
Tzatziki is the go-to Greek yogurt sauce – cool, creamy, and loaded with flavor. Made with thick Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill (plus a drizzle of olive oil if you're lucky), it's as refreshing as it is versatile.
You’ll find it everywhere: as a dip with warm pita, alongside fried zucchini or eggplant, or dolloped on top of gyros, souvlaki, and grilled meats. Tzatziki adds a tangy, garlicky kick that cuts through rich dishes and brings balance to the plate.
Tzatziki yoghurt and fresh herbs in a bowl with bread © SAUGER/Shutterstock
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written by
Esme Fox
updated 09.06.2025
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