Γεια σας foodie explorers!
Whether you love Greek food, want to expand your Greek food vocabulary,
or dream of cooking Greek dishes at home, this post is for you.
I’ve created a fun and easy-to-remember Greek food dictionary,
covering everything from sweet desserts to grilled octopus, and from
everyday ingredients to classic dishes.
In this guide you’ll find everything you need to understand what you’re
eating, practice your Greek, or explore Greek cuisine at home.
It’s all the essential words in one handy list, so you can focus on enjoying
the food while learning the language!
Greek Food Vocabulary
1. Basics & Pantry Items
Let’s start with the basics — the ingredients you’ll find in every
Greek kitchen.
ψωμί (το) – psomí – bread
νερό (το) – neró – water
κρασί (το) – krasí – wine
λάδι (το) – ládi – olive oil
ελιά (η) – elia – olive
αλάτι (το) – aláti – salt
πιπέρι (το) – pipéri – pepper
αλεύρι (το) – alevrí – flour
ζάχαρη (η) – záhari – sugar
γάλα (το) – gála – milk
2. Meat, Seafood & Protein
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s move on to the heart
of many Greek meals — meat and seafood.
Meat & Poultry
κρέας (το) – kréas – meat
χοιρινό (το) – hirinó – pork
μοσχάρι / βοδινό (το) – moshári / vodinó – beef
αρνί (το) – árni – lamb
κοτόπουλο (το) – kotópoulo – chicken
πουλερικά (τα) – pouleriká – poultry
πάπια (η) – pápia – duck
γαλοπούλα (η) – galopoúla – turkey
And of course, since Greece is surrounded by the sea,
seafood plays a starring role in the cuisine.
Seafood
ψάρι (το) – psári – fish
γαρίδες (οι) – garídes – shrimp
αστακός (ο) – astakós – lobster
χταπόδι (το) – htapódi – octopus
καλαμαράκια (τα) – kalamarákia – calamari
σαρδέλα (η) – sardéla – sardines
γαύρος (ο) – gávros – anchovies
In addition, you’ll often find these ingredients in everyday dishes:
Other proteins
αυγό (το) – avgó – egg
τυρί (το) – tirí – cheese
φέτα (η) – féta – feta cheese
γραβιέρα (η) – graviera – hard yellow cheese
κεφαλοτύρι (το) – kefalotúri – hard cheese from sheep/goat milk
3. Classic Greek Dishes
Next, let’s look at some of the most beloved dishes you’ll come across in Greece.
σουβλάκι (το) – souvlákí – meat skewers
γύρος (ο) – yeeros – pita-wrapped meat
μπιφτέκι (το) – biftéki – Greek burger
μουσακάς (ο) – mousakás – eggplant & potato casserole
παπουτσάκια (τα) – papoutsákia – stuffed eggplant
γιουβέτσι (το) – yiouvétsi – meat & pasta casserole
σπανακόπιτα (η) – spanakopíta – spinach pie
τυρόπιτα (η) – tirópita – cheese pie
κολοκυθόπιτα (η) – kolokithópita – zucchini pie
χορτόπιτα (η) – hortópita – savory greens pie
παξιμάδι (το) – paximádi – rusk (usually barley)
No Greek meal is complete without something sweet!
Here are a few favorites to get you started.
Desserts & Sweets
μπακλαβάς (ο) – baklavás – phyllo pastry with honey & walnuts
μελομακάρονα (τα) – melomakárona – honey cookies
καρυδόπιτα (η) – karidópita – walnut cake
δίπλες (οι) – díples – fried pastry with honey
γαλακτομπούρεκο (το) – galaktobouréko – custard-filled phyllo dessert
ραβανί (το) – ravaní – semolina cake with syrup
τσουρέκι (το) – tsuréki – sweet Easter bread
4. Cooking Styles
Now that you know the dishes, let’s see how they’re cooked.
These words will help you describe how you want your meal prepared.
στη σχάρα – sti schára – grilled
τηγανητό – tiganitó – fried
ψητό – psitó – roasted
βραστό – vrastó – boiled
στον ατμό – ston atmó – steamed
5. Sauces, Dips & Extras
In Greek cuisine, sauces and dips bring every meal to life.
τζατζίκι (το) – tzatzíki – yogurt & cucumber dip
σκορδαλιά (η) – skordaliá – garlic dip
ταραμοσαλάτα (η) – taramosaláta – fish roe dip
αυγολέμονο (το) – avgolemóno – egg & lemon sauce
σάλτσα (η) – sáltsa – sauce
6. Describing Food
Finally, here are some words to help you describe what you’re tasting — because Greek food deserves all the compliments!
γλυκός – glykós – sweet
αλμυρός – almyrós – salty
πικάντικο – pikántiko – spicy
καλοψημένο – kalopsiméno – well done
ζεστός – zestós – hot
κρύο – krýo – cold
λαχταριστό – lachtaristó – yummy
πικρός – pikrós – bitter
7. Politeness & Dining Words
And of course, a few extra phrases to make your dining experience smoother.
λαχταριστό – lachtaristó – yummy
πεινάω – peináo – I’m hungry
είμαι πλήρης – eímai plíris – I’m full
περισσότερο – perissótero – more
πιο λίγο – pio lígo – less
αλλεργικός – allergikós – allergic
Hungry for more?
If you’re ready to expand your vocabulary even further, don’t stop here!
Greek Food: Vegetables – will teach you the greens every Greek kitchen loves!
Greek Food: Fruits – will sweeten your vocabulary naturally!
Keep these handy to explore more vocabulary and build your Greek food fluency step by step — one delicious word at a time!
A Delicious Way to Learn
Greek food isn’t just about flavors — it’s a way to experience the
language.
Every word you learn opens a little window into Greek culture,
from the simplest loaf of bread to a rich dessert like baklava.
So next time you eat, read, or cook, let your curiosity guide you.
Soon, these words won’t just be vocabulary — they’ll become part
of your everyday Greek food adventures.
