Γεια σας foodie explorers!
If you love Greece or you’re learning Greek, there’s no better way to dive in than through food.
From seaside tavernas to busy Athenian souvlaki stands, every dish is a taste of Greece — and a chance to practice your Greek.
So, I’ve picked 10 Greek foods that I personally love—and you won’t want to miss.
Even better, I’ll show you how to order each one in Greek, so you can enjoy them like a local, whether you’re traveling in Greece or practicing from home.
Shall we begin?
1. Souvlaki (Σουβλάκι)
How could I not start without the one and only souvlaki?
It beats all other street food, and I simply adore it.
I love it so much that when I was little, my mother once tried to “punish” me by saying she’d order me souvlaki every day for a week. She thought I’d get tired of it.
After three days, she was the one who gave up— because my craving for souvlaki was even bigger! I guess I won that round, but I still remember that she owes me four more days of souvlaki.
So, what is this famous Greek food made of?
It consists of small pieces of grilled meat — usually pork or chicken, sometimes beef, or even vegetarian versions with mushrooms. You’ll find it on a skewer (καλαμάκι / kalamáki) or wrapped in pita bread with tomato, onion, fries, and a dollop of tzatziki.
My personal favorite?
Souvlaki with pork, tomato, and tzatziki.
How to Order Souvlaki in Greek
Don’t just say:
Ένα σουβλάκι, παρακαλώ.
(Éna souvláki, parakaló.)
One souvlaki, please.
Chances are, you’ll get rolled eyes — because there are so many things you can add to a souvlaki these days!
Here are some classic ways to order it, handy for your trip or practice:
Ένα πίτα γύρο χοιρινό, παρακαλώ.
(Éna píta gýro chirinó, parakaló.)
One pita with pork gyro, please.
Ένα πίτα καλαμάκι χοιρινό απ’ όλα, παρακαλώ.
(Éna píta kalamáki chirinó apó óla, parakaló.)
One pita with pork skewer with everything, please.
Ένα πίτα γύρο κοτόπουλο, παρακαλώ.
(Éna píta gýro kotópoulo, parakaló.)
One pita with chicken gyro, please.
Μπορώ να έχω δύο τυλιχτά με γύρο χοιρινό;
(Boró na écho dýo tylichtá me gýro chirinó?)
Can I have two wraps with pork gyro?
Δύο καλαμάκια χοιρινά, παρακαλώ.
(Dýo kalamákia chiriná, parakaló.)
Two pork skewers, please.
Τρία καλαμάκια κοτόπουλο, παρακαλώ.
(Tría kalamáki kotópoulo, parakaló.)
Three chicken skewers, please.
Tip
Ask if the souvlaki comes with tzatziki or fries inside — every place does it a little differently!
2. Kayianas / Strapatsada (Καγιανάς / Στραπατσάδα)
Have I ever told you how much I love eggs?
I can eat them in every form, and kayianas (also called strapatsada in some regions) is one of my absolute favorites. It’s so easy to make and so fulfilling that I could literally eat it every day!
All you need to do is scramble eggs with fresh tomatoes in olive oil and sprinkle a little feta on top. Some people like to add chopped onions, but I usually skip them. Serve it with fresh bread, and you have a simple yet delicious meal.
You can also find it in many tavernas across Greece.
How to Order Kayiana in Greek
Μία καγιανά, παρακαλώ.
(Mía kayiáná, parakaló.)
One kayianas, please.
Μία μερίδα καγιανά, παρακαλώ.
(Mía merída kayiáná, parakaló.)
One serving of kayianas, please.
Μήπως σερβίρετε καγιανά;
(Mípos servírete kayiáná?)
Do you serve kayianas?
Tip
Try it with a slice of fresh bread or topped with a bit of crumbled feta. Some tavernas even add sausage — ask if they do for a heartier version.
3. Yiuvétsi (Γιουβέτσι)
Yiuvétsi is something I don’t usually cook at home — I prefer to enjoy it when I’m out, especially on winter excursions.
Imagine this: you’re somewhere in Pelion Mountain, it’s cold outside, you’re sitting in a traditional taverna near the fireplace, and in front of you is a steaming plate of giouvétsi. It’s like a hug on a plate.
Tender beef, pork, lamb, or even chicken is slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic herbs, then baked with orzo (κριθαράκι) pasta. The result is always hearty, comforting, and truly one of my favorite Greek comfort foods.
How to Order Yiuvetsi in Greek
Ένα γιουβέτσι, παρακαλώ.
(Éna yiuvétsi, parakaló.)
One yiuvetsi, please.
Θα ήθελα μία μερίδα γιουβέτσι με μοσχάρι.
(Tha íthela mía merída yiuvétsi me moschári.)
I’d like one serving of yiuvétsi with beef.
Το γιουβέτσι είναι με μοσχάρι ή χοιρινό;
(To yiuvétsi íne me moschári í chirinó?)
Is the yiuvétsi made with beef or pork?
Tip
In most places, yiuvétsi is baked in a clay pot — which gives it extra flavor! Ask for grated cheese (“τριμμένο τυρί”) on top before serving.
4. Greek Salad (Χωριάτικη σαλάτα)
People often say, “Nothing says Greek summer like a horiátiki saláta,” but I’d argue that every season deserves this famous Greek salad.
And can you blame anyone? It became so popular for many good reasons.
Take me, for example — I’m not usually a big fan of veggies (yes, I shamelessly admit it), yet my mouth waters at the sight of this colorful mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, green pepper, olives, feta cheese, a sprinkle of oregano, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
In some places, you can even find it with κάπαρη (capers), but definitely no lettuce — ever!
It’s served in every taverna, often alongside grilled meat or fish, but you can also easily make it at home. While it usually works as a side dish, it’s also hearty enough to enjoy as a full meal.
How to Order Horiatiki in Greek
Μία χωριάτικη, παρακαλώ.
(Mía horiátiki, parakaló.)
A Greek salad, please.
Simple, right? Everyone will understand exactly what you mean — it’s practically one of our basic Greek phrases now!
Want to customize it? Here are some handy phrases:
Μία χωριάτικη χωρίς κρεμμύδι, παρακαλώ.
(Mía horiátiki chorís kremmýdi, parakaló.)
A Greek salad without onion, please.
Tip
If someone at the table doesn’t eat cheese, ask for the feta separately — this is very common and locals won’t bat an eye.
Θα ήθελα μία χωριάτικη και τη φέτα σε ξεχωριστό πιάτο.
(Tha íthela mía horiátiki kai ti féta se xechoristó piáto.)
I’d like a Greek salad with the feta on a separate plate.
5. Dolmadákia (Ντολμαδάκια)
Dolmadákia are deeply connected with my childhood.
I still remember my aunts sitting around the kitchen table, carefully rolling vine leaves they had brought from Chios Island. They made tons of them — all exactly the same size! I swear, they had discovered the perfect dolmadaki.
Honestly, I’ve never seen that level of perfection again in my life.
These tiny vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat can completely change the way you see food culture. Personally, I prefer mine without meat, but both versions are delicious.
They’re often served with a squeeze of lemon, a side of Greek yogurt, or occasionally with avgolemono (egg-lemon) sauce.
How to Order Dolmadakia in Greek
Μία μερίδα ντολμαδάκια, παρακαλώ.
(Mía merída dolmadákia, parakaló.)
One serving of dolmadákia, please.
Tip
Ask whether the dolmadakia are plain or with meat before ordering, especially for dietary preferences.
Τα ντολμαδάκια έχουν κρέας ή είναι σκέτα;
(Ta dolmadákia échoun kréas í íne skéta?)
Do the dolmadákia have meat, or are they plain?
6. Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο)
Often called the “Greek lasagna”, pastítsio for me has my mom’s name all over it. She makes the best pastitsio, and for me, it always tastes like home.
It’s made with pasta tubes, spiced ground beef, and tomato sauce, all topped with a thick, creamy layer of béchamel. The result? Comfort in every bite.
I love eating it both warm and cold the next day — seriously, cold pastitsio straight from the fridge also rocks! And if you pair it with some feta cheese and a Greek salad (χωριάτικη), it’s pure heaven.
How to Order Pastitsio in Greek
Ένα παστίτσιο, παρακαλώ.
(Éna pastítsio, parakaló.)
One pastitsio, please.
Μπορώ να έχω μία μερίδα παστίτσιο;
(Boró na écho mía merída pastítsio?)
Can I have one serving of pastitsio?
Θα ήθελα μία μερίδα παστίτσιο και μία χωριάτικη.
(Tha íthela mía merída pastítsio kai mía horiátiki.)
I’d like one serving of pastitsio and one Greek salad.
Μπορείτε να μου φέρετε και λίγη φέτα μαζί με το παστίτσιο;
(Boríte na mou férete kai lígi féta mazí me to pastítsio?)
Could you bring me a little feta with the pastitsio?
Tip
The top layer of béchamel should be golden and slightly crispy — that’s the mark of a perfect pastitsio. And yes, it’s even better the next day!
7. Grilled Octopus (Χταπόδι στα κάρβουνα)
Grilled octopus always brings to mind a very special memory:
me, swimming at Paxoi Island, and staring at the hanging octopuses at the taverna at the end of the beach, eagerly waiting for the moment I could eat there after my swim.
Oh, boy! That was one of the best meals of my life. I don’t even need to convince you to try this dish — if you haven’t already, just imagine its smoky, tender texture and the freshness of the Aegean in every bite.
It’s usually served with olive oil, oregano, and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice — pure Greek seaside perfection.
How to Order Octopus in Greek
Ένα χταπόδι στα κάρβουνα, παρακαλώ.
(Éna chtapódi sta kárvouna, parakaló.)
One grilled octopus, please.
Έχετε φρέσκο χταπόδι;
(Échete frésko chtapódi?)
Do you have fresh octopus?
Θα ήθελα μία μερίδα χταπόδι, παρακαλώ.
(Tha íthela mía merída chtapódi, parakaló.)
I’d like one serving of octopus, please.
Tip
Pair it with ouzo for the full island experience. And don’t be shy to ask,
Έχετε φρέσκο ή κατεψυγμένο;
(Échete frésko í katepsygméno?)
Is it fresh or frozen?
Grilled octopus is best fresh
8. Gemista (Γεμιστά)
The amount of gemistá I’ve eaten in my life still doesn’t reflect the true love I have for them.
Why? Well, they’re kind of complex and take many hours to make. So whenever you find them, just grab them — it’s not only a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, it’s poetry in your mouth.
“Gemistá” literally means “stuffed”, and these oven-baked beauties are summer on a plate. Tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchinis or eggplants are hollowed out and filled with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat, or even raisins and pine nuts, then baked in olive oil.
Many Greek families serve them with roasted potatoes and a side of feta.
My personal favorite?
Eggplant gemistá — absolutely delicious!
But in restaurants, you’ll usually see them served as stuffed tomatoes and peppers.
How to Order Yemista in Greek
Μία μερίδα γεμιστά, παρακαλώ.
(Mía merída yemistá, parakaló.)
One serving of gemistá, please.
Βάζετε και πατάτες;
(Vázetai kai patátes?)
Do you also serve them with potatoes?
Μπορώ να έχω και λίγη φέτα;
(Boró na écho kai lígi féta?)
Can I have a slice of feta on the side?
Tip
If you see gemistá listed as “νηστίσιμα” (nistísima), it means they’re made without meat — perfect for vegetarians or during fasting periods. You can ask:
Είναι νηστίσιμα τα γεμιστά;
(Íne nistísima ta yemistá?)
Are the gemistá vegetarian?
9. Moschári Kokkinistó me Makarónia (Μοσχάρι κοκκινιστό με μακαρόνια)
One dish I cook a lot — especially during the winter — is moschári kokkinistó me makarónia, or beef stew with pasta.
It’s rich, comforting, and absolutely perfect for cooler evenings.
This classic Greek favorite is made with beef slowly stewed in tomato sauce, onions, and olive oil, then served over pasta.
If you want to try it at home, I’ve actually shared my favorite recipe for Easy Greek Beef Stew — it’s simple, hearty, and full of flavor.
Although I prefer it with pasta and a generous sprinkle of grated cheese, you’ll also find variations of it served with fried or boiled potatoes or even rice.
How to Order Moschari Kokkinistó in Greek
Θα ήθελα μία μερίδα μοσχάρι κοκκινιστό με μακαρόνια.
(Tha íthela mía merída moschári kokkinistó me makarónia.)
I’d like one serving of beef stew with pasta.
Ένα μοσχάρι κοκκινιστό με μακαρόνια, παρακαλώ.
(Éna moschári kokkinistó me makarónia, parakaló.)
One beef stew with pasta, please.
Με τι μπορώ να συνοδεύσω το μοσχάρι κοκκινιστό;
(Me ti boró na synodépsō to moschári kokkinistó?)
What can I have on the side with the beef stew?
Μπορώ να έχω και λίγο τριμμένο τυρί;
(Boró na écho kai lígo triméno tyrí?)
Can I have a little grated cheese too?
Tip
If you see it listed as “κοκκινιστό” (kokkinistó) without further detail, it’s almost always beef — but sometimes lamb or veal. You can always ask,
Με τι είναι το κοκκινιστό;
(Me ti íne to kokkinistó?)
What meat is the stew made with?
10. Tzatziki (Τζατζίκι)
I definitely saved the best for last!
Even though tzatzíki isn’t exactly a dish — it’s more of a magic sauce — it can accompany almost everything. Honestly, for me, it does go with everything… but okay, I’ll try to be modest.
Tzatzíki is made with strained yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and either dill or mint. So simple, yet so flavorful. It pairs perfectly with grilled meat, fried vegetables, and of course, pita bread.
A classic combo is tzatzíki with fried zucchini — trust me, you’ll fall in love. And if you’re in a taverna, ask if they have grilled bread drizzled with olive oil to spread your tzatzíki on.
You can thank me later!
How to Order Tzatziki in Greek
Μία μερίδα τζατζίκι, παρακαλώ.
(Mía merída tzatzíki, parakaló.)
One serving of tzatziki, please.
Μήπως έχετε και ψωμί ψημένο ή φρυγανισμένο;
(Mípos échete kai psomí psiméno í fryganisméno?)
Do you also have grilled or toasted bread?
Το τζατζίκι είναι πολύ καυτερό;
(To tzatzíki íne polý kaft-eró?)
Is the tzatziki very spicy?
Tip
Every taverna’s tzatzíki is a little different — some make it extra garlicky, others creamier. Don’t be afraid to ask how they prepare it!
Useful Greek Phrases for Ordering Food
Before you dive into your next Greek meal, here are a few key expressions that will help you sound more natural — and polite — when ordering at a taverna or café.
Παρακαλώ (parakaló) → “please” or “you’re welcome.”
A versatile word you’ll use a lot! You can say it when asking for something (“Μία μπύρα, παρακαλώ.” — “One beer, please.”) or in response to “thank you” (“Ευχαριστώ!” → “Παρακαλώ!”).
Θα ήθελα (Tha íthela) → “I would like.”
A polite and very common way to order food or drinks.
For example:
- “Θα ήθελα μία σαλάτα.” (Tha íthela mía saláta.) → “I’d like a salad.”
- “Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ.” (Tha íthela énan kafé.) → “I’d like a coffee.”
Ένα / Μία / Έναν (Éna / Mía / Énan) → “one.”
Greek nouns have gender, so the word for “one” changes:
- Ένα for neuter nouns: “Ένα σουβλάκι” (One souvlaki)
- Μία for feminine nouns: “Μία μπύρα” (One beer)
- Έναν for masculine nouns: “Έναν καφέ” (One coffee)
Χωρίς (chorís) → “without.”
A handy word for customizing your order!
For example: “Μία χωριάτικη χωρίς κρεμμύδι, παρακαλώ.” → “A Greek salad without onion, please.”
Με (me) → “with.”
Use it when adding something:
“Καφέ με γάλα, παρακαλώ.” → “Coffee with milk, please.”
Over to You
Which of these Greek dishes have you tried — or which one is calling your name?
Write it in Greek in the comments below 🙂
