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Greece : Food, Drink & Dining Out

By RomanticHeart | August 13, 2009

In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on the cuisine you’ll experience there…

Greeks often dine out, and restaurants – referred to by locals as taverna or estiatorio – are widespread. Excellent restaurants can be found in popular tourist regions, especially areas frequented by Greek tourists. Eating in places that the locals prefer is a good way to experience authentic Greek cuisine.

The best restaurants will offer not only authentic traditional Greek cuisine and regional specialties, but also Greece’s latest culinary trends as well. Therefore, it’s easy to sample a rich and extensive range of Greek dishes, traditionally cooked, during your stay.

Greek cooking has similarities with the cuisines of neighboring regions, such as the Balkans, Italy and the Middle East. Common ingredients include lamb, pork, bread and grains, olive oil and olives, vegetables and yogurt. Garlic, onion, oregano, mint, dill and bay leaves are typical flavorings.

Fish is a specialty in costal regions and on the islands and is often served on the same day as it was caught. A great variety of cheese types are also used; the vast majority of them hand-made by small family farms throughout Greece and offering distinct local flavors.

Another important part of Greek culture is coffee. Join the locals and drink it while relaxing in one of the many outdoor cafes that line the streets. Greek coffee tends to be thick, strong and black; it is served in a small cup, moderately sweetened, with the grounds left in.

As for alcohol, Greece offers a wide variety of local wines, from indigenous and imported grape varieties. Many restaurants usually have a barrel or two of locally produced house wine, which is generally of good quality. Beer is also popular; local varieties, like Mythos and Alpha, and Northern European beers, such as Heineken and Amstel, being available mostly everywhere.