Greece, one of the most popular yachting destinations, is not just about the turquoise waters, the white houses with blue roofs and the friendly people, but also the amazing food. Greek cuisine is based mainly on fresh food, including lamb and fresh fish. Some dishes are similar to Turkish ones, so you can even experience a bit of of the exotic without leaving the European Union.
Due to the high temperatures, the Greeks eat later than we do, with lunch being served around two o'clock in the afternoon consisting of something light or vegetarian. Afterwards, shops and offices close until 17:00. The main meal of the day is consumed in the evening, around nine o'clock.
The freshness and taste of the food are important for the Greeks and they really savour it. Therefore, when choosing a restaurant in tourist areas, always go where the locals go. Many times you can experience the greatest gastronomic experience in a small tavern in a remote alley off the beaten path.
So what to sample in Greece?
Orektiká (appetizers)
- Grilled squid
- Pikilia – a platter of appetizers, which usually includes various seafood, potatoes, minced meat balls, cheese and salad
- Choriatik – Greek salad as we know it, with feta cheese, tomatoes, peppers, olives, onions and lettuce
- A traditional appetizer is also olives with feta
- Chtapodosalata – salad with octopus
- Dakos – Greek cranberries, toasted bread with tomatoes, onions and olive oil
- Garlic soup
- Fasolada – a stew with peas, carrots, corn and beans
Octopus A perfect aperitif is Greek Ouzo, an anise drink whose recipe originally came from Turkey. If you mix ouzo with water, it changes colour from transparent to milky white. Although its taste is very specific and not for everyone, watching this "miracle" is worth it.
OuzoKyria Piata (main dishes)
- Souvlaki – a skewer of lamb or pork, usually served with rice or french fries
- Gyros – a street dish, usually lamb grilled on a vertical rotisserie, perfectly spiced, served in pita bread with tzatziki sauce. You will be surprised how much its taste differs from the gyros commonly served in other countries.
- Biffteki –fried minced meat stuffed with cheese
- Pastitsio – pasta baked with minced meat
- Moussaka – potatoes baked with aubergine, minced meat, onion and bechamel sauce
- Stifado – stewed veal or lamb with onion and cinnamon, usually served with potatoes
Souvlaki
Moussaka 
Gyros
Epidorpio (desserts)
Gyros
Epidorpio (desserts)
- Fruit – Greeks usually do not eat dessert after a meal, but they have plenty of fresh fruit. Cakes and other sweet dishes are usually eaten with coffee in the afternoon.
- Baklava – a thin Greek dough stuffed with walnuts, pistachios or almonds drizzled with honey or sugar syrup, allegedly the forerunner of strudel
- Kataifi – similar to baklava, they are stuffed with walnuts and topped with syrup. They are made from a special dough and look like a small furry nest
- Portokalopita – traditional Greek orange cake
- Loukoumades – crispy Cretan donuts, usually served with honey, garnished with chopped nuts and a little cinnamon
- Frappé – whipped iced coffee with or without milk
Kataifi
When visiting Greece, be sure to visit a local market where you can taste other local specialties, especially olives and cheeses as well as some high-quality olive oil.
And what about you? What is your favourite Greek dish? Did we leave anything out?
