Athens has something to offer for every taste. With influences from Mediterranean countries, Greek cuisine is definitely worth a try. Take a stroll around Plaka district and explore the tavernas for an authentic Greek food experience.
Souvlaki
This Greek fast food consists of small pieces of meat and vegetables straight off the grill served normally on a skewer. A great place to try is Ydria Greek Mediterranean Food just as you enter the Plaka District. It is a great choice; while there, also try the Spanakopita, which is a filo dough pastry stuffed with spinach pie and feta cheese.
Gyros
A notable mention is the Gyros (Yee-ros), which is typically slow cooked pork made on a vertical rotisserie. It is similar to the Lebanese shawarma. The sandwich includes what is known as Tzatziki (sahd- zee –key), which is a yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and salt sauce. The best place to eat this fast meal is at Pita Itis Isminis, a little ways from historical Athens, but worth the short journey.
Greek Sausage
The Greek sausage isn’t just any sausage. It is the flavors of an orange peel, fennel seed, and various other dried herbs and seeds. The preparation varies, but the most common is smoking it over aromatic wood.
The Greco’s project is one of the places to go for these Greek sausages. With locations in the heart of historical Athens in both Syntagma and Monastiraki square. They are also known for their traditional moussaka served in a clay pot and made with eggplant, potatoes, and minced meat.
Greek Yogurt
There is no shortage of Greek yogurt spots in Greece. Some of the common places are Fresko and Stani. Stani, in particular has a winning component of authenticity dating back to 1931. Try it with crushed walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
Greek Coffee
My love for the Freddo Cappuccino and Freddo Espresso is in my Mikels post. I do need to give it a mention in this post as well cause your Greece experience just isn’t the same without it.
Something the world needs to know is the amazing taste of Greek coffee. Similar to what is namely Turkish coffee, Greek coffee is brought to a slow boil on stove top with roasted coffee beans. A great place to try Greek coffee is Café Melina in Plaka, while you are there, also give their Lemon pie a try.
Kaimaki Ice Cream
This is not your typical ice cream. It is made with ingredients like sahlep, that gives it its elastic texture, and mastic, that is the resin of a mastic tree. This ice cream has an oddly refreshing taste, but it might not be for everyone.
Bear in mind that at each spot, it is a nice touch to order a Horitaki salad which is the traditional Greek salad, made with bright red tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, shallots, the obvious Greek olives, a drizzle of extra virgin Greek olive oil, and a seasoned piece of creamy feta cheese.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with the language of Greek food make your way to the local tavernas.
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Omg now I’m craving Greek food! It all looks so delicious. Although I haven’t been to Greece I’m already a fan of the food so I’m sure I’d love it. I’ve never heard of putting honey and walnuts over yogurt but why not! 😁
Yum! Greece food is definitely delicious!
The greek cuisine is so delicious!!! Thanks for sharing these yummy pictures. It’s been so long since I’ve been at a cafe (isolation), just the thought of an espresso makes me happy!