After a delicious six-day stay in Athens, I’m excited to share some of the flavors I encountered. If you’re a food lover, Athens is packed with fantastic bites and unexpected culinary finds that reveal Greece’s rich and diverse food history.
Make sure you check out the Foodie Map I created, you can take it with you while you travel and find close by hidden gems and recommendations for restaurants, coffee and sweets, bakeries and specialty stores not to be missed:
Greek cuisine blends history, geography, and culture in every bite. Influenced heavily by the Ottoman Empire, Greek food shares roots with Turkish flavors while retaining a simplicity that lets ingredients shine. Dairy is essential here, from creamy feta to sheep’s yogurt, and herbs like oregano and dill add depth without overpowering the palate. Greeks prefer natural flavors over heavy spice, a fact I humorously learned when asking for spicy sauce—a request that left waiters puzzled! Once, they gave me skordalia (a garlic-potato dip) as a “sauce,” and another time, feta with red pepper!
Olive trees, a symbol of Greek identity, dot the landscape and contribute to Greece’s role as one of the world’s top olive oil producers. With an impressive 12 kg per person per year, olive oil enriches nearly every dish, often paired with local olives, seafood, and vegetables.
If you’re interested in shopping for some culinary souvenirs to take back home, I recommend visiting the Athens Municipal Market, a must-visit for any food lover. Between stalls with fresh fish and hanging cuts of meat, I discovered Greek treasures to bring home. My favorite finds included Petimezi or grape must molasses —a sweet tangy syrup akin to balsamic vinegar—pungent cinnamon and spices from several fragrant shops, and herbal teas like sage and wildflower. I also picked up olive oil soaps and, of course, mastiha, a resin with health benefits and a unique flavor. It’s also a delight to walk through the seafood section of the market and see the heaps of fresh fish and seafood.
Here’s a guide to ten must-try Greek dishes, capturing the flavors and textures that make Athens a food lover’s paradise.
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1. Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita)
Greek pies are everywhere, each bakery offering varieties with different doughs and fillings. Spinach and feta pie, or spanakopita, became my go-to breakfast as I roamed the city. Made with layers of crisp phyllo dough, it’s packed with spinach and tangy feta. Some pies use denser dough, while others opt for delicate layers that shatter with every bite. Spinach and feta might be the most famous, but bakeries also offer cheese, sweet cream, chicken mince and meat pies, each offering its own take on this morning tradition. The best pies are gone by mid-morning, so don’t wait to get to a bakery if you’re craving a taste of local tradition!
2. Loukoumades
Loukoumades, a kind of Greek donut, are light and airy, often drizzled with honey and sprinkled with sesame. I found a tiny, century-old shop where the loukoumades are served fresh, with honey syrup hidden inside each golden ball, so they burst with sweetness at the first bite. While traditional loukoumades are a honeyed treat, newer spots offer more modern twists, filling them with chocolate or serving them with ice cream. A unique must-try if you love desserts with a twist!
3. Marinated Anchovies
Unlike canned anchovies, which can taste overly salty, fresh marinated anchovies are delicate and refreshing. Usually cured in vinegar with herbs and olive oil, they make a light appetizer that pairs beautifully with bread and a side of olives. Anchovies are a coastal specialty, and their prominence in Greek cuisine is due to Greece’s long fishing tradition and love for seafood.
4. Pork Gyro
A staple of Greek street food, the pork gyro is grilled to perfection on a vertical rotisserie. Look for a juicy, evenly browned cut—this is key to a great gyro. The slices of pork are piled onto a warm pita, and topped with tomatoes, onions, and a hefty spoonful of tzatziki. It’s particularly popular with the city’s night owls, with vendors often serving up gyros into the early morning. Don’t skip this quintessential dish!
5. Greek Salad
A true Greek salad is so much more than just a mix of vegetables. At the heart is a thick slab of feta cheese, made mostly from sheep’s milk, which makes it softer and creamier. Often, the salad is topped with slices of bell pepper, capers, and oregano, which has a unique flavor compared to the oregano found elsewhere. Dip some table bread in the olive oil left over from the salad—a favorite local habit and a true taste of Greece.
6. Souvlaki
Souvlaki, skewered and grilled meats, is often made with pork or chicken, marinated simply in olive oil, lemon, and herbs. Served with pita and a side of tzatziki, it’s a quick, delicious option that’s easy to find on most street corners. Fun fact: the term “souvlaki” means “small skewer,” and each vendor adds their unique touch, making each souvlaki stand out with subtle differences in flavor and texture.
7. Kebab with Yogurt
This might have been my favorite discovery. These kebabs are often served on top of pita that soaks up the juices from the grilled meat, then smothered with yogurt and a tomato-based sauce, sprinkled generously with sweet paprika. The tender, fatty meat pairs beautifully with the cool yogurt, and the pita, soaked in all the flavors, is the best part.
8. Fried Zucchini
Greeks do fried zucchini differently! They’re sliced thin, fried crisp, and served with a cool, creamy yogurt or tzatziki on the side. Whether round or stick-shaped, fried zucchini is light, salty, and incredibly addictive—perfect as a starter or alongside a glass of chilled ouzo.
9. Greek Yogurt with Honey
Greek yogurt, often made from sheep’s milk, is dense, rich, and indulgent, especially when drizzled with Greek honey, which varies in flavor. One honey I tried had a bitter undertone from wild strawberries, while another was dark and caramel-like. This dessert or breakfast staple is simple but so satisfying, often served as a complimentary treat in tavernas.
10. Frappe
Coffee culture is huge in Greece, and the frappe is a refreshing summer favorite. Made by shaking instant coffee into a frothy, cold drink, the frappe is light and airy, served with a thin straw. Greek coffee, on the other hand, is much stronger and traditionally brewed with grounds left at the bottom. Watching locals relax over coffee, whether at a café or on a curb, I learned that coffee in Greece is more than a drink—it’s an experience.
Bonus Dishes to Try
- Baklava: The Greek version of this famous pastry is usually made with honey, giving it a distinctive flavor compared to Turkish baklava, which often uses sugar syrup. In Athens, I tried a unique hybrid—baklava with a creamy, brûlée-like layer, adding a lush twist to this traditional dessert.
- Stuffed Zucchini with Lamb and Rice: This dish, similar to gemista (stuffed vegetables), consists of zucchini stuffed with lamb and rice, topped with a lemon-olive oil sauce that adds a fresh tang. This blend of flavors and textures brings together hearty ingredients with a light, citrusy finish.
The food I tasted in Athens was a mix of flavors and stories—each dish felt like a peek into Greece’s history and lifestyle. From sweet to savory, the cuisine is steeped in tradition, simplicity, and high-quality ingredients that highlight the beauty of Greek cooking.
If you’re visiting Athens, don’t rush. Savor each meal, explore the markets, and let the city’s rich culinary history take you on a memorable journey!
