When I travel I’m ready to submerge myself into the culture of the place that I’m visiting. I want to experience every aspect and food is one of the best ways to do that. Enjoying local cuisine can make you feel one with the people, the life style and the environment. As well as bring about nostalgic memories and new ones. That’s why I have documented my food trip to the greek islands. So you can enjoy Greece to its fullest through your palate.
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Traditional Greek food on the Greek Islands
Traditional Greek Food: Most traditional Greek dishes have cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, greek yogurt, sea food, chicken, pork, olives, olive oil, lots of local fresh vegetables (like egg plant), sourdough bread, phyllo dough, honey, nuts, local fruits (citron, limes, figs, oranges, etc), and are paired with local wines, liqueurs and beer that help cleanse the palate after a big meal.
Everything is very fresh and well balanced. The Greek cuisine is based off of the Mediterranean Diet. Which consist of whole foods and nothing artificial. Making some dishes gluten free and vegan friendly. Click this link to learn more about the Mediterranean ways.
My favorite greek dish is Mousakka! It’s roasted egg plant layered with minced meat, tomato sauce, bechamel sauce and feta cheese. I could eat it every day! It’s basically greek lasagna.
How to find the best restaurants on the Greek Islands
Now that you know a little bit about traditional greek food here’s a few tips on how to find the best Greek restaurants when traveling in Greece.
Tip Number One: At your hotel ask the receptionist for restaurant recommendations. They will know all the good spots. Just tell them the foods you want to try. Then google the restaurants that are given to you and view the reviews and photos online.
Tip Number Two: Look for restaurants that have Taverna in the name. A Tavern or Taverna is a small cafe that serves traditional Greek cuisine. It will be the best places to try local foods, fish, meats, etc.
Tip Number Three: Preview the menu before sitting down. Look for, “Cooked and fried with extra virgin olive oil only” and “Made with local ingredients only.” Good food establishments in Greece take pride in their ingredients so they will have those things listed. And most all restaurants in Europe have the menu outside the restaurant or by the host or hostess for you to view.
Food Trip to the Greek Islands
Now that you are a pro in Greek Cuisine try some of these amazing restaurants on your trip to the Greek Islands. I had so many yummy dishes! Some that were so memorable I came home and recreated them myself. So I can enjoy them whenever I want.
Athens
If you only go to one restaurant in Athens it has to be O Gyros Pou Gyrevis right down the street from the Acropolis Museum. It is the cheapest but also the best Gyro you will ever have! We ate there three times because it is so fresh, simple and good. I have not found a better Gyro spot to this day. They make it the best.
Milos
Visit the Garden Juice Bar Milos for the best smoothies, cereal bars and other amazing snacks. I had the green smoothie too many times and the Bueno Cereal Bar!
For the best greek cuisine you have to try O! Hamos! Tavern! The menu is hand written and the food is incredibly fresh and flavorful. It’s all sourced with local ingredients, mainly from their farm. My favorite must order dishes are the cheese pies, the greek salad, the chickpea stew with herbs and spices (get bread to go with it), souvlaki with a side of fries and tzatziki sauce and the lamb. It’s all to die for.
Do you like dessert? Get the orange pie. If you love sea food, you really can’t go wrong with that either. The restaurant is small and gets really busy so try and make a reservation beforehand. Your hotel can help you with that. Or grab a drink at the bar across the street while you wait for a table.
Sifnos
When in Sifnos you have to try Passione Italiana. It’s an Italian, Greek restaurants that serves very good pastas and wood fire pizza the Italian way with a little greek flair. They make really good espresso so get some coffee after your meal. In Europe it is acceptable to have espresso all day, everyday.
Also try To Steki. It’s a traditional greek restaurant in Platis Gialos, Sifnos. I loved the Steki Salad, Moussaka, Fava Peas Puree and Roast Beef. Seriously, so good! You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Naxos
Naxos is a foodies paradise! It is my favorite island for food. So I have a lot of food establishment recommendations. It’s also the biggest Island in the Cyclades.
First is Yasouvlaki. Get a Gyro after arriving to the island or for a quick lunch or snack. They serve up the second best Gyros in Greece. You can sit and eat or take to go. The pork Gyro has tzatziki sauce and the chicken Gyro comes with honey mustard sauce.
Next get dinner reservation at To Elliniko. It’s a family owned restaurant that only uses extra virgin greek olive oil for cooking and frying and local, fresh ingredients. My favorite foods were the Zucchini Croquettes, Pie of the Day, Green Salad, Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers with Rice and Herbs, Baby Goat and Rosto (pork cooked in tomato with potatoes).
Ask for the special of the day. If they have Kalegeros make sure to order it or come back another day for it. Oh and say yes when they offer you geranium and greek yogurt after your meal. The Geranium liquor is made in house by the mother and the greek yogurt with lime and thyme honey leaves you feeling extra satisfied.
You also need to try Taverna Naxos. It’s right next to the water and has really good sea food, traditional greek dishes and pasta. We had the catch of the day, the red tail fish and it was so good! Not fishy tasting at all. If you don’t like striping the bones and head from your fish though probably stay away from the sea food. In Europe the fish comes to you on your plate whole.
The sea bass looked really yummy too. I also had the best Moussaka in Naxos here. So make sure to order that. Other items we ordered and loved were the Naxian Cheese Balls, Fried Zuchini Balls, Naxian Salad, The Chicken Fillet with Rice and the local beer. If your oder dessert you can not go wrong with the Orange Pie or Semolina Cake with Ice Cream.
While in Naxos you have to visit Eggares Olive Oil Museum. It’s about a 30 minute drive from the main town in Naxos but well worth it. Nikolita offers you all you can eat olive oil sampling with fresh bread and cake. It was one of the highlights of my trip. After touring the museum and sampling the different products you have to sit down and order from her cafe menu. I got the olive oil ice cream with the olive oil cake and an olive oil margarita. It’s a very delightful and flavorful experience. One I’ll never forget.
Last but not least visit Dal Professore Naxos. It’s another breathtaking, waterfront restaurant that has impeccable food and service. My husband and I ate here our last nigh in Naxos and it did not disappoint. It’s Italian, Greek infused and the pizza is better than some places I’ve had in Italy.
The pasta is homemade and very delicious and you have to get cocktails and dessert as well. I tried to get the chocolate cake recipe because I’ve never had anything like it before. It’s the most rich and moist chocolate cake you will ever have paired with from scratch vanilla bean gelato. Everything was so tasty it left me craving more.
Mykonos
Mykonos did not have the greatest food but it did have some really good dessert. I highly recommend visiting all the bakeries in town and greek yogurt or gelato places.
Our first night in Mykonos we had the best baklava from Zorbas Delicatessen. It’s a little cafe and convenience store next to the Windmills of Mykonos. Get an assorted box of baklava with some coffee. So good! And then purchase a bottle of wine to take back to the hotel for later.
Another spot I absolutely love is the Chillbox. It’s frozen greek yogurt, self served with lots of topping options. It’s very refreshing and not overly sweet because it is only sweetened with honey. So delicious! especially on a hot island day. I drizzled melted dark chocolate over mine with candied hazelnuts. Bronson got strawberries and chocolate on his.
Before leaving Greece you have to try traditional Greek Donuts, Loukomades. They are bite sized, sweet dough balls that are deep fried and topped traditionally with honey and walnuts. I like Dr. Loukoumas in Mykonos. Number one on the menu is what I ordered. The “For Diabetes Mellitus,” topped with greek thyme honey, cinnamon powder, graded walnuts and sesame seeds and a scoop of ice cream. Delish!
Final Regards
I hope this post gets you excited about your upcoming trip to Greece and helps you plan out your foodie guide. Food in Greece, especially on the Greek Islands is some of the best food you will ever taste. I know it will be a great experience.
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