Europe · Traditional

Greek cuisine

Greek cuisine is grounded in olive oil, vegetables, pulses, grains, seafood, cheese and meat cooked with herbs, lemon and patient heat. Island, mountain and northern traditions differ sharply, but the table is often organised around dishes shared in the middle rather than rigid individual courses.

Food history

Why Greek cuisine is worth exploring

Greek food reaches back through ancient Mediterranean agriculture, Byzantine traditions, Ottoman rule and centuries of island and mainland trade. Olive oil, grains, wine, pulses and herbs remained central, while later layers brought techniques and dishes shared across the eastern Mediterranean and Balkans.

Why it is famous

Ask what Greek food is famous for and the conversation quickly reaches moussaka, souvlaki, spanakopita, Greek salad, mezze, grilled fish, yoghurt, feta and honeyed pastries. Those headline dishes are only the entry point: the more interesting story is how they connect to ordinary meals, local celebrations and regional cooking.

Regional food story

Crete has a strong vegetable, pulse and wild-green tradition; the Cyclades make use of capers, seafood and local cheeses; northern Greece shows stronger Balkan and Ottoman influences; the Peloponnese is rich in olive oil and citrus; Macedonia and Thrace have their own pies, meats and spice traditions.

Cook by course

Greek recipes

Start with a starter, choose a main, then finish with a dessert to build a complete country-inspired menu.

Starters

Greek starters

Main courses

Greek main courses

Souvlaki

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a distinctive Greek recipe known for marinated meat grilled on skewers and served with lemon…

Main 35 mins
Garides Saganaki

Garides Saganaki

Garides Saganaki is a distinctive Greek recipe known for prawns cooked in tomato, feta, herbs and a spla…

Main 45 mins
Psari Plaki

Psari Plaki

Psari Plaki is a distinctive Greek recipe known for fish baked gently with tomatoes, onions, garlic and…

Main 45 mins
Bourdeto Fish Stew

Bourdeto Fish Stew

Bourdeto Fish Stew is a distinctive Greek recipe known for Corfiot fish stew with red pepper, onion and…

Main 1 hr
Makaronia me Kima

Makaronia me Kima

Makaronia me Kima is a distinctive Greek recipe known for pasta topped with a tomato-rich minced meat sa…

Main 1 hr 20 mins
Pastitsio

Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a distinctive Greek recipe known for baked pasta layered with spiced minced meat and bécham…

Main 1 hr 20 mins
Soutzoukakia Smyrneika

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika is a distinctive Greek recipe known for cumin-scented meatballs simmered in a ric…

Main 1 hr 20 mins
Avgolemono Chicken Soup

Avgolemono Chicken Soup

Avgolemono Chicken Soup is a distinctive Greek recipe known for chicken and rice soup thickened with egg…

Main 1 hr 30 mins
Gemista

Gemista

Gemista is a distinctive Greek recipe known for tomatoes and peppers filled with herbed rice and baked i…

Main 1 hr 30 mins
Moussaka

Moussaka

Moussaka is a distinctive Greek recipe known for layers of aubergine, spiced meat sauce and creamy bécha…

Main 1 hr 30 mins
Kotopoulo Lemonato

Kotopoulo Lemonato

Kotopoulo Lemonato is a distinctive Greek recipe known for chicken braised or roasted with lemon, garlic…

Main 1 hr 40 mins
Imam Baildi

Imam Baildi

Imam Baildi is a distinctive Greek recipe known for aubergines filled with slowly cooked onion, garlic a…

Main 1 hr 45 mins
Briam

Briam

Briam is a distinctive Greek recipe known for mixed summer vegetables roasted slowly with tomato and oli…

Main 1 hr 50 mins
Octopus Stifado

Octopus Stifado

Octopus Stifado is a distinctive Greek recipe known for octopus braised slowly with onions, tomato, wine…

Main 1 hr 55 mins
Arnaki Fricassee

Arnaki Fricassee

Arnaki Fricassee is a distinctive Greek recipe known for tender lamb cooked with greens and finished wit…

Main 2 hr 5 mins
Fasolada

Fasolada

Fasolada is a distinctive Greek recipe known for a nourishing white bean soup with tomato, vegetables an…

Main 2 hr 5 mins
Youvetsi

Youvetsi

Youvetsi is a distinctive Greek recipe known for slow-cooked meat and orzo baked in a tomato-rich sauce.

Main 2 hr 20 mins
Kokkinisto

Kokkinisto

Kokkinisto is a distinctive Greek recipe known for meat braised until tender in a cinnamon-scented red t…

Main 2 hr 45 mins
Stifado

Stifado

Stifado is a distinctive Greek recipe known for a slow stew of meat, small onions, tomato, wine and warm…

Main 3 hr 5 mins
Kleftiko

Kleftiko

Kleftiko is a distinctive Greek recipe known for lamb baked slowly with garlic, lemon, oregano and potat…

Main 4 hr 5 mins
Desserts

Greek desserts

Wine and drink pairings

What to drink with Greek food

Assyrtiko is excellent with seafood, feta and lemon; Moschofilero suits herbs and pastries; Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro work with lamb, tomato-rich dishes and grilled meat.

Agiorgitiko / Xinomavro
Red

Agiorgitiko / Xinomavro

Greek red pairing family: Agiorgitiko is plush and fruity; Xinomavro is more structured and savoury. Works with lamb, m…

Grape: Agiorgitiko, Xinomavro Region: Nemea, Naoussa
Barbera
Red

Barbera

Bright Italian red with red fruit, low tannin and high acidity. Excellent with tomato, pork, sausages, cheese and heart…

Grape: Barbera Region: Piedmont, Lombardy
Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux
Red

Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux

Structured red with blackcurrant, cedar, graphite and firm tannins. Best with roast beef, lamb, steak, rich gravies and…

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Region: Bordeaux, Napa, Coonawarra, Maipo
Côtes du Rhône / GSM Blend
Red

Côtes du Rhône / GSM Blend

Southern Rhône-style blend with dark fruit, herbs, pepper and moderate tannin. Reliable with stews, roast meat, beans a…

Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Region: Rhône, Languedoc, Australia
Malbec
Red

Malbec

Plush, dark red with blackberry, plum, cocoa and smooth tannins. Excellent with beef, charred meat, pies and smoky dish…

Grape: Malbec Region: Mendoza, Cahors
Sangiovese
Red

Sangiovese

Italy’s signature red grape style: bright acidity, red fruit and savoury tannin.

Grape: Sangiovese Region: Tuscany, Romagna, Umbria
Spätburgunder
Red

Spätburgunder

German Pinot Noir with red cherry, earth and gentle spice. Excellent with pork, sausages, roast poultry, mushroom sauce…

Grape: Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir Region: Baden, Ahr, Pfalz
Syrah / Shiraz
Red

Syrah / Shiraz

Peppery, dark-fruited red with savoury spice and medium-to-firm tannins. Great with grilled meat, pepper, smoke, sausag…

Grape: Syrah, Shiraz Region: Northern Rhône, Barossa, South Africa