Greek Gourmet Food

A tempting example of the classic Mediterranean diet; Greek cuisine centers around fresh fruit and vegetables. With its long coastline, you’ll also find fish and seafood featured prominently on their menus. Red meat plays a less important role, but when it does, you’ll most often find it in the form of lamb and mutton. Even when included, red meat is often a side character, never playing the lead but rather just another layer of flavor in a mostly vegetal dish.

Hearty staples like pasta, rice, and rich crusty bread are found in abundance. While this all may sound familiar enough, it’s how the Greeks dress up these basic items that make them uniquely delicious! Savory dips and sauces like the aforementioned Htipiti, and roasted red Pepper Hummus convert a bland piece of flatbread into a tasty repast. Local vegetables like eggplant are transformed into yummy Baba Ghanoush and cucumber into rich and garlicky Tzatziki. Lemons and olives feature prominently in many of their classic preparations adding both bright and buttery notes of flavor.

The coastal regions of Greece favor lighter dishes featuring, you guessed it, vegetables and seafood. The further inland you travel, the more prominently you’ll find meats and cheeses featured in their cooking. While the choice of ingredients may vary from region to region, the throughline of Greek food is their uncanny mastery of flavor. With each element perfectly balanced, you can’t go wrong with a Greek-inspired meal or flavor combination!