This part of our guide to holidays in Greece covers the cuisine of the country…
Dining out is common in Greece, and restaurants there (locally referred to as Taverna or Estiatorio) are widespread. Excellent restaurants can be found in even highly touristed areas, particularly areas that are popular with Greek tourists as well. Try eating in the same places that the locals are dining at to ensure a real Greek culinary experience.
The best restaurants will offer not only authentic traditional Greek cuisine and regional specialties, but also Greece’s latest culinary trends as well. Therefore, it’s easy to sample a rich and extensive range of Greek dishes, traditionally cooked, during your stay.
The Greek cuisine has features in common with the traditional cooking of the Balkans, Italy and the Middle East, particularly Turkey. Lamb, pork, vegetables, grains, bread, olives, olive oil, and yogurt are typical ingredients, while common seasonings include oregano, garlic, onion, mint, bay leaves and dill.
In coastal regions and on the islands, fish is a mainstay of the local cuisine, and it is often caught, cooked and served on the same day. Greece also offers a broad variety of cheeses with distinctive local flavors; the great bulk of these are hand-made on small farms.
Coffee is an important part of Greek culture and you’ll often see the local people drinking it whilst relaxing in the outdoor cafes that frequent the streets. It tends to be thick, strong, black coffee and is served moderately sweet in small cup, with the coffee grounds left in.
Wine and beer drinkers also have plenty of choice. Greek wines come in many styles and are made from both indigenous and imported grape varieties. A lot of restaurants also offer good, locally produced house wine. Local beers include Mythos and Alpha. Northern European brews are also popular, with Heineken and Amstel being the widely available of these.
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