Greece is a country whose cuisine is distinguished by its unpretentiousness; dishes are prepared extremely simply, but at the same time they are very tasty and healthy. The Greeks use fresh vegetables, olives, meat and of course cheeses in their cooking.

I admit that the dishes served in hotels are somewhat adapted to the tastes of tourists and differ from traditional ones. Authentic Greek cuisine is best enjoyed in small taverns outside hotels. These taverns are typically run by the same family for generations, with recipes passed down from generation to generation. The menu in such places is not very diverse and includes only the most famous dishes, the quality and originality of which cannot be doubted.

Having been in Greece and visited several places serving traditional food, I can highlight the main dishes that are the basis Greek cuisine.

1. Horiatiki salad

Famous all over the world Greek salad in its homeland it is called horiatiki. Translated, the name means something like “peasant style.” In my opinion this salad is... best combination freshness, taste and simplicity, which is a feature of Greek cuisine.
Traditional Greek salad is somewhat different from the one we are used to seeing in restaurants - almost unprocessed olives are used here, vegetables are cut very coarsely, and feta cheese is not cut into pieces, but placed whole on top of the salad.

Tzatziki - cold cream sauce, consisting of unsweetened yogurt with slices of cucumber and garlic. The sauce serves the perfect complement To fried meat and vegetables. Typically, Greeks eat this sauce by spreading it on small pieces of bread, using it as a snack. At the hotel it was served to us as a separate dish.

Moussaka is the next national dish of Greece. This is a casserole made with eggplants, ground beef, onions, tomatoes, spices and bechamel sauce. If you want to try traditional moussaka, it is better to look for it in a tavern hidden somewhere between the white Greek houses. In places where the menu is presented in several languages, it is unlikely that you can try traditional cuisine. Therefore, I advise looking for real taverns with signs and menus in Greek.

4. Pastitsio

Pastiziou - casserole with pasta, minced meat and cheese. Bechamel sauce is often added to pastitsio. This national dish of Greece reminded me of the well-known lasagna. For those watching their figure, I would not recommend this dish, because in addition to its amazing taste, you get a decent dose of calories.

Pastitsio

5. Dolmadakya

From the name of this Greek dish, you can easily guess that it is very reminiscent of dolma, known to Russians. Wrap various products V grape leaves- ancient Greek tradition since the time of Alexander the Great.

Stuffed with rice and minced meat (usually just rice), pine nuts and greens, dolmadakia is quite easy to prepare. This dish in Greece is served cold or room temperature.

Htapodakya - grilled octopus. Octopus is one of the most favorite dishes of the Greek people. As a rule, htapodakya is served under lemon sauce, sometimes with rice and vegetables. I can say with confidence that this is one of the most delicious dishes I have tried in Greece.

Baklava is a famous Greek dessert. Baklava is undoubtedly a perennial favorite of locals and tourists alike. I think everyone knows this dish. For those who don't know, this is a dessert that is puff pastry With nut filling in sweet syrup.

I only had a chance to try this delicacy in Greece at a hotel, but even there I was simply delighted with this dessert that melted in my mouth.

9. Galaktoboureko

The most amazing sweetness I've ever tasted in my life! Galaktoboureko is the most delicate pie With custard and filling with semolina porridge. All this is soaked in the most delicate syrup. Without a doubt, this is my favorite among Greek desserts.

This pie is served only on the day it was prepared. Because in the following days the dough loses its airiness.

10. Frappe

Not everyone knows that the birthplace of this famous coffee drink- Greece. This is where you can taste traditional frappe. I advise you to try this drink in local cafes or taverns, this is where you can try the original frappe. It is served with a glass of water. On hot days summer days this drink is the most popular among locals.

Greek cuisine or the national cuisine of Greece, with absolutely all the recipes for preparing its dishes, is one of the most prominent representatives of Mediterranean cuisine. Many of its traditional dishes are similar to Italian and French dishes. But this was not always the case, as some facts from history indicate. For example, for a long time Greece was controlled by Turkey, which could not but leave its mark on its cuisine. Until the nineteenth century, there was a “haram” or prohibition in Greece, due to which practically no pork was eaten and no alcohol was drunk. Oriental note in modern national Greek cuisine it is more expressed in the preparation of desserts. You can verify this by comparing the list of ingredients of Greek and Turkish sweets.

In general, traditional dishes National cuisine uses fresh vegetables quite widely. The most commonly consumed include potatoes, tomatoes, Bell pepper, eggplants and, of course, olives. This list can be continued for a long time, but the most important thing in all this diversity is maximum conservation beneficial properties vegetables in prepared dishes.

Cheese making is traditional in Greece, so it is not surprising that among the dishes of Greek cuisine you can find many that contain one or another cheese. The most famous among them is feta (this is salty cheese, which is usually used in preparing salads).

When talking about national Greek cuisine, one cannot help but recall olive oil. It is added to almost all dishes. Olive oil is the pride of Greece; here it is even called liquid gold.

As for meat, then this moment greatest distribution Got pork and lamb. They cook meat in all possible types: from stewing a whole carcass on a spit, to making dishes from minced meat. Meat is often baked in pots along with vegetables (a prime example of such a dish is Moussaka). In addition, in the Greek diet you can find all kinds of fish. Most often it is baked on the grill, although other cooking options are possible.

One of the main features of traditional Greek cuisine is the use large quantity various herbs. This makes a significant difference Greek dishes from all other Mediterranean dishes.

And, of course, the most important thing that we have not yet mentioned is the atmosphere in which any meal takes place. As a rule, Greeks eat in a close circle of family and friends. Therefore, breakfast, lunch and dinner take place in a warm and cozy atmosphere, which truly makes Greek cuisine special!

To the classic question of our tourist who wants to get acquainted with the culture of Greece in gastronomic terms, “What to try?” we will not give a banal answer: “Go study the menu of a restaurant or cafe of national cuisine!” You can start getting acquainted with Greek cuisine at home and it’s very simple! You just need to use the recipes with photos that are given in this section of the site. As detailed as possible, they will answer any of your questions! And remember that there is nothing better and tastier than what you prepared with your own hands, with love and care.

Ancient Hellas did not have many products typical of modern Greek cuisine. The ancient Greeks did not have tomatoes and lemons, nor eggplants with sweet peppers. But the fundamental covenants culinary tradition Greek cuisine remains unchanged today. Firstly, it is impossible to imagine a Greek meal without the “holy triad” - bread and olives. And secondly, a real feast for the Greeks is not a simple process of absorption delicious food. First of all, Greek cuisine is a ritual.

Those gathered, trying a variety of dishes, talk a lot, of course, speak out about the dishes and exchange opinions. For the Greeks great importance has which one olive oil used, from which region of the country it was brought, in which village the feta cheese was made, in which fields the lamb was grazed. From such culinary discussions. The conversation smoothly moves to higher matters.

Greek cuisine is one of the oldest in the world. Of course, over the millennia it has undergone numerous changes. The Middle Ages in Byzantium were distinguished by recipes unimaginable today. Something like the most tender fillet baby goat stuffed with figs, garlic, pomegranate seeds, leeks, seasoned honey sauce from marinated fish.

No wonder that in modern Greece no one cooks anymore similar dishes, and doesn’t eat. The Greeks returned to the simple ones again, but really delicious dishes. The true splendor of Greek cuisine lies precisely in the quality of the products and the precise adherence to the ingredients. Greek cooking is one of the many variants of the Mediterranean. Of course, it is impossible to imagine it without high-quality olive oil, fresh fish and seafood.

Greece, like all Mediterranean countries, is characterized by the consumption of large quantities of vegetables, fruits and herbs. But there are also significant differences. Homer’s fellow countrymen don’t particularly like crustaceans and mollusks in their raw form, so beloved by the Italians and French, not to mention eating raw meat - it usually takes a long time to cook, so you can’t count on a rare steak in Greece. In addition, there are practically no complex sauces in Greek cuisine.

And in the 15th century, those expelled from Greece began to settle in Thessaloniki, and introduced bright features of North African cooking into the Greek local cuisine.

And in Greece itself there are many regional variations of one dish, this is due to climatic differences and the way of life both in the continental part of the country and on the numerous islands. The sunny climate of arid Crete is conducive to a completely different Greek cuisine than snowy winters and the humid summer of mountainous Epirus. In addition, Greek diasporas exist all over the world - in Europe, America, and Australia. And, of course, emigrants living abroad, but maintaining connections with their homeland, constantly bring something new to their native Greek cuisine.

Greek cuisine is characterized by preparation meat dishes on a spit and coals. Greeks eat many dishes cold, but tourist-oriented restaurants always serve their dishes hot. If the temperature of your Greek food is not to your liking, you can ask for it to be heated. In Greek it sounds like zesto.

The Greeks are very sensitive to nutritional issues, so it is almost impossible to find frozen vegetables or semi-finished products. In Greece, Greek cuisine is always prepared from fresh products! Regardless of social status, Greeks visit restaurants quite often. It became part of their culture. The highest happiness for a Greek is the enjoyment of life, which is impossible without have a nice feast surrounded by your closest people, family and friends.

According to Greek law, every catering establishment is required to post its menu with fixed prices.

Bread is required to be served on the table; its price can range from thirty to ninety euro cents, this is determined by the category of the restaurant.

List of dishes and cheeses of Greek cuisine

Of course, it’s not worth even trying to describe the whole variety of national dishes of Greek cuisine here, however, we hope that a brief overview will be useful for novice tourists to navigate the Greek menu, although this is not easy!

• Choriatiki Salata is a traditional rustic salad Greek cuisine more known to the world like Greek Salad. This salad consists of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, olives, feta cheese onions, and, of course, olive oil. Additionally, you can season with vinegar. In some variations of Greek cuisine, the salad may not contain Feta. If you're missing soft cheese ask the waiter to add it. If you would prefer a salad without any ingredients, please also say so.
• Sadziki - consists of mixed yogurt, cucumber, garlic and salt. Traditionally, Sadzik is served with Greek bread, freshly baked of course!
• Melitzana Salata - delicate salad Greek cuisine made from eggplant, which is placed on fresh bread.
• Tarama Salata - very unusual dish Greek cuisine. Greek caviar.
• Saganaki is a fried cheese that can be served with tomato sauce.
• Casseri- soft cheese reminiscent of mozzarella in Greek cuisine.
• Kefalotiri – variety hard cheese, somewhat reminiscent of Parmesan.
• Dopio tiri is a type of homemade local cheese. You can find it in villages.
• Keftedes - perfectly fried meatballs. IN various areas In Greece, there are regional variations in Greek cuisine: Keftedes and Rvitakeftedes, Domatokeftedes, Tirokeftedes and Fazakeftedes. Despite the different ingredients, the dish always turns out to be incomparable!
• Spanakopita - traditional greek pie with spinach.
• Tiropita - cheese pie.
• Kreatopita - meat pie
• Lakanika- vegetable salad Greek cuisine with cabbage.

Breakfast

An old joke about a typical Greek breakfast, which consists of a cup strong coffee and two cigarettes, a lot of truth. Indeed, Greeks usually have coffee and cake for breakfast. However, the hotels serve the usual continental breakfast, which includes tea, coffee, croissants, toast, popular and Buffet. Some hotels serve an English breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

Dinner

In Greece, lunch runs from 13:00 - 15:00. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a full lunch or go without light salad. Many Greeks consider dinner to be the main meal of the day.

Dinner

Traditionally, Greek dinner starts later than in European countries. Many Greeks don't think at all about food until nine o'clock in the evening. Given this specific national trait, most restaurants open their doors to visitors only at 20:00. Of course, in tourist centers, dinner is served a little earlier.

Classification of Greek establishments

Tavernas is a "village" establishment, usually decorated in a rough style. traditional style. In the capital and large resort towns, taverns are more Europeanized. Typically, a tavern menu with Greek cuisine can be seen on the door at the entrance or in the window. However, many tavern owners will simply invite you into the kitchen so that you can see for yourself what they can prepare for you from Greek cuisine. Greeks also often look into the kitchen to see what version of the chosen dish from Greek cuisine is prepared in this tavern.

The freshest fish is brought to seaside taverns early in the morning and during the day. In front of bewildered tourists, cooks beat freshly caught octopuses on the asphalt to make the meat in Greek dishes more tender.

But even the mountains are exotic Mediterranean shrimp with lemon, fried octopus tentacles and stuffed squid in Greek cuisine cannot cancel the ancient Greek culinary triad. Always served at the table hot bread, aromatic olive oil and wine.

Most taverns open their doors to visitors no earlier than eight o'clock in the evening. This is explained simply. The Greeks prefer to eat quite late. Taverns close late at night, and often early in the morning. The tavern may be closed on Sunday. Emotional Greeks have a reputation for being big football fans, so if you decide to stop by the tavern on match day, don't expect very attentive service.

At Psistaria you can taste Greek kebabs, roasts and meats fried in variations of Greek cuisine over an open fire.

A restaurant (estiatorio) will offer you a more complex menu than a tavern or psistaria. The tables here have beautiful homespun tablecloths, and the menu necessarily includes an English version of Greek cuisine.

Prepared food is displayed in the bain-marie, where you can also order grilled dishes from Greek cuisine.

Ouzeri serves traditional ouzo. In Greece, drinking Ouzo is considered an art. The ritual of uzokatanixi is very popular among the Greeks, and is becoming increasingly popular among travelers.

The literal translation of "Galaktopoleia" is a dairy store. But this is where you can buy products such as yogurt, milk, eggs, rice pudding, butter, bread and honey. In addition, here you can enjoy very tasty homemade ice cream, which is usually presented different tastes. The sign pagoto politiko on the door of the store will help you find out if it is for sale. Most of them offer a cup of coffee and tea. They also tend to offer inexpensive breakfasts. Such stores are open from early morning until evening, and this, you see, is very convenient.

Zaharoplasteia sells cakes and sweets from Greek cuisine, both Greek and European. Sweets, chocolate, candies, biscuits, coffee, carbonated drinks, including soda - this is a typical assortment of zacharoplastia, some can be purchased alcoholic drinks in bottles. There is usually seating available.

Pizzerias and cafes (gelateries) serving Italian ice cream are widespread throughout the country, but you can hardly find traditionally Western restaurants outside the capital.

The Greeks like it spicy herbs and spices, but they are used in smaller quantities than the Italians and French. Traditional herbs in Greece are parsley and dill leaves, celery, thyme, rosemary and oregano.

Grown in Greece various varieties garlic and onion. The favorite sauces of the Greeks are ladolemono (which is olive oil thoroughly whipped with lemon), ladorigani (dry grated oregano is added to olive oil) and avgolemono (egg yolks beaten with lemon and spices).
The first place in Europe in terms of the amount of cheese consumed belongs to the Greeks, they are even ahead of the Italians and French. The cheese traditions of Greece are represented by many traditional cheeses. Among which are cow and buffalo, sheep and goat; hard and soft; delicately fresh and piquantly spicy. However, the most famous, of course, is Feta. Originally greek cheese feta is a bit like feta cheese. The real one, made in Greece, is not at all like german cheese under this name.

It is considered another pride of Greece milk product- yaurti. Especially homemade, produced using ancient technologies. It is light, but at the same time, oily.

She made an invaluable contribution to European culture. Literature, architecture, philosophy, history, other sciences, state system, laws, art and myths of ancient Greece laid the foundation of modern European civilization. Greek gods known all over the world.

Greece today

Modern Greece little known to most of our compatriots. The country is located at the junction of West and East, connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. The length of the coastline is 15,000 km (including islands)! Our map will help you find a unique corner or island, which I haven’t been to yet. We offer daily feed news. In addition, for many years we have been collecting photo And reviews.

Holidays in Greece

Acquaintance with the ancient Greeks in absentia will not only enrich you with the understanding that everything new is well-forgotten old, but will also encourage you to go to the homeland of gods and heroes. Where, behind the ruins of temples and the debris of history, our contemporaries live with the same joys and problems as their distant ancestors thousands of years ago. An unforgettable experience awaits you rest, thanks to the most modern infrastructure surrounded by pristine nature. On the site you will find tours to Greece, resorts And hotels, weather. In addition, here you will learn how and where to register visa and you will find Consulate in your country or greek visa center.

Real estate in Greece

The country is open to foreigners wishing to purchase real estate. Any foreigner has the right to this. Only in border areas do non-EU citizens need to obtain a purchase permit. However, searching for legitimate houses, villas, townhouses, apartments, correct design transactions and subsequent maintenance represent a difficult task that our team has been solving for many years.

Russian Greece

Subject immigration remains relevant not only for ethnic Greeks living outside their historical homeland. The immigrant forum discusses how legal issues, as well as the problems of adaptation in the Greek world and, at the same time, the preservation and popularization of Russian culture. Russian Greece is heterogeneous and unites all immigrants who speak Russian. At the same time, in recent years the country has not met the economic expectations of immigrants from countries former USSR, in connection with which we are seeing a reverse migration of peoples.

Greek cuisine is very popular among tourists. It’s not surprising, because the food in Greece is always tasty and fresh. If you don’t know what food to try in Greece, then read our article today about the national cuisine of Greece. Greeks are beautiful, kind and long-living people. And all because their cuisine is Greek! Let's find out what's special about it. Peculiarities traditional cuisine Greece.

Traditional Greek cuisine

The basis of Greek cuisine is vegetables, legumes, olives, meat (pork, lamb and goat), fish and seafood, nuts, grains, a lot of greens, cheeses (in addition to the famous feta - fifty varieties!), Greek honey and, of course, olive oil, which the Greeks consume in huge quantities: more than 20 liters per person per year. One of its best varieties is squeezed in the Peloponnese near the city of Kalamata.
The basis Greek cuisine- olive oil.

People in Greece love water: it is inexpensive (35 euro cents for 0.5 liters in vending machines) and comes from drinking fountains in many public places, and all visitors to taverns are greeted with it.

IN national cuisine of Greece There is little salt, but lemon is added everywhere - it emphasizes the taste. They love yogurt - not plain, but Greek: fatty and similar to sour cream, it is added to vegetable stew, used in the preparation of desserts and sauces, and also prepared as cold snack by adding cucumber, garlic, parsley and mint - you get tzatziki, which can be used as a sauce for vegetables, meat and fried fish. And also in dishes of Greece boldly combine meat with sweet spices - cinnamon or cloves.

Greek cuisine: what to try

What to try in Greece from food? Of course, Greek salad. Greek salad is called rustic in Greece (horiatiki salata) and it is prepared completely differently from the rest of the world. No leaves or diced vegetables: cucumbers are cut into slices, tomatoes into slices, peppers into strips, onions into large half rings, and olives are not cut at all (and are not canned). A minimum of actions, the whole focus is on the freshness and quality of the products and moderation: overdo it with cheese or olives (there should be several of them) and the harmony is lost. You don’t have to mix the ingredients, but pour them into a plate in layers, top with olive oil, spices and a large piece of feta (feta, by the way, is translated as “piece”).

IN Greek tavern Don't order more than one salad traditional cuisine of Greece for two or three people - these are the portions. In general, it’s worth clarifying what the selected dishes are: by default, many are complemented fresh vegetables or Greek salad, and meat options may include a basket of hot bread or a plate baked potatoes. To know all this in advance, you need to talk with the waiters (especially with the owners), and even if you can only communicate in Russian, they will still understand you.

Greek dishes and portions in taverns and restaurants

Greek restaurants are divided into several categories: souvladzidika (kebab house), psistaryes (barbecue), psarotavernes (fish taverns along the coast), specialized establishments - for example, patsadzidika, where they prepare patzas and khash soups.

Avoid places where tourist groups feed, and choose restaurants where the Greeks themselves eat: the more of them there are in a tavern, the tastier the food. IN inexpensive cafe for locals, a kebab will cost you about 2 euros, a Greek salad – 4-5 euros, a “set” of two grilled sausages, fries, salad and bread – 7 euros, a large plate of grilled meat with a side dish – 12 euros, a cup of coffee – 2-2.5 euros.

Lunch with national dishes of Greece it will be more expensive if you order fish (bill for two - 30-50 euros), since it is sold by weight. The normal practice is to ask to see the fish and have it weighed.

Coffee is the main drink of Greece; it is drunk both hot and cold, and with spices. Most Popular cold frappe – instant coffee with ice and milk foam. Frappe - Greek coffee - instant coffee with ice and milk foam.

What to try in Greece besides food: strong drinks

For connoisseurs strong drinks We recommend the classics: anisette vodka ouzo, grape raki and metaxa cognac. Among the red wines, it is worth trying rapsani, and among the fortified ones, Alexandrian Muscat. And the most famous and ancient Greek wine– retsina with a tar flavor; served with appetizers and drunk chilled.

National cuisine of Greece

It is worth trying souvlaki - Greek pork skewers, risoli - something intermediate between cutlets and pies, patsas soup (from tripe), moscharokefali (from veal's head) or kotosoup (chicken, with rice); htapodi – octopus (grilled or marinated), delicious fish tsipura or barbunya baked on coals. Greek seafood Tastier than ocean ones, and to appreciate them to the maximum, it is better to take some kind of assortment.
Don’t forget about moussaka - a traditional casserole of fried potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, minced meat, tomatoes and cheese with bechamel sauce, Greek sweets, as well as Greek pies with fillings that are unusual for us (for example, with olives, feta cheese or spinach).

Greek cuisine: what else to try? In Greece there are generally many extraordinary recipes. One of them is easy to recreate in about 15 minutes, having two oranges, six cucumbers, one lemon and spices (a teaspoon each of rosemary, oregano and mint, a tablespoon of thyme). Oranges and cucumbers need to be cut thin pieces, then fresh herbs and dressing are added to the oranges: black and pink pepper, salt, lemon juice plus olive oil. The final touch is cucumbers and a little salt: it turns out light salad with Greek flavor.

So, now you know a little about Greek cuisine. If you have a question about Greek cuisine, what to try, then now you know that it is primarily Greek salad, souvlaki, patsas soup, moscharokefali, htapodi, tsipoura or barbunya fish, as well as moussaka. If you are planning to visit Greece, I also advise you to read the article The food in Greece is interesting, fresh and incredibly tasty. It’s better not to read about it, but to try it. Bon appetit!