Greek cuisine is rightfully one of the brightest and most varied. Fish and seafood, vegetables, meat, cheeses - delicious dishes are prepared from these products. Keep in mind that Greek taverns serve very large portions, so it is best to order each dish for two.
Greek cuisine belongs to the Mediterranean. This means that it is rich in fish, seafood, and a variety of vegetables. The basis is, of course, olive oil - it is added wherever possible. But meat dishes also take a significant place in the diet. Lamb is especially held in high esteem.
In Greek restaurants, it is customary for each guest to first bring non-carbonated water, perhaps with some kind of small snack, and at the end of lunch or dinner - a compliment from the restaurant (this can be fruit or dessert).
Salads and snacks
The meal begins with them. The most famous is the "Greek" salad, or hariatiki. In taverns, it is served in large salad bowls, vegetables (ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, lettuce leaves) are usually coarsely chopped, feta cheese is laid out in a large piece and sprinkled with fragrant herbs. The salad is generously seasoned with olive oil. Baked eggplant salads are also popular. As a snack, you can take cheese; in Greece, a lot of types of cheese are produced, especially from goat's milk. Fried cheese can also be a hot snack.
Pies and hot snacks
You should definitely try Greek pies with spinach (spanakopita) and cheese (tyropita). These are products made from thin puff pastry with a lot of filling. Moussaka occupies a special place in Greek cuisine. This is one of the most important national dishes. Moussaka is a minced eggplant casserole topped with creamy sauce.
Second courses
What could be better than fresh grilled shrimp, seafood and fish! Fresh vegetables are usually served as a side dish. A variety of meat dishes are no less loved by the Greeks. The Greek "shawarma" is called gyros and is a thinly sliced, spit-roasted pork, wrapped in a thin flat cake made of wheat flour - pita. But vegetarians will also have something to choose from - eggplant and zucchini dishes, grilled vegetables. You can order the famous tzatsiki sauce for both appetizers and hot dishes.
desserts
Sweets can be not only very tasty, but also healthy. Many Greek desserts contain nuts, spices, honey, and even olive oil. In the first place, you can put baklavas, a dish that comes from Turkish cuisine. A variety of pies with fillings will also delight those with a sweet tooth: with nuts, with cheese, with fruits. On New Year's holidays, it is customary to bake curabiedes - friable cookies with grated almonds.
Beverages
Not a single lunch or dinner with the Greeks is complete without a glass of wine. The wines are drunk mainly of local origin. Among spirits, residents love ouzo - vodka based on anise and other aromatic herbs, which has a specific taste. It is customary to drink ouzo with water and ice. When water is added, the drink becomes cloudy. And the Greek brandy with rose petals "Metaxa" is also known outside the country.
