Food & Wine
Tavernas worth the detour, street food and island wineries.
Greek food rewards curiosity. Beyond moussaka and souvlaki there are assyrtiko vineyards grown in baskets against the wind, mountain cheeses, island-specific dishes and family tavernas that have cooked the same six things beautifully for forty years.
Who this is perfect for
- Travellers who plan the day around lunch
- Wine drinkers curious about indigenous Greek varieties
- Anyone who enjoys markets, cooking classes and long shared tables
Recommended destinations
Athens
The country's best eating city: street food, historic tavernas and a serious modern scene.
Crete
Arguably Greece's finest regional cuisine, plus raki, mountain villages and excellent olive oil.
Santorini
Volcanic assyrtiko wines, tomatokeftedes and fava — a genuinely distinctive island kitchen.
Experiences worth planning around
An Athens food walk
Varvakios market, a bougatsa stop and three or four tastings is the best introduction to the city.
A winery afternoon
Santorini, Nemea and Naoussa all offer tastings that are relaxed and reasonably priced.
Cooking with a local family
Half a day, a market visit, then lunch with whatever you made together.
Where to stay
- In Athens, stay in Koukaki, Pangrati or Mets — you will eat far better than around Monastiraki.
- On islands, a village base beats a resort strip if food is your priority.
- A kitchen is useful: Greek markets and bakeries make simple breakfasts a pleasure.
Practical tips
- 1
Eat late. Tavernas fill from 21:00 and the atmosphere follows the locals.
- 2
Order mezedes for the table rather than a main each — it is how Greeks eat and you will taste more.
- 3
Ask what the kitchen made today; the handwritten additions are almost always the best dishes.
Related guides
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