The Greek Food Bucket List: 34 Traditional Recipes from Greece

Silas & Grace

A photo of a Greek food dessert. It shows a dessert plate and spoon, and a cut out square of a custard cake-like dessert on the plate.

I have been to so may countries since my husband and I started traveling full-time in 2016, but I’m a bit shocked to say that I haven’t been to Greece yet.

We’ve talked about it, we’ve even made plans, but for some reason, this incredible country keeps on getting missed. We’ll get distracted with Turkey, Portugal, or Taiwan, and then we keep on missing Greece.

So, until I make it there, I’m going to create a Greek food bucket list right here of traditional (not Greek-inspired) dishes to try.

And if you want to put these on your bucket list for when you visit Greece as well, then go ahead. They honestly all look incredible, and I can’t wait to try them all!

Side Note: There’s a free bucket list printable at the bottom! 🙂

But First, What is Typical Greek Food?

If you’re curious about what Greek Food typically consists of, then here’s an easy to remember list. 

Of course, there are many other things they eat, but this is just a general idea so you can know how to better explore Greek cuisine. 🙂

Typical Greek Foods:

  • Grilled meats like goat, pork, or lamb.
  • Fresh fish, octopus, and calamari.
  • Cheeses such as teta, graviera, or mizithra.
  • Baklava and honey.
  • Kolokythokeftedes (grilled veggie fritters).
  • Moussaka (creamy meat, veggie, and potato bake).
  • Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves).
  • Olives.
  • Olive oil.
  • Dips and sauces such as taramasalata, tzatziki, fava, and melitzanosalata.

Alright, now let’s get into the good stuff. 😉 

34 Greek Recipes to Try

1. Taramasalata with Bread

An image of Taramasalata which is a Greek dipping sauce for bread and other foods. It shows a bowl of it with some olive oil drizzled on top and three olives placed in the middle. And off to the side is a small plate with flat bread cut up on it.

There’s something so comforting about having freshly baked pita bread and dipping it into a tangy, creamy, savory Greek dip such as Taramasalata. Made with cod roe, olive oil, soaked bread, lemon, and more, I would enjoy making this for a get together. Also, I think that anything topped with olive oil tastes incredible; I love how all of the flavors soaked into the bread taste.

Taramasalata with Bread Recipe

2. Greek Halva Cake

Image of a Greek Halva cake that's been cut into with a piece gone. It takes on the form of a bundt cake and looks very moist. There are also slightly chopped walnuts put on top and around the cake.

I grew up on store bought cakes, and I’m going to be honest right now, I didn’t really like them. It always felt like the cakes were a bit dry and the frosting too sugary sweet.

But I would eat this Greek dessert in a heartbeat. It looks so moist and the ingredients for it sound incredible! With olive oil, honey, walnuts, semolina (a type of flour), cinnamon, and more, this would be a cake I wouldn’t have any second thought on.

Also, I could see myself eating this with a hot cup of creamy coffee. I see no problems with this recipe. 👌 

Greek Halva Cake Recipe

3. Greek Pita Bread (Gyro Bread)

Image of Greek pita bread, five pieces of bread stacked on each other and they all look soft and fluffy. In the background is a plate with more of the bread.

I don’t always feel like restaurant quality pita bread is going to beat out homemade pita bread.

There’s just something so nice about having traditional flat bread coming fresh off the skillet for your dinner.

But I’m also going to assume that the pita bread in Greece, whether homemade or in a restaurant, probably beats out our personal recipes.

So until you and I go to Greece, here’s a good recipe so you can have comforting hot pita bread for dinner tonight. 🙂

Greek Pita Bread (Gyro Bread) Recipe

4. Greek Kormos

This is a Greek Kormos recipe which is basically a Greek version of a Christmas yule log. It's made up of a chocolate and nuts and other ingredients and looks a bit like salami with the shape.

Unless you don’t like chocolate, I don’t see how this traditional Greek food is a problem.

I also think that this is the kind of sweet you’d see cut up on a dessert charcuterie board for a fun get-together! 😊 

Oh, and there are cookies in it! I mean, I’m pretty sure I could personally eat this all in one sitting and not complain. 🤷‍♀️ 

Chocolate Salami – Greek Kormos/Mosaiko Recipe

5. Tiropita (Greek Cheese Pie)

Image of Greek tiropita. It's an overhead shot of flaky dough wrapped around yummy ingredients, shaped into triangles and placed next to each other. They're a golden brown and look flaky and delicious.

I absolutely love flakey pastries, and especially if they’re savory. There’s just something so nice about sinking your teeth into a creamy, flaky, hand held pie.

Oh, and this Tirpotia recipe has three cheeses in it; cottage, feta, and Parmesan. Now I’m not personally gonna complain about anything that has Parmesan in it, but if you’re wondering whether that makes this a traditional recipe, it does! While Parmesan is an Italian cheese, it is used by Greek people to make this dish.

Tiropita (Greek Cheese Pie) Recipe

6. Baklava

An image of the Greek dessert, baklava, shaped into a small roll. One is lying flat on a small china plate while the other is propped up against it. There is pistachio crumbled on top and the Greek baklava looks syrupy and delicious.

More flakey yummy goodness! I absolutely ADORE baklava! 

It’s soaked in delicious syrups which kind of just fill your entire mouth with each bite. I’ve personally had baklava syrups with rose in them, which is honestly divine, and I never use the word ‘divine.’

But, for this recipe, the syrup consists of honey, lemon peel, cloves, and cinnamon, which I’m sure makes this Greek dessert taste incredible!

Baklava Recipe

7. Moussaka

Image of the baked Greek food, Moussaka. You see it topped with a green herb and the first layer is potatoes and a cream sauce while the under layer is filled with meat and veggies and a tomato sauce.

Essentially moussaka is a comfort food recipe. It’s an eggplant, meat, and veggie bake with a tomato sauce. Then it’s topped with potatoes and a creamy Bechamel sauce. It’s the kind of Greek dish you eat when you’re feeling like having something hearty and don’t really care about the calories.

Moussaka Recipe

8. Galaktoboureko Recipe

Image of the Greek recipe, Galaktoboureko. It looks like a moist, custardy, flaky cake with a golden brown top. It's cut up into different pieces in the baking tray, and one of the pieces is placed nicely on a pretty clear glass plate. There are small dried roses on the table and some cinnamon sticks stacked on each other.

Galaktoboureko is a popular Greek dessert dish and for a good reason. 

Made with flaky phyllo dough and custard, I would probably eat an entire batch of this and gain 30 pounds.

But here’s what sold me on this dessert (besides the fact that it looks incredible): the custard is made up of heavy cream, vanilla bean powder, sugar, egg yolks and more. It sounds so incredibly rich and good and while I’ve never read it being made for Christmas, I could totally see myself baking this for that special holiday.

Galaktoboureko Recipe

9. Dolma with Meat (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

This is an image of Dolma, which is a Greek dish with rice and meat and other fillings wrapped in grape leaves. In the image it shows them on a pretty white and blue serving plate, lined up next to each other. There are also cut up lemons and herbs placed in the corners to make it look pretty.

Greek dolma are what you have when you want to a ton of flavor and yummy ingredients all in one bite. They’re grape leaves wrapped around minced meat, rice, and tasty herbs like rosemary, dill, and mint. Of course, there are other ingredients, but I don’t think you need much more of a description in order to want to try it.

At least I don’t, I could see myself eating at least 10 of these. 😂

Dolma with Meat Recipe

10. Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies

This is an image of Koulourakia which is a Greek Easter cookie. The cookie is a golden brown and shaped into a cute bunny. The background of the image has a lace-like table cover, a pretty crystal or glass container, and pink flowers

I love seeing how other countries celebrate certain holidays, and one of them is Easter. There are so many sweet baking traditions around this holiday, and I think these Greek Easter cookies look so cute and tasty!

Also, with orange, vanilla, and cognac, I could see these cookies having a very rich flavor!

Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies Recipes

11. Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs)

An image of Soutzoukakia, which is a type of Greek meatball dish. It shows an overhead shot of a pan filled with a yummy looking reddish-brown sauce. And in the sauce are the meatballs shaped a bit more long and what looks like some pine nuts, herbs, and pomegranate seeds placed on top for color.

With garlic, minced beef, and red wine, I honestly don’t think you need much more convincing to eat this delicious Greek dish. 

I mean can’t you imagine just serving this up on a hot plate of rice and digging in? It honestly looks so good!

Soutzoukakia Recipe

12. Portokalopita – Greek Orange Phyllo Cake

An image of Portokalopita, which is a Greek cake recipe. The photo shows a pretty piece of moist cake that's cut into a square and placed on what looks like a pretty crystal plate. There's a piece of cinnamon stick leaning against the cake and an orange slice on top of the cake. In the background is another one of those plates with more cut up oranges.

More phyllo, but I’m not complaining!

This Greek cake is soaked in syrup which means it’s gonna be extra moist and a burst of flavor with each bite.

And on top of that, it has orange, brandy, and cinnamon which means this is gonna be one decadent dessert!

Portokalopita – Greek Orange Phyllo Cake Recipe

13. Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Image of a Greek chicken gyros recipe. It shows a white square plate with soft fluffy pita bread slightly wrapped around a mixture of chicken and veggies with tzatziki smothered on top. Also on the plate are some herbs and a small bowl with more of the meat and veggie mixture. And in the background is a bowl with more of the Greek tzatziki sauce.

I feel like gyros are one of the essential foods from Greece that a lot of us want to try. And it’s hard to go wrong! Flavorful meat and veggies, wrapped in a soft and fluffy flat bread, and then smothered in a creamy Tzatziki sauce.

It’s the kind of fun dish you make when you want to impress your family with your amazing cooking skills and probably the kind that makes the entire home smell amazing! I guess what I’m saying is, you should probably try this recipe this week. 😘 

Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

14. Greek Ekmek Kataifi

Photo of Greek Ekmek Kataifi which is a Greek cake dessert. It shows a rectangular piece of it cut up onto a plate with a spoon laying next to the cake with a piece of the cake on it. The cake looks custardy and has a flaky phyllo bottom layer. On the top there's a creamy layer with crumbled nuts. And in the background is a vase of pink flowers.

Originating in Turkey, Greek style Ekmek Kataifi has a base layer of syrup soaked shredded phyllo, and is topped with a custard-like cream. Oh and of course whipped cream and nuts! 

Greek Ekmek Kataifi Recipe

15. Classic Spanakopita Recipe (Greek Spinach Pie)

A photo of Spanakopita which is a Greek savory pastry-type of dish. It has flaky phyllo dough and a creamy cheesy spinach filling. Its show around 3 different pieces of this piled on top of each other. The dough looks super flaky and golden brown and the filling looks moist and cheesy.

Oh my goodness! Can’t you just imagine sinking your teeth into this flaky yummy goodness?

With garlic, creamy feta, olive oil, spinach, and a lot more tasty spices and herbs and other ingredients, I think this one might be a winner when I compare it to the other Greek food recipes.

Now don’t get me wrong, they all look good, but there’s something about having a savory flaky creamy dish and then having the panicked feeling of, “Will I be able to stop eating these?”

Classic Spanakopita Recipe

16. Prawn Saganaki (Greek Prawns with Feta)

The image shows Prawn Saganaki which is a tomato based Greek prawn and feta cheese recipe. The sauce is in a cast iron skillet, topped with some green herbs, and a person is dipping a piece of bread into the dish.

Ever since I was a little kid, I LOVED getting prawns at a restaurant. Now traditionally, that would be at a Chinese restaurant; you know the kind where they’re huge, dipped in batter, and then deep fried? Yeah, those are SO good.

But, now that I know that they have their own prawn recipe (with cheese no less!) in Greece, this is officially on my bucket list. I can’t wait to try this!

Prawn Saganaki Recipe

17. Tirokafteri (Spicy Whipped Feta Dip)

The photo shows the Greek food recipe, Tirokafteri. It's a spicy whipped feta dip and in the image, the pinkish-purplish dip is in a pretty blue bowl. There is olive oil, spices, and herbs topped on the dip. And to the side are triangles of soft looking pita bread ready for dipping.

Ok, I feel like eggplant is that veggie people joke about in cartoons and TV shows all the time. Like it’s this horrible thing to eat and it’s weird and no one likes it.

But after having gone to easter Europe and tasted some incredible egg plant dishes, I have been converted.

There is literally nothing wrong with them, in fact, I’m confused how they even got a bad wrap. They take on a lot of the flavor of whatever you spice them with and they make great creamy fillings and dips, so I’m all for trying this Greek feta dip recipe! 🙂

Tirokafteri Recipe

18. Greek Salad

An image of a Greek salad. It shows a white serving bowl filled with onions, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and spices. There are also two wooden serving spoons placed into the dish. And around the dish are veggies, spices, lemon, olive oil, and a white and red striped kitchen cloth.

I know we see Greek salads at the restaurant, but they actually do eat Greek salads in Greece. This isn’t just some “Greek-inspired” recipe. Nope, it’s a tasty concoction of yummy veggies, cheese, and a nice olive oil and wine vinegar mixture. 

I honestly do find Greek salads super refreshing and they’re a great burst of flavor when made right! I think they’re the kind of salad you eat on hot summer days when you want to feel refreshed and good.

Greek Salad Recipe

19. Greek Fava

Image of fava which is a Greek golden colored dip. In the photo, you see a wooden type of platter with a green and white bowl of the dip placed on top of it. Next to the bowl, on the same wooden platter, are some cut up cucumbers and carrots for dipping. You also see a person's hand dipping a carrot into the fava which also has cut up onion on top.

I really love good veggie dips and this Greek Fava made up of yellow split-peas and garlic and olive oil and so many more good ingredients, sounds like a great one to make. And whether it’s just for a party or you want something tasty at home, then it’s a good one to try!

I personally see myself eating a bucketload of this when I travel to Greece or just making it at home and storing some in the fridge to eat all week long!

Greek Fava Recipe

20. Soutzoukakia 

The image shows the Greek recipe, Soutzoukakia. It's a veggie and meat bake, and in the photo you see a side of bulgar and the meat and veggies are artfully placed around the it. There are potatoes and meat and peppers all placed in a colorful pretty way.

I really love yummy bakes and this Greek soutzoukakia sounds amazing!

Also, this dish is common in other countries such as Turkey, but that makes complete sense since Turkey and Greece are practically neighbors. 🤷‍♀️ 

You bake lightly fried meatballs, potatoes, pepper, spices, and tomatoes in a dish, pair it with a side of your choice (I’m seeing it paired with rice in a few other recipes) and you’re all set!

The person who made this specific Greek recipe said that it’s also a good dish to have during the summer since the tomatoes will be ripe and juicy and great for cooking.

Soutzoukakia Recipe

21. Beef Pastitsada

The image shows the Beef Pastitsada topped on some spaghetti noodles. And on top of the meat is some cheese and herbs. There's another plate of this Greek dish in the background and a bowl of the cheese with a spoon placed into it.

Pastitsada is a Greek beef stew recipe where you brown the beef in a pan, then slow cook it with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, onions, and more. 

She says that you can top it on pasta, but it’s also served with polenta in Greece. Now I don’t know about you, but I think polenta is AMAZING and I could see it going great with this recipe.

I feel like polenta is such a good side to have with any comfort food, and if you haven’t had it, it’s super easy to make. It’s just simple corn meal and water (or milk), that’s it. And maybe some salt and other spices, but that up to you! 

Beef Pastitsada Recipe

22. Tzatziki Sauce

An overhead shot of a Greek Tzatziki Sauce. The sauce is in a bowl with a bit of herb and olive oil topped on it. Placed around it in an artful way are crackers and veggies and olives. There are also whole carrots of different colors that have been peeled. All of these things are put onto a pretty wooden serving tray. And next to the wooden serving tray is a white and grey striped kitchen cloth.

I feel like this is the sauce EVERYONE knows when it comes to Greek food.

It’s the one people search for probably the most and it is kind of essential. It goes with a lot of recipes and adds a nice creaminess to anything tangy or spicy.

Made up of Greek yogurt, dill, garlic, cucumber, pepper, olive oil, and lemon it’s so simple but also a very tasty recipe to make.

Also, I feel like Tzatziki is a great sauce to have on a hot day with your food; it kind of gives it a bit of a refreshing creamy touch to a recipe.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

23. Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken Souvlaki which are Greek grilled chicken kebabs. The image shows a blue and white plate with the chicken, some raw chopped up onion, cucumber, and tomatoes. And around the main plate are bowls that hold cherry tomatoes, a white sauce, and potatoes.

The next three recipes are gonna be some of their barbecue dishes.

This chicken recipe is marinated in garlic, olive oil, lemon, and herbs, so I can imagine this being a burst of flavor!

Also, if you want a new alternative to the normal American BBQ, then this tasty Greek recipe is probably a great option!

Chicken Souvlakia Recipe

24. Lamb Souvlaki

Lamb Souvlaki which are also grilled kebabs. The Greek lamb kebabs are placed on a bed of rice with fries and two slices of lemons on the side, all on the same plate. Around the main plate are other Greek dishes such as Greek salad and what looks like a tzatziki sauce.

Oh my goodness, I love lamb, and a lamb kebab recipe is exactly what I need. I can just imagine how juicy and tender and flavorful this is!

This one is also marinated, and it takes 4 hours to finish marinating, but she also says that overnight is best.

The marinade consists of a lot of spices and herbs, olive oil, and garlic and honestly, that sounds so good. And I love how this person pairs it with rice and fries and a fresh looking salad. This looks like such a good spring or summer recipe! Or if I’m being honest with myself, I’d probably try it anytime of the year. 🤷‍♀️ 

Lamb Souvlaki Recipe

25. Pork Souvlaki

Pork Souvlaki which is a grilled pork kebab. The image shows a white plate with the Greek pork kebabs. And next to it is another plate with two Pork Souvlaki, but with a flat bread underneath it. There's also a round wooden plate with grilled looking green peppers. And one more plate with just a single flat bread on it.

This one is also marinated in a very similar way with garlic, herbs, and lemon, so I’m guessing that it’s a marinade flavor where you just can’t go wrong!

I also imagine this going great with some nice fluffy fresh pita bread and tzatziki sauce!

Pork Souvlaki Recipe

26. Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)

An overhead image of the Greek dip, Melitzanosalata. It's a eggplant dip that's a light brown and it's topped with olive oil, herbs, and a few chopped pieces of tomato. Around the bowl of dip on a plate are crackers and a couple slices of lemon.

Oh my goodness, more eggplant and I am not complaining!

This honestly looks so good and I could imagine this being a dip where I sink my pita bread in deep and get an oversized amount dripping onto my plate. And I would have no shame about it. 

Melitzanosalata Recipe

27. Loukoumades

The image shows a bowl of Loukoumades, which are Greek fried dough balls with honey drizzled on top.

I need this. Right now.

I am seriously weak for deep fried dough goodness and these honey doused Greek donuts look absolutely perfect!

Oh also, these are popular in Cyprus and Egypt as well; I really think it’s so cool how recipes get around and get adopted by different cultures. 😊 

Loukoumades Recipe

28. Spanakorizo

An image of a long serving dish with Greek spinach rice called, Spanakorizo. The rice is a golden color and there's cooked spinach in it. There's also a serving spoon placed into the bowl. And on the table around part of the dish is a blue kitchen cloth.

I love yummy rice side dishes, and this one looks like such a pretty and tasty recipe to place on your table!

Also, it doesn’t look very hard or intimidating to try, so if you want to make something that seems relatively simple this coming week, then it might be a fun Greek recipe to give a try! 🙂

Spanakorizo Recipe

29. Greek Green Beans Fasolakia

An overhead photo of Fasolakia, which is a Greek food that consists of potatoes, green beans, and other ingredients. There are herbs sprinkled on top and it's a colorful dish.

Another good side dish whether you’re having a huge Greek dinner spread or just want to try something new.

Also, it looks like a fun and tasty way to get your veggies in. 😉 

But with that aside, even though I’m not a huge green bean lover, I would definitely give this recipe which includes ingredients like potatoes, herbs, and olive oil a try!

Greek Green Beans Fasolakia Recipe

30. Greek Egg Lemon Soup (Avgolemono)

The image shows Avgolemono, which is a Greek egg lemon soup. It's a creamy looking yellow soup with some cheese and a bit of shredded spinach in it. There's also a glass of wine near the bowl, along with two whole brown eggs, a lemon, a lemon kitchen cloth, and a fancy looking wooden cutting board with a knife and cheese on it.

Greek egg lemon soup honestly sounds so  elegant. Like the kind of recipe you’d have in a fancy restaurant.

It looks so creamy and rich and I love that it incorporates rice (or orzo!).

And I know parmesan cheese isn’t Greek, but it could pair nicely with this, but don’t quote me, I haven’t tried it yet!

Greek Egg Lemon Soup (Avgolemono) Recipe

31. Greek Butter Cookies

An image of Greek butter cookies. They're all whiteish-yellow cookies with powdered sugar dusted on top. They're fluffy looking and round. Also, they're on a plate and piled on each other.

Greek butter cookies… let just how good that sounds sink in for a moment.

These cookies honestly look like I could eat 20 of them with no regrets.

So if you want a yummy new dessert recipe to try this week, then I think these might be worth a try. 

Greek Butter Cookies Recipes

32. Kourabiedes (Greek Christmas Cookies)

An image of pretty Greek Christmas cookies that are shaped a bit like a crescent moon. They're covered in powdered sugar, and one of them is broken up to show how crumbly, delicate, and tasty they look.

Cookies kind of seem essential during the holidays, so I’m all for trying a Greek Christmas cookie at some point soon!

It’s described as having a delicate texture with a sweet almond flavor. Also, there’s no chilling which means you can make them pretty quick!

Kourabiedes Recipes

33. Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Cookie Recipe)

A photo shot from up above, looking down on yummy looking Greek Christmas cookies. They're all in white cupcake cups. They're a golden color and have chopped walnuts sprinkled on top.

Another Greek Christmas cookie recipe! Sorry, but I couldn’t resist, these looked SO good!

Made with honey, spices, and walnuts, I could eat a whole batch by myself. Ok, I probably couldn’t do that since my stomach isn’t that big, but I would at least try. 🤷‍♀️ 

Melomakarona Recipe

34. Greek Meze PlatesImage showing a photo taken from up above of a table holding a whole bunch of Greek meze plates. Meze is essentially just smaller plates with different foods to choose from. So it's similar to tapas.

I love cuisines that have a whole bunch of smaller plates filled with delicious foods to choose from. So think dim sum for Chinese or tapas for Spain.

And that means I am definitely up for trying some tasty meze plates when I go to Greece! Or maybe I’ll just try to make some at home in the future because it really does look like a lot of fun to try!

Greek Meze Plates Guide and Recipes

Here’s Your Free Greek Food Bucket List!

Have fun with this printable checklist for when you travel to Greece or try making these recipes at home. 😊 

Copy & paste this 100% off discount code: MYGREEKFOODBUCKETLIST

Preview image for a free printable checklist for the Greek Food Bucket List. It shows an image of a printable page with lists of foods to check off in different categories such as Mains, Side Dishes, Desserts, Sauces, and Dips. To the left of the image it says, "The Greek Food Bucket List." And directly underneath that is a pink button that says, "Grab for Free!" There are also cute little images around the printable preview such as a pink plane or a pink passport with tickets.

I’m starting to think that maybe going to Greece is a dangerous idea with how much of their food I would be eating every day.

It honestly looks so good though, and each and every one of these dishes will be on my Greek Food Bucket List. 

So, what would be on your personal bucket list for when you travel to Greece? I’d love to know!

Featured Food Food & Drink

Silas & Grace

Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.

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