Eating out in Greece isn’t rocket science. But it turns out that you’ve still managed to do it all wrong.
You’ve been eating the wrong kinds of olives and fake Greek salads, and failing to spot tourist trap tavernas.
But don’t worry, expert help is at hand to steer you toward authenticity.
Here chef Ben Palmer and executive chef Nikos Oikonomopoulous, from Yamas restaurant in Looe, Cornwall, and Yannos Hadjiioannou and Stefanos Kokotos, owners of Greek produce supplier Maltby&Greek , have shared their best tips and advice for eating out in Greece. Read on to learn how to dine there like a local – feta late than never!
The dishes that aren’t actually Greek
If asked to picture Greek cuisine, for many kebabs, halloumi and moussaka will spring to mind. But, surprisingly, they’re not strictly Greek.
Yannos explains: ‘Tourists think that dishes such as kebab, halloumi, moussaka and various sweets, such as baklava and katalfi [a pastry made from shredded filo dough], are authentically Greek.
‘But all of these originated from Asia Minor [Anatolia, Turkey] and the historical region of the Levant, where important Hellenic populations used to live.’
Ben says that another food people commonly mistake for Greek is ‘sheftalia’, a sausage made from the membrane surrounding a pig or lamb’s stomach, which actually originated in Cyprus.
The chef says: ‘A lot of tourists in Greece ask for it and it tends to be the most common non-Greek request, so a lot of Greek chefs find it quite irritating.’
How to spot a tourist trap restaurant
Menus with pictures and multiple cuisines
‘Greek tourist traps have glossy printed menus that offer anything and everything, from pizza to burgers, to gyros and “home cooked” dishes,’ explains Yannos.
Ben agrees: ‘Anywhere you see with pictures of dishes outside, or a fully-fledged long menu with multiple international cuisines on, will not be a genuine Greek restaurant.’
Waiters outside and fake plants inside
Yannos explains: ‘These restaurants have “barkers” [people trying to convince you to come in] and fake plants inside.’
Over-the-top style
‘In general, any eatery that looks over the top and doesn’t appear “local” is most probably a tourist trap,’ Stefanos explains.
Extreme plate smashing
Stefanos says: ‘When it comes to Greek traditions, it’s hard to tell which are, or are not, truly authentic, as Greece is a melting pot of various cultures and civilisations.
‘For example, smashing plates is not dissimilar to smashing a glass at Jewish weddings and, in Greece, it’s a show of happiness, joy and celebration.
‘So, whilst smashing plates is authentically Greek, over the years, this tradition has faded out and it’s not to the extreme that tourists might expect.’
How to spot an authentic restaurant
No menu at all
Ben reveals: ‘A traditional Greek restaurant won’t ever sell anything other than local produce and local dishes.
‘You won’t ever be given a menu as they have daily specials that they make. When it’s gone, it’s gone!’
Instead of receiving a printed menu, the chef explains that diners will be told what is being served by the waiter.
A traditional Greek salad
Nikos says: ‘The easiest spot is to look at their Greek salad, as a traditional Greek salad has no lettuce.’
Off-the-beaten-track location
Stefanos claims: ‘The most authentic restaurants in Greece are usually off the beaten track.’
Non-pitted olives
‘If they give you olives that are non-pitted [i.e with stones inside], then you know it’s a genuine Greek restaurant,’ reveals Nikos.
He adds: ‘Only restaurants that buy in from other areas, or through companies, have pitted olives [with the stones removed], like in the UK.
‘Most [authentic restaurants] harvest their own in Greece.’
Simple menu
The less complicated the menu, the better.
Stefanos says: ‘Another way of spotting good tavernas and restaurants is to look for simple menus that focus on fish or meat, and consider the dishes already on tables to see if the food looks well prepared.’
Local produce
Stefanos warns: ‘Avoid places serving produce you know can’t be grown or caught locally.’
Local diners
If you see locals in a restaurant, it’s likely to serve mouthwatering food.
Ben says: ‘Look out for locals! If you can see and hear plenty of Greek-speaking locals dining there, then it’s a sure sign that it’s a good place to dine.’
The Greek dishes that tourists must try
Stifado (Beef stew in a rich tomato sauce) – ‘Stifado is a classic Greek dish that people should definitely try,’ says Ben.
Pastitsio – ‘If you like moussaka then you should definitely give this a try,’ says Ben. ‘It’s a similar-style dish, but has beautiful long tubes of pasta inside.’
Fresh vegetables – ‘Tourists should remember that produce has seasons,’ says Stefano. ‘At different times, look out for fresh vegetables – courgettes, wild greens (horta), broccoli, beetroots, stuffed cabbage leaves – served with local grilled or oven-baked meat, such as lamb chops or goat.’
Antikristo grilled lamb – ‘When in the mountains of Crete, don’t miss the antikristo grilled lamb, which is slow roasted on skewers, often over an open fire,’ says Stefano.
Handmade savoury pies – ‘In the Epirus mountains, be sure to try traditional handmade savoury pies, maybe filled with courgette or pumpkin,’ says Stefano.
Fresh grilled fish – ‘Fresh grilled fish is a must while in Greece,’ says Yannos. ‘Ask for freshly caught grouper, sardines, or mackerel, but avoid any seabass and sea bream, which is usually farmed.’
