Dear travelers,
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time in Greece, it’s this: you don’t just visit Greece, you eat it. Bite by bite, sip by sip, sitting at tiny tavernas, sandy beaches, and lively town squares.
Greek food is not only delicious, but it also carries a whole culture in it: the slow lunches, the laughter over meze plates, the clinking of glasses filled with ouzo or wine. To really experience Greece, you have to do it with a fork in one hand and maybe a Mythos beer in the other.
So, let me take you along on my food journey, from crispy saganaki cheese to sticky sweet loukoumades. And trust me, by the end of this, you’ll want to book a flight and pack stretchy pants.
Coffee Culture in Greece: Starting With a Frappe
Let’s start where every Greek day starts: with coffee. But not just any coffee, this is Greece, so we’re talking frappe.
A frappe is basically instant coffee, sugar (if you want), and water shaken into foam and poured over ice. Simple, but life-changing when it’s 35°C and the sun feels like a personal sauna. Greeks have their preferences too:
Sketos – no sugar, just pure coffee strength.
Metrios – medium sweet, the safe option.
Glykos – sweet, sweet, sweet. Dessert in a cup.
And if you want to get fancy, you can order a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino. But for me, frappe on the beach became my daily ritual.
The Must-Try Greek Starters & Appetizers
Greeks are the masters of the appetizer game. They don’t just bring you one dish, they bring a whole table of little bites, known as meze, and suddenly you’re feasting before the main course even arrives.
Here are the ones you have to try:
Saganaki – Fried cheese. That’s it. And it’s perfect. The outside is golden and crisp, the inside is gooey. Squeeze some lemon on top and you’ll question why you ever settled for plain cheese. Even better: try the saganaki with honey.
Tzatziki – Yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil. Fresh and an absolute lifesaver when paired with meat.
Tyrosalata (Cheese Salad) – Think feta whipped into a creamy dip, often with a little chili kick. You’ll want to spread this on bread, gyros, or honestly, just eat it with a spoon.
Street Food & Quick Bites You Can’t Miss
Street food in Greece is an art form, and Kos didn’t disappoint. The beauty of it? You can eat like a king for just a few euros.
Gyros – This is the Greek superstar. Meat roasted on a vertical spit, shaved into warm pita bread, loaded with tomatoes, onions, fries (yes, fries!), and tzatziki. I dare you to eat just one.
Souvlaki – Often confused with gyros, but here’s the difference: souvlaki is skewered meat, grilled and sometimes served in pita.
Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) – Juicy, herby, often paired with tzatziki. Comfort food at its best.
Fresh & Flavorful: The Classic Greek Salad
You can’t talk about Greek food without the Greek salad (or horiatiki). Forget the sad versions you’ve seen at home, this is the real deal:
Juicy tomatoes
Crisp cucumbers
Red onion slices
Kalamata olives
A block of feta (not crumbles, never crumbles)
Drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle of oregano
It’s refreshing, colorful, and basically summer on a plate.
Greek Honey & Local Cheeses
Now for two things the Greeks take very seriously: honey and cheese.
Greek Honey – Often called “liquid gold.” Thick, golden, floral, and bursting with flavor. I drizzled it over yogurt in the mornings and loukoumades at night. Honestly, it made everything better.
Greek Cheeses – Everyone knows feta, but don’t stop there. Try graviera (nutty and firm), kefalotyri (sharp and salty), and mizithra (soft and creamy). Each region has its own specialties, and they’re worth hunting down.
Together, honey and cheese make the kind of pairing that feels rustic, simple, and yet ridiculously indulgent.
Sweet Tooth Paradise: Greek Desserts Worth Every Bite
Now let’s talk sugar. Greek desserts are unapologetically sweet, syrup-soaked, and unforgettable. My favorites in Kos:
Portokali Cake – A syrupy orange cake, bursting with citrus flavor. Sticky, sweet, and addictive.
Ravani (or Revani) – A semolina cake soaked in syrup, light and moist. Perfect with coffee.
Loukoumades – Golden dough balls, deep fried and smothered in honey and cinnamon. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and impossible to eat just one.
Beach Doughnuts – Imagine lying on your sunbed, and a vendor strolls by with a tray of fresh doughnuts, still warm and covered in sugar.
Local Surprises & Nostalgic Flavors
You can’t leave without trying the little things too. My personal favorite? Caprice.
These chocolate hazelnut wafer rolls are iconic in Greece. Kids grow up with them, adults secretly love them, and tourists like me buy a tube “just to try” and end up finishing it in one sitting.
Drinks Beyond Coffee: Cheers to Greece
Food is half the fun, drinks are the other half.
Ouzo – An anise-flavored spirit that tastes like licorice. Best enjoyed with meze at a taverna. Tip: add water, watch it turn cloudy, then sip slowly.
Greek Wine – Every island has its specialties, and Kos is no exception. Local whites and rosés pair beautifully with seafood. Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter for recommendations.
Mythos Beer – The iconic Greek lager.
One night, I tried ouzo with grilled octopus. Did I love it? Let’s just say it’s an acquired taste. But hey, when in Greece…
How to Eat Like a Local in Kos
If you really want to eat Greek food the way it’s meant to be eaten, here are a few tips I picked up:
Go to family-run tavernas – They’ll often serve the freshest, most authentic dishes.
Ask about daily specials – Many places cook what’s fresh from the market that day.
Eat slow – Meals are social in Greece. Nobody’s rushing.
Try everything once – Even if it’s outside your comfort zone.
Greek food is more than just what’s on the plate; it’s about the people you share it with, the setting (beach, taverna, village square), and the memories you create.
So if you’re heading to Greece, bring your appetite. Because trust me: you’ll want to eat your way through it too.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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