List of Greek dishes facts for kids

Greece is famous for its delicious food! Greek cuisine is full of fresh ingredients, amazing flavors, and dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. From tasty salads and dips to hearty main courses and sweet treats, there's something for everyone to discover. Get ready to explore some of the most popular and interesting dishes from Greece!

Salads, Spreads, and Dips

Greek meals often start with fresh salads or creamy dips. They are perfect for sharing!

Name	Image	What it is
Greek salad (χωριάτικη σαλάτα)	A fresh Greek salad	This famous salad has juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese. It also includes olives, usually Kalamata olives. It's seasoned with salt, Greek mountain oregano, and lots of olive oil. Sometimes, green bell peppers are added too.
Dakos (ντάκος)	Dakos, a Cretan specialty	Dakos is a dry barley rusk (a type of hard bread). It's soaked in olive oil and topped with sliced tomatoes, herbs, feta cheese, and sometimes capers. It's a popular dish from Crete.
Taramosalata (ταραμοσαλάτα)	Taramosalata, a pink dip	This creamy dip is made from fish roe (fish eggs), breadcrumbs, olive oil, and lemon juice. It often has a light pink color.
Tirokafteri (τυροκαυτερή)	Spicy Tirokafteri dip	Tirokafteri is a spread or dip made from feta cheese and roasted red peppers. It can be spicy or mild, depending on how it's made.
Tzatziki (τζατζίκι)	Cool and creamy Tzatziki	Tzatziki is a very popular dip. It's made by mixing yogurt with cucumber and garlic. Sometimes, dill is added for extra flavor. Olive oil is usually drizzled on top.
Skordalia (σκορδαλιά)	Skordalia with fried cod	Skordalia is a thick purée. Its main ingredients are potato, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. It often comes with fried cod fish.

Breads to Enjoy

Bread is a big part of Greek meals, perfect for dipping into sauces or eating with main dishes.

Name	Image	What it is
Daktyla (δάκτυλα)	Daktyla, a rustic bread	This is a traditional 'country' or 'village' bread, often shaped like fingers.
Kritsini (κριτσίνι)	Greek breadsticks	These are Greek breadsticks, similar to Italian grissini. They are crunchy and great for snacking.
Koulouri (κουλούρι)	A Koulouri street snack	Koulouri is a circular bread ring, often covered in sesame seeds. It's a popular street food, especially in Athens.
Lagana (λαγάνα)	Lagana flatbread	Lagana is a flatbread traditionally baked for Clean Monday. This day marks the start of Great Lent. It used to be unleavened (made without yeast), but now it often has yeast.
Paximadi (παξιμάδι)	Dried Paximadi bread	Paximadi is a dried bread. It's made with whole wheat, chick pea, or barley flour. It's very crunchy and often used in salads like Dakos.

Appetizers and Small Bites

These are small dishes, often called mezedes, that you eat before a main meal or with drinks.

Name	Image	What it is
Avgotaracho (αυγοτάραχο)	Avgotaracho, a delicacy	This is a special food made from fish roe, similar to caviar. It's mainly produced in Missolonghi, Greece.
Bakaliaros (μπακαλιάρος)	Fried cod with Skordalia	This is dried and salted cod fish. It's often fried in batter and served with the garlic dip called skordalia.
Fava (φάβα)	Creamy Fava dip	Fava is a delicious purée made from yellow split peas. It's often served with olive oil and chopped onions.
Florina peppers (πιπεριές Φλωρίνης)	Roasted Florina peppers	These are roasted red bell peppers. They are dressed with olive oil and vinegar. Sometimes, they are stuffed with feta cheese and herbs.
Fried squid (καλαμαράκια τηγανητά)	Crispy fried squid	This dish features squid that is coated in batter and deep-fried. It's usually served with salt and a squeeze of lemon.
Dolmadakia (ντολμαδάκια)	Dolmadakia, stuffed vine leaves	Dolmadakia are small vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs. The name comes from the Turkish word dolma, meaning "to fill".
Kolokythoanthoi (κολοκυθοανθοί)	Stuffed zucchini flowers	These are fried zucchini flowers. They are often stuffed with rice, herbs, and spices.
Loukaniko (χωριάτικο λουκάνικο)	Greek Loukaniko sausage	Loukaniko is a traditional Greek sausage. It's made from pork or lamb and often flavored with orange zest or leeks.
Octopus (χταπόδι)	Grilled octopus	Octopus is very popular in Greece. It's usually grilled and served as a small dish or a main course. It's often dressed with lemon juice.
Pita (πίτα)	A savory Greek pita	Greek pitas are pies with different fillings. Common types include cheese pie (τυρόπιτα), spinach pie (σπανακόπιτα), and meat pie (κρεατόπιτα).
Spanakopita (σπανακόπιτα)	Spanakopita, a spinach pie	This is a delicious pie made with thin phyllo pastry. It has a savory filling of spinach and cheese.
Tiropita (τυρόπιτα)	Tiropita, a cheese pie	Tiropita is a Greek layered pastry pie. It's filled with a creamy feta cheese mixture.
Tomatokeftedes (τοματοκεφτέδες)	Tomato fritters from Santorini	These are tasty tomato fritters, especially famous on the island of Santorini.
Saganaki (σαγανάκι)	Saganaki, fried cheese	Saganaki is a dish of fried cheese. It's often served sizzling hot, sometimes with a squeeze of lemon.

Soups to Warm You Up

Greek soups are often hearty and full of flavor, perfect for any time of year.

Name	Image	What it is
Faki (φακή)	Hearty lentil soup	Faki is a simple yet delicious lentil soup. It's usually served with vinegar and olives.
Fasolada (φασολάδα)	Fasolada, a bean soup	Fasolada is a traditional bean soup. It's made with beans, tomatoes, carrots, onions, celery, herbs, and olive oil. It's often called the "national food of the Greeks."
Kotosoupa (κοτόσουπα)	Classic chicken soup	This is a comforting chicken soup. It often has pieces of chicken, thin pasta called fides, and vegetables like carrots.
Magiritsa (μαγειρίτσα)	Magiritsa, an Easter soup	Magiritsa is a special soup traditionally eaten after midnight mass on Easter. It's made with lamb and thickened with a mixture of egg and lemon juice.
Avgolemono (αβγολέμονο)	Avgolemono soup	Avgolemono is a family of sauces and soups. They are made thick and creamy with a mixture of egg yolk and lemon juice. It gives a unique tangy flavor.

Egg Dishes and Pasta

These dishes combine eggs or different types of pasta, often with fresh Greek ingredients.

Name	Image	What it is
Flomaria (φλωμάρια)	Flomaria, a type of pasta	Flomaria is a type of long, thin pasta from the island of Lemnos.
Koftó makaronaki (κοφτό μακαρονάκι)	Koftó makaronaki pasta	This is a small, short-cut pasta, similar to ditalini. It's usually served with a ground meat sauce.
Makaronia/Makarounes me salsa kima (μακαρόνια με σάλσα κιμά)	Pasta with meat sauce	This is a classic dish of spaghetti, macaroni, or other pasta served with a delicious ground meat sauce.
Kritharaki (κριθαράκι)	Kritharaki, orzo pasta	Kritharaki is a short-cut pasta shaped like grains of rice. It can be served alone, in soups, or baked in casseroles.
Strapatsada (στραπατσάδα)	Strapatsada, scrambled eggs with tomato	Strapatsada is a simple and tasty dish of scrambled eggs cooked with fresh tomatoes.
Trahanas (τραχανάς)	Trahanas, a fermented grain product	Trahanas is a fermented and dried mixture of grain and yogurt or fermented milk. It's often used to make a comforting soup.

Vegetable Dishes

Greek cuisine celebrates fresh vegetables, often cooked with olive oil and herbs.

Name	Image	What it is
Arakas me aginares (αρακάς με αγκινάρες)	Green peas with artichokes	This dish combines fresh green peas with tender artichokes, often cooked in a light sauce.
Briám (μπριάμ)		Briám is a baked dish similar to French ratatouille. It's made with sliced potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and herbs, all cooked in olive oil.
Fasolakia (φασολάκια)	Green beans in tomato sauce	These are fresh green beans stewed in a flavorful tomato sauce. Sometimes, potatoes, carrots, or zucchini are added.
Gigandes plaki (γίγαντες πλακί)	Baked giant beans	Gigandes plaki are large baked beans cooked in a rich tomato sauce with herbs. They can sometimes be made spicy with peppers.
Horta (χόρτα)	Boiled wild greens	Horta refers to boiled wild greens. They are usually served simply with olive oil and lemon juice.
Prasorizo (πρασόρυζο)	Leeks and rice stew	Prasorizo is a stew made with leeks and rice. It's cooked in lemon juice and olive oil, making it light and flavorful.
Spanakorizo (σπανακόρυζο)	Spinach and rice stew	Spanakorizo is a stew made with spinach and rice. Like prasorizo, it's cooked in lemon juice and olive oil.
Yemista (γεμιστά)	Yemista, stuffed vegetables	Yemista means "stuffed" in Greek. These are baked vegetables, usually tomatoes and peppers, hollowed out and filled with a mixture of rice and herbs. Sometimes, minced meat is also added to the filling.

Meat and Fish Dishes

Greek main courses often feature grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, or fresh seafood.

Name	Image	What it is
Baked lamb with potatoes (αρνί στο φούρνο με πατάτες)		This is a very common and beloved Greek dish. Lamb is slow-baked in the oven with potatoes, often with herbs and lemon.
Bifteki (μπιφτέκι)	Grilled Bifteki patties	Bifteki are grilled patties made from minced meat, usually beef. They are seasoned and shaped into round patties.
Giouvetsi (γιουβέτσι)	Giouvetsi with pasta	Giouvetsi is a baked dish, often with lamb, cooked in a clay pot. It's made with kritharaki, a Greek pasta shaped like rice.
Gyros (γύρος)	A delicious Gyros pita	Gyros is a very popular Greek fast food. Slices of roasted meat (usually pork or chicken) are cooked on a turning spit. It's served in pita bread with sauces like tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions.
Kleftiko (κλέφτικο)	Kleftiko, slow-baked lamb	Kleftiko means "of the klephts," who were mountain warriors. This Cypriot dish is lamb slow-baked on the bone. It's marinated in garlic and lemon juice and often cooked with potatoes.
Kokkinisto (κοκκινιστό)		"Kokkinisto" means 'reddened'. It refers to a group of meat stews cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
Kokoretsi (κοκορέτσι)	Kokoretsi on a spit	Kokoretsi is a grilled dish made from lamb or goat intestines wrapped around seasoned inner organs. It's a traditional dish, especially popular during Easter.
Keftedakia (κεφτεδάκια)	Greek meatballs	Keftedakia are small Meatballs, either fried or baked. They are seasoned with salt, oregano, and mint.
Moussaka (μουσακάς)	Classic Moussaka casserole	Moussaka is a famous Greek casserole. It has layers of (usually fried) aubergine (eggplant), potato, and spiced minced meat. It's topped with a creamy white sauce.
Paidakia (παϊδάκια)	Grilled lamb chops	Paidakia are grilled lamb chops. They are seasoned with lemon, oregano, salt, and pepper, and are very flavorful.
Pastitsio (παστίτσιο)	Pastitsio, a baked pasta dish	Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish. It has a filling of ground, spiced minced meat and a creamy Bechamel sauce on top.
Pizza (πίτσα)	Greek-style pizza	The Greek version of pizza often includes black olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
Soutzoukakia Smyrneika (σουτζουκάκια σμυρνέικα)	Soutzoukakia in tomato sauce	These are spicy, oblong meatballs flavored with cumin and garlic. They are served in a rich tomato sauce.
Souvlaki (σουβλάκι)	Souvlaki on a skewer	Souvlaki means 'little skewer'. It's any meat (lamb, chicken, pork, or even fish) grilled on a skewer. Pork and chicken are most common, marinated in oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and lemon.
Stifado (στιφάδο)	Stifado, a rich stew	Stifado is a slow-cooked stew. It often features game meat (like rabbit or venison), veal, or other meats. It's cooked with small pearl onions, red wine, and cinnamon.

Desserts and Sweets

Greek desserts are often sweet, syrupy, and full of nuts and spices.

Name	Image	What it is
Baklava (μπακλαβάς)	Layers of sweet Baklava	Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert. It's made of many thin layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts. It's sweetened with syrup or honey.
Bougatsa (μπουγάτσα)	Bougatsa, a pastry with filling	Bougatsa is a pastry with a filling, either vanilla custard (sweet) or cheese (savory). It's made with layers of phyllo dough.
Diples (δίπλες)	Diples, a festive sweet	Diples are a Christmas and wedding treat. Thin dough is fried in a swirling shape, then drizzled with honey and sprinkled with crushed walnuts.
Galaktoboureko (γαλακτομπούρεκο)	Galaktoboureko, a custard pie	Galaktoboureko is a delicious dessert with creamy Custard baked between layers of golden filo pastry.
Karydopita (καρυδόπιτα)	Karydopita, a walnut cake	Karydopita is a soft walnut cake. It's flavored with various spices and often soaked in a sweet syrup.
Koulourakia (κουλουράκια)	Koulourakia, butter cookies	Koulourakia are butter or olive-oil cookies. They are often baked for Easter and come in many fun shapes.
Kourabiedes (κουραμπιέδες)	Kourabiedes, Christmas cookies	Kourabiedes are Christmas cookies. They are made with flour, butter, and crushed roasted almonds, then dusted generously with powdered sugar.
Loukoumades (λουκουμάδες)	Loukoumades with honey	Loukoumades are fried balls of dough. They are often spiced with cinnamon and drizzled with honey, making them a sweet and crispy treat.
Melomakarona (μελομακάρονα)	Melomakarona, honey cookies	Melomakarona are "honey macaroons." These cookies are soaked in a syrup of diluted honey and sprinkled with crushed walnuts. They are typically baked for Christmas.
Pasteli (παστέλι)	Pasteli, sesame candy	Pasteli is a traditional sesame seed candy. It's made from sesame seeds, sugar, or honey pressed into a bar.
Rizogalo (ρυζόγαλο)		Rizogalo literally means 'rice-milk'. It's the Greek version of rice pudding, often sprinkled with cinnamon.
Spoon sweets (γλυκά του κουταλιού)	Spoon sweets, fruit preserves	Spoon sweets are fruit preserves, made from various fruits or even unripe nuts. The fruit is boiled whole or in large chunks in syrup.
Tsoureki (τσουρέκι)	Tsoureki, Easter bread	Tsoureki is a sweet Easter bread. It's flavored with "mahlepi," a special aromatic spice. It's often decorated with red-dyed eggs for Easter.
Vasilopita (βασιλόπιτα)	Vasilopita, New Year's cake	Vasilopita is Saint Basil's cake, traditionally prepared for New Year's Day. A coin is often baked inside, and finding it is considered good luck for the new year!
Strained yogurt with honey (γιαούρτι με μέλι)	Yogurt with honey and walnuts	This is a simple yet delicious dessert. Thick, creamy Greek yogurt is drizzled with honey, and often topped with walnuts.

Greek Cheeses

Greece has many different kinds of cheeses, each with its own special taste and texture.

Name	Image	What it is
Anevato (ανεβατό)	Creamy Anevato cheese	Anevato is a creamy cheese from the region of Macedonia.
Anthotyros (ανθότυρος)	Anthotyros, a fresh cheese	Anthotyros is a traditional fresh cheese. There are both dry and fresh versions of this cheese.
Feta (φέτα)	Crumbly Feta cheese	Feta is probably the most famous Greek cheese! It's a white, salty cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk. It's often crumbled over salads.
Graviera (γραβιέρα)		Graviera is a popular hard cheese, especially in Crete. It's light yellow and has a slightly sweet and nutty taste. It's made from sheep's milk.
Kefalotyri (κεφαλοτύρι)	Kefalotyri, a hard cheese	Kefalotyri is a hard, salty yellow cheese. It's made from sheep's milk or goat's milk in Greece and Cyprus.
Kopanisti (κοπανιστή)	Spicy Kopanisti cheese	Kopanisti is a salty and spicy cheese produced in the Cyclades islands.
Myzithra (μυζήθρα)	Myzithra, a fresh whey cheese	Myzithra is a fresh cheese made from milk and whey from sheep or goats. It's often used in sweet or savory dishes.
Manouri (μανούρι)	Soft Manouri cheese	Manouri is a semi-soft, fresh white cheese. It's made from goat or sheep milk, often as a side product of making feta.
Metsovone (μετσοβόνε)	Smoked Metsovone cheese	Metsovone is a semi-hard smoked cheese. It's produced in the Metsovo region from cow's milk or a mix of cow, sheep, or goat milk.

Refreshing Greek Drinks

No meal is complete without a refreshing drink!

Name	Image	What it is
Greek coffee (ελληνικός/τούρκικος καφές)	Traditional Greek coffee	Greek coffee is brewed in a small, long-handled pot called a briki. It uses very finely ground coffee beans and is served unfiltered, often with a glass of water.
Greek frappé coffee (καφέ φραπέ)	Cool Greek Frappé coffee	A Greek frappé is a popular cold coffee drink. It's made from instant coffee, water, and ice, shaken until it forms a foamy top.