Greece is a paradise for food lovers. From the mountains of Crete to the vibrant streets of Thessaloniki and the historical center of Athens, every region offers unique flavors, traditions, and specialty dishes. In this full food journey, we explored the very north to the very south of Greece, tasting local traditional favorites like bougatsa, souvlaki, galaktoboureko, loukoumades, kontosouvli and much more.
Here is the complete list of 25 Best Greek Foods experiences from our trip — in proper order, clean, structured, fully SEO-optimized.
Crete — Chania & Theriso (1–8)
1. Bougatsa Chanias – Mizithra Cheese Bougatsa
A legendary Cretan breakfast made with thin, crunchy pastry filled with savory local Mizithra cheese. Served on antique scales, topped with sugar or cinnamon, it is one of the best bougatsas in Greece.
2. Cretan Village Salad (Theriso)
A refreshing mountain salad with fresh tomato, cucumber, dried figs, Mizithra cheese, and olive oil. A perfect combination of sweetness, freshness, and creamy cheese.
3. Staka – Cretan Milk Butter
A rich local delicacy made from goat’s milk. When mixed with fried potatoes or eggs, it becomes one of the most satisfying Cretan dishes ever.
4. Hand-Cut Fries With Staka & Eggs
Fried eggs and crispy potatoes dipped in staka – simple, rustic, and unforgettable.
5. Cretan Lamb Chops (Theriso Village)
Juicy, tender lamb chops fried in olive oil. Soft, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned.
6. Apaki – Smoked Pork
Traditional smoked pork with honey and lemon. Intensely smoky, soft, and irresistibly tasty.
7. Complimentary Loukoumades + Raki
Warm loukoumades filled with syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon served with homemade Cretan raki. A perfect Cretan hospitality gesture.
8. Fresh Orange Juice, Lemonade & Frappe
After a massive Cretan feast, refreshing drinks in the mountain village completed the meal.
Thessaloniki — Northern Greece (9–15)
9. Thessaloniki Pork & Chicken Gyros – “10 To Kalo”
Thessaloniki-style gyros served with mustard, ketchup, tzatziki, and fresh fries. Smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor.
10. Mixed Gyros Plate
A plate combining chicken and pork gyros for a full taste experience.
11. Galaktoboureko – Galafianakis
One of the BEST versions of this Greek dessert — crunchy pastry filled with warm semolina vanilla cream drenched in syrup.
12. Almond Baklava Pastries
Bonus treats from the shop — crispy, flaky pastries with roasted almond inside.
13. Taverna Asylo – Kontosouvli Chicken
Slow-roasted chicken on a rotating spit, caramelized on the outside and juicy inside. Served with spicy sauce.
14. Greek Salad & Spicy Roasted Peppers
Crisp vegetables, creamy feta, and fresh olive oil — a Greek classic.
15. Greek Meat Plate — Bifteki, Bacon, Pork Neck, Chicken Thigh
A platter of smoky, charcoal-grilled meats including meatballs, pork, and chicken thighs seasoned with oregano.
Athens — Central Greece (16–21)
16. Kosta’s Pork Kalamaki Pita
Iconic Athenian kalamaki served with fries, tomatoes, onions, and flavorful tomato sauce.
17. Elvis Kalamaki – Juicy Pork Skewers
One of the best kalamakis in Athens. Extremely juicy pork served with hand-cut fries.
18. Lukumades – Stuffed with Bougatsa Cream
Crispy loukoumades filled with vanilla bougatsa cream. Sweet, crunchy and heavenly.
19. Achilleas Gyros – Traditional Moist Gyros
Prepared in the old rotisserie style with flaps to keep the meat moist. Unique seasoning and handmade style.
20. Achilleas Chicken Kalamaki With Special Sauce
A spicy, tangy sauce gives this chicken kalamaki a special twist.
21. Ranking the Kalamaki (Elvis #1, Kosta #2, Achilleas #3)
After trying all, Elvis remains the king for pure taste and juiciness.
Thessaloniki (Return) — Kanoula Restaurant (22–24)
22. Grilled Eggplant With Cheese & Tomato
One of the most surprising dishes — roasted eggplant topped with feta, oregano and tomatoes.
23. Greek Moussaka (Kanoula)
One of the best mousakas eaten — creamy béchamel, soft eggplant, minced meat, and potatoes blending perfectly.
24. Kavurma With Eggs + Grilled Mushrooms + Kanoula Greek Salad
A full plate of kavurma fried with eggs, juicy mushrooms, and a salad enriched with zucchini and capers.
Crete (Return) — To Antikristo (25)
25. Cretan Salad, Boureki, Gigantes Beans & Pork Belly
Ending the journey with Cretan classics:
- Cretan Salad with Mizithra & Kritamo
- Boureki (pumpkin, zucchini, cheese, pastry pie)
- Gigantes (giant beans baked in rich tomato sauce)
- Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce
Cretan Raki with honey and homemade desserts made the perfect farewell.
Conclusion
This entire journey across Crete, Thessaloniki, and Athens was a deep dive into Greek culinary heritage — from rustic mountain dishes to iconic street food, from traditional desserts to slow-cooked meats. Every region proudly shows its flavors, culture, and love for high-quality ingredients.