World

Explore Greek cuisine: Diverse flavors, rich history, and fresh ingredients

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Explore Greek cuisine: Diverse flavors, rich history, and fresh ingredients

There are a number of reasons that draw travelers to Greece, from the sun-soaked islands to the historically rich mainland. However, one of the best reasons is having the opportunity to savor the extraordinary cuisine that the nation proudly offers.

Even if a trip to Greece isn’t in the cards, you can recreate the experience at home or explore your local Greek restaurant. Here are various delectable Greek dishes worth savoring at least once in your lifetime:

The Mediterranean diet
Mezes
The souvlaki and gyro
Seafood
Regional specialties
Sweets
Wine and spirits

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On the list of the most popular international destinations for summer 2023 is Athens, Greece. (iStock)

The Mediterranean diet in Greece reflects a cultural connection to their food. Meals are viewed as a communal experience, bringing people together to share stories and create lasting memories. Local markets are crowded with produce, and the aroma of freshly baked bread emphasizes the importance of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Characterized by olive oil, fresh vegetables, whole grains and an intake of fish and wine, this diet is not just a way of eating but a way of life in Greece.

“The Greek Mediterranean diet is not merely a diet, but rather a way of life: it constitutes a set of skills, knowledge and practices, promoting social interaction, since communal meals are the cornerstone of social customs and festive events,” reads the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

To prepare dolmades, grape leaves are typically blanched to soften them before being carefully filled with the rice and herb mixture. (Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

No Greek dining experience is complete without indulging in mezes, a selection of small dishes meant for sharing. Tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber dip, and Taramasalata, a creamy fish roe spread, are just the beginning.

Spanakopita: A savory pastry filled with spinach and feta that offers a delightful blend of flaky crust and rich, herby filling.
Dolmades: Grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice and pine nuts that provide a burst of Mediterranean flavors in each bite.
Keftedes: Seasoned meatballs often served with a zesty yogurt-based sauce, showcasing the skillful balance of spices in Greek cuisine.

GREEK ISLAND HOLDS SECRET TO LONGER LIFE?

The variety within mezes reflects the country’s regional diversity, with each region contributing its own unique twists to these shared dishes. Whether enjoyed in a seaside taverna with the sound of waves as a backdrop or in a cozy family-owned restaurant tucked away in a charming alley, the experience of mezes goes beyond the culinary – it’s a celebration of togetherness.

A gyro with pork (called the Herc) at Saloniki, a fast-food Greek restaurant, in Boston. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The iconic souvlaki and gyro, cherished as typical Greek street foods, are the very essence of Greek comfort food. Whether wrapped in warm pita bread or skewered and grilled to perfection, these dishes will hit the spot every time.

WHERE DID THE GYRO COME FROM?

The interplay of meats, typically lamb, chicken or pork, with a medley of fresh tomatoes, crisp onions and a generous dollop of velvety tzatziki, creates delicious Mediterranean flavors in every bite.

Visitors can enjoy this Greek food on the streets of Athens or in a quaint village square. These beloved street foods are a testament to the Greeks’ mastery of simple yet exquisite cuisine.

Sun drying octopus at Limenaria village in Thassos, Greece. Greeks have been eating octopus since ancient times, and it is still on the menu of the country in many fish taverns. (Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)

With its extensive coastline, Greece offers a number of seafood delights:

Grilled octopus
Sea bass
Red snapper
Crispy fried calamari
Kakavia, the stereotypical Greek fisherman’s soup.

TOURISM PICKS UP IN GREECE, BUT WITHOUT THE GREEKS

Kakavia is typically made with a variety of fish, shellfish and other seafood, combined with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and potatoes. The soup is seasoned with herbs and spices, creating a savory and aromatic dish.

Visitors can travel to coastal tavernas for a seafood feast that reflects the freshness and simplicity of Greek coastal life.

A bougatsa pie, a delicious sweet treat made of white cheese and thin pastry baked in the oven is served in Heraklion, Greece. (Bastian Parschau/Getty Images)

1. Crete

Crete is known for its high-quality, tender lamb, and it’s prepared in various ways to showcase its natural taste. Grilled lamb chops, slow-cooked stews and roasted lamb with aromatic herbs are some of the popular lamb dishes you might encounter on the island.

2. Thessaloniki

Bougatsa is a traditional Greek pastry that originated in the city of Thessaloniki. It is a type of phyllo dough pastry that can be either sweet or savory. The most common types are sweet bougatsa with custard filling or sweet cream, and savory bougatsa with cheese or minced meat filling.

MIKE EMANUEL SHARES A TRADITIONAL GREEK FAMILY FAVORITE

3. Santorini

Domatokeftedes are a Greek dish hailing from the beautiful island of Santorini. These are tomato fritters that showcase the island’s rich agricultural produce, particularly its vibrant and flavorful tomatoes. The dish perfectly captures the essence of the Aegean sun-soaked harvest, offering a burst of Mediterranean flavors.

Baklava pastries are seen at a pastry shop in Istanbul. Baklava is a pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with semolina cream and Antep pistachio. (OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Greek desserts are a sweet celebration of tradition and local ingredients. Sink your teeth into the luscious layers of baklava, a decadent pastry crafted from delicate phyllo dough and an irresistible medley of nuts. For a taste of golden perfection, savor loukoumades, delectable fried dough orbs generously drizzled with golden honey.

Conclude your culinary journey with Greek spoon sweets, featuring fruits preserved in rich, syrupy perfection — a sweet note to end your Greek dining experience.

A waiter pours a glass of Assyrtiko wine on Santorini Island, Greece. Assyrtiko is a white grape variety native to the Greek island of Santorini, although it is also cultivated in other parts of Greece. (Xinhua/ via Getty Images)

Sip the rich narratives of Greece’s selection of wines, from the robust reds hailing from Nemea to the crisp Assyrtiko whites dancing on the vineyards of Santorini.

Each glass captures the essence of Greek winemaking. Elevate your toast with the anise-flavored allure of ouzo or the robust character of tsipouro, traditional spirits that embody the conviviality woven into the fabric of Greek dining.

From Greek mezes to seafood, regional specialties to sweet endings, every bite is a celebration of tradition and a testament to the Greek passion for life, food, and shared moments around the table.

World

Investors brace for a bigger backlash from Middle East war

Published

9 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Investors brace for a bigger backlash from Middle East war

From being just a fringe risk, conflict in the Middle East has become a top worry for investors unsettled by the prospect of a power struggle in Iran and a protracted regional war, with ramifications for everything from global trade to inflation.

World

Tel Aviv analyst shelters from 30 missile sirens in 48 hours, says Iran ‘won’t recover’

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Tel Aviv analyst shelters from 30 missile sirens in 48 hours, says Iran ‘won’t recover’

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The past 48 hours in Tel Aviv have been unlike anything seen before, a leading security analyst has said, as sirens blared amid missile threats following Operation Epic Fury and U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran.

“We are facing a biblical event — nothing less,” Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital, speaking from his shelter in the city.

Like many Israelis, Michael said he had spent hours in reinforced rooms during the ongoing barrage, adding that he was “very experienced in this.”

“But this all requires time and determination, and I do hope that Trump will also have them both,” he said, speaking shortly after the president released a video message stating that the military operation would continue “until all of our objectives are achieved.”

Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system over Tel Aviv. (JACK GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

“Trump is the only one who can make the change — and that change will impact the entire region and the international order for years to come,” Michael added.

As of Sunday, Tel Aviv remained under a state of emergency following Iranian missile attacks that caused casualties and widespread damage.

According to The Associated Press, Iranian missile and drone strikes have killed approximately 11 Israeli civilians and wounded dozens more in retaliation for the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.

Shrapnel from missile impacts damaged at least 40 buildings in Tel Aviv, and authorities reported at least one death in the area from falling debris.

The Philippine Embassy in Israel confirmed the death of a Filipino national after a missile strike hit Tel Aviv on Saturday.

TOMAHAWKS, B-2 STEALTH BOMBERS AND ATTACK DRONES POUND OVER 1,000 IRANIAN TARGETS IN 24-HOUR BLITZ

People take shelter as Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel following the US-Israeli attacks. ( Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“We enter our shelter once the siren is heard and stay there until the Home Front Command announces that we can leave,” Michael said.

“Usually, it is about 20 to 30 minutes — unless there are further sirens during our stay. Since yesterday morning, it has happened around 30 times.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also visited an impact site in Tel Aviv Sunday, delivering a message of resilience.

“The people of Israel and the people of Iran can live in peace. The region can live in peace. But what undermines peace time and again is terror instigated by this Iranian regime,” Herzog said.

EXILED IRANIAN CROWN PRINCE SAYS US STRIKES MARK ‘BEGINNING OF THE VERY END’ FOR REGIME

Israeli emergency service officer walks past building debris at the scene of a Iranian missile attack. (Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)

Following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and roughly 40 senior Iranian officials, Iran formed a provisional leadership council.

Iran named Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i to lead roles.

“The Supreme Leader did not complete the necessary groundwork regarding his own succession,” Michael added.

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“Pezeshkian will face very troubling challenges due to their heavy losses, severe disruptions to control and command systems, and the massive bombing and attacks across Iran, including Tehran,” he said.

“Even if this regime doesn’t collapse, it will never be able to reconstitute itself, recover or return to its previous position,” Michael added.

Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.

World

Israel FM says Europe too divided, slams Spanish PM

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Israel FM says Europe too divided, slams Spanish PM

Israeli minister Gideon Sa’ar said Europe “does not have unified position” on what role it should play in Iran as European ministers sought to establish a joint approach Sunday.

As Israel and the United States conducted a joint military strike on Iran, leading to the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Europe was kept on the sidelines.

EU member states did not participate in the operation and, in some cases, they were not informed prior as it is customary among strategic allies.

Asked whether Israel sought to keep Europe on the margins, Sa’ar said internal divisions within EU member states had kept them out of critical exchanges of operational details, unlike the United States, which the minister described as his country’s greatest ally.

“In Europe, you have all kinds of approaches,” he told Euronews. “You have countries like the Czech Republic which is strongly supporting this operation and then you have Spain, which is standing with all the tyrants of the world.”

On Saturday, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez was among the most critical voices in Europe, suggesting the US-Israeli strikes on Iran risk plunging the region into total war.

“We reject the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order,” Sánchez said Saturday. The Spanish PM reiterated that message on Sunday.

“We urge for de-escalation and call to respect international law in all conflicts,” Sánchez added. “You can be against a heinous regime, like the Iranian regime, while also rejecting a military intervention that is unjustified, dangerous and outside of international law.”

Sa’aar said Israel considers the operation “fully justified” citing the right to self-defense from a regime that “has called for the destruction of Israel” and lashed at the Spanish prime minister for sending an “anti-Israeli, anti-American message.”

“Read the statement, they are standing with Iran!” he added.

When asked if any of his European counterparts had manifested an interest in joining the military operation or provide support on the ground, Sa’ar said he held multiple exchanges with European ministers over the weekend and suggested that “if others want to join, they will know have to convey the message.”

On Sunday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen appeared to back regime change in Iran in line with Israel and the US, saying that the “risk of further escalation is real. This is why a credible transition in Iran is urgently needed” in comments on Sunday.

Sa’ar told Euronews said the strategic strikes and the elimination of Khamenei alongside top regime commanders could “create the conditions to weaken the regime enough to allow the Iranians to take their future into their own hands”.

“The future leadership of Iran should be determined by the Iranian people through free elections. Our only requirement is that whoever comes to power in Iran must not pursue the destruction of Israel,” he said.

Watch the full interview on Euronews from 8pm CET