Going to Greece - what should I eat?

[lemmywinks]

In terms of food that you should definitely try while you're there (e.g. a philly cheese steak when in philadelphia), food that definitely tastes better in Greece (e.g. sushi when in japan) and some things that you should get from Greece grocery or convenience stores (e.g. Vitasoy in Hong Kong or something like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups when you're in US (I know some places don't have them and they're like god status candy for some odd reason))

 

[-AJ-]

Stifado (rabbit and onion stew)
Lokumades (donuts)
Goat/Kid
Ouzo in the afternoon watching the sun set over Oia in Santorini.....
Octopus....

 

[Tokyo Slim]

The correct answer is, "never trust foreign food, eat at McDonalds!"

 

[ssnyc]

moussaka gyros (with the fries inside)

spanakopita

greek salad/tzatziki/freddo

anything with lamb

http://www.greecefoods.com/

 

[samus]

Where in Greece will you be? If the islands, octopus or kakavia at a psarotaverna (fish tavern). If you're in the nothern mainland, definitely find bougatsas. (They may be available elsewhere too - not sure)

 

[joegrec]

all the above mentioned are good.

But what I was most impressed with is the horiatiki salad.

It's a traditional village greek salad. Tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, feta and spices.

I've had this salad in greek restaurants everywhere and it's very good. but as soon as I had it in Greece I could tell the diffrence. It tastes 100x times better. I think it must be the freshness of the tomatoes.

Every time I go to a greek restaurant now I order it and hope that it tastes something like what I had in Greece. I'm always disappointed.

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by joegrec

all the above mentioned are good.

But what I was most impressed with is the horiatiki salad.

It's a traditional village greek salad. Tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, feta and spices.

I've had this salad in greek restaurants everywhere and it's very good. but as soon as I had it in Greece I could tell the diffrence. It tastes 100x times better. I think it must be the freshness of the tomatoes.

Every time I go to a greek restaurant now I order it and hope that it tastes something like what I had in Greece. I'm always disappointed.

all of this and especially the bolded. Greek food is fantastic, especially the simple things.

 

[joegrec]

Damn you all.

We decided to not go to Greece this year and instead go somewhere that we have not been before (Israel)

After reading this thread I'm beginning to regret my decision.

I'm going to have to arrainge an outing down to my favorite greek restaurant (Pantheon on Danforth in Toronto) to satisfy my craving.

 

[henrikc]

I agree with greek salads, they're amazing. Simple, fresh and delicious!

 

[styleswitch]

Definitely a gyro. Way better in greece than at the deli.

 

[Neo_Version 7]

The McDonald's at Syndagma and Monasteraki are my favorites. The KFC at Omonoia is pretty good too.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by joegrec

Damn you all.

We decided to not go to Greece this year and instead go somewhere that we have not been before (Israel)

After reading this thread I'm beginning to regret my decision.

I'm going to have to arrainge an outing down to my favorite greek restaurant (Pantheon on Danforth in Toronto) to satisfy my craving.

I think that the food in Israel will be better than in greece, anyway.

 

[globetrotter]

go to the metro station of Monasteraki on sunday around lunch time (or another day, but the weekends are pretty cool). a dozen or more grilled meat places are open on the square. fantastic stuff.

also, have mousaka once, have greek brandy after a meal (metaxa?) and there is a cherry cheese type pie/pudding type of thing that is fantastic.

have fun

 

[upstarter]

I'm Greek American and have been to Greece 7 times, each trip for months at a time: 1) Doris. Great food and AMAZING loukoumathes 2) Taverna tou Psiri is good, though it's gone down a bit 3) This website is pretty spot on. Beware of places that might be living off of reputation though (like Pinks hot dogs in LA, for ex): http://www.athensguide.com/restaurants.html good eats!

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by joegrec

I've had this salad in greek restaurants everywhere and it's very good. but as soon as I had it in Greece I could tell the diffrence. It tastes 100x times better. I think it must be the freshness of the tomatoes.

Every time I go to a greek restaurant now I order it and hope that it tastes something like what I had in Greece. I'm always disappointed.

This will happen to you for the rest of your life. Any Mediterranean country is going to have vastly superior produce to what you can find here, especially tomatoes.