Food

Olive oil: used in practically all dishes

We have already mentioned in the article “A trip to the Island of Rhodes” that Greek food is delicious. Here I’ll tell you a little more about it.

First of all, it’s impossible to talk about Greek food without mentioning olive oil, renowned as the best in the world. This “gold liquid” in Homer’s words was used intensely in Ancient Times not only in gastronomy but also for cleaning, perfumes, beauty care, medicine and lighting. Even today, the olive tree is the largest crop in Greece and the country has the highest per capita olive oil consumption, used in practically all dishes, from the wonderful salads to mouth-watering grills.

Using extremely fresh ingredients is the basis of Greek cuisine. Thanks to the climate and its geography, Greece produces very tasty greens, vegetables and fruit, some of which are in fact exported all over Europe, namely peaches, apricots, melons and cherries.

Mix Grill with tzatziki (a cucumber and garlic yoghurt sauce)

The mezédes are a large variety of delicious appetizers served before a meal. Worth mentioning are the tzatziki (pronounced tasiki), a cucumber and garlic yoghurt sauce; eggplant dip (melitzanosalata); vine leave parcels (dolmadakia); the famous Greek salad with wonderful feta cheese; grilled shellfish and a selection of home made cheeses. All accompanied with pita bread. And don’t forget to sample the Greek pistachio, considered the best in the world.

The main dish could be a mixed grill, with beef, pork, lamb, chicken and a delicious sausage. Other options are grilled fish or a typical pasta dish like pastitsio (similar to lasagna) or a lamb and eggplant-based moussaka.

Gyros Pita: meat roasted sandwich with salad, sauce in pita bread

For something like fast food the gyros pita, meat roasted on a spit in pita bread, is a meal in itself. If you don’t want bread, the meat can also be served on a plate with salad and incredible French fries! Perhaps because of the olive oil.

Restaurants normally offer fruit as dessert, but there is a selection of homemade sweets: for example, the yummy baklava (mille-feuille with almonds), loukoumades (honey puffs) and rizogalo (rice pudding but creamier), to mention a few.

At breakfast, in addition to a variety of cheeses, fruit and different types of bread, don’t forget to try the yoghurt and honey, both with that special taste that has made them famous worldwide.

Drink

Ouzo: a typical drink of Greece

Wine originated in Greece, they believe around 4,000 BC, and in ancient times it was used as a drink and for medicinal purposes. Today, around 250 types of grape are cultivated throughout the country, for the production of top quality wines delighting enologists the world over.

And there are also good local beers for those who can’t go without. The best known is Mythos, but Alfa and Amstel are also very popular.

If you wish to try something stronger, the typical Greek beverage is ouzo, with an aniseed flavor and can be served pure or with water and ice, reminding us of pastis from the South of France.  You can find some of the best mezédes in the bars that serve ouzo, as well as a variety of drinks (in some of these ouzo bars you can even choose fish and seafood straight onto the grill). And for those who don’t like aniseed, tsipouro and raki distilled from grapes are also very popular among the Greeks.

The pleasant atmosphere of the Greek taverns

Natural fruit juices are a separate chapter and coffee is a craze in Greece where it is served in many different ways: Arab coffee – strong and with a layer of coffee grounds left at the bottom of the cup; Italian, in a delicious cappuccino or strong espresso; or a cool frothy frappe that the Greeks drink in the summer.

Rhodes has many international restaurants, especially Italian, but in our opinion there is nothing like the typical Greek tavern.