Nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. This Greek island is famous not only for its stunning sunsets and breathtaking landscapes, but also for its rich culinary heritage. 

When it comes to food and drinks, Santorini is renowned for wine culture, fresh seafood, and a diverse range of locally-sourced produce like capers, cherry tomatoes, and white eggplants. From traditional taverns serving authentic Greek food, to fusion restaurants offering a variety of Mediterranean delights with a twist, Santorini’s food scene has something for everyone! Also, most traditional dishes in Santorini are vegetable-based, making it a vegetarian-friendly foodie destination.

If you are planning a trip to Santorini soon, here is a list of ten, must-try foods that you absolutely cannot miss while exploring this gorgeous island!

1. Fava me Koukia

Number one on our list is Fava me Koukia, or simply, “fava”, probably the simplest and most traditional dish in Santorini. Fava is a traditional Greek dish made from mashed or pureed yellow split peas, largely grown in Santorini. Typically served as a side dish, or a dip, fava has a distinctive flavour that tastes hearty and nutritious, much like hummus. Fava can be ordered as a whole dish in itself, or as a part of an appetizer platter, which includes a variety of traditional Greek dishes. Fava is served at all traditional Greek restaurants in Santorini; just make sure that the restaurant uses Santorinian split peas, for the most authentic experience!

2. Melitzanosalata

Melitzanosalata is a simple Greek eggplant dip made from smoky, roasted eggplants, onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh parsley. Don’t be fooled by the simple appearance of this dish – once you take a bite, you will definitely want more! Melitzanosalata is typically served as a side dish or a dip, best enjoyed with some bread. It also serves a good side dish with meat or fish. Typically served in almost every restaurant in Santorini, this simple dish is a must-try when visiting this island.

3. Tomatokeftedes

One of the most popular appetizer dishes in Santorini is Ntomatokeftedes or tomatokeftedes. Tomatokeftedes are basically tomato fritters, made using Santorinian cherry tomatoes, onion, feta cheese, herbs, and olive oil. The sweet-savoury flavour of these fritters is sure to please every palate! Although these tomato fritters taste great on their own, I would recommend you guys try it with a tzatziki dip, which enhances the flavour! I ordered these fritters at pretty much every restaurant that I went to, but my favourite were the ones that I tried at Parea Tavern in Fira – sweet, savoury, crispy – fried to perfection!

4. Saganaki

Another staple dish in authentic Greek cuisine is Saganaki, an appetizer consisting of fried cheese, drizzled with honey – the ultimate indulgence for all cheese-lovers! Saganaki is typically made using feta cheese – a low-fat, low-calorie cheese made from either sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. The texture of feta cheese is ideal for frying, which makes it the perfect choice for saganaki. It is the perfect snack – crunchy from the outside, and warm, gooey on the inside! The fried cheese is then drizzled with some local honey, which balances the salty, pungent flavour from the cheese.

5. Spanakopita

Spanakopita, or Greek spinach pie is a popular baked dish made from a flaky dough, with a filling that combines spinach, feta cheese, onions, and herbs. It is served either as a traditional layered pie, or as triangles shaped like samosas. These little savoury pockets are full of flavour, and are the perfect snack which can be enjoyed at any time of the day! Most bakeries and breakfast joints in Santorini serve Spanakopita, so if you are in a hurry, you can quickly grab a piece, with some coffee, and you are good to go – the perfect, no-fuss breakfast!

6. Moussaka

Moussaka is one of the most popular traditional dishes in Greece. Moussaka is typically made with thick layers of eggplants, ground meat (usually beef), tomato sauce, and cheese, topped with béchamel sauce, and baked to perfection! This warm, comforting dish is best enjoyed on a cold evening with a glass of Santorinian red wine. Since it is a common food across Greece, almost all restaurants in Santorini will serve Moussaka. Many restaurants also serve vegetarian Moussaka. I would recommend going to a family-owned restaurant, where you can find the most traditional and authentic Moussaka.

7. Pastitsio

Pastitsio is basically the Greek version of lasagna! So, if you’ve tried lasagna, and liked it, you will enjoy pastitsio, as well. Pastitsio is a traditional Greek dish made with layers of bucatini or other tube-shaped pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, cheese sauce, cloves and cinnamon. It is a common dish served in most restaurants offering traditional Greek cuisine. Pastitsio is typically served as a main dish, with some salad on the side. Another dish that can be enjoyed with some nice, Santorinian red wine!

8. Gyros

Another popular dish that you find across Greece is gyros (pronounced “yee-ros”). Gyros consists of thinly sliced meat wrapped in a pita bread, along with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, potato fries, and tzatziki – a yogurt-based sauce. Just like a shawarma, a gyro is the perfect “food-on-the-go”. You will find many restaurants and joints serving gyros. My recommendation is to find a takeaway joint where you can enjoy a good gyro for cheap. It is the kind of meal that you would enjoy with a chilled glass of beer. If you are travelling solo, or planning a budget trip, meals like gyros are a great option to enjoy good food, without burning a hole in your pocket!

9. Seafood

If you are a seafood enthusiast, be prepared to be blown away – Santorini’s vibrant fishing culture promises a culinary experience like nowhere else! The wide variety of fresh seafood such as octopus, calamari, tiger prawns, sea bass, and sea bream make Santorini a seafood-lover’s paradise! My favourite seafood in Santorini was the sea bream – a delicate white fish, served either grilled, fried, steamed or baked. I would recommend going to a seafront restaurant like Argo Restaurant in Fira, or Ammoudi Fish Tavern located in Ammoudi Bay, Oia. Although a bit expensive, the location and vibes these places offer will definitely make for an unforgettable experience.

10. Greek Salad

This list would be incomplete without the famous, traditional Greek salad! Typically made with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives, this refreshing and delicious salad is a staple in Greek cuisine and is a meal in itself. If you are in Santorini, you should try a Greek salad, at least once, since it is made from locally-grown ingredients like capers, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Every restaurant in Santorini serves Greek salad, but my favourite was the one that I tried at Penelope’s Ouzeri in Pyrgos. This cozy, family-owned restaurant is a must-try if you are planning to visit the village of Pyrgos.

With fresh, locally-produced ingredients and traditional recipes, Santorini’s culinary scene offers visitors an unforgettable dining experience. From fresh fish, to local wines and delightful sweet treats, Santorini has it all! Whether you are dining at a small tavern or a sophisticated restaurant, the flavours of Santorini are sure to leave a lasting impression.

For any queries, you can reach out to holidays@lykke.travel

Credits:

Blog post is written by: Romila DSilva