Greece villas

Food is an integral part of Greek culture. The Greeks are very passionate about their food and for them eating is a complete sensory experience. They are more than willing to travel long distances to try the local specialties' in the mountains or savour the day's catch in the villages. Steeped in ritual and tradition, Greek cuisine changes with the seasons and according to each region's history and topography. Exploring the regional variations and specialties can prove to be a fun filled experience. Avoid the usual tourists' traps and you are sure to find the real thing.

The dining scene in Greece has become very diverse. In Athens and larger towns, apart from Greek food, you will find a wide range of restaurants with international cuisine on their menu ranging from the Japanese sushi to French haute cuisine.

The local specialties include tis oras (grilled to order fish and meat) and mayirefta (oven baked dishes and a wide range of hot and cold appetizers and salads. Greece boasts countless miles of coastline and it is little wonder that fish is part of the staple diet. The Mediterranean and Aegean fish have a unique flavor and are cooked with minimum fuss. The fast food favorites include souvlaki wrapped in pita bread. You will also find cheese and spinach pies in every bakery and food store you come across. Street vendors sell koulouria (round, sesame-covered fresh pretzel like bread) nuts, fruits, and depending on the season, chestnuts and corns.

Dining options in Greece

• Taverna:
  A taverna is an urban offshoot of a traditional countryside eating place where you can stop for a quick meal. Taverna is a great place to try traditional food in Greece. You can actually see the owner and his family prepare the dishes.

• An estiatorion (restaurant):
  The dishes are more or less the same as you would get in a taverna but they are served with nicer service and settings. These days estiatorion also refers to upmarket restaurants serving international cuisine.

• Psistaria:
  A psistaria is a taverna that specializes in chargrilled or spit-roasted meat. There is a large spit in the entranceway where you can inspect the roast pork, lamb and chicken.

• Psarotaverna:
  The psarotaverna is again a taverna, which specializes in fish and seafood and is almost always found by the seaside or harbor side.

• Kafenieio:
  One of the oldest institutions in Greece, the kafenieio serves Greek coffee, spirits and little else.

• Mayireio:
  Here you can try big trays of the day's specials including both traditional dishes and casseroles.

• Bar restaurant:
  This is becoming increasingly popular in Athens and other larger cities.

The famous drink of Greece is the strong, anise-flavored liqueur called Ouzo, which is traditionally served with the mezedes, distilled in water. Greece also has a 6,000 years history of wine production and boasts over a dozen varieties of red and white wine.