15 Greek Foods Not to Miss While Sailing Greece

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in Greece than through its cuisine as you sail the Greek islands. Aboard a luxury catamaran with Yacht Getaways, each island stop offers not just panoramic beauty and azure waters, but a taste of the country’s rich culinary heritage. From the whitewashed terraces of Ios to the seaside tavernas of Corfu, Greek food reflects the rhythm of the Mediterranean: fresh, seasonal, and soul-satisfying.

Whether you're docked up in a bustling Greek town or dining under the stars in a local village, these dishes provide a true flavour of Greek island life. Before you embark on a Greece island cruise, we're taking you on a culinary voyage with a guide to the top Greek foods not to miss.

What is traditional Greek food like?

Greek cuisine is built upon fresh, seasonal ingredients: ripe tomatoes, creamy feta, fragrant olive oil, and herbs like oregano and thyme. And more often than not, you'll find yourself talking about just how tasty ingredients like the tomatoes are. Meals typically include a variety of small dishes (mezze), grilled meats or seafood, and breads served with dips. It’s a diet rooted in simplicity and Mediterranean wellness, drawing on centuries of culinary tradition.

Is Greek food healthy?

Traditional Greek food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. It aligns closely with the Mediterranean diet, known for its heart-healthy benefits. Think grilled fish, pulses, whole grains, olive oil, and plenty of vegetables. It’s rich in flavour without relying on heavy sauces or processed ingredients.

What foods should I try in the Greek islands?

Each island has its own flavours, but there are several island specialties worth seeking out across Greece. From Cycladic seafood stews to Ionian kleftiko, Greek island cuisine reflects a blend of history, geography, and tradition. Below are fifteen of the best dishes to try on your Greece cruise.

1. Island Seafood Specialities

Greece's islands offer some of the freshest seafood in the Mediterranean. Beyond octopus, look for dishes like mussels saganaki (mussels in a spicy tomato and feta sauce), grilled seabass, and kakavia (fisherman’s stew). Island tavernas often display the day’s catch on ice — simply grilled and served with lemon, it’s a true taste of the Aegean. Smaller regions, like the South Ionian on our Lefkada Explorer, hold some of the most delicious seafood meals you'll ever have, and often caught by the family who own the taverna.

2. Souvlaki

Simple yet satisfying, souvlaki features grilled skewers of pork, chicken, or lamb, often served with warm pita, chopped tomato, onion, and a dollop of tzatziki. It’s the perfect street food or light lunch after a swim. On the islands, look for seafood variations using octopus or prawn. This also makes a perfect appetiser to share, even if it's meant for a main.

3. Spanakopita

This flaky spinach and feta pie wrapped in golden filo pastry is a Greek staple. Light yet filling, it’s a perfect Greek bakery snack while you have an afternoon stroll. You’ll find spanakopita in bakeries and seaside cafés across Greece.

4. Marinated or Grilled Octopus

Grilled octopus is a delicacy along the Aegean coast, and most likely the best octopus you'll have throughout your life. Marinated in olive oil, lemon, and oregano, it’s charred until tender and often served with a wedge of lemon or over fava (yellow split pea purée). It’s a must-try dish for seafood lovers.

5. Taramasalata

This creamy dip made from fish roe, olive oil, and lemon juice is typically eaten with warm bread or crustinis. It’s silky, salty, and delicate. Pair it with a light Greek white wine or rosé as a

6. Dolmades

These vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat are served cold or warm with a side of yoghurt. Every region makes them slightly differently. On the islands, they often contain dill and mint for a fragrant finish, and the flavour is brought to life with a squeeze of lemon on top.

7. Gigantes Plaki

A hearty vegetarian dish made from giant white beans slow-cooked in a tomato and herb sauce. It’s rustic and deeply satisfying — usually served with crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Look for it at traditional tavernas in Naxos, Ithaka, or Parga.

8. Fava

Not to be confused with fava beans, this smooth purée made from yellow split peas is a Cycladic speciality. Garnished with capers, onions, and olive oil, it’s a velvety, protein-rich mezze that pairs beautifully with grilled fish or as a starter with fresh bread.

9. Baklava

Sweet layers of phyllo pastry, crushed nuts, and honey make baklava one of Greece’s most beloved desserts. And your new after-dinner obsession. Many islands add local variations like pistachios or walnuts. It’s best enjoyed with Greek coffee or dessert wine, and light enough for an end-of-night treat to bring back to the yacht. The Cyclades islands on our Paros Explorer Route are said to have some of the best baklava in Greece.

10. Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

A refreshing mix of ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and a slab of feta drizzled with olive oil and oregano. There’s no lettuce in a traditional Greek salad, and in Greece it's referred to as village salad. It’s a light yet flavourful staple during summer sailing trips and the perfect vibrant addition to every lunch or dinner.

11. Pastitsada

A Corfiot favourite, pastitsada is a slow-cooked beef or rooster stew spiced with cinnamon and cloves, served over pasta with grated cheese. It reflects the island’s Venetian heritage and offers a delicious contrast to Greece’s lighter fare. Try this Corfiot staple on the Corfu Explorer Route.

12. Loukoumades

Think Greek doughnuts — small fried dough balls drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon or sesame. These sweet treats are often found at festivals or family-run bakeries and are a joyful way to end a meal, or a sweet snack to have on the yacht.

13. Mezze (Meze) Family-Style Dining

Greek dining is often a social event, especially with mezze — a plethora of small plates shared among family and friends. Dishes might include olives, cheese, dips like tzatziki, fried courgette, grilled halloumi, and seafood options like sardines or calamari. It’s a relaxed and flavour-rich way to experience a variety of tastes in one sitting, and a great way to try a lot of Greek flavours at the start of a trip.

14. Lamb Kleftiko

Originating from the mainland but beloved in the islands — especially Corfu — lamb kleftiko is slow-baked with garlic, lemon, potatoes, and herbs, often wrapped in parchment or foil to seal in flavour. The result is melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with juices soaked into the vegetables.

15. Moussaka

Arguably Greece’s most iconic dish, moussaka layers aubergine, spiced minced meat, and béchamel sauce into a flavourful, oven-baked meal. It’s comfort food at its Mediterranean best, often served in tavernas throughout the islands. Each chef has their own take — some add courgette, some have a base of potatoes, others a touch of cinnamon for warmth.

Embark on your Greek culinary voyage

From mezze to mains and sweet bites in between, Greek cuisine is an essential part of your island-hopping experience. Whether dining on board your yacht or in a harbourside taverna, each bite offers a taste of Greece’s heritage and sun-drenched soul.

Ready to eat your way through the Greek Islands? Join a Yacht Getaways catamaran cruise in Greece and discover where legedary taste meets unforgettable exploration.