5 Best Greek Snacks to Enhance Your Vacation Spirit

Greece is a perfect country to visit for those who are searching for a fun, exciting, and mysterious vacation. Considering this place is one of the oldest civilizations in existence, it has a wide, rich history and an influential culture. Besides its ancient sites and beautiful islands, what captures visitors’ curiosity is, of course, Greek food.

Greek cuisine is a great example of Mediterranean culture. It is known for simplicity, freshness, and natural yet bold flavors. All of this is very well reflected in local snacks as well, which are a one-of-a-kind experience to try. 

In this article, we will talk about 5 of the Greek snacks that will definitely make your vacation more exciting.

1. Gyros

Gyros is one of the most internationally known Greek street foods. “Gyros” in Greek means “turn,” and it refers to the vertical rotisserie that is used to cook the meat for the snack. This dish was inspired by Ottoman doner kebab and became extra popular in the 20th century.  Gyros consists of pork meat that is cooked by slowly rotating in layers on a large cone around the heat. As the outer layer is cooked, it is cut off on the sides and is served in pita bread along with tomatoes, fries, onions, and tzatziki sauce. 

If you’ve ever been in Mediterranean countries, you probably know that gyros are often associated with parties, social gatherings, and festivals. That could be one of the reasons why this snack is also an integral part of digital lifestyle and entertainment content. For example, you can easily encounter its references and symbols while playing various online games on sites like Spincity casino. Overall, it is a very common street food with juicy, tender meat and a smoky, well-seasoned taste.

2. Tiropita

Tiropita is a traditional cheese pie. It is made with phyllo dough layers, which have a crisp and buttery texture. The layers are filled with cheese mixture. Mostly feta cheese is used for its strong, salty taste and to imply the traditional Greek flavor. It is thought to have roots in ancient cultures, considering the dough layering technique comes from Byzantine cooking culture.

When it comes to filing, feta cheese is usually combined with eggs and ricotta or other soft cheeses for a creamy and light texture. Tiropita can be found in various shapes, like triangular hand pies, spirals, or squares. It can be eaten as a breakfast or an afternoon snack.

3. Souvlaki

Souvlaki is one of the oldest traditional fast foods in Greece. But don’t even think it’s just typical fried or grilled pork. Even though you might find very delicious meat dishes in other countries, like prime rib or Basque-style chateaubriand in Nevada, trying souvlaki in Greece is definitely an experience of another level. 

The name of this dish comes from the word “souvla,” which means skewer. According to history, it was the Greek people who started the technique of grilling meat on skewers, which makes it even more unique. Souvlaki only evolved as a street food in the 20th century.

A typical souvlaki consists of small pork, chicken, or lamb pieces that are marinated in salt, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Then, they are grilled on skewers over high heat. It is served directly on skewers, wrapped in pita bread, and topped with tomatoes, fries, onions, and tzatziki.

4. Loukoumades

Loukoumades are small golden-colored, deep-fried balls of dough that are soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with either cinnamon or nuts. Historically, they are one of the first-ever candies the world knows about. In ancient Greece, athletes in the Olympic Games would even get rewarded with this treat.

The dough of Loukoumades is made with flour, yeast, water, sugar, and salt. It is left to rise until it’s puffy and airy, and then dropped into boiling oil to fry. They are often eaten at festivals and family gatherings. However, you can find this snack at street markets.

5. Pasteli

Pasteli is a traditional Greek snack that is mainly made of sesame seeds and honey. It dates back to ancient Greece, where honey was the primary ingredient for making sweets. 

Making pasteli is very simple. All that is necessary is to mix sesame seeds with heated honey until they form a sticky mass. Then it is shaped into bars or discs, and when it cools down, it is ready to be eaten. The cooking technique is very similar to a Georgian dessert called Gozinaki. Pasteli is considered a natural energy source for travelers, workers, and just for those who do a lot of physical activity because it’s a high-calorie and nutritious snack. It is often titled as a “natural energy bar.”

Bottom Line

Greek snacks are just as intriguing as the full culture of Greece. Even though they seem very simple, it’s the simplicity that gives away natural tastes, fresh flavors, and the unique Mediterranean signature. If you end up in Greece, make sure to try out these 5 snacks. Considering they are traditional and incredibly delicious, they will help you make the best out of your Greek vacation, so you should not miss out on them.