Top Greek summer foods we love

Love Greek summer flavors and aromas? We can't get enough, so we decided to bid farewell to summer by revisiting our favorite Greek summer foods. Check them out and be sure to let us know your favorite Greek flavors! 

Summer in Greece is a season of intense and overwhelming heat, but the Greeks have perfected the art of staying cool for the summer. A key part of their strategy is their cuisine, which features a variety of refreshing foods designed to beat the heat. From crisp salads and creamy dips to seafood and juicy fruit, Greek summer foods offer a delicious and effective way to keep cool and hydrated in the sweltering months. 

Main Dishes

Why choose just one when you can have it all?

MEZE - Greek summers wouldn't be complete without a nice meze. As we mentioned in this article on meze: it's our favorite way to dine in Greece, and travelers LOVE the variety they get to sample. Fish & seafood meze are an especially popular summer dining choice in Greece. A seemingly endless train of delicious seafood appetizers like stewed or grilled octopus, kalamari, shrimp, small fish like marides (deep fried whitebait) and more are served alongside delicious dips, veggies and salad. For a true Mediterranean experience the final dish is typically a large baked fish like Tsipoura (Sea Bream) or even a lobster. The finale is placed in the middle of the table and shared among guests (that is anyone with room left!). 

BOWL -  No time for a long meze train but crave the variety? No problem. Another healthy and refreshing meal idea is a Mediterranean inspired bowl in which you can add your preferred proteins, seasonal veggies, grains and your favorite dressings. At Greek From Greece, you can Build-Your-Own Mediterranean Bowl  by choosing from an array of bases, toppings and dressings - all year round!

Mediterranean Bowl at Greek From Greece

Salads

Horiatiki (Greek Salad) - A refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and Greek feta cheese, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and a choice of seasoning like basil or oregano. Craving some Greek Salad? Order here or find out more about the Greek Salad here.

Revithosalata (Chickpea Salad) - A salad made with chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and herbs, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

If you love fresh salads and like to experiment with flavors stop by Greek from Greece and Build-Your-Own Salad Bowl!

Refreshing Greek Dips 

Tzatziki - A cool dip made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh dill, often served with pita bread. Make sure to check out our tzatziki recipe!

Taramosalata - A creamy dip made from fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice, and bread or potatoes, served cold.

Hummus - A smooth and creamy dip made from chickpeas, lemon juice,  and in some recipes extra virgin olive oil and garlic. It's usually served cold as an appetizer and it pairs great with Greek Salad.

Greek summer snacks

Greek Yogurt with Honey  - Greek yogurt topped with Greek honey, refreshing fruits and crispy nuts can be a very refreshing (and nutritious) snack.

Greek yogurt with honey and a selection of toppings at Greek From Greece

Learn all about Greek Yogurt here

Watermelon with Feta: A simple and refreshing dish - sweet watermelon pairs great with salty Greek feta cheese or even with halloumi cheese like they do in Cyprus!

FUN FACT: In Cyprus, Halloumi cheese replaces Greek Feta cheese alongside watermelon. In addition, grilled chunks of halloumi add a delicious smoky aroma to soups or salads. Grated halloumi is also sprinkled over pasta.

Find out more about halloumi cheese

Mahalepi - a traditional Cypriot summer dessert adopted from Middle Eastern cuisine. It is made from water, cornstarch, and sugar, creating a smooth, jelly-like pudding. It's usually served with rose water and rose syrup, but you can also add rose ice cream and sprinkle some sugar on top.

Ice cream - Rose and Mastiha ice creams are two unique and beloved flavors in Greek cuisine, particularly enjoyed during the summer. These ice creams are not only refreshing but also carry rich cultural and historical significance.

Greek summer drinks

Lemonade - In Greece, we use lemon in our cuisine A LOT. It's not surprising that fresh lemonade is also a very big thing in the summer. It's one of the most refreshing summer drink to help you cool down. Lemonade is also rich in vitamin C + a host of nutrients and anti-oxidants so it's not only refreshing but also good for you! 

Fresh lemonade with mint at Greek From Greece

Frappe  -  a popular iced coffee drink in Greece, especially cherished during the hot summer months. It's a cultural staple and a quintessential part of the Greek coffee experience - learn more about it here. If you are in New York be sure to stop by Greek From Greece Manhattan store and try our famous frappe (and/or our freddo espresso and freddo capuccino). 

Enjoy!