Are you looking for places to eat and drink in mainland Greece? Here is our list with the best eating and drinking options in mainland Greece.
Mainland Greece has to present great culinary options. All around the Greek mainland, from Macedonia and Epirus to Thrace and Thessaly, you will find interesting local gastronomy and splendid traditional dishes. Each region has not only its distinct cuisine but it also has a huge variety of local products. Dairy products, meat, fruits and vegetables, herbs, organics, olive oil, honey and others, as well as a wide selection of local wines and spirits, such as “Tsipouro” and “Retsina”, are among the best locally produced foods and drinks of mainland Greece.
Greek Macedonian cuisine
The gastronomy of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece is influenced by several cuisines including the Pontic, the Armenian and the Mediterranean as well as the wider region of Balkans. From the ancient years, the most popular flavours in Macedonia were vegetables and fruits, lamb, goat and olive oil while some towns and villages used also to eat pork. Nowadays, the culinary habits of Macedonia have to demonstrate some traditional specialities such as homemade phyllo pastry pies like “Spanakopita” (spinach pie), “Tyropita” (cheese pie) and “Hortopita” (greens pie), “Trahana” (a type of pasta made out of wheat) and “Hylopites” (traditional Greek pasta). Also, among the favourite dishes are cooked lamb meat, pork with celery, meatballs, mushroom soup and others. As for the spirits, the winemaking and the production of homemade tsipouro are particularly widespread in northern Greece.
Epirotic cuisine
Epirotic cuisine is unique! The region of Epirus presents a great activity in the agricultural industry, as it is focused mainly on the production of dairy products. Some of the best Epirus cheese varieties that are worldwide known are “Feta” and “Metsovone”, which are also European protected designation products (PDO). The mountains of Epirus offer also a great abundance of organic products, as they are full of wild greens, mushrooms, fruits and nuts. Here in Epirotic cuisine, are also very popular some homemade pies like those of the Macedonian cuisine, such as “Lachanopites” (cabbage pies) and “Hortopites” (greens pies), as well as some signature dishes like “Alevropita” (feta bread pie), “Kontosouvli” (roast pork on a skewer) and lemon soup with rice.
Thracian cuisine
Due to the multicultural setting of Thrace, the gastronomy of the region has been sculpted accordingly as well, featuring influences from the East. During the winter period, Thracians prefer to eat dishes such as “Kebab” (skewered or grilled cubes of meat) and “Armia” (pork with pickled lettuce), while close to Alexandroupoli fish and seafood dishes play a prominent role in their nutrition routine. Not miss mentioning that Thracian cuisine is also known for the scrumptious desserts called “Syropiasta” (syrup-soaked traditional Greek sweets).
Thessalian cuisine
Another cuisine worth exploring in mainland Greece is the Thessalian. The regions of Thessaly and central Greece are among the most historical ones in the country and they are well known both for the meat dishes and the seafood. The wider region of Thessaly contributes also to the feed of the whole country, producing huge amounts of vegetables, fruits and corns. Apart from the cultivation of the land, Thessaly is considered as the king of the national Greek spirit also known as tsipouro, with the region of Tyrnavos being in the epicentre of the production. Other products that are also famed in the Greek mainland are the PDO Zagora apples, the “Halva Farsalon ”(made with corn starch), “Katiki” (cottage cheese) from Domokos region and some signature dishes such as “Spetsofai” (Greek handmade sausage with peppers) from Pelion and “Kouneli Stifado” (stew rabbit with caramelized onions).
So, want to explore more? Here are our suggestions with the best places to eat and drink in mainland Greece.
