Hippocrates wisely said: ‘Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be the food’ And we at Epicure Greece firmly agree. Ask any Hellenophile what it is they love about Greece, and they’ll likely say, ‘the food! You can’t really go wrong with food anywhere in Greece. Each island has its own produce and specialties; but delicious dolmades, horiatiki, souvlaki, moussaka, baklava can easily be found at any taverna. If you’re determined to taste the very best Greece has to offer, here are our top picks for the best Greek Islands for food lovers.
Crete
First up on our best Greek Islands for food lovers is Crete, and there’s a saying in Greece: ‘Go to Santorini to fall in love, to Mykonos to party, and to Crete to eat!’ Crete is Greece’s largest island and truly the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, the benefits of which should be shouted from the rooftops. Crete has one of the longest life-expectancies of anywhere in the world; thanks, in part, to a diet rich in olive oil, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, herbs, and honey. Gastronomic delights can be found everywhere: from the elegant restaurants of Chania to authentic mountain cafes. Local Cretan delicacies include fried snails pan-fried in olive oil, with Cretan herbs and freshly squeezed lemon juice and dakos: a twice-baked barley rusk topped with tomato, mizithra cheese, and a large drizzle of olive oil. Whatever you do, don’t miss sampling plenty of Crete’s cheeses and honey. It’s almost as if every Cretan village has its own signature cheese – one of our favorites is soft and creamy Pichtogalo Chanion; paired with thyme honey, made from one of the island’s 140,000 beehives. Wash all of this hearty, healthy fare down with plenty of Raki, or ‘Tsikhoudia’!
Let Epicure Greece take you on a tailor-made Greek encounter.
Corfu
Corfu has been ruled by many different people throughout its history, and that shows in its food. Although Greek and Venetian are the strongest influences, Corfiot cuisine is also a unique fusion of spices from the East, cooking methods from France, and even the remnants of British occupation. The result is a treasure trove of mouth-watering, must-try meals! The most popular dishes include Sofrito (fried beef in sauce with a side of potatoes), Stifado (a beef stew made with shallot onions), Fish Bianco (grey mullet or sea bass simmered with olive oil, white wine, and garlic), and the island’s trademark dish: Pastitsada. Here, meat is slow-cooked in a mixture of herbs and wine before being served with pasta and topped with cheese. Delicious (Or, as they say in Greece: νόστιμος!)
Santorini
Santorini is the ultimate romantic destination: breath-taking views, delicious wines, and fantastic food really does make this island the star of the Cyclades. The island’s dry, volcanic soil and combination of Aeolian winds and Aegean humidity give way to local delicacies, unique to the island, such as fava: a creamy yellow split-pea purée, usually served warm with olive oil and lemon and sometimes topped with chopped onions or capers. The island is home to a specific variety of cherry tomato called, somewhat unimaginatively(!), “Santorini tomatoes”. These flavourful tomatoes form the basis of must-try dish tomatokeftedes, or tomato fritters. They are made by mixing finely chopped tomato with onions, flour, feta cheese and aromatic herbs into small patties before frying in sizzling oil. Try them dipped in tzatziki and paired with some Assyrtiko white wine and you have yourself an appetizer fit for the gods!
Speak to Epicurean to create your dream Greek vacation.
Naxos
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, and the only fully self-sufficient one, with all its food products directly sourced from the island. According to Greek mythology, the Greek God Dionysus blessed the island of Naxos with fertility. Unique among the dry Cycladic complex, Naxos produces a rich harvest of meats, cheeses, potatoes, olive oil, spices, honey, and Kitron – a local spirit, made from the citron fruit which has a taste comparable to the taste of grapefruit. There is an abundance of excellent restaurants in Naxos serving proper farm-to-table fare, including the mouthwatering Pig Rosto made from pig leg marinated in red wine and served with Naxian potatoes. Another must-try is Koukoulomaeria soup, made from white beans, wheat, corn, and olive oil. Turophiles can enjoy sampling the Naxian cheeses (the most popular being Graviera, Xynotiro, and Xynomyzithra – good luck trying to pronounce the last two!), and, if you’re a dessert fan, you definitely shouldn’t miss one of our favorite Greek sweet treats: Melachrino (walnut cake).
Enjoy a fully hosted Greek encounter with Epicure Greece.
Sifnos
To complete our top picks of best Greek Islands for food lovers is Sifnos. Sifnos food is one of the top reasons to visit this Greek island, which owes its foodie reputation to Sifniot Nicholas Tselementes – Greece’s most famous chef – who wrote the very first Greek cookbook here in 1910. Sensational Sifnos specialties include ‘revithada’ (baked chickpea stew), ‘revithokeftedes’ (chickpea fritters made with marjoram and mint), and ‘mastelo’ (slow-roasted lamb or goat with red wine and dill), baked in the island’s traditional terracotta casserole dishes. Capers date back to antiquity on Sifnos and one of our must-try salad dishes, Kaparosalata, features dried locally grown capers mashed with caramelized onion and dill in a very tasty balance of sweet and tangy. As far as dessert is concerned, you most definitely have to try Melopita: a cheesecake-like treat made of local cheese and honey.
