Greek Travel Community

Eating off the beaten track traveling in Greece?

1 - 5 of 5 Posts
ssherie_

ssherie_

Active member
I have heard magical stories of people finding out of the way eating establishments in Greece and having the best, no menu meals that Greece has to offer. I've dined in Greece and my culinary experience has been different. Delicious, just different.

How does one find these wonderful, hidden gems to eat at? Do I have to spend time in a village? What if I am mostly in Athens or Thessaloniki while in Greece? I think I am looking for general tips for throughout Greece, but I do know I will be going to Athens next time I am in Greece so if you have recommendations that would be good, too.
 
ssherie_ said:
I have heard magical stories of people finding out of the way eating establishments in Greece and having the best, no menu meals that Greece has to offer. I've dined in Greece and my culinary experience has been different. Delicious, just different.

How does one find these wonderful, hidden gems to eat at? Do I have to spend time in a village? What if I am mostly in Athens or Thessaloniki while in Greece? I think I am looking for general tips for throughout Greece, but I do know I will be going to Athens next time I am in Greece so if you have recommendations that would be good, too.
Click to expand...
When in Thessaloniki drive west about 30 miles Kymini. There is a great restaurant, Georges, in this little village that is excellent. NO MENU. We stayed in the town at an AIR BnB while visiting relatives in Alexandria. Just sit back and enjoy the food and hospitality of him and his wife.
 
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas
Xpisto said:
When in Thessaloniki drive west about 30 miles Kymini. There is a great restaurant, Georges, in this little village that is excellent. NO MENU. We stayed in the town at an AIR BnB while visiting relatives in Alexandria. Just sit back and enjoy the food and hospitality of him and his wife.
Click to expand...
Oh forgot, the restaurants in Kymini sell meat of fish but not both.
 
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas
The quick answer to this is to get out of Plaka/Monastiraki/Psirri and head to a less touristy area. Exarcheia is my favourite suburb and although it is becoming more touristy, it still maintains some good traditional restaurants. Here is my guide to Exarcheia: Exarcheia Guide

Another good traditional Greek Restaurant (don't let the name fool you, it is a full restaurant) to add to the list that I discovered last year is: Ouzeri Lesvos
 
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas
We have found restaurants like this by befriending a taxi driver! On Crete, my family bonded early with the taxi driver that took us from the airport to the hotel. He gave us his card and we called him exclusively for rides. We hired him over the course of the trip for two tours. On one, who took us to his favorite place, a restaurant like this and ate what they had to offer. You basically need to talk to locals. There is some great, local advice from this thread alone!
 
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Best food towns to visit in Greece?

I’ve started realizing that some of my favorite memories from Greece are connected to food more than anything else. Little tavernas, bakeries, seafood by the water, village meals that seemed simple but tasted incredible. It’s making me think that next time I go to Greece, I’d love to plan at least part of the trip around food.

I’m not fully sure yet if I’ll be going this summer, but I’ve been daydreaming about possible places to visit. What towns or regions in Greece do you think are especially great for food lovers?

I’d love recommendations for places known for traditional cooking, local specialties, seafood, baked goods, or just amazing tavernas in general. Islands, mainland towns, mountain villages — all recommendations are welcome.

Would especially love hearing about places that felt authentic and memorable rather than overly touristy.

Best Greek Destinations for History Lovers

I’m thinking about planning a Greece trip next year that is focused almost entirely on history, and I’d love some ideas for the best places to include.

Athens would obviously be part of the itinerary for the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, museums, and other archaeological sites. I’m also considering Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and maybe spending more time exploring the Peloponnese. Meteora is on my list too, although that would add a different type of historical experience.

I’m especially interested in places where you can really spend time exploring rather than just stopping briefly to see one major site.

If you were planning a history-focused trip to Greece, which destinations would you consider essential? Are there lesser-known archaeological sites, historic towns, museums, Byzantine sites, or ancient ruins that deserve more attention? I’d also love suggestions for putting together an itinerary without trying to cover too much ground.

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.

Which Greek island feels the least touristy in the summer?

I know that July and August are busy almost everywhere in Greece, especially on the more famous islands, but I’m curious about places that still feel relatively local and relaxed even during peak season.

I’m not necessarily looking for somewhere completely empty. I’d just love an island where you can still find traditional villages, local tavernas, quieter beaches, and a slower pace without feeling like the entire island is built around tourism.

Have you visited an island in the summer that still felt authentic and not overly crowded? I’d especially be interested in places where locals still seem to set the rhythm of daily life rather than visitors.

Which island would you recommend, and what made it feel less touristy to you? Was it the beaches, villages, restaurants, fewer cruise ships, or just the overall atmosphere?

Summer Island Hopping Tips - a Month in July

It’s been a while since I’ve traveled in Greece during peak season, and I’m considering spending about a month there in July. The plan is to split my time between Athens (to visit friends) and hopping to several islands. I’m excited about the energy of summer, but I’m also aware that July can be intense in terms of crowds, heat, and logistics.

For those who have done island hopping in high season, what worked well for you? Is it better to base yourself on one or two islands and take short trips, or fully move around every few days? How far in advance do you typically book ferries and accommodations in July?

I’m also curious about pacing. With a full month, I don’t want to rush, but I also want to make the most of being there. Any tips on routes, balance, or things to avoid during peak season would be really helpful.
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top