After spending 9 days in Greece in October of 2024, hiking and island hopping and of course tasting as many of the delicious Greek dishes as we could, it was no surprise to us to see that in December of 2024, Greek food was voted the best cuisine in the world! TasteAtlas, the premier online guide to culinary experiences around the world, announced that for 2024 Greek food was voted the best cuisine in the world based on 477, 287 ratings for 15,478 foods. We couldn’t agree more.
Greek dishes include many of the healthy foods that comprise the famously popular Mediterranean diet, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, fish, olive oil and nuts. Point of fact, U.S. News & World Report recently weighed in on the best diets for 2025. The Mediterranean diet topped the scale as the best overall diet for the eighth consecutive year. Health benefits of the Mediterranean diet include lowering the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease. This eating style helps manage risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inflammation.
But let’s get back to the taste: Greek food is simple and delicious. Think gyros, souvlaki (grilled meat skewers) fresh whole fish, Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and olives, and don’t forget Baklava for dessert! We had the most delicious stuffed peppers (which are typically served with roasted potatoes), fish stew, wonderful cheeses and olives, and so many delicious bakery goods! We sampled delicious wines in Santorini, fresh whole roasted branzino in Crete, yummy cocktails in Mykonos, and tasty souvlaki with tzatziki in Athens.
For a room with a view, check out the Astor Hotel in Athens which faces the spectacular (especially at night) Parthenon, constructed from 447 BC to 438BC.
Must sees on any Athens visit include a tour of the Acropolis and a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Other favorites of ours include walking up and down Ermou Pedestrian street, visiting the Dimotki Agora (Central Market) where the butchers and fishmongers sell their goods, and witnessing the changing of the guard at Syntagma square. We also loved the 3 hour walking food tour of Athens where you can sample the unique Greek gastronomy in off the beaten path locally owned shops.
Crete – Exploring the less crowded natural coastal areas and beaches of west Crete, and walking the town of Chania with its Venitian and Turkish architecture and imposing lighthouse, eating in one of the many restaurants along the water, and learning about its history dating back to the Minoans.
Santorini – hiking over the mountain from Perissa to the Kamari coast, hiking the legendary volcanic caldera rim between Fira and Oia, sampling delicious Santorini wines at a local winery, and of course, wandering the picturesque streets of Oia both day and nightime.
Mykonos -walking Old Town Mykonos with its captivating labyrinth of stone-paved lanes, whitewashed houses and old windmills, and enjoying a cocktail from a cliffside watering hole looking out over the sea.
Delos – a must do ferry ride from Mykonos to Delos for a guided tour of the exceptionally rich and extensive archeological site the conveys the image of a great, but ancient cosmopolitan Mediterranean port city. It the place where the god Apollo was born, according to Greek mythology.
Here are recipes for some of our favorite Greek dishes including: 1) Greek Mixed Grill with lamb, chicken, sausages & veggies with mint pesto and tzatziki sauces, 2) Greek salad, 3) Greek Stuffed Peppers. Click on the titles to see the full recipes.