Greeks are passionate about their cuisine. In contrast to the American or British style of three meals a day, Greeks eat about five times. The food items contain fresh local ingredients like olive oil, Mediterranean vegetables, various types of fish and meat, grains, lemon juice, etc. Traditional Greek dishes come in a variety of flavours. So, if you want to taste some of their specialties, take a look at what you can find on a Greek restaurant menu in London.
Moussaka
One of the most famous Greek dishes, moussaka, can be easily distinguished by the layers of fried aubergine, potatoes and minced meat with a creamy bechamel sauce topping. Cooks bake it until the colour turns golden brown.
In several Greek restaurants, you will also find vegetarian moussakas. Several family-run Greek restaurants in London serve homemade moussakas.
Souvlaki
Arguably the most popular Greek dish globally, souvlaki is a grilled meat skewer. Mainly pork is used to prepare this item, sometimes served with tzatziki, salad, pita bread, or rice. Tzatziki is a sauce prepared using cucumber, mint, and yoghurt.
Gyros
A gyro is a type of sandwich that looks like a kebab. Chefs use pieces of meat (which may be pork, chicken, beef, or lamb), cook those pieces on a rotisserie and wrap them in a pita or flatbread to serve the item along with onions, and salad, tomatoes, lettuce, and sauces.
In a few Greek restaurant menus, you will also find vegetarian gyros. Here, halloumi cheese or feta cheese is used instead of the meat. Halloumi is a salty Cypriot cheese prepared using a mix of goat and sheep’s milk.
Bifteki
Bikteki is another traditional Greek item a large number of food lovers look for in Greek restaurants. Minced meat is used here to make the meatballs. Once prepared, a typical Greek flavour is added with cumin, onion, mint, and oregano.
In most restaurants, you will find bifteki filled with a layer of crumbled feta and shaped into a burger or slightly flattened balls.
Bifteki is usually served plain in Greece. However, London restaurants serve it with salad, rice, or chips.
Pastitsio
Pastitsio is pretty similar to lasagne of Italy. But unlike lasagne, small macaroni is used here instead of pasta sheets. If you are looking for Greek comfort food, pastitsio can be your choice.
This item is prepared by layering ground lamb or beef with bechamel sauce and macaroni, with added flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon, and Greek herbs. Sometimes, grated cheese is also put on the top before baking in the oven.
Final Words
These classic Greek items can be found in a traditional Greek restaurant in London. Some restaurants are also family-run, which will give you a unique homemade taste. Visit one of them and have the perfect Mediterranean experience.
