Santorini Food Guide: 21 Delicious Foods to Eat in Santorini

Embark on a Culinary Adventure Through Santorini’s Paradise with my Santorini Food Guide! You’re in Santorini, a haven not only for the senses but also for your taste buds.

This island paradise boasts a unique culinary tapestry woven with threads of the Mediterranean’s bounty. Freshly caught seafood, plucked straight from the turquoise depths, graces the menus of local tavernas.

Locally grown vegetables, bathed in the island’s sunshine, burst with flavor in every dish. And of course, no exploration of Greek cuisine would be complete without indulging in the island’s treasured traditional meals.

For the adventurous gourmet, Santorini offers a delightful journey of discovery. Perhaps you’ll begin with grilled octopus, a ubiquitous island favorite, its tender flesh infused with the smoky kiss of the grill.

Dive into a world of creamy textures with fava bean dip, a smooth and flavorful appetizer bursting with the essence of Santorini’s volcanic soil. Tomato fritters, some of my favorites, offer a delightful explosion of freshness in each bite.

If you’re seeking a classic Greek experience, moussaka is a must-try. Layers of succulent, seasoned lamb, velvety eggplant, and creamy béchamel sauce create a symphony of flavors that will leave you wanting more. No meal is complete without a refreshing Greek salad, where sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crumbly feta cheese, and vibrant olives dance on your plate.

Don’t forget to quench your thirst with a glass of Santorini’s local wine. This volcanic island produces an exceptional selection of wines, each boasting its own unique character.

As your culinary adventure draws to a close, indulge in a sweet finale with a piece of baklava, layers of flaky pastry filled with fragrant nuts and drenched in honeyed syrup. Or perhaps you’ll find yourself drawn to the playful sweetness of loukoumades, bite-sized fried dough drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or appreciate the joy of a delicious meal, Santorini’s culinary scene promises an unforgettable experience. It’s a chance to savor the island’s unique character and traditions, one flavorful bite at a time.

This article delves specifically into Santorini’s local delights, those dishes that truly capture the island’s essence. Each creation is crafted with locally sourced ingredients, ensuring the freshest and most authentic experience possible.

By savoring these culinary treasures, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Santorini’s vibrant culture and heritage, creating memories that will linger long after your return home.

And if you’re new to the world of Greek cuisine, fret not! My previous articles, “39 Food and Drinks to Try in Greece” and “20 Sweets to Eat in Greece,” offer a comprehensive guide to the nation’s culinary delights, including those you’ll find on Santorini. Consider them your companion as you embark on your gastronomic journey.

The ultimate Santorini food guide

1. Greek Yogurt: 

If you are a yogurt lover like me, you will love the Greek one. It is so creamy and delicious, and trust me, the Greek yogurt in Greece is very different from the Greek yogurt you can buy in any supermarket worldwide. In Greece, it has an entirely different level of goodness. 

It is perfect alone, with some sweet local honey and maybe some nuts. It doesn’t matter how you eat it. It is going to be delicious every time. 

2. Spanakopita:  

Spanakopita is a delicious savory local spinach pie, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick snack anytime. It is made with spinach (of course), parsley, onions, garlic, dry dill, eggs, and feta cheese, all wrapped up in light layers of phyllo pastry. 

Then, it all goes to the oven to be perfectly baked. This is a must-try while in Santorini. You can get it in local restaurants but also a local bakery. It is the perfect solution for a healthy and very cheap meal. 

3. Tiropita: 

Tiropita is a cheese pie made with layers of phyllo pastry and a delicious mix of eggs and cheese. It is very filling and very cheap (1,20 euros). You can find it in most bakeries and local lunch spots. 

When it is made with kasseri cheese, it is called kasseropita.  

4. Kolokithokeftedes: 

If you like courgettes/zucchini, you will love this Greek dish. Kolokithokeftedes is fried courgette balls, the perfect starter for your meal or as a main course.  

I liked them so much that I had them as a main course. You can find them in every local restaurant, and they are always delicious (I loved them with some tzatziki sauce on the side).  

5. Tomatokeftedes: 

Another excellent “meze” is the Tomatokeftedes. They are fried tomato croquettes from Santorini. They are made with tomatoes pureed, flour, herbs, spices, onion, parsley, mint, salt, and black peppers, all mixed to create a dough and then deep-fried. 

Better served with Tzatziki (honestly, in Greece, you will eat a lot of Tzatziki; it goes with everything).  

6. Keftes/Kofta:

Keftes is a way to call different things, like croquettes, fritters, or patties, made with vegetables and other ingredients. While the Kofta is made with meat.

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7. Greek olives: 

Greece is a paradise for olive lovers. Here, you will find so many different types of olives that you will eat a different one every day during your vacation. You will get them as aperitivo while you wait for your meal at a restaurant or as part of a local dish. 

Greece Travel Tip: They also sell olives in vacuum bags so you can bring some home as souvenirs for yourself and your family. This could be the perfect Greek souvenir for an olive lover. 

8. Saganaki: 

In Greek, Saganaki means a wide variety of dishes prepared in a frying pan, the most famous and well-known being the fried cheese served with a slice of lemon. I had it more than once, and it was served with a spicy sauce instead of lemon. 

The cheese used to prepare this delicious Saganaki is the Graviera, but you can use different hard cheeses that melt beautifully. While in Santorini, try the Saganaki Prawns, a real delicacy.

9. Choriatiki or Greek Salad:  

One of the most famous salads is the Greek salad; honestly, who doesn’t love it?  I had it almost every day while visiting Greece. It was my favorite lunch on the beach or to keep myself light while exploring. If you don’t know this salad, here are the ingredients: 

Tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh onions, olives, feta cheese, green peppers, olive oil, and much oregano. Also, try the Santorini salad, a Greek salad made with capers and Chlorotyri cheese.

10. Moussaka:

 Moussaka is a must to try while in Greece. It is delicious and very filling. If you order one portion for yourself, you won’t probably be able to eat anything else after it (or maybe you will; I couldn’t). 

It is made with eggplants or potatoes, tomatoes, ground meat sauce (beef or lamb, like Italian bolognese ragu), bechamel sauce, cheese, onions, garlic, and cinnamon. It is like Italian lasagna, but there are aubergines and potatoes instead of pasta. They are yummy! 

11. Chlorotyri:

Chlorotyri is a delicious goat cheese produced only in Santorini. It is not available elsewhere because local producers make it only in small quantities.

The taste is a bit sour, and it is very creamy. You can find it in the Santorini salad (the Santorini version of the Greek salad, but with the addition of Chlorotyri cheese and capers). You can also buy it in some local food shops. I advise eating it spread on pita bread with some veggies on the side.

12. Dolmades: 

This particular Ottoman dish is made in different ways. It can be made with rice, rice and meat, fish, vegetables, or fruits, wrapped in leaves, usually grape ones and cabbage leaves.  

They are delicious and filling. My favorite way to eat them is by dipping them in Tzatziki sauce. 

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13. Souvlaki: 

Souvlaki is the most famous Greek street food. It consists of small pieces of grilled meat on a skewer. The original recipe calls for pork, but it can also be made with chicken, lamb, fish like swordfish, and vegetables. 

It is usually marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, and oregano and then grilled, ready for you to eat straight away, in the street, or seated with a good, fresh glass of beer. It is usually served with fries, rice, or fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions) and the delicious Tzatziki sauce. 

It’s a very cheap way to have a healthy lunch while exploring Greece and the beautiful Greek Islands.

14. Gyros: 

Gyros is one of the things that will save your wallet while in Greece. You can find it everywhere. It is delicious, healthy, and crazy cheap. Gyros is a sandwich made with pita bread and grilled meat, including pork, chicken, beef, or lamb (previously marinated with Greek herbs), fresh onions, fries, and tzatziki sauce. 

I ate The cheapest one in Athens, which cost me only 2 euros. In Santorini, the price is between 2.50 and 4.00 euros. 

15. Fava Me Koukia:

Fava Me Koukia consists of local fava beans, onion, capers, and tomatoes mixed until creamy. It can be eaten as is or with pita bread. 

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16. Kleftiko: 

Kleftiko is a straightforward but delicious Greek dish. It is made with lamb marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs and then wrapped in baking paper with onions and potatoes. Then, it is roasted very slowly until it is so tender you can break it with a spoon.  

17. Apochti:

An air-dried pork loin that has been previously salted and placed in vinegar. They also add peppers and cinnamon to it to give it a particular taste. This meat is used in many local recipes, and it is delicious.

18. Popoutsakia: 

Popoutsakia is a delicious stuffed eggplant made with ground meat, tomatoes, cheese, onion, garlic, eggs, bell peppers, herbs, and spices. It is healthy and delicious, and you can find it in many local restaurants in Santorini. 

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19. White Eggplants:

Santorini’s eggplant is white and looks like an egg that grows on a plant. The color is due to the volcanic soil; the taste is very intense, and fewer seeds are inside.

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20. Santorini wine:

Santorini is one of Greece’s most famous wine regions, so while on the island, you cannot miss trying the delicious wine locals produce.

Thanks to the climate and volcanic soil, Santorini wines will surprise you with a unique taste. The most famous is the Vinsanto Wine, made with white grapes harvested later than usual, sun-dried, and aged in oak barrels for at least two years.

21. Santorini beer:

Greece produces excellent beer, and while in Santorini, you should try (if you like) the Santorini Brewing Company beers that make the famous Crazy Doney Beer, the first IPA (India Pale Ale) produced in Greece. I love the names and their beers; you will love them too.

There are five beers to choose from: 

• Crazy Donkey (the first one produced), 
• Red Donkey (red beer with a tropical taste that comes in a champagne bottle), 
• Yellow Donkey (citrus flavour), 
• White Donkey (Weiss beer with citrus flavors that has a limited production)
• Slow Donkey (produced only once or twice a year in a limited number, gets its unique taste because it gets matured in oak barrels previously used for the Santorininian Assyrtiko grapes).

Before you go…

So, there you have a delectable glimpse into Santorini’s culinary treasures! As you embark on your own Santorini adventure, remember that some planning can significantly maximize your enjoyment. Researching what to do and eat beforehand allows you to hit the ground running and savor every moment.

In a destination like Greece, where food is woven into the very fabric of the culture, indulging in the local cuisine is an essential part of the experience. It’s a chance to connect with the land, its people, and their unique traditions.

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By preparing in advance and embracing the local flavors, you’ll transform your Santorini journey into a truly immersive and enriching experience. Bon voyage, and may your taste buds dance with delight!