How to read a Greek menu.

A Greek menu is in a different alphabet, and the English column printed next to it is often a puzzle of its own. Here is how a taverna menu is organized and what the key dishes are.

How the menu is organized

Mezedes / orektika: small plates and starters, meant for sharing. Ordering mostly mezedes is a perfectly good meal.
Salates: salads, usually large enough to share.
Magirefta: "cooked" dishes, such as stews and oven bakes made earlier that day. Ask what is ready; in many tavernas you can look into the pots.
Tis oras: literally "of the hour", meaning grilled or fried to order. Chops, souvlaki and fish sit here.
Glyka: desserts. Many tavernas bring a small dessert or a shot of raki or tsipouro free at the end.

Fish priced by the kilo

Fresh fish is usually priced per kilo. You choose a fish, it is weighed, and the price depends on its weight. Ask for the price of your fish before it goes on the grill.

Dishes you will meet

Μουσακάς · Moussaka moo-sah-KAHSLayers of aubergine, spiced minced meat and béchamel, baked.
Χωριάτικη · Horiatiki hor-YAH-tee-keeVillage salad: tomato, cucumber, onion, olives and a slab of feta. No lettuce.
Τζατζίκι · Tzatziki dzah-DZEE-keeStrained yogurt with cucumber, garlic and olive oil.
Σουβλάκι · Souvlaki soov-LAH-keeGrilled meat skewers, usually pork or chicken.
Γύρος · Gyros YEE-rosMeat roasted on a vertical spit and sliced, often wrapped in pita.
Γεμιστά · Gemista yeh-mee-STAHTomatoes and peppers stuffed with herbed rice and baked.
Κλέφτικο · Kleftiko KLEF-tee-kohLamb slow-cooked with garlic and lemon, often sealed in paper or a clay pot.
Σπανακόπιτα · Spanakopita spah-nah-KOH-pee-tahSpinach and feta pie in filo pastry.
Λουκουμάδες · Loukoumades loo-koo-MAH-thesSmall fried dough balls soaked in honey syrup.

Why word-for-word translation fails here

Greek menus are transliterated in several different ways (gyros, yiros, giros), and tourist translations can be literal to the point of comedy. MenuSnapp reads the Greek itself, keeps the dish names travelers will recognize, and explains the rest.

Useful phrases

Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ (ton lo-gar-yah-ZMO pah-rah-kah-LO): the bill, please.
Είμαι αλλεργικός / αλλεργική σε…: I'm allergic to…