With a bit of luck, you might just get a one-of-a-kind opportunity to fly to Greece and try out the country’s varied seafood offerings. Greek seafood recipes are renowned to highlight the natural flavors of seafood, making these a delight to eat. Enjoy with a little ouzo—it is a truly unforgettable experience, one of many you’ll have in this wonderful country.

Enjoy Refreshing Seafood

As in numerous parts of the globe, overfishing also threatens the coasts of Greece. Yet, Greece is still able to offer a wide array of fresh seashells and fishes.As in numerous parts of the globe, overfishing also threatens the coasts of Greece. Yet, Greece is still able to offer a wide array of fresh seashells and fishes. More often than not, restaurants will inform patrons on whether a fish is fresh or frozen. Frozen food is also labeled ‘kat.’ If you are on vacation, it can’t hurt to spend a little extra on the ‘fresh’ alternative. It is much better.

Greece presents succulent variations of seafood dishes because the place boasts of fresh foods from its rich seas. Picturesque shorelines encircle most parts of Greece, making it rather easy for travelers to locate tavernas offering authentic Greek seafood fare.

Mackerel or kolios, sardines or sardeles, and anchovies or gavros, are well-liked. These can be enjoyed as sushi or they can be fried whole or grilled over open fire.

Other favorite seafoods are: squid or kalamari, octopus, swordfish or xifia, sea bream or sargos, sea bass or lavraki, cod, red snapper, tuna, lobster and different types of shellfish.

Traditional Greek Seafood Cuisine

If you find yourself in a delightful Greek restaurant outside of Greece, or if you are in Greece experiencing the culture, you will always find universal Greek dishes that originated from recipes in Ancient Greece.

Make the most of your time by getting some mezethes as you wait for dinner to arrive. Greece provides a great selection of appetizers – from grilled or fried kalamari, anchovies or smelt, baked sardines with a lemon, oregano and olive oil dressing, to the richer and more adventurous taste of taramosalata, which is a great dip made from fish roe. Pickled kingfish or lakerda is also a great appetizer. To make a lakerda, fresh fish, olive oil, salt and lemon are needed. The fish is marinated in the salt, lemon and olive oil mixture for a few days. Fish should first be washed and then flavored with olive oil and lemon juice before serving. Seafood dishes are generally dressed with lemon, vinegar and, more frequently, olive oil.

If you’re in a traditional Greek taverna you may have the honor of choosing the fish you would like to have cooked for you and your guests. This is an experience that will enhance one’s experience and memories of Greece.

Seafood lovers will surely adore the psarosoupa or Greek fish soup. This tasty egg and lemon broth soup is commonly served with potatoes, carrots and onions in the broth and the fish on the side, though you can get it in the soup. It’s very tasty and it’s good for the health, too.

If you are craving for shellfish, there are mussel and clam dishes in most restaurants in Greece, even in Lesvos or Athens. These are either steamed or cooked saganaki style. The term ‘saganaki’ refers to the pan used in cooking. Saganaki recipes are generally flavored with feta cheese and tomato sauce. Shrimps are cooked like this, too.

Seafood and vegetables are often incorporated in most Mediterranean recipes, though types of meats are also largely enjoyed. The great thing about Greek fish recipes is that these are light and refreshing, not overpowered by strong flavors. The usual pairings for grilled fish are rice and vegetables. Dishes are flavored with olive oil, lemon and herbs, like parsley and oregano.

Lobster dishes are a bit pricey, but if you’ve got some money, it can’t hurt to pay a bit of extra for some comforting lobster meat. Although some may find Greek lobsters to be less tasty than Atlantic lobsters, having a lobster dish is still a great and scrumptious indulgence. Steamed lobsters are very popular in Greece.

Enjoy any of these fine Greek seafood dishes with ouzo or a glass of Greek wine and enjoy the tastes brought fresh from the sea. Greek dishes are not pretentious. Flavors are not hampered by rich sauces or intense condiments. Instead, the natural flavor of meats, fishes or vegetables are allowed to shine through and are highlighted by refreshing and light tones. A little olive oil and lemon is all you need to enjoy something this good.