Your Culinary Bucket List
Food, Glorious Santorini Food
We believe that one of the integral parts of every great holiday is good food. Thankfully, Santorini has that in scores and in a variety that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Santorinian cuisine is at its most part standard (and delicious) Greek cuisine, so if you’ve always wanted to know what moussakas tastes like and if octopus is as superb as you imagine it to be, you won’t be disappointed. However, the unique climatic conditions in Santorini are unique, with volcanic soil and high, dry temperatures make for some equally unique produce as well. Here are some local treats you should add to your culinary bucket list:
Cherry Tomatoes
The queen of summer, the humble yet juicy and delicious tomato is the star of Santorinian cuisine. These tomatoes are small, with thick skin and an irresistible sweet & sour taste. They are a key component of Santorini’s heavenly domatokeftedes (tomato fritters), but you can also try them sun-dried, canned, as tomato paste and of course in a Greek salad.
White Aubergines
A unique variety of aubergine; this one, as it name suggests, is white and has almost no seeds. It tastes slightly sweeter than its purple cousin and is enjoyed fried, raw and in aubergine salads, a Greek version of baba ganoush.
Fava
The most famous Santorinian dish, fava is actually split pea purée. Served as a main or side dish, fava is served with olive oil and lemons. A version of this dish called “married fava” includes a red onion and capers topping. Try it with cherry tomatoes and wheat rusks for the ultimate summer treat.
Capers
Every Greek island has capers to spare and Santorini is no different. These sun-dried flower buds are an acquired taste that add a savory, mustard-like kick to every dish they touch. Try them with fava or add them to your salad and fall in love with their zesty flavours, an authentic taste of Santorini.
Chlorotyri
Similarly, many Greek islands have a version of soft goat cheese and chlorotyri is Santorini’s. Creamy and tangy, chlorotyri makes for a delicious spread but you can also enjoy it in a salad or in cheese pasties.
Melitini
A traditional Easter sweet, melitini is made with fresh mizithra cheese, sugar and mastic. It’s very hard to compare it to anything else, so for this one, we ask you to just trust us and try it!
Where to eat it:
You can try all of these local dishes and more in one of the many restaurants of the island.
Here are some of our recommendations:
Lefkes
An updated take in traditional Greek cuisine, Lefkes’ innovative menu consists of dishes like calamari stuffed with couscous and vegetables, veal pappardelle and rooster gyro with black tzatziki.
Melitini
Greek food is made to be shared and one of the best ways to enjoy the meze experience is in Melitini. Try all the different dishes and spreads for an authentic local dining experience.
Fino
If you’re done exploring traditional Greek cuisine and are craving for something else, Fino’s fare is a more modern take on Mediterranean food (so expect to see some avocados).
If authenticity is what you seek, we’d be remiss not to mention the island’s many bakeries. Greeks love their baked goods and enjoy them for breakfast, as a beach snack or even as late-night food. Try a flaky, buttery spanakopita, a comfortingly cheesy tiropita or one of the many different biscuits, breadsticks and rusks on offer. Some bakeries include Santa Irini in Perissa, Milopetra in Kamari and To Fourni in Oia.
These recommendations are, of course, just a small sample of the multitude of choices around the island. To make sure you’re only enjoying the best of what Santorini has to offer, simply ask us. At Choose Yafy we know where to go to taste the best, as well as the tourist traps to avoid. So drop us a line and let’s explore Santorini together!
