Going to a traditional taverna is one of the best parts of visiting Greece.

Ordering your food in Greek makes the entire dining experience much more authentic.

Local waiters always appreciate it when you make the effort to speak their language.

This guide provides the exact phrases and vocabulary you need to order food confidently.

Getting a table at a Greek restaurant

When you first walk into a Greek restaurant, you need to let the staff know how many people are in your party.

The word for table is trapézi (τραπέζι).

You can simply state the number of people followed by the word for please, which is parakaló (παρακαλώ).

If the weather is nice, you might prefer to sit outdoors on the terrace.

How to order food and drinks

Once you sit down, the waiter will usually bring you the menu immediately.

If they’re busy and forget, you can politely ask for it yourself.

When you’re ready to order, the most important phrase you need to know is “I would like”.

In Greek, you say tha íthela (θα ήθελα).

It’s very common in Greece to share plates in the middle of the table rather than ordering individual main courses.

If you want to ask the waiter for a recommendation, you can ask them what’s fresh today.

Pay attention to regional differences when ordering street food like meat skewers.

In Athens, a meat skewer is called a kalamáki (καλαμάκι).

However, in Northern Greece (like Thessaloniki), the word kalamáki only means “drinking straw”.

If you want a meat skewer in Northern Greece, you must strictly order a souvláki (σουβλάκι).

Essential Greek food vocabulary

Knowing the basic categories of food will help you navigate a Greek menu with ease.

Here’s a simple table of the most common food and drink items you’ll encounter.

Dietary restrictions and special requests

Communicating dietary needs is important for a safe dining experience.

If you’re a vegetarian, you can easily let the waiter know.

Food allergies should always be stated clearly before you place your order.

Asking for the bill

In Greece, waiters will rarely bring you the bill unless you specifically ask for it.

Lingering at the table for a long time after eating is a completely normal part of Greek culture.

When you’re finally ready to leave, you can catch the waiter’s attention and ask for the check.

Tipping isn’t strictly mandatory in Greece, but it’s highly expected and appreciated.

Rounding up the bill or leaving a few extra euros in cash on the table is the standard practice.

If you’re paying with cash and want the waiter to keep the change, you can use this phrase.