The Most Popular Food in Santorini, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:38
Selecting where to dine while vacationing in Santorini can feel overwhelming due to the abundant choices of local cuisine. A community-driven ranking of the most popular foods offers a solution by providing insights based on collective preferences. This approach not only simplifies dining decisions but also highlights local favorites, ensuring visitors experience the essence of Santorinian gastronomy.
By participating in the voting process, each visitor contributes to a more accurate representation of what is truly cherished in Santorini’s culinary scene. This dynamic list adjusts as new votes are cast, reflecting real-time shifts in gastronomic trends and preferences. We invite you to share your experiences and make your voice heard in shaping this culinary guide.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Santorini?
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159votesMade from yellow split peas, fava is a traditional Santorinian dish often served as a dip or spread. It is usually topped with onions, capers, and olive oil.Fava is a traditional dish from Santorini made with yellow split peas that are cooked until smooth and creamy in texture. The dish is typically seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs, giving it a tangy and refreshing flavor. Fava can be enjoyed as a dip, appetizer, or main course, often paired with bread or seafood.
- Main Ingredient: Yellow split peas
- Texture: Smooth and creamy
- Seasoning: Olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs
- Flavor: Tangy and refreshing
- Usage: Can be enjoyed as a dip, appetizer, or main course
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232votesThese are tomato fritters made with Santorini's famous cherry tomatoes, onions, and herbs. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a popular appetizer in many restaurants.Tomatokeftedes is a traditional dish from Santorini, Greece. It consists of deep-fried tomato balls made with local tomatoes, onions, garlic, fresh herbs (such as parsley and mint), and a combination of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. The dish has a crispy outer crust and a juicy, flavorful interior. It is often served as an appetizer or meze (small plate) and is commonly enjoyed with tzatziki sauce or a squeeze of lemon. Tomatokeftedes showcases the vibrant flavors of Santorini's tomatoes and offers a delightful combination of textures.
- Primary Ingredients: Tomatoes, onions, garlic, fresh herbs, flour, breadcrumbs
- Texture: Crispy outer crust, juicy interior
- Flavor: Tomato-forward, savory, herbaceous
- Serving Style: Appetizer, meze
- Accompaniments: Tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges
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311votes
Grilled seafood
Local chefs and fishermenSantorini's proximity to the Aegean Sea makes it a great place to try grilled seafood, including octopus, squid, and fish. They are usually cooked over an open flame and seasoned with lemon and olive oil.Grilled seafood in Santorini is a delicious and sought-after dish that showcases the fresh seafood caught in the surrounding Mediterranean waters. It is a culinary delight that highlights the natural flavors of the sea with a smoky and slightly charred taste, thanks to the grilling process.- Seafood Variety: Typically includes fish, such as sea bass or red mullet, as well as shrimps, calamari, octopus, and lobster.
- Grilling Method: Seafood is grilled over an open flame or charcoal grill to impart a smoky flavor and achieve a perfect char.
- Seasonings: Often lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and local herbs like oregano or thyme to enhance the natural flavors.
- Serving Style: Grilled seafood is commonly served whole or in large chunks, allowing diners to experience the freshness of the catch.
- Presentation: It is often served on a bed of fresh greens or drizzled with olive oil and accompanied by lemon wedges for a touch of tanginess.
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413votes
Greek salad
Greek cuisineThis classic dish is made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers, topped with feta cheese and olives, and drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. It's a refreshing and healthy option for a light lunch or dinner.Greek salad, also known as Horiatiki salad, is a traditional Greek dish that showcases the flavors of the Mediterranean. It is a refreshing and vibrant salad made with fresh and wholesome ingredients.- Ingredients: Tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, olive oil, oregano
- Flavor: Light, tangy, and savory
- Texture: Crunchy and juicy
- Colors: Red, green, white, and purple
- Nutrition: High in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats
Greek salad in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most delicious salad
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517votesThis is a baked dish made with layers of eggplant, ground beef, and potatoes, topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful meal that is often served as a main course.Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish that consists of layered eggplant or potatoes, ground meat (usually lamb or beef), and a rich tomato sauce. It is then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. It is often served as a main course and is considered one of the most iconic and beloved dishes in Greek cuisine.
- Main ingredients: Eggplant or potatoes, ground meat, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce
- Meat options: Usually lamb or beef, but sometimes pork or veal
- Spices and herbs: Commonly used spices include cinnamon, oregano, and nutmeg. Fresh herbs like parsley and mint are often added.
- Vegetarian variation: A vegetarian version can be made by substituting the meat with mushrooms or lentils.
- Regional variations: Different regions in Greece have their own variations of Moussaka. Some use different vegetables like zucchini or artichokes, while others may include additional ingredients like cheese or pine nuts.
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612votesThis is a popular Greek street food made with meat (usually pork or chicken), tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce wrapped in a pita bread. It's a quick and delicious option for a snack or a meal on the go.Gyros is a traditional Greek dish that is enjoyed by locals and visitors in Santorini. It consists of seasoned meat, typically pork, chicken, or lamb, that is slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is thinly sliced and then wrapped in a warm pita bread. Gyros are usually topped with a variety of fresh ingredients, such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and tzatziki sauce, a yogurt-based dressing.
- Type of Meat: Pork, chicken, or lamb
- Cooking Method: Slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie
- Bread: Warm pita bread
- Toppings: Tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and tzatziki sauce
- Flavor Profile: Savory and tangy
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713votesSantorini is known for its unique volcanic soil, which produces some of the best wines in Greece. The island's most famous wine is Assyrtiko, a dry white wine with a crisp and refreshing taste.Santorinian wine is a unique and highly regarded wine produced in the volcanic Greek island of Santorini. It is primarily made from the Assyrtiko grape variety, which thrives in the island's volcanic soil and produces wines with distinct characteristics.
- Grape Variety: Assyrtiko
- Soil: Volcanic
- Growing Region: Santorini, Greece
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Flavor Profile: Mineral, citrus, crisp acidity
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85votesThis is a baked pasta dish made with layers of macaroni, ground beef, and bechamel sauce, similar to the Italian lasagna. It's a comforting and filling meal that is often served at family gatherings.Pastitsio is a traditional Greek dish that is popular in Santorini. It is a baked pasta dish made with layers of pasta, ground meat, and béchamel sauce. The dish has a rich and creamy texture with a savory and flavorful taste.
- Originated in: Greece
- Main ingredients: Pasta, ground meat, béchamel sauce
- Typical serving: Individual portions
- Baking method: Oven-baked
- Alternative names: Greek lasagna
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98votesThis is a sweet pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and honey syrup. It's a popular dessert in Greece and can be found in many bakeries and restaurants on the island.Baklava is a sweet and rich pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup or honey, and flavored with spices such as cinnamon and cloves. It is a popular dessert in various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
- Ingredients: Layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts (often pistachios or walnuts), syrup or honey, spices (such as cinnamon and cloves)
- Texture: Crunchy and crisp layers of filo pastry with a soft, moist filling
- Flavor: A harmonious blend of sweetness from the syrup or honey and nuttiness from the chopped nuts, enhanced by the warm spices
- Shape: Typically rectangular or diamond-shaped pieces
- Size: Can vary in size, but individual pieces are usually small and bite-sized
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105votesThis is a traditional Greek bread ring covered in sesame seeds, often sold as a street food snack. It's a simple but tasty option for breakfast or a midday snack.Koulouri is a popular food in Santorini, Greece, that is loved by both locals and tourists. It is a circular bread product with a distinct shape and texture. The outer crust is typically crunchy and slightly salted, while the inner part is soft and chewy. Koulouri is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack item, and it is commonly sold by street vendors or bakeries across the island. It is a versatile food that can be eaten on its own or paired with various toppings or spreads.
- Shape: Circular
- Texture: Crunchy outer crust, soft and chewy inner part
- Flavor: Slightly salted
- Usage: Breakfast or snack item
- Typical Selling Locations: Street vendors, bakeries
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Local ingredients and flavorsConsider if the dish is made using locally sourced ingredients and if it represents the unique flavors and culinary traditions of Santorini.
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Popularity among localsDetermine if the dish is a favorite amongst the local population or if it is more geared towards tourists.
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Cultural significanceEvaluate whether the dish has historical or cultural importance or any ties to notable events or people in Santorini.
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Availability and accessibilityAssess if the dish is widely available across restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors in Santorini, making it popular and easy for people to try.
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SeasonalityConsider whether the dish is prominent during a specific time of year or festival, which may contribute to its popularity.
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Reviews and recommendationsCheck online reviews, travel guides, and word-of-mouth recommendations to see if a particular dish is consistently praised by both tourists and locals.
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Presentation and aestheticsTake into account whether the dish is visually appealing and captures the essence of Santorini's famous culinary and photogenic locations.
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Pairings with local drinksEvaluate whether the dish is typically paired with popular local drinks, like wines from Santorini's vineyards, which could enhance its overall appeal.
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AffordabilityAssess whether the dish is reasonably priced and accessible to a variety of budgets, which could contribute to its popularity.
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Dietary preferences and restrictionsConsider whether the dish caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options, which could make it more popular amongst diverse audiences.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Santorini. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1638 views
- 174 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in santorini
Santorini is a beautiful island located in the Aegean Sea in Greece. The island is known for its stunning views, architecture, and of course, its delicious food. Santorini's cuisine is heavily influenced by traditional Greek dishes, but also features unique flavors and ingredients that are specific to the island.
One of the most popular dishes in Santorini is the famous tomato fritters, or "tomatokeftedes" in Greek. These fritters are made with fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices, all mixed together with flour and then fried to a golden brown. Another popular dish is the "fava" or yellow split pea puree, which is often served as an appetizer with bread and olive oil.
Seafood is also a staple in Santorini's cuisine, with fresh fish and shellfish caught daily from the surrounding waters. Grilled octopus, calamari, and shrimp are all popular dishes, often served with a side of Greek salad or roasted vegetables.
When it comes to desserts, Santorini is known for its sweet treats made with local ingredients like honey, pistachios, and figs. The island's famous "melitinia" cookies are a must-try, made with a creamy cheese filling and dusted with powdered sugar.
Overall, Santorini's cuisine is a delicious blend of traditional Greek flavors and unique island ingredients, making it a foodie's paradise.
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