Deciphering the Greek Menu

In tourist taverns, there are English and sometimes German menus. In traditional places in the countryside or on small islands, it's often only in Greek. This translation table helps you recognize the most important dishes and ingredients.

Appetizers (Ορεκτικά / Orektika)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Τζατζίκι	tsa-TSI-ki	Tzatziki	Yogurt with cucumber, garlic, olive oil
Χωριάτικη σαλάτα	cho-RI-a-ti-ki sa-LA-ta	Greek salad	Tomato, cucumber, onion, pepper, olives, feta. THE Greek salad
Μελιτζανοσαλάτα	me-li-dza-no-sa-LA-ta	Eggplant salad	Roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil
Τυροκαυτερή	ti-ro-kaf-te-RI	Spicy cheese dip	Feta pureed with peppers
Ταραμοσαλάτα	ta-ra-mo-sa-LA-ta	Fish roe cream	Pink cream made from fish roe — better than it sounds!
Φάβα	FA-va	Fava bean puree	Yellow lentil puree from Santorini (not broad beans!)
Σαγανάκι	sa-ga-NA-ki	Fried cheese	Breaded and fried Graviera or Kefalotiri. Sometimes flambéed ("Opa!")
Ελιές	e-LI-es	Olives	Kalamata olives (dark) or green olives
Ντολμαδάκια	dol-ma-DA-ki-a	Stuffed vine leaves	With rice, herbs, sometimes minced meat
Κεφτεδάκια / Κεφτέδες	kef-te-DA-ki-a / kef-TE-des	Meatballs	Spiced minced meatballs, often with mint
Κολοκυθοκεφτέδες	ko-lo-ki-tho-kef-TE-des	Zucchini balls	Zucchini baked with feta and herbs (vegetarian!)
Γαρίδες σαγανάκι	ga-RI-des sa-ga-NA-ki	Shrimps in tomato sauce	Baked with feta — a classic
Χταπόδι	chta-PO-di	Octopus	Grilled or marinated — a must!

Main Courses (Κυρίως πιάτα / Kirios piata)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Μουσακάς	mu-sa-KAS	Moussaka	Casserole with eggplant, minced meat, béchamel sauce
Παστίτσιο	pa-STI-tsio	Pastitsio	"Greek lasagna" — tube pasta, mince, béchamel
Σουβλάκι	su-VLA-ki	Souvlaki	Meat skewer (pork or chicken)
Γύρος	JI-ros	Gyros	Spit-roasted meat (pork), in pita or on the plate
Μπριζόλα	bri-SO-la	Chop / Steak	Pork or lamb from the grill
Παϊδάκια	pa-i-DA-ki-a	Lamb chops	From the grill — the Greeks' favorite dish
Κλέφτικο	KLEF-ti-ko	Kleftiko	Lamb braised in the oven (buttery tender)
Στιφάδο	sti-FA-do	Stifado	Stew with shallots (beef or rabbit)
Γεμιστά	je-mi-STA	Stuffed peppers/tomatoes	With rice, herbs, sometimes mince
Ψητά λαχανικά	psi-TA la-cha-ni-KA	Grilled vegetables	Zucchini, eggplant, pepper
Γαρίδες	ga-RI-des	Shrimps	Grilled, fried, or in sauce
Καλαμαράκια	ka-la-ma-RA-ki-a	Small squids	Fried — crispy and perfect with lemon
Ψάρι σχάρας	PSA-ri SCHA-ras	Grilled fish	Calculated by weight (ASK price BEFORE!)
Μπακαλιάρος	ba-ka-LI-a-ros	Cod / Salted fish	Fried with Skordalia (garlic puree)

Sides & Extras

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Πατάτες τηγανητές	pa-TA-tes ti-ga-ni-TES	French fries
Ρύζι	RI-si	Rice
Ψωμί	pso-MI	Bread
Πίτα	PI-ta	Flatbread
Χόρτα	CHOR-ta	Wild herbs
Τυρί	ti-RI	Cheese
Φέτα	FE-ta	Feta
Λάδι	LA-di	Olive oil
Λεμόνι	le-MO-ni	Lemon

Desserts (Επιδόρπια / Epidorpia)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Μπακλαβάς	ba-kla-VAS	Baklava	Phyllo pastry, nuts, honey syrup
Γιαούρτι με μέλι	ja-UR-ti me ME-li	Yogurt with honey	Greek yogurt + thyme honey + walnuts
Λουκουμάδες	lu-ku-MA-des	Honey balls	Fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon
Γαλακτομπούρεκο	ga-lak-to-BU-re-ko	Semolina pudding in phyllo	Soaked in syrup — addictive!
Καρπούζι	kar-PU-si	Watermelon	The standard dessert in summer (often free!)