KAFENIO – Anyone who has visited Greece or its islands will know what is meant by the word ‘Kafenio.’ Often forming the social heart of a small village its typical image is one of spartan decor, simply furnished with old chairs and mismatched tables, heavy with cigarette smoke and exclusively male occupied. With chat, backgammon, cards, and the ubiquitous Greek coffee in abundance, it may not be the first place a tourist thinks of to find food. Some might feel intimidated by the impression of it being the meeting place for the village elders, their lively discussion over a political article in the local newspaper and the thought of them as places exclusively serving coffee. They are, however, places where the welcome will generally be a courteous one to tourists, especially those who try out a little local language, where nowadays beer, ouzo, and other spirits may be found and frequently with a small area where food can be prepared. There will rarely be a menu as such (and even if one does exist, far less likely to be in any language other than Greek) and those wanting food will be best served by just asking for Meze, unless their language skills extend to discussing the various dishes that the proprietor can (or is willing) to prepare. Upmarket they most certainly are not but they are authentic, often relatively cheap and provide a great window on the world walking by.

OUZERIA – Ouzeria, as the name would suggest, are establishments where traditionally the main refreshment on offer was Ouzo. This would come with various small Meze dishes such as feta cheese, horta, olives, and bread. In the twenty-first century, however, many of these now offer a far more comprehensive range of drinks and food. A menu may be anything from a chalkboard to printed copies at each table and it is far more common nowadays, especially in or close to tourist areas, to find Ouzeria providing both the traditional Meze appetizers and full main meals. Those looking to eat out at lunch or in the evening may well find the local Ouzeria satisfies all their needs.

TAVERNA – The local Taverna is the traditional place to dine out for most Greek families wanting decent, nourishing and appetizing food and although some may not be particularly modern or appealing from the outside the food is invariably well prepared using fresh ingredients to create good meals at reasonable prices. Menus may not always be available at the table, often on a board on the wall, and some staff may just tell you what is on offer on any given day. As the preparation of many dishes in Greece varies from one cook to another it isn’t uncommon to be invited to peer over the day’s various offerings as they are being prepared in the kitchen. Tavernas very often stay open until late and many are at their busiest from 10.30pm onwards. They will generally offer a range of cold salads, hot meat, fish and vegetable dishes that may be eaten on their own or combined in smaller portions to create a filling meal of Meze plates. Accompanied by a carafe of local wine and ouzo or raki to finish they more than adequately fulfill their role to provide a relaxing ambiance where one can enjoy a varied and substantial meal without breaking the bank.

ESTIATORIO – Literally translated as ‘Restaurant’ and covering a multitude of establishments from the downright poor quality through to some of the finest food to be found in the country. In popular tourist areas, many restaurants will often employ a ‘Kamaki’ on the street in front to draw people in. Literally meaning to harpoon or spear, the job of these well-dressed front of house staff is to encourage prospective customers to enter and dine and their patter will extol the superlative quality of the food inside, good prices and best service etc. In areas where competition is fierce their approach can be almost intimidating and if you are unsure then always ask to see a menu before allowing them to seat you at a table. Estiatorio (Restaurants) may serve a variety of dishes alongside a comprehensive wine and drinks list. Some may specialize in Greek food, some may model themselves on Pizzerias / Spaghetterias, some may pride themselves on their seafood or steaks and many attempts to offer all things to all people. Prices and quality will vary wildly and the best option is to ask around and form your own opinions by visiting some of those that sound most promising to you, your palette and budget.

TAKE-AWAYS, SANDWICH SHOPS etc – Greece, as with anywhere in Europe, has not escaped the explosion of ‘fast food joints’ although they are by their very nature predominantly confined to towns and tourist resorts. Many offer a range of fast-food from early until late and typically you may find croissants, cheese pies and pastries available in the morning and everything from pizza slices, sandwiches, burgers, crepes and cakes throughout the day. The quality is probably no better and no worse than any other similar small business throughout the EU and in all fairness better value, more appetizing and nourishing than the large multinational burger joint chains.