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Savouring Greek Delights: The best Summer Dishes

Where to enjoy a Greek Summer meal in London, by the team at Greeklist!

Summer is the ideal season to indulge in the vibrant and refreshing flavors of Greek cuisine. With its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold, Mediterranean tastes, Greek food offers a delightful escape from the heat. These quintessential Greek dishes not only tantalize the taste buds but also bring the essence of a Greek summer to your table, making every meal a celebration of the season!

The dishes of a Greek Summer meal!

Explore the vibrant dishes that define a Greek summer meal: from smoky souvlaki and refreshing tzatziki to crisp horiatiki salata and indulgent kolokythokeftedes. Discover the flavors of Greece under the Mediterranean sun.

Souvlaki

One of Greece’s most renowned dishes, beloved especially during the summer months. It embodies the essence of Greek outdoor dining with its irresistible smoky, grilled flavor. Typically made from small pieces of marinated meat—often pork or chicken—souvlaki is prepared with a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a medley of herbs. These skewers are then grilled to perfection, imparting a tender texture and a robust taste that captures the essence of Greek cuisine. Souvlaki can be savored on its own, with pita bread, or as part of a platter accompanied by potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and onions, offering a complete and satisfying meal under the sun.

Patates Tiganites (Greek Fries)

A delightful twist on the traditional French fry. These fries are thicker and crisped to perfection in olive oil, which imparts a rich and distinctive flavour. Often seasoned with aromatic oregano and occasionally topped with crumbled cheese for added indulgence, Greek fries are a popular side dish that compliments any meal. Their golden exterior and fluffy interior provide a satisfying contrast to the savoury dishes of Greek cuisine.

Horiatiki Salata (Greek Village Salad)

A cornerstone of Greek cuisine, particularly cherished during the summer season. This vibrant salad celebrates the bounty of fresh produce with a colourful mix of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, green bell peppers, tangy red onions, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Dressed simply with extra virgin olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, and a sprinkle of fragrant oregano, horiatiki salata epitomises the simplicity and freshness of Greek culinary traditions. Its refreshing flavours and crunchy textures make it an essential accompaniment to any Greek meal.

Tzatziki

No Greek meal is complete without tzatziki, a creamy and cooling dip that enhances the flavours of grilled meats and vegetables. Made from thick Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh dill, tzatziki offers a refreshing burst of flavours with every bite. Whether served as a dip for bread or a condiment for grilled meats, tzatziki is a versatile and indispensable component of Greek cuisine, particularly enjoyed on warm summer days.

Kolokythokeftedes (Zucchini Fritters)

Delightful zucchini fritters that showcase the bounty of summer produce in Greek cuisine. These crispy delights feature a golden-brown exterior and a soft, flavorful interior crafted from grated zucchini mixed with aromatic herbs like mint and dill, tangy feta cheese, eggs, and a touch of flour for binding. Fried to perfection in olive oil, kolokythokeftedes offer a satisfying crunch and a burst of fresh flavors with each bite. Often served alongside tzatziki for dipping, these fritters are a beloved appetizer or side dish that perfectly complements the vibrant flavors of a Greek summer feast.

Greek Beer: A Refreshing Companion

Known for its crisp, clean taste and light body, Greek beer perfectly complements the bold flavors of the cuisine. Popular choices include Mythos, a pale lager with a smooth finish, and Alpha, a classic Greek pilsner. These beers are brewed to be enjoyed chilled, offering a cool, satisfying contrast to the warm Mediterranean sun and the vibrant dishes of a Greek summer feast.

Karpouzi (Watermelon): A sweet ending

A Greek summer meal is not complete without the refreshing finale of watermelon. Called “karpouzi” in Greek, this juicy fruit, synonymous with the season, offers a hydrating and naturally sweet delight that perfectly complements the robust flavors of Greek cuisine. Served chilled and often enjoyed as a refreshing palate cleanser or light dessert, watermelon encapsulates the essence of summer in Greece.

Five Greek restaurants to enjoy a Greek Summer meal

Experience the essence of a Greek summer at these five London restaurants, where authentic flavours and vibrant dishes await to transport you to the Mediterranean!

Byzantium Restaurant

An impressive, unique and well-established Greek restaurant that is conveniently located between Bayswater and Queensway, that emphasises family-style food, traditional pastries (tsourekia, baklava etc.) and real Greek coffee.

Contact Information

Tel: +44 20 7229 9367
Address: 31 Moscow Road, Westminster, London

Tony’s Pita

A Greek traditional Restaurant in Swiss Cottage area, London. They have also opened a new restaurant in Palmers Green. Their original restaurant opened in December 2018 with a purpose to offer something new to the area. Tony’s pita is a family run restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine and atmosphere.

Contact Information

Tel: +44 (0)20 7722 5227
e-mail: bookings@tonyspita.co.uk
Address: 4 New College Parade, Frognal, London

Going Greek

Enjoy a delicious souvlaki or sample some sharing plates with an ice-cold Greek beer. Choose a traditional pastry or a delightful dessert with your coffee.

Contact Information

Tel: 020 3030 4543
e-mail: info@goinggreek.co.uk
Address:18 The Green, London

Pitta Lab

Based in North East London, in the vibrant and cool Hackney, Pitta Lab – Restaurant offers traditional Greek street food, as well as many vegetarian and vegan options, satisfying every desire!

Contact Information

Tel: 07310026238
info@pittalab.com
18 Sidworth Street, Hackney

Kalamaki

Offering Souvlaki with 1001 flavours, designed to delight even the most demanding appetites. But this is not without forgetting their great specialty : souvlaki.

Contact Information

+44 (0)7775 146243
kalamaki@kalamaki-uk.co.uk
Hercules Road 187, London

Embark on a culinary trip to Greece

As you savour the flavours of a Greek summer meal—enjoying the smoky grilled meats of souvlaki, the cool tang of tzatziki, the crisp freshness of horiatiki salata, and the delightful crunch of kolokythokeftedes—immerse yourself in the essence of Greek cuisine. These dishes not only tantalise the taste buds but also evoke the warmth and vibrancy of Greece, making every bite a journey to sun-drenched shores and idyllic summer evenings!