Table of Contents
A Greek taverna on the right evening — the right table, the right order, warm bread arriving immediately, a carafe of house wine, the horiatiki salad placed in the middle — is one of the better dining experiences available anywhere. Getting there requires some specific knowledge that this phrasebook provides.
The guide is organised by moment: arriving and being seated, reading the menu, ordering the food, handling special requests, and paying. Most interactions require five or six phrases at most; this guide covers all of them.
For the full cultural guide to Greek taverna dining — the etiquette, the timing, the order of dishes — see how to eat at a Greek taverna. For the broader vocabulary, see essential Greek phrases.
Before You Order: Arriving and Being Seated
English | Greek | Pronunciation
Good evening | Καλησπέρα | ka-lee-SPE-ra
A table for two, please | Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ | E-na tra-PE-zee ya THI-o pa-ra-ka-LO
Can we sit outside? | Μπορούμε να καθίσουμε έξω; | bo-ROO-me na ka-THEE-su-me EK-so
The menu, please | Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ | ton ka-TA-lo-go pa-ra-ka-LO
Do you have an English menu? | Έχετε κατάλογο στα αγγλικά; | E-he-te ka-TA-lo-go sta ag-lee-KA
The no-menu situation: If the waiter says den echume katalogo (we don't have a menu) — do not be alarmed. This is a good sign. Ask:
Ti echete simera? — Τι έχετε σήμερα; — "What do you have today?"
This is the single most important phrase in Greek restaurant life. At any traditional taverna, the daily cooked dishes — what the kitchen made that morning — are the best things on offer. They are not on any printed menu. This question accesses them.
A good waiter will take you through what is available. If they speak limited English, they will often gesture toward the kitchen or a counter where you can see what is in the pots. Go look. Point. Order.
Reading the Menu
Greek menus follow a consistent structure. Knowing these category words unlocks any menu written in Greek.
Greek | Pronunciation | Meaning
Ορεκτικά | o-REK-tee-ka | Starters / appetisers
Σαλάτες | sa-LA-tes | Salads
Κυρία πιάτα | KEE-ree-a PYA-ta | Main dishes
Μαγειρευτά | ma-gee-rev-TA | Cooked dishes (stews, baked dishes)
Ψητά | PSEE-ta | Grilled dishes
Ψάρια | PSA-ree-a | Fish
Θαλασσινά | tha-la-see-NA | Seafood
Κρέατα | KRE-a-ta | Meats
Ζυμαρικά | zee-ma-ree-KA | Pasta / rice dishes
Λαδερά | la-the-RA | Olive oil vegetable dishes
Επιδόρπια | e-pee-THOR-pee-a | Desserts
Ποτά | PO-ta | Drinks
Useful menu words:
Greek | Pronunciation | Meaning
Φρέσκο | FRES-ko | Fresh
Σπιτικό | spee-tee-KO | Home-made
Χωρίς | ho-REES | Without
Με | me | With
Της ημέρας | tees ee-ME-ras | Of the day (daily special)
Μερίδα | me-REE-tha | Portion
Μισή μερίδα | mee-SEE me-REE-tha | Half portion
The word σπιτικό (spitiko — home-made) on a menu is a positive signal. It means the dish was made in-house rather than bought in. At a traditional Greek taverna, look for it.
Ordering: The Core Phrases
English | Greek | Pronunciation
What do you recommend? | Τι προτείνετε; | ti pro-TEE-ne-te
What do you have today? | Τι έχετε σήμερα; | ti E-he-te SEE-me-ra
What is this? | Τι είναι αυτό; | ti EE-ne af-TO
I would like... | Θα ήθελα... | tha EE-the-la
We would like... | Θα θέλαμε... | tha THE-la-me
...for the table | ...για το τραπέζι | ya to tra-PE-zee
One portion of... | Μία μερίδα... | MEE-a me-REE-tha
Two portions of... | Δύο μερίδες... | THI-o me-REE-thes
Is the fish fresh? | Είναι φρέσκο το ψάρι; | EE-ne FRES-ko to PSA-ree
What fish do you have? | Τι ψάρια έχετε; | ti PSA-ree-a E-he-te
Can I see it? | Μπορώ να το δω; | bo-RO na to tho
At a fish taverna: It is entirely normal to be invited into the kitchen or to a display case to choose your fish. The waiter will weigh the fish and tell you the price per kilo. You confirm and sit down. This is not theatre — it is how fresh fish is sold. The best response is to go, look, and choose confidently.
Ti proteinete? — What do you recommend? — is one of the best things you can say at any Greek taverna. Greek waiters at traditional restaurants are usually the owner, a family member, or someone with genuine knowledge of what was made well that day. They will give you an honest answer, not an upsell.
Drinks and the Table
English | Greek | Pronunciation
Water | Νερό | ne-RO
Tap water | Νερό βρύσης | ne-RO VREE-sees
Still water | Φυσικό νερό | fee-see-KO ne-RO
Sparkling water | Ανθρακούχο νερό | an-thra-KOO-ho ne-RO
House wine | Χύμα κρασί | KHEE-ma kra-SEE
Red / white / rosé | Κόκκινο / λευκό / ροζέ | KO-kee-no / lef-KO / ro-ZE
Beer | Μπίρα | BI-ra
Ouzo | Ούζο | OO-zo
Coffee | Καφές | ka-FES
Bread | Ψωμί | pso-MI
Olive oil | Ελαιόλαδο | e-le-O-la-tho
Cheers | Γεια μας | YA-mas
House wine (χύμα κρασί): At a traditional Greek taverna, the house wine is ordered by the half or full carafe. It will be local, regional, or the owner's personal preference — and it will almost always be the right choice for the price. Ask for ena karafi krasi — "a carafe of wine" — and specify kokino (red), lefko (white), or roze (rosé).
The carafe refill: If the carafe is empty and you want more, hold it up slightly toward the waiter. No Greek word needed.
Dietary Requirements and Special Requests
English | Greek | Pronunciation
I am vegetarian | Είμαι χορτοφάγος | EE-me hor-to-FA-gos
I am vegan | Είμαι vegan / δεν τρώω ζωικά | EE-me vegan / then TRO-o zo-ee-KA
Without meat | Χωρίς κρέας | ho-REES KRE-as
Without dairy | Χωρίς γαλακτοκομικά | ho-REES ga-lak-to-ko-mee-KA
I am allergic to... | Είμαι αλλεργικός/ή στο... | EE-me a-ler-yee-KOS/KI sto
Does this contain...? | Περιέχει...αυτό; | pe-ree-E-hee af-TO
Gluten | Γλουτένη | glu-TE-nee
Nuts | Ξηροί καρποί | ksee-ROI kar-POI
No fish / seafood | Χωρίς ψάρι / θαλασσινά | ho-REES PSA-ree / tha-la-see-NA
Very little oil | Με λίγο λάδι | me LEE-go LA-thee
A note on vegetarian in Greece: The word hortofagos (χορτοφάγος) literally means "greens-eater" and is the Greek word for vegetarian. Greek Orthodox fasting practices mean that traditional tavernas often have a range of naturally vegetarian and vegan dishes (nistisima — fasting foods) without specifically labelling them. The full guide to plant-based eating in Greece is at vegetarian food in Greece.
During the Meal
English | Greek | Pronunciation
More bread, please | Άλλο ψωμί, παρακαλώ | A-lo pso-MI pa-ra-ka-LO
More water, please | Άλλο νερό, παρακαλώ | A-lo ne-RO pa-ra-ka-LO
One more of the same | Άλλο ένα ίδιο | A-lo E-na EE-thee-o
Delicious! | Νόστιμο! | NOS-tee-mo
Very good | Πολύ καλό | po-LI ka-LO
Compliments to the chef | Εύγε στον μάγειρα | EV-ye ston MA-gee-ra
Excuse me | Συγγνώμη | seeg-NO-mee
I'm sorry, this is wrong | Συγγνώμη, αυτό δεν είναι σωστό | seeg-NO-mee af-TO then EE-ne so-STO
Nostimo (νόστιμο) is one of the most useful words at a Greek table. Said after tasting the food — unprompted, to the waiter or cook — it produces genuine warmth. Greeks care deeply about whether the food is good. Telling them it is, in Greek, is a specific and appreciated gesture.
Paying and Leaving
English | Greek | Pronunciation
The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | ton lo-ga-rias-MO pa-ra-ka-LO
Together or separate? | Μαζί ή χωριστά; | ma-ZI ee ho-rees-TA
Together, please | Μαζί, παρακαλώ | ma-ZI pa-ra-ka-LO
Do you accept cards? | Δέχεστε κάρτες; | THE-hes-te KAR-tes
Do you accept cash only? | Μόνο μετρητά; | MO-no me-tree-TA
Keep the change | Κρατήστε τα ρέστα | kra-TEES-te ta RES-ta
Thank you, it was delicious | Ευχαριστώ, ήταν νόστιμο | ef-ha-ri-STO EE-tan NOS-tee-mo
The bill rule: In Greece, asking for the bill the moment you finish eating is slightly abrupt — it signals that you have somewhere more important to be. Order a coffee, drink some water, let the conversation settle. When you are genuinely ready to leave, make eye contact with the waiter and ask for ton logariasmo, parakalo.
Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated for good service. Five to ten percent of the bill is standard. Leave it in cash on the table or hand it directly to the waiter. If the experience was exceptional, afeste ta resta ("keep the change") is the simplest way to express it.
Kerasma: If a small dessert or a shot of something arrives at the end of the meal without being on the bill, this is kerasma — a gesture of hospitality. Accept it graciously, say efharisto, and do not try to pay for it.
Quick Reference Card
Arriving: Kalispera. Ena trapezi ya thio, parakalo. (Good evening. A table for two, please.)
Opening the meal: Ti echete simera? (What do you have today?)
Ordering: Tha thelame... ya to trapezi. (We would like... for the table.)
Fish: Einai fresko to psari? (Is the fish fresh?)
Dietary: Hortofagos eime. Horis kreas. (I'm vegetarian. Without meat.)
Compliment: Nostimotatoi! / Poli nostimo! (Delicious!)
Paying: Ton logariasmo, parakalo. (The bill, please.)
Leaving: Efharisto, itan nostimo. (Thank you, it was delicious.)
Plan Your Greece Trip
- How to Eat at a Greek Taverna — culture, etiquette and the full dining experience
- Famous Greek Foods — the 25 dishes to order when you sit down
- Vegetarian Food in Greece — the complete plant-based guide
- Meze Culture in Greece — how shared-plate ordering works
- Essential Greek Phrases — 50+ phrases for every situation
- Basic Greek Words — the starter vocabulary
- Athens Travel Guide — where to find the best traditional restaurants
🍽️ Planning a trip to Greece? Use our AI Trip Planner to build an itinerary that includes the food experiences worth going out of your way for — or take our quiz to find the right Greek destination. Kali orexi! (Bon appétit!)
Written by
Athens-born engineer · Coordinates a 5-expert Greek team · 50+ years combined field experience
I write every article on this site drawing on real, first-hand expertise — mine and that of four colleagues who live and work across Greece daily: a Peloponnese tour operator, a transfer specialist across Athens, Mykonos & Santorini, a Cretan hotel owner, and a Northern Greece hotel supplier. Nothing here comes from a single visit or desk research.
Informed by 5 Greek experts
Every destination we cover has been visited and vetted by at least one team member — not for a review, but as part of their daily work in Greek tourism.