How to Order Food in Greek: A Practical Restaurant Phrasebook

Most of ordering food in Greek comes down to one question, and it is not "Can I have the moussaka?" It is ti echete simera? — "What do you have today?" At a traditional taverna the best food is whatever the kitchen cooked that morning, and it is often not on the printed menu at all.

Around that question sit maybe a dozen phrases you will actually use: asking for a table, na parangeiloume? (can we order?), a carafe of house wine by the kilo, hortofagos for vegetarian, nostimo when the food lands, and ton logariasmo, parakalo, because in Greece the bill never arrives until you ask for it. This guide covers all of them, plus the souvlaki counter, coffee, delivery apps and what the waiter will say back to you.

I'm Greek, and every phrase here is what you will hear at a real table, written with the stressed syllable in capitals so it comes out right the first time. The guide runs in the order a meal does, from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.

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.

And for the one word you will use at every table once the drinks arrive, see cheers in Greek.

Before any of it, though, comes the greeting on the way in — and which one you use depends on who is standing there. Our guide to hello in Greek covers yassou, yassas and the hour kalimera stops working.

Breakfast works differently: most of it happens at a bakery counter rather than a table. Our Greek breakfast guide covers what to order there, and the word for breakfast itself, proinó.

How Ordering Works in Greece

Before the phrases, the system. In a Greek taverna you order for the table, not for yourself: everyone's dishes go in the middle and everyone shares. Dishes come out as the kitchen finishes them, salads and dips first, grilled meat or fish later, so there is no starter-then-main sequence to wait for.

Nobody will rush you. The table is yours for the evening, the waiter will not bring the bill until you ask, and lingering for an hour after the last plate is normal. Greeks eat lunch around two or three in the afternoon and rarely sit down to dinner before nine; arrive at seven and you will have the place to yourself, which is fine, but the kitchen may still be warming up.

Bread arrives on its own and is charged per person on the bill as psomi or kouver (cover). It is legal and normal. If you don't want it, say so when it lands: den theloume psomi, efharisto (Δεν θέλουμε ψωμί, ευχαριστώ, "we don't want bread, thank you").

For the full etiquette, from where to sit to how long to stay, see our guide on how to eat at a Greek taverna.

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

A table for one, please | Ένα τραπέζι για έναν, παρακαλώ | E-na tra-PE-zee ya E-nan pa-ra-ka-LO

I have a reservation | Έχω κάνει κράτηση | E-ho KA-nee KRA-tee-see

Do we need a reservation? | Χρειάζεται κράτηση; | hree-A-ze-te KRA-tee-see

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.

Do you need to book? At most tavernas, no: you walk in, and someone finds you a table. Book ahead for sunset-view tables on Santorini or Mykonos, for well-known fish tavernas on a summer Saturday, and for anywhere with only a handful of tables. Phoning is still more common than online booking at family places, and "for two people at nine" is all they need: gia dio atoma, stis enia.

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

Φαγητό | fa-yee-TO | Food

Πρωινό | pro-ee-NO | Breakfast

Μεσημεριανό | me-see-me-ree-a-NO | Lunch

Βραδινό | vra-thee-NO | Dinner

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.

How to Order in Greek: The Core Phrases

English | Greek | Pronunciation

Can we order? | Να παραγγείλουμε; | na pa-ran-GEE-lu-me

Can I order? | Να παραγγείλω; | na pa-ran-GEE-lo

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

That's all, thank you | Αυτά, ευχαριστώ | af-TA ef-ha-ree-STO

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.

You'll use exactly this at the fish tavernas on Agni Bay, in our best restaurants in Corfu guide.

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.

The word for an order is paraggelia (παραγγελία), and the verb is paraggelno. You rarely need either, because the waiter usually opens. Here is what you will hear, so you are not caught out:

Waiter says | Greek | Meaning

Ti tha parete? | Τι θα πάρετε; | What will you have?

Kati allo? | Κάτι άλλο; | Anything else?

Ola kala? | Όλα καλά; | Is everything all right?

Teliosate? | Τελειώσατε; | Have you finished?

Na sas fero ton logariasmo? | Να σας φέρω τον λογαριασμό; | Shall I bring you the bill?

The right answer to kati allo? when you are done ordering is afta, efharisto — that's all, thank you. To ola kala? a smile and poli kala (very good) is plenty.

Ordering Souvlaki and Gyros at the Counter

Some of your best meals in Greece will be ordered standing up. At a souvlatzidiko (souvlaki shop) you order at the counter, often from a board in Greek only, and the whole exchange takes ten seconds if you know the formula: how many, what meat, and whether you want it with everything.

English | Greek | Pronunciation

One gyros pita, with everything | Ένα πιτόγυρο με όλα | E-na pee-TO-yee-ro me O-la

Pork / chicken | Χοιρινό / κοτόπουλο | hee-ree-NO / ko-TO-pu-lo

One pork skewer | Ένα καλαμάκι χοιρινό | E-na ka-la-MA-kee hee-ree-NO

Without onion | Χωρίς κρεμμύδι | ho-REES kre-MEE-thee

Without tzatziki | Χωρίς τζατζίκι | ho-REES dza-DZEE-kee

For here or to go? | Για εδώ ή για πακέτο; | ya e-THO ee ya pa-KE-to

To go, please | Πακέτο, παρακαλώ | pa-KE-to pa-ra-ka-LO

Me ola (with everything) means tomato, onion and tzatziki, and in most of the country a few chips tucked inside the pita. The naming trips people up: in Athens the bare skewer is a kalamaki and "souvlaki" often means the whole wrap, so if you want the meat on a stick, ask for kalamaki. For what to choose between the two, see the gyros and souvlaki entries in our guide to famous Greek foods.

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

Two beers, please | Δύο μπίρες, παρακαλώ | THI-o BI-res pa-ra-ka-LO

A glass of wine | Ένα ποτήρι κρασί | E-na po-TEE-ree kra-SEE

Half a kilo of wine | Μισό κιλό κρασί | mee-SO kee-LO kra-SEE

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.

Wine by the kilo: House wine at a taverna is measured by weight, not volume, so the waiter may ask how much you want in kilos. Miso kilo (half a kilo) is roughly a half-litre carafe for two; ena kilo serves a table of four.

Water: On the mainland, a jug of tap water often arrives with the bread; ask for nero vrisis (tap water) if it doesn't. On many islands a bottle arrives instead and goes on the bill. Whether you should drink the tap water depends on where you are; our guide on whether tap water is safe in Greece goes island by island.

Coffee after the meal: Every Greek coffee order needs a sugar level, sketo (no sugar), metrio (medium) or glyko (sweet). Ena freddo espresso metrio, or ena elliniko sketo for the traditional kind. The full system, frappe included, is in our guide to Greek coffee.

Dietary Requirements, Allergies 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

Gluten-free | Χωρίς γλουτένη | ho-REES glu-TE-nee

Nuts | Ξηροί καρποί | ksee-ROI kar-POI

Sesame | Σουσάμι | su-SA-mee

Shellfish | Οστρακοειδή | os-tra-ko-ee-THEE

It is very serious | Είναι πολύ σοβαρό | EE-ne po-LEE so-va-RO

Fasting (vegan) dishes | Νηστίσιμα | nee-STEE-see-ma

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.

With a serious allergy, don't rely on a spoken phrase alone. Write the allergen in Greek on your phone or a card (Είμαι αλλεργικός στους ξηρούς καρπούς, "I am allergic to nuts") and show it to the waiter, who can take it to the kitchen. Sesame is everywhere in Greek bakeries, and many dips and sweets contain walnuts or almonds.

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

A fork / a knife, please | Ένα πιρούνι / ένα μαχαίρι, παρακαλώ | E-na pee-ROO-nee / E-na ma-HE-ree pa-ra-ka-LO

A napkin, please | Μια χαρτοπετσέτα, παρακαλώ | mya har-to-pe-TSE-ta pa-ra-ka-LO

I'm full | Χόρτασα | HOR-ta-sa

Enjoy your meal | Καλή όρεξη | ka-LEE O-rek-see

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: How to Ask for the Bill in Greek

English | Greek | Pronunciation

The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | ton lo-ga-rias-MO pa-ra-ka-LO

Can we have the bill, please? | Μπορούμε να έχουμε τον λογαριασμό; | bo-ROO-me na E-hu-me ton lo-ga-rias-MO

How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει; | PO-so KA-nee

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.

Ton or to? You will see both ton logariasmo and to logariasmo written online, and both are right. Standard Greek spelling drops the final n before an l, so the textbook form is to logariasmo, but plenty of Greeks keep the n to make the masculine article clear. Either is understood instantly. If the room is loud, the universal gesture works too: catch the waiter's eye and mime signing in the air. Americans asking for "the check" use the same phrase; Greek has one word for both.

Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated for good service. Five to ten percent of the bill is standard, or simply round up at a casual taverna. Leave it in cash on the table or hand it directly to the waiter, even if you paid the bill by card. If the experience was exceptional, kratiste ta resta ("keep the change") is the simplest way to say so. Our guide to tipping in Greece covers the card-machine tip prompt and every other situation.

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.

Efharisto is the word you will say most at any Greek table, and the one most visitors stress in the wrong place; our guide to thank you in Greek shows where the weight goes.

Ordering Takeaway and Delivery in Greece

Food delivery in Greece runs through apps, mainly efood and Wolt, and in any town of size most souvlaki shops, pizzerias and plenty of tavernas are on one or both. Both apps work in English and take international cards, so you won't need Greek at all unless the rider calls you. On a small island, check before you rely on them; coverage thins out quickly outside the main town.

Ordering by phone, or picking up in person, uses a few extra phrases:

English | Greek | Pronunciation

I'd like to place an order | Θα ήθελα να κάνω μια παραγγελία | tha EE-the-la na KA-no mya pa-ran-ge-LEE-a

For delivery | Για παράδοση | ya pa-RA-tho-see

I'll come and pick it up | Θα περάσω να το πάρω | tha pe-RA-so na to PA-ro

How long will it be? | Σε πόση ώρα; | se PO-see O-ra

Quick Reference Card

Arriving: Kalispera. Ena trapezi ya thio, parakalo. (Good evening. A table for two, please.)

For a bigger group, swap in the number: gia tris (three), gia tesseris (four), gia exi (six). Our Greek numbers guide has the rest, including why three and four change form when you count people.

Opening the meal: Ti echete simera? (What do you have today?)

Ordering: Tha thelame... ya to trapezi. (We would like... for the table.)

At the counter: Ena pitogyro me ola, gia paketo. (One gyros pita with everything, to go.)

Fish: Einai fresko to psari? (Is the fish fresh?)

Dietary: Hortofagos eime. Horis kreas. (I'm vegetarian. Without meat.)

Compliment: Poli nostimo! / Nostimotato! (Delicious! / Absolutely 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
• Tipping in Greece — what locals actually leave at the table
• Greek Coffee — frappe, freddo and the sugar system
• 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!)