Is There a Lot of Vegetarian Food in Greece? A Delicious Guide

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Historically rooted in the Mediterranean triad of grains, olives, and grapes, ancient Greek cuisine was largely plant-based, and this tradition continues today. For travelers asking, is there a lot of vegetarian food in Greece?, the answer is a resounding yes, with a delicious abundance of traditional, flavorful options.

Quick Summary

Greek cuisine offers a vast array of vegetarian options rooted in a plant-based tradition, featuring hearty vegetable stews, savory pies, and flavorful bean dishes.

Key Points

Rich Plant-Based History: Traditional Greek cuisine, rooted in the Mediterranean diet and religious fasting periods, has always featured a strong selection of vegetable and legume dishes.
Abundant Meze Options: Many appetizers like Fava, Melitzanosalata, and Kolokithokeftedes are naturally vegetarian and perfect for creating a varied, satisfying meal.
Hearty Vegetarian Mains: Go beyond salads with classic dishes like ladera vegetable stews (Briam, Fasolakia) and baked giant beans (Gigantes Plaki).
Navigating Menus with Confidence: Learn key terms like "eimai hortofagos" (I'm vegetarian) or ask if a dish is "nistisimo" (fasting/plant-based) to ensure your dietary needs are met.
Customizable and Modern Options: Traditional dishes like Greek salad can be easily modified (e.g., without feta), while modern eateries, especially in cities like Athens, offer dedicated vegetarian and vegan menus.

The Traditional Roots of Greek Vegetarianism

The perception of Greek cuisine often revolves around grilled meats like souvlaki and gyros. However, this only scratches the surface of a deep culinary tradition. The foundation of Greek food is built on the Mediterranean diet, with vegetables, legumes, grains, and olive oil playing a central role. This emphasis on fresh, local produce grown in Greece means plant-based dishes are a staple of the cuisine.

Religious practices also contribute to vegetarian options. Greek Orthodox fasting periods, such as Lent, require abstaining from meat and dairy. During these times, restaurants and bakeries offer nistisima (fasting) menus with many naturally vegan dishes. Understanding this cultural context helps reveal the variety of vegetarian options available.

A Rich World of Vegetarian Meze

A core part of the Greek dining experience is starting with meze (appetizers). Many are naturally vegetarian or vegan.

Fava: Creamy dip from yellow split peas, served with olive oil, lemon, and onions.
Melitzanosalata: Smoky dip of charred eggplant, garlic, and olive oil.
Dolmades: Vine leaves with rice, onions, and herbs. Ask for yialantzi or orfana (meat-free).
Kolokithokeftedes: Crispy zucchini fritters, often with tzatziki.
Tomatokeftedes: Savory tomato fritters from Santorini.
Tirokafteri: Spicy whipped feta dip (contains dairy).

Hearty Main Courses: Beyond the Salad

There are numerous filling vegetarian main courses, especially ladera—dishes cooked in olive oil—a hallmark of Greek vegetarian cooking.

Gemista: Stuffed vegetables like tomatoes and peppers with rice and herbs, slow-baked. Ask for the orfana version to ensure it's meatless.
Briam: A Greek ratatouille of oven-roasted vegetables in tomato sauce with olive oil and herbs.
Gigantes Plaki: Large white beans baked in a savory tomato sauce.
Spanakorizo: Spinach and rice stew with lemon and olive oil.
Vegetarian Moussaka: A meat-free version with eggplant, potatoes, and lentils or mushrooms topped with béchamel sauce.

Savory Pies, Soups, and Salads

Traditional Greek pies (pites) with fillings like greens or cheese are vegetarian delights. Soups and salads offer lighter options.

Pies

Spanakopita: Spinach and feta pie in phyllo.
Hortopita: Pie with wild greens, often vegan if made without cheese.

Soups & Salads

Fasolada: Hearty white bean soup with vegetables.
Fakes: Nourishing lentil soup.
Horiatiki Salata (Greek Salad): Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta. Order without feta for a vegan version.
Horta: Boiled wild greens with olive oil and lemon.

A Guide to Ordering Vegetarian Food in Greece

Communicating your Needs

Use the phrase "eimai hortofagos" (I am a vegetarian) or ask if a dish is "nistisimo" (fasting/plant-based).
Confirm if a dish contains feta cheese and specify "choris tiri" (without cheese) for vegan options.
Staff in tourist areas usually understand 'vegetarian' and 'vegan,' but specifying ingredients may be necessary in smaller villages.

Navigating the Menu

Look at the 'meze' or 'orektika' (appetizers) section.
Ask about ladera (vegetable) or ospria (legume) dishes.
Check for vegetarian or vegan symbols, especially in larger towns and Athens.

Comparison of Common and Vegetarian Greek Dishes


Dish	Standard Version	Vegetarian Version	Notes
Moussaka	Layers of eggplant, minced beef/lamb, and béchamel sauce	Layers of eggplant, zucchini, lentils/mushrooms, and béchamel sauce	Available in dedicated restaurants or upon request
Souvlaki	Skewered and grilled meat (pork, chicken, lamb)	Pita wrap filled with grilled vegetables, fried potatoes, and sauce	Ask for "ecologiki pita" or grilled veggies in a pita
Dolmades	Grape leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat	Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs (Yialantzi)	Confirm it's the meat-free version (Yialantzi) when ordering
Gyros	Pita wrap with roasted meat, tzatziki, and salad	Pita wrap with fried falafel, grilled mushrooms, or mixed vegetables	Many gyro places now offer a vegetarian version
Horiatiki Salata	Salad with feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives	Salad with just tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives	Simply order without feta for a vegan option

Conclusion

The traditional Greek kitchen is welcoming to vegetarians. With a history of plant-centric meals influenced by the Mediterranean diet and religious practices, there is an abundance of delicious vegetarian food in Greece. From hearty baked beans and stuffed vegetables to crispy fritters, vegetarian travelers can easily enjoy an authentic culinary experience. A little knowledge of the cuisine and a few phrases can unlock a world of incredible meat-free dishes.

For more detailed tips on eating meat-free in Greece, refer to this guide: How to Eat Vegan or Vegetarian in Greece | The Greek Vibe.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not difficult to find vegetarian food in Greece. The traditional Greek diet is rich in plant-based options due to its roots in the Mediterranean diet and religious fasting practices.

A useful phrase is "Eimai hortofagos," which means "I am vegetarian". You can also ask if a dish is "nistisimo," a term for fasting foods that are typically plant-based.

Traditional Greek salad (horiatiki) is vegetarian as it typically includes feta cheese. For a vegan version, you would need to ask for it without the cheese, specifying "choris tiri".

Yes, vegetarian versions of Moussaka, often made with lentils, mushrooms, and vegetables instead of meat, are increasingly available, especially in larger cities and restaurants catering to tourists.

Most traditional tavernas offer numerous vegetarian meze and ladera (vegetable) dishes. In cities like Athens, you can also find dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants with specialized menus.

Many Greek dishes are naturally vegan. These include Fava (split pea puree), Gemista orfana (stuffed vegetables without meat), Gigantes Plaki (baked giant beans), and Horta (boiled wild greens).

While many dishes appear meat-free, it's always best to ask. When ordering, you can confirm by asking if a dish contains meat (kreatos), fish (psari), or cheese (tiri).