Delicious Delights: Exploring the Best Food in Hydra Greece

Hydra, a picturesque island in the Saronic Gulf, is a hidden gem in Greece. Known for its stunning beaches and charming homes, Hydra is also famous for its mouthwatering cuisine with a unique blend of flavors. Whether you’re a foodie or a traveler seeking an authentic culinary experience, Hydra will not disappoint. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the island’s gastronomy and explore the best food in Hydra Greece that you must try.

🍽️ Traditional Greek Dishes

Greek cuisine is renowned worldwide for its rich flavors and use of fresh ingredients. Hydra is no exception and offers a plethora of traditional Greek dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. From souvlaki, moussaka, and pastitsio to tzatziki, fava, and dolmades, Hydra’s traditional Greek cuisine is a must-try.

👉 What is Souvlaki?

Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food that consists of small pieces of meat (usually pork, chicken, or lamb) grilled on a skewer and served with pita bread, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce.

👉 What is Moussaka?

Moussaka is a layered dish made with eggplant, minced meat (usually beef or lamb), tomatoes, onions, and a creamy bechamel sauce. It is baked until golden and served hot.

👉 What is Pastitsio?

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish with layers of macaroni, minced meat, tomato sauce, and a creamy bechamel sauce. It is an ultimate comfort food that will warm your soul.

👉 What is Tzatziki?

Tzatziki is a dip made with strained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and dill. It is served as a side dish with souvlaki, pita bread, or as a dip for vegetables.

👉 What is Fava?

Fava is a dip made with split peas, olive oil, lemon juice, and onions. It has a velvety texture and is served as a meze (appetizer) with bread or vegetables.

👉 What are Dolmades?

Dolmades are stuffed grape leaves with a filling of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat. They are usually served as a meze or a side dish.

🍤 Fresh Seafood

As an island, Hydra is blessed with an abundance of fresh seafood that you can enjoy at the many tavernas and seafood restaurants dotted around the island. From grilled octopus and fried calamari to fresh fish and shrimp saganaki, Hydra’s seafood cuisine is a must-try.

👉 What is Shrimp Saganaki?

Shrimp saganaki is a dish made with shrimp cooked in a tomato-based sauce with onions, garlic, and feta cheese. It is baked until the cheese is melted and served hot.

👉 What is Grilled Octopus?

Grilled octopus is a popular Greek dish made with tender octopus grilled to perfection and served with lemon and olive oil. It is usually served as a meze or an appetizer.

👉 What is Fried Calamari?

Fried calamari is a dish made with battered and fried squid rings. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and served with lemon wedges and tzatziki sauce.

👉 What is Fish of the Day?

Fish of the day is a catch of the day that is served at many seafood restaurants in Hydra. It is usually grilled or baked and served with fresh vegetables and lemon wedges.

🍷 Local Wines and Spirits

Greece is known for its excellent wines and spirits, and Hydra is no exception. Whether you prefer red, white, or rose wine, or you want to try some of the local spirits like ouzo, raki, and tsipouro, Hydra has something for everyone.

👉 What is Ouzo?

Ouzo is a Greek anise-flavored spirit that is usually served as an aperitif or a digestif. It is served cold and diluted with water, which turns it into a milky-white color.

👉 What is Raki?

Raki is a Turkish spirit that is popular in Greece as well. It is made from grapes and anise and usually served with meze dishes.

👉 What is Tsipouro?

Tsipouro is a Greek spirit made from grape pomace (the leftover skins, seeds, and stems after pressing grapes for winemaking). It is usually served in small glasses and accompanied by meze dishes.

👉 What are Local Wines?

Hydra produces some excellent local wines made from indigenous grape varieties like Asyrtiko, Malagouzia, and Agiorgitiko. They are usually dry and crisp and pair well with seafood and Greek cuisine.

🍦 Desserts and Sweets

No meal is complete without a sweet ending, and Hydra has some delicious desserts and sweets that you don’t want to miss. From baklava and galaktoboureko to loukoumades and pastries, Hydra’s desserts are a treat for your taste buds.

👉 What is Baklava?

Baklava is a pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts (usually walnuts or pistachios), and honey syrup. It is sweet, flaky, and crunchy all at the same time.

👉 What is Galaktoboureko?

Galaktoboureko is a Greek dessert made with a custard filling (made with semolina, milk, and sugar) wrapped in phyllo dough and baked until golden. It is then soaked in a honey syrup and served.

👉 What are Loukoumades?

Loukoumades are deep-fried dough balls that are soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped nuts. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and are served hot.

👉 What are Pastries?

Hydra’s pastries are a delight for your taste buds, with a variety of options to choose from. From savory pies like spanakopita (spinach and feta pie) and tyropita (cheese pie) to sweet pastries like kataifi (shredded phyllo dough pastry with nuts and honey syrup), Hydra’s pastries are a must-try.

👨‍🍳 Best Places to Eat in Hydra

Now that you know what to eat in Hydra, you must be wondering where to find the best food on the island. Here are some of the best places to eat in Hydra that you don’t want to miss.

👉 The Hydraiki Taverna

The Hydraiki Taverna is a traditional Greek taverna that serves delicious Greek cuisine, including fresh seafood and grilled meat. It has a cozy and welcoming ambiance and is perfect for a romantic dinner or a family meal.

👉 Omilos Restaurant

Omilos Restaurant is a seafood restaurant with a stunning view of the harbor. It serves fresh fish and seafood dishes, including grilled octopus and shrimp saganaki. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list with some excellent local wines.

👉 To Perasma

To Perasma is a charming restaurant that serves traditional Greek dishes with a modern twist. It has a lovely garden setting and is perfect for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.

👉 Christina’s

Christina’s is a family-run taverna that serves delicious Greek food, including moussaka and pastitsio. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable. The taverna also has a lovely courtyard setting, perfect for a relaxing lunch.

👉 To Steki

To Steki is a cozy restaurant that serves traditional Greek dishes, including souvlaki and fava. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the prices are affordable. It is perfect for a casual meal or a quick snack.

📝 Frequently Asked Questions

👉 What is Greek cuisine?

Greek cuisine is the culinary tradition of Greece and is characterized by its use of fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices. It includes a variety of dishes, such as souvlaki, moussaka, pastitsio, tzatziki, fava, dolmades, and seafood dishes.