7+1 vegan dishes to try in the Greek Islands

Fresh fruit, seasonal veggies, traditional cooking techniques, distinct flavors and aromas make Greece a culinary paradise! Due to their Mediterranean climate, the Greek islands are blessed with many endemic plants. Legumes growing on volcanic rock, oranges flooded with sunshine, olive oils dressed in the salty sea breeze; cooking and eating are acts of romance after all.

Cool cool cool, but is Greece good for vegans? Definitely! Read Ferryhopper’s list with some of the top vegan recipes to try in the Greek islands and tell for yourself.

Greek restaurant with a view in Eresos, Lesbos

Fava beans with capers

The island of Santorini is known for its delicious fava beans. The volcanic soil of Santorini and its unique climate make it possible for fava beans to grow healthy and delicious. One of the best vegan dishes to try in Santorini is fava puree with pickled capers and caramelized onions!

Fennel fritters and pies

When in Serifos, you should definitely try fennel fritters! These deep-fried delicious treats are made from fennel and flour, and you can ask for them to be dairy-free. If you love fennel (we know we do), you can also try the mouth-watering fennel pie of Serifos with homemade phyllo pastry. Your vegan diet just got richer, you’re welcome.

Wild greens salad

The Greek mountains are the gift that keeps on giving! Mountainous Crete is one of the top culinary destinations in Greece, where you can taste amazing local products and authentic dishes. If you’re a fan of wild greens, you should try stamnagathi. The delicious vegan salad has a bitter-spicy flavor and it’s also said to have antioxidant properties!

Traditional Greek taverna by the sea

Zucchini blossoms with rice

Lesbos in the North Aegean Sea is one of the top vegan destinations in Greece! Its rich soil and variety of culinary traditions means there are mouth-watering dishes for all tastes. One of our favorite vegan dishes from Lesbos is zucchini blossoms stuffed with rice and fresh herbs. The fried treats are known as “kolokythokorfades” and you will devour 3-4 of them before you pronounce the word.

Eggplant salad with walnuts

Here’s one of our favorites: melitzanosalata! This delicious cold salad from the island of Skyros is one of the best vegan dishes you can try in Greece. The salad consists of eggplants, walnuts, pickled crithmum and fresh herbs. If you haven’t tried crithmum before, we guarantee you will get hooked. You can also gather your own crithmum at one of the remote beaches on the island!

Ladenia - the Greek pizza

Craving a pizza during your holidays in Kimolos? Get ready to taste the best vegan pizza out there! Ladenia is a versatile pizza-like flatbread usually topped with seasonal vegetables and tomato sauce. There are many variations to choose the one for you and then go back the following day to try them all!

Cats know all about the best places to eat on the island

Vegan custard from the Greek isles

Craving something sweet and creamy to enjoy in Greece? Maeria, the vegan custard-like dessert from the island of Kos is exactly what you need! The yummy cream is prepared with sugar, flour, water and ouzo, and it is intoxicating!

+ The Greek salad (divine trumpet sounds)

No visit to Greece feels complete without having some Greek salad by the sea after a good swim! Alright, but is Greek salad vegan? Just skip the feta cheese and you’re good to go! Delicious tomatoes, crunchy peppers, local olives, spicy onion and top-quality olive oil are enough to keep your belly happy!

Follow the sign and you’ll be rewarded!

Tips for vegans visiting Greece

• The Great Lent season is probably the best time for vegans to visit Greece. Meat, dairy, fish and eggs are a no-no during the fasting period, so you can find vegan and vegetarian dishes practically everywhere.
• Some Greek restaurants do not feature a complete list of ingredients on their menus. If you’re not sure about a dish, we recommend that you ask your waiter for help.
• Visit a farmers’ market to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies.
• Many Greek desserts such as baklava, ravani, kataifi and melomakarona usually include honey. Make sure you check with the bakery or restaurant about ingredients.
• Large cosmopolitan islands, such as Corfu, Mykonos and Santorini usually have more vegan options. You can do your research about vegan-friendly restaurants before planning your trip to Greece.
• More delicious vegan recipes to try in Greece are: gigantes (beans with tomato sauce), ntolmadakia gialantzi (vine leaves with rice), nistisimi spanakopita (dairy-free spinach pie), gemista (tomatoes and peppers stuffed with aromatic rice) and eliopsomo (focaccia-like bread with olives).

Seasonal fruit at a Greek farmers’ market

Ready to treat yourself to traditional vegan recipes in the Greek islands? On Ferryhopper, you can find travel guides about your favorite islands, compare ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets with just a few clicks! 

Extra tip: Don’t forget to leave luggage room for pickled goods, dried fruit, and top-quality nuts and legumes for the trip back home!