Oinousses is a cluster of small islands east of Chios. It’s a great spot to relax away from the crowds and enjoy some pristine beaches.
In a town obsessed with souvlaki, this cheery corner shop delivers exemplary pork skewers. It also offers Levantine street food like lahmatzun and pide reinvented with creative fillings.
1. Souvlaki and Kebabs
There aren’t many foods as iconic to Greece as souvlaki, and a visit to the country wouldn’t be complete without sampling this beloved street food. While it might look like the kind of meal you’d find in a fast-food joint, this is actually a traditional dish with a long history. In fact, references to souvlaki can be found in some of the oldest books in the Western canon.
Souvlaki — the diminutive of “souvla” or “little skewers” — is most commonly made with pork, but chicken, lamb, and beef are also popular choices. The meat is seasoned and grilled and served wrapped in pita along with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki. This is a very simple dish that can be enjoyed in any setting and at any time of day.
A close relative of souvlaki is kebab, which is similar but usually has meat layered onto a pita with vegetables and tzatziki. The meat is marinated before it’s grilled, and it may be seasoned with herbs and spices such as oregano, marjoram, cinnamon, and allspice (via Istanbul on Food).
The best way to enjoy souvlaki is to eat it as an appetizer or a light snack. However, it can be eaten as a main course too, especially when it is combined with hummus.
Souvlaki and kebabs are available in most restaurants that serve Greek cuisine, as well as some tavernas and coffee shops in towns and cities outside of Greece where the population has a significant Greek diaspora. It’s also easy to make at home, with recipes for both dishes being readily available online.
2. Tomatokeftedes
Tomatokeftedes are the perfect way to enjoy the island’s famous cherry tomatoes. These fritters are fried and flavored with feta cheese, basil, oregano, and sweet red pepper. They are served with a tangy yogurt dip and make for a delightful appetizer or side dish.
These Greek tomato fritters are a must-try during your next visit to Santorini! Tomatokeftedes are a dish that will be sure to please the entire family. They are also a great choice for those with gluten-free diets as they are flour-free and can be enjoyed by everyone!
Tomato keftedes are usually served as part of a Greek meze platter alongside chickpea fritters (revithokeftedes), hummus, tzatziki or vegan tzatziki sauce, skordalia, taramasalata, melitzanosalata, and/or kabobs. They can be eaten as a snack or meal, by themselves or with warm crusted bread.
These delicious fritters are easy to make and will definitely become your new go-to snack! They’re super healthy and are the perfect way to satisfy a craving for something savory without all the calories. The best part about these Greek tomato keftedes is that they can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them!
To prepare these Greek tomato keftedes, preheat the frying pan to 375°F. This can be easily done by placing a candy or deep-fry thermometer into the oil and letting it heat up until it reaches this temperature.
The beautiful island of Oinousses is located just outside of Chios and is daily linked to the town by ferries. It’s a perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the picturesque scenery. The most important sights to see include the Monastery of Evangelismos of the Virgin Mary and the Naval Museum, where you’ll find ship models, old naval equipment, and photographs.
3. Moussaka
A classic Greek dish that’s a bit like lasagna, this heartwarming, nostalgic casserole is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. Its layers of eggplant, zucchini, tender potatoes, savory perfectly-seasoned lamb and cheesy bechamel sauce are sure to delight your senses.
The dish originated in the Ottoman Empire, and it has many variations across the Mediterranean region. In Greece, it is a beloved dish among families and the perfect meal for cold days. It also has a wide following throughout the Balkan countries, and it can be found in Turkey, where it’s known as musakka.
In addition to the meat-and-eggplant base, the recipe often features a layer of kefalotyri (salted cheese fried in oil) and a béchamel sauce made with unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and milk. This white creamy sauce is poured over the assembled ingredients before baking. Its richness makes it a stand-out component of the dish, and it’s arguably what separates moussaka from other Middle Eastern dishes.
You can add more vegetables to your moussaka, such as onion, mushrooms, or bell peppers. This will give it a more nutrient-dense and delicious texture. Adding more herbs will also give the dish a fresh and flavorful kick, especially parsley or basil.
The best way to prepare moussaka is to make it the day you plan on eating it. You can even bake it and let it cool down before refrigerating it. Just be sure to cover the moussaka tightly and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat it. You can also freeze it up to 3 months, but you will need to thaw it before reheating in the oven. If you’re preparing it to serve guests, garnish it with freshly chopped parsley or basil and a sprinkle of paprika for a final touch of color.
4. Fish
Oinousses is a complex of 9 small islands and islets situated to the east of Chios. It is a great place for few-day holidays if you wish to escape from the crowds, relax on the stunning beaches with crystal clear waters and admire impressive natural beauties.
Moreover, you can walk around the traditional settlement of Oinoussa and learn about the island’s history from its many impressive old mansions, as well as its rich maritime tradition. There is also a beautiful monastery with frescoes and illustrations by Fotis Kontoglou, as well as a Naval Museum that contains ship models, old naval instruments, documents and photographs.
In addition to eating, there are a lot of other things to do on Oinousses. The most popular are hiking and biking, swimming and snorkeling, as well as scuba diving and water sports. You can also visit the ruins of an ancient temple and the monastery of Saint Nicholas, which has a wonderful view.
There is a good ferry connection between Oinousses and other places in Greece, such as Piraeus or Kavala. In addition, there are regular flights between Oinousses and Chios. You can easily book your ferry tickets to Oinousses online on Ferryhopper. Just select the dates you want to travel and find cheap ferries in just 4 clicks! The trip will last between 9 and 12 hours. You can also check out the complete ferry schedule from and to Oinousses on our map of ferries. Book your journey online now and enjoy your Oinousses holidays!
5. Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad typically includes green leafy vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion layered with feta cheese, black olives, oregano and a rich extra virgin olive oil dressing. This combination has shown to provide many health benefits. It is high in Vitamin A, C, and potassium, as well as folic acid and iron. It also contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and other health issues.
A traditional Greek salad is a refreshing and light main dish that can easily be served alongside gyros, chicken or pork souvlaki, kleftiko (spiced lamb cooked in parchment paper), or dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). You can choose to serve it with a scrumptious Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Beans) for a hearty vegetarian meal.
When choosing ingredients for a Greek Salad, try to opt for fresh local produce whenever possible. This will ensure that you get the most flavor and nutrition out of your meals. When making a salad, opt for quality feta cheese made from sheep’s milk rather than goat’s milk and avoid shredded feta. It is best to buy a block of feta that has been packed in brine, as this will give it a richer flavor. Finally, make sure you use a full-flavor, extra virgin olive oil as opposed to the cheaper brands.
Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you feel and look healthier, as it is low in fat and contains lots of nutrients. It has also been found to decrease the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Try to incorporate more of these dishes into your diet, especially those that include spinach, oregano, parsley and feta cheese, in order to reap the amazing health benefits they offer.