Food and drink in Lefkada

Lefkada cuisine is a promise of a delicious gastronomic journey, boasting dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and tantalising homemade pastries.

From end to end, the island is dotted with an array of opulent Greek restaurants, quaint traditional tavernas and a plethora of dining establishments presenting top-notch international fare. 

Whether you seek the comforting essence of traditional Greek cuisine or the sophistication of global flavours

Seafood

Given its coastal location, Lefkada boasts an abundance of fresh seafood. Local specialties include grilled fish, octopus, calamari and prawns, often served with olive oil, lemon, and herbs.

These lentils are a unique specialty of Lefkada, prized for their flavour and nutritional value. They have a variety of uses in traditional dishes like Lentil soup, stews, and salads.

Olive Oil

Lefkada is home to numerous olive groves, producing high-quality olive oil. Olive oil is a staple ingredient in Lefkadian cuisine, used for cooking, dressing salads and flavouring various dishes.

Wine

The island has a promising wine industry, producing both red and white wines from indigenous grape varieties. Visitors can enjoy wine tasting tours at local vineyards and sample wines such as Robola, Vertzami, and Mavrodafni.

Local Cheeses 

Several types of artisan cheeses are produced on the island, including Feta, Graviera and Kefalotyri. These cheeses are often featured in meze platters, salads, and savoury pastries.

Honey & Nuts

The island's fertile land yields a variety of honey, including thyme-infused honey, prized for its aromatic flavour. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are also found here, commonly used in desserts and pastries.

Feta Cheese

Made of sheep’s and goat’s milk and produced in blocks, feta is the most popular Greek cheese used in lots of Greek dishes, salads and even pastries. High quality feta should have the aroma of ewe’s milk, yoghurt and butter, together with a smooth and thick texture. 

Spinach Pie

The spinach pie is a trademark delicacy in Greece. Homemade filo pastry, filled with feta cheese and spinach. 

Flaouna

 Mainly an Easter pastry, Flaouna is cheese filled dough with raising and sesame seeds. The making of the Flaouna, normally prepared on a Good Friday and eaten on the Sunday, is usually a family ‘team effort’ with the children helping their parents as sous-chefs. 

Galaktoboureko 

For the majority of Greeks, Galaktoboureko is the tastiest sweet in the country. Made of homemade pastry and custard filling with eggs and milk, and drenched in syrup, Galaktoboureko resembles the French mille-feuille. Unlike the French delicacy though, in this instance, the custard is baked with the pastry. 

Mandoles 

A sweet snack famous in the Ionian, made of almonds and sugar. Inspired by the famous Italian nougat, you can buy Mandoles either buy the kilo or packed. 

Pasteli 

A sesame seed candy, made of local Lefkadian honey. You will find Pasteli in a flat shaped bar, just like a chocolate. Pasteli is another perfect, sweet snack.

Bougatsa 

The country’s most popular breakfast pastry, made of homemade custard between layers of filo pastry. In every bakery on the island, you’ll find a warm Bougatsa.

In most bakeries you will be offered the savoury version of the pastry as well. Where the custard is replaced with cheese or minced meat filling.