A GLOSSARY FOR GREEK MENUS

Greek food names explained: 33 dishes in 4 languages

What are gigantes, kleftiko or galaktoboureko? Here are 33 classic Greek dishes with the Greek name, the spelling you’ll see on menus and a one-line description in English, German, French and Italian. Venue owners are free to use the descriptions on their menus.

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6 RULES

How to translate a Greek menu

Most menu mistakes aren’t spelling errors. They’re word-for-word translations that tell the guest nothing.

  1. 01

    Keep the Greek name

    Write “Moussaka”, not “Greek lasagna”. Tourists look for the real dish and the name they saw in their guidebook.

  2. 02

    Add a one-line description

    Main ingredients and how it’s cooked, in 6–12 words. That’s enough for the guest to know what will arrive.

  3. 03

    Don’t translate word for word

    Gigantes are not “giants” and a horiatiki is not a “villager salad”. Describe the dish, don’t translate the word.

  4. 04

    One spelling everywhere

    Souvlaki or souvlakia, gyros or yiros — pick one and use it on the menu, on your signs and on Google.

  5. 05

    Allergens in every language

    Information on the 14 allergens is mandatory, and guests must be able to understand it. Icons work in any language.

  6. 06

    Clear prices for fish and meat by the kilo

    Write “price per kg” and weigh in front of the guest. It avoids misunderstandings over the bill.

33 Greek dishes, translated

The Greek name, the Latin spelling most often seen on menus, a short description and the usual allergens.

Description in:

Meze and starters

  • Tzatziki

    Τζατζίκι

    Yogurt dip with cucumber, garlic and olive oil

    Joghurt-Dip mit Gurke, Knoblauch und Olivenöl

    Sauce au yaourt, concombre, ail et huile d'olive

    Salsa di yogurt con cetriolo, aglio e olio d'oliva

    • Milk
  • Taramosalata

    Ταραμοσαλάτα

    Fish roe dip with bread or potato, olive oil and lemon

    Fischrogen-Creme mit Brot oder Kartoffel, Olivenöl und Zitrone

    Crème d'œufs de poisson au pain ou à la pomme de terre, huile d'olive et citron

    Crema di uova di pesce con pane o patate, olio d'oliva e limone

    • Fish
    • Gluten
  • Melitzanosalata

    Μελιτζανοσαλάτα

    Smoky grilled aubergine dip with garlic and olive oil

    Dip aus gegrillter Aubergine mit Knoblauch und Olivenöl

    Caviar d'aubergine grillée à l'ail et à l'huile d'olive

    Crema di melanzane grigliate con aglio e olio d'oliva

  • Fava

    Φάβα

    Yellow split pea purée with onion and olive oil

    Püree aus gelben Spalterbsen mit Zwiebeln und Olivenöl

    Purée de pois cassés jaunes, oignon et huile d'olive

    Purea di piselli gialli spezzati con cipolla e olio d'oliva

  • Dolmadakia

    Ντολμαδάκια

    Vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs

    Weinblätter gefüllt mit Reis und Kräutern

    Feuilles de vigne farcies au riz et aux herbes

    Foglie di vite ripiene di riso ed erbe aromatiche

  • Saganaki

    Σαγανάκι

    Pan-fried cheese, usually graviera or kefalograviera

    In der Pfanne gebratener Käse, meist Graviera

    Fromage poêlé, le plus souvent de la graviera

    Formaggio fritto in padella, di solito graviera

    • Milk
    • Gluten
  • Keftedakia

    Κεφτεδάκια

    Fried meatballs with herbs

    Frittierte Hackfleischbällchen mit Kräutern

    Boulettes de viande frites aux herbes

    Polpette fritte alle erbe

    • Gluten
    • Eggs
  • Kolokithokeftedes

    Κολοκυθοκεφτέδες

    Courgette fritters with feta and mint

    Zucchinipuffer mit Feta und Minze

    Beignets de courgette à la feta et à la menthe

    Frittelle di zucchine con feta e menta

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs
  • Gigantes

    Γίγαντες

    Giant white beans baked in tomato sauce

    Riesenbohnen aus dem Ofen in Tomatensoße

    Haricots géants au four à la sauce tomate

    Fagioli giganti al forno al pomodoro

    • Celery

Salads

  • Horiatiki

    Χωριάτικη

    Greek salad: tomato, cucumber, onion, pepper, olives and feta

    Griechischer Bauernsalat: Tomate, Gurke, Zwiebel, Paprika, Oliven und Feta

    Salade grecque : tomate, concombre, oignon, poivron, olives et feta

    Insalata greca: pomodoro, cetriolo, cipolla, peperone, olive e feta

    • Milk
  • Dakos

    Ντάκος

    Barley rusk topped with tomato, soft white cheese and olive oil

    Gerstenzwieback mit Tomate, Frischkäse und Olivenöl

    Biscotte d'orge à la tomate, fromage frais et huile d'olive

    Frisella d'orzo con pomodoro, formaggio fresco e olio d'oliva

    • Gluten
    • Milk

Pies

  • Spanakopita

    Σπανακόπιτα

    Spinach and feta pie in filo pastry

    Spinat-Feta-Pastete im Filoteig

    Feuilleté aux épinards et à la feta en pâte filo

    Torta salata di spinaci e feta in pasta fillo

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs
  • Tiropita

    Τυρόπιτα

    Cheese pie in filo pastry

    Käsepastete im Filoteig

    Feuilleté au fromage en pâte filo

    Torta salata al formaggio in pasta fillo

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs

Baked and stewed dishes

  • Moussaka

    Μουσακάς

    Layers of aubergine, potato and minced meat with béchamel

    Auflauf aus Auberginen, Kartoffeln und Hackfleisch mit Béchamel

    Gratin d'aubergines, pommes de terre et viande hachée, sauce béchamel

    Strati di melanzane, patate e carne macinata con besciamella

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs
  • Pastitsio

    Παστίτσιο

    Baked pasta with minced meat and béchamel

    Nudelauflauf mit Hackfleisch und Béchamel

    Gratin de pâtes à la viande hachée et à la béchamel

    Pasta al forno con carne macinata e besciamella

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs
  • Gemista

    Γεμιστά

    Tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and herbs

    Tomaten und Paprika gefüllt mit Reis und Kräutern

    Tomates et poivrons farcis au riz et aux herbes

    Pomodori e peperoni ripieni di riso ed erbe

  • Fasolada

    Φασολάδα

    White bean soup with carrot, celery and tomato

    Weiße Bohnensuppe mit Karotte, Sellerie und Tomate

    Soupe de haricots blancs, carotte, céleri et tomate

    Zuppa di fagioli bianchi con carota, sedano e pomodoro

    • Celery
  • Stifado

    Στιφάδο

    Beef or rabbit stew with baby onions in tomato and wine sauce

    Rind- oder Kaninchenschmortopf mit Perlzwiebeln in Tomaten-Wein-Soße

    Ragoût de bœuf ou de lapin aux petits oignons, sauce tomate et vin

    Stufato di manzo o coniglio con cipolline, pomodoro e vino

    • Sulphites
  • Kleftiko

    Κλέφτικο

    Lamb slow-baked in parchment with potatoes

    Lamm, langsam im Backpapier mit Kartoffeln gegart

    Agneau cuit lentement en papillote avec des pommes de terre

    Agnello cotto lentamente al cartoccio con patate

  • Giouvetsi

    Γιουβέτσι

    Orzo baked with beef or lamb in tomato sauce

    Kritharaki-Nudeln aus dem Ofen mit Rind oder Lamm in Tomatensoße

    Orzo au four avec du bœuf ou de l'agneau à la sauce tomate

    Orzo al forno con manzo o agnello al pomodoro

    • Gluten
    • Milk

Grilled meat

  • Souvlaki

    Σουβλάκι

    Grilled pork or chicken skewers

    Gegrillte Schweine- oder Hähnchenspieße

    Brochettes de porc ou de poulet grillées

    Spiedini di maiale o pollo alla griglia

  • Gyros

    Γύρος

    Thin slices of meat from a vertical rotisserie, in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki

    Dünne Fleischscheiben vom Drehspieß, im Pita mit Tomate, Zwiebel und Tzatziki

    Fines tranches de viande à la broche, en pita avec tomate, oignon et tzatziki

    Carne a fettine dallo spiedo verticale, nella pita con pomodoro, cipolla e tzatziki

    • Gluten
    • Milk
  • Bifteki

    Μπιφτέκι

    Grilled beef patty

    Gegrilltes Rinderhacksteak

    Steak haché de bœuf grillé

    Svizzera di manzo alla griglia

    • Gluten
    • Eggs
  • Paidakia

    Παϊδάκια

    Charcoal-grilled lamb chops

    Lammkoteletts vom Holzkohlegrill

    Côtelettes d'agneau grillées au charbon

    Costolette d'agnello alla brace

  • Kokoretsi

    Κοκορέτσι

    Lamb offal wrapped in intestines and spit-roasted

    Lamminnereien in Darm gewickelt und am Spieß gegrillt

    Abats d'agneau enroulés dans des boyaux et rôtis à la broche

    Interiora d'agnello avvolte nel budello e cotte allo spiedo

Fish and seafood

  • Chtapodi sta karvouna

    Χταπόδι στα κάρβουνα

    Charcoal-grilled octopus with olive oil and vinegar

    Oktopus vom Holzkohlegrill mit Olivenöl und Essig

    Poulpe grillé au charbon, huile d'olive et vinaigre

    Polpo alla brace con olio d'oliva e aceto

    • Molluscs
    • Sulphites
  • Kalamarakia

    Καλαμαράκια τηγανητά

    Fried calamari

    Frittierte Tintenfischringe

    Calamars frits

    Calamari fritti

    • Molluscs
    • Gluten
  • Garides saganaki

    Γαρίδες σαγανάκι

    Prawns in tomato sauce with feta

    Garnelen in Tomatensoße mit Feta

    Crevettes à la sauce tomate et à la feta

    Gamberi al pomodoro con feta

    • Crustaceans
    • Milk
  • Bakaliaros skordalia

    Μπακαλιάρος σκορδαλιά

    Fried salt cod with garlic dip

    Frittierter Stockfisch mit Knoblauchcreme

    Morue frite et purée à l'ail

    Baccalà fritto con salsa all'aglio

    • Fish
    • Gluten

Desserts

  • Baklavas

    Μπακλαβάς

    Filo pastry with nuts and syrup

    Filoteig mit Nüssen und Sirup

    Pâte filo aux noix et au sirop

    Pasta fillo con frutta secca e sciroppo

    • Gluten
    • Nuts
    • Milk
  • Galaktoboureko

    Γαλακτομπούρεκο

    Semolina custard in filo pastry with syrup

    Grießcreme im Filoteig mit Sirup

    Crème de semoule en pâte filo au sirop

    Crema di semolino in pasta fillo con sciroppo

    • Gluten
    • Milk
    • Eggs
  • Loukoumades

    Λουκουμάδες

    Fried dough bites with honey and cinnamon

    Frittierte Teigbällchen mit Honig und Zimt

    Beignets frits au miel et à la cannelle

    Frittelle con miele e cannella

    • Gluten
  • Giaourti me meli

    Γιαούρτι με μέλι

    Strained Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts

    Griechischer Joghurt mit Honig und Walnüssen

    Yaourt grec égoutté au miel et aux noix

    Yogurt greco colato con miele e noci

    • Milk
    • Nuts

Allergens are for a typical recipe. Every kitchen has its own — always ask the venue if you have an allergy. The 14 allergens and EFET rules →

Before the dishes, an English menu needs the right categories and a few key words. These are the most common ones on Greek menus.

Menu categories
GreekEnglish
Ορεκτικά / ΜεζέδεςStarters / Meze
ΣαλάτεςSalads
ΠίτεςPies
Κυρίως πιάταMain courses
ΜαγειρευτάTraditional stews / Dishes of the day
Της ώρας / ΨητάGrilled to order
ΘαλασσινάSeafood
ΨάριαFish
ΣυνοδευτικάSides
ΓλυκάDesserts
ΡοφήματαHot drinks
ΑναψυκτικάSoft drinks
ΚρασιάWines
Ποτά / ΚοκτέιλSpirits / Cocktails
Cooking methods
GreekEnglish
Στα κάρβουναCharcoal-grilled
Στη σχάραGrilled
Στον φούρνοOven-baked
ΤηγανητόFried
ΛαδερόCooked in olive oil and tomato
ΚοκκινιστόBraised in tomato sauce
ΛεμονάτοWith lemon sauce
ΣτιφάδοStewed with small onions
ΓεμιστόStuffed
ΣπιτικόHomemade
Useful phrases
GreekEnglish
Πιάτο ημέραςDish of the day
Χύμα κρασίHouse wine (carafe)
Για 2 άτομαFor two
Μερίδα / Μισή μερίδαPortion / Half portion
ΨωμίBread
ΧορτοφαγικόVegetarian
Χωρίς γλουτένηGluten-free
ΠικάντικοSpicy
ΕποχήςSeasonal
Τοπικό προϊόνLocal produce

“Mageirefta” and “tis oras” have no exact English word: describe what they mean, as above.

FOR VENUE OWNERS

Your menu in 11 languages, no copy-paste

In Platoo you write each dish once in Greek. For every dish you choose how it appears in other languages:

  • No translation — the name stays as you wrote it, e.g. “Moussaka”
  • Automatic translation — name and description in 11 languages in one click
  • Your own translation — write or edit any language yourself — including with the texts on this page

FAQ

How do you write a Greek menu in English?

Keep the Greek dish names with a one-line description and translate the categories: Orektika = Starters, Salates = Salads, Kyrios piata = Main courses, Thalassina = Seafood, Glyka = Desserts. The “Greek menu words in English” table on this page lists the most common terms.

Should Greek dish names be translated on a menu?

No. Keep the Greek name in Latin letters (e.g. Stifado) and add a short description in the guest’s language. Tourists recognise the dish and understand what’s in it.

Which spelling is right: souvlaki or souvlakia, gyros or yiros?

Both are understood. Use the spelling tourists see most often (souvlaki, gyros) and keep it the same everywhere: on the menu, on signs and on your Google profile.

What is the difference between souvlaki and gyros?

Souvlaki is cubes of meat grilled on a skewer. Gyros is thin slices shaved from meat roasted on a vertical spit. Both are served on a plate or wrapped in pita with tzatziki.

What languages should a menu in Greece have?

English is a must. Then add your guests’ languages — usually German, French and Italian. On a digital menu extra languages cost no printing: Platoo translates into 11 languages and each guest sees their own automatically.

Can I use these descriptions on my menu?

Yes, freely and at no cost. Adapt them to your recipe: if your moussaka also has potato or your gemista have minced meat, say so.

Are the listed allergens accurate?

They are the usual ones for a typical recipe and are only a guide. The venue is responsible for correct allergen information: check every ingredient, including sauces, breadcrumbs and ready-made products.

A menu every tourist understands

Send us a photo of your menu. Within 24 hours it’s ready, translated into 11 languages, with a QR code to print.