The beautiful Greek island of Corfu is a destination of choice for many tourists throughout the year, not only for the sea and the sun, but also for the variety of typical specialities that can be found at the table. The island's cuisine is Mediterranean and mirrors that of mainland Greece. Local products such as oil, cheese, honey and yoghurt are fundamental to its culinary tradition! Fish, meat and mouth-watering desserts make even the most demanding palates salivate.
To help you choose which specialities to try, here is a list of 10 things to eat in Corfu and where.
1 - Tzatziki
Photo by Nikodem Nijaki. This is a typical yoghurt sauce, usually eaten as an appetiser, with ancient origins. It is widespread throughout Greece and the Balkan area, in different versions, although in almost all of them it is prepared with yoghurt, salt, cucumbers, olive oil and garlic.
To enjoy it at its best, it is usually served with pita bread, but it is also great to spice up vegetable dip or meat and fish dishes. It is certainly one of the best known Greek specialities!
Recommended: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €3.00
Main ingredients: yoghurt, cucumber, olive oil, salt, garlic
2 - Horiatiki
The Greek salad is one of the most popular dishes of traditional cuisine. In Corfu, it is a perfect speciality to enjoy at lunchtime, perhaps by the sea, because of its freshness.
It is a very rich dish, often considered a main course, comprising tomatoes and cucumbers, diced or sliced feta cheese, black olives (usually Kalamata, typical Greek), green peppers and onions. Everything is then seasoned with a generous dose of olive oil, salt and oregano. Ideal for satiating yourself even on typically hot Greek days!
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €4.50
Main ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, Kalamata black olives, peppers, onions
3 - Souvlaki
This is aclassic skewer, which has always been typical of Greek gastronomic tradition. Before being skewered, the meat is marinated in an emulsion of oil, lemon juice and herbs, the skewer is then grilled.
Even in the case of this speciality, there is not just one version, as skewers can be made with pork, chicken, veal or lamb, but also with fish.
In Corfu it is often served as street food because it is quick to prepare and eat, but there are more elaborate versions served with the typical Greek salad or tzatziki sauce.
Recommended: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €3.50
Main ingredients: marinated pork, chicken, veal or lamb, or fish
4 - Moussaka
"/> This is ameat and aubergine flan, similar to our lasagna or parmigiana, and is one of the symbols of Greek and Corfu cuisine.
A main dish or second course, it is a very hearty and tasty speciality, prepared with many ingredients including lamb meat, fried aubergines, meat sauce and cheese.
The origins of this dish are very ancient, the recipe for a speciality believed to be the ancestor of Moussaka was found in a 13th century Arabic recipe book known as the Baghdad Cookbook.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: aubergine, meat sauce, tomato, béchamel, lamb or veal
5 - Bourdeto
Bourdeto or Bourdetto is Corfu's most famous dish, prepared using different types of fish (usually redfish) and cooked in a spicy tomato sauce, with or without potatoes.
The name of the dish comes from the Venetian brodetto, and in Corfu you can try it in almost every tavern and restaurant. The locals pay a lot of attention to the preparation of the tomato sauce: to make it bright red and very thick, they use tomato paste.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €15.00
Main ingredients: different types of fish (mainly redfish), tomato sauce, spices
6 - Gyros
You can find it practically everywhere in small kiosks and taverns, as it is a very popular street food.
Very similar to kebab, it is a pita stuffed with tzatziki, pork flavoured with spices and left to marinate, and lots of fresh, seasonal vegetables such as salad, tomatoes and onion.
To make this Greek sandwich richer, chips and a pinch of sweet or hot paprika can be added.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: pork, pita bread, tzatziki, salad, tomatoes, onion
7 - Pastitzada
Another delicacy to be enjoyed specifically in Corfu, this is a very rich dish served in generous portions. It is pasta (usually in the format of ziti) topped with a tomato and meat sauce.
The traditional recipe calls for the use of cockerel meat, but of course there are variations, particularly those that call for veal. During preparation of the dish, the meat is cooked separately in a pan together with fresh tomatoes, cinnamon, wine, onion, red pepper, bay leaf and a mix of other spices.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: pasta, cockerel, tomato, spices
8 - Sofrito
Sofrito is a very tasty and rich dish from the island of Corfu, made of veal dressed with a delicious vinegar and garlic sauce.
Even the name of this recipe is clearly of Venetian origin, and in ancient times it was a dish reserved almost exclusively for the bourgeoisie. The veal is cooked in a casserole with garlic, wine and white pepper, and rice is added to complete the dish.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €14.00
Main ingredients: veal, rice
9 - Baklava
This mouth-watering cake is popular, in all its variations, not only in Corfu and the rest of Greece but also in many countries in the Balkans and Middle East.
In ancient times, it was made by the women of the house and only on special occasions or festivals, as it requires lengthy preparation.
The flavour is typical of honey syrup, absorbed and then released, resulting in an explosion of sweetness.
Recommended for: breakfast, snack
Average cost: €5.00
Main ingredients: phyllo dough, almonds, butter, cinnamon, honey, sugar
10 - Kataifi
Kataifi is a sweet made of phyllo dough cut into very thin threads, which makes it crispy and tasty.
Although it is a typical Christmas cake, in Corfu it can be found not only in all restaurants and taverns, but also in pastry shops and cafés.
The typical thin, stringy dough that makes up the cake is rolled together with honey and nuts, giving the speciality a crunchy but soft texture. Absolutely a must-try!
Recommended for: breakfast, snack
Average cost: €5.00
Main ingredients: kataifi dough, butter, nuts, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, honey
Where to eat in Corfu: best restaurants, typical places and street food
The island of Corfu is also a rather inexpensive destination from a gastronomic point of view, where you can enjoy excellent Greek cuisine at really good prices.
In Corfu, in every part of the island, you can find plenty of restaurants, taverns and inns offering genuine food and traditional specialities based on fresh fish and products grown on the island.
Thearea to the north of Corfu is the slightly more touristy one. Prices may be slightly higher (especially in relation to the quality of the products on offer) but without exaggeration. If you want to immerse yourself in the true gastronomy of the island, ask someone local, they will be happy to tell you that secret little place, perhaps off the usual tourist routes.
1 - Squirrel Restaurant
Description: typical Greek and Corfu cuisine, with complimentary dessert
Speciality: Pastitsada
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Kato Korakiana, Ipsos, Corfu - Get directions / tel: (+30) 2661093066
2 - Taverna Ladokolla
Description: typical tavern with live music, besides typical dishes excellent hamburgers
Speciality: baked feta cheese
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Temploni Central Square - Get directions / tel: (+30) 2661094195
3 - The Old Perithia Tavern
Description: remained intact over the years since 1863, is a typical Corfiot tavern with traditional food
Speciality: pastitsada, bourdeto, sofrito, moussaka
Average price: from €30.00 per person
Address: Palea Peritheia - Get directions / tel: (+30) 2663098055
4 - Kafesas Tavern
Description: home cooking, family-run restaurant and typical Greek tavern atmosphere, meat and fish dishes
Speciality: ouzo col meze
Average price: from €30.00 per person
Address: Agios Georgios - Get directions / tel: (+30) 2662051090
5 - Doukas Tavern
Description: typical tavern open all year round, generous portions
Speciality: pastitzada with rooster or beef meat
Average price: from €18.00 per person
Address: Epar.Od. Doukades-Skriperou, Doukades - Get directions / tel: (+30) 2663041982
