As a vegan, it can be tough to travel the world, especially to countries like Greece where veganism isn’t as prevalent as it is in the United States. Most of the time, the Greeks will look at you sideways when you say you don’t eat meat or cheese. It can been tricky, but you can definitely manage. Here are some tips on how to navigate Greek restaurants as a vegan.
Tip #1: Always look for pasta.
Spaghetti from Kavos in Mykonos.
One vegan meal that is available almost everywhere in Greece is spaghetti with tomato sauce. Usually, this will not come with cheese, but always be sure to check with your waiter just in case. This meal is filling and usually inexpensive, so it is definitely a staple for vegans and vegetarians alike.
Tip #2: When in doubt, go for a Greek salad with no cheese.
Greek salad without cheese traditionally contains lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and is topped with spices and an olive oil-based dressing.
While in Greece, you may want to try an authentic Greek salad. Traditionally, a Greek salad comes with cheese, but if you ask for the salad with no cheese, it is vegan. This meal is a quick pick-me-up that is pretty much served everywhere.
Tip #3: Dark chocolate gelato is the way to go.
Believe it or not, the dark chocolate gelato, pictured here in the top left corner, is vegan.
Upon entering a gelato shop, ask which flavors don’t contain dairy. Most of the time, the fruit flavors are vegan, but a surprising little treat is the dark chocolate gelato, which is completely vegan and absolutely divine.
So whether you will be in Mykonos or Santorini, follow these tips for meals that are not only vegan but also allow you to experience some common Greek foods.
