Language/Modern-greek-1453/Vocabulary/Ordering-in-a-Restaurant

Modern Greek (1453-) Vocabulary → Food and Dining → Ordering in a Restaurant

As a student of Modern Greek (1453-), it's important to be able to order food and drinks in a restaurant. In this lesson, we will learn useful phrases for ordering in a restaurant in Modern Greek. We'll also discuss some cultural information and interesting facts related to Greek food and dining. Let's get started!

Common Greek Foods and Drinks

Before we start learning how to order food and drinks in a restaurant, let's first go over some common foods and drinks in Greece. Greek cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, simple preparation, and bold flavors. Many dishes include olive oil, herbs, and vegetables.

Here are some popular Greek dishes:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
κεφτέδες	keftéthes	meatballs
σαγανάκι	saganáki	fried cheese
μουσακάς	moussakás	moussaka
σουβλάκι	souvláki	grilled meat on a skewer
χωριάτικη σαλάτα	choriatikí saláta	Greek salad
τζατζίκι	tzatzíki	cucumber and yogurt dip
καλαμάρι	kalamári	squid or calamari
τυρόπιτα	tyrópita	cheese pie

Greek drinks are also quite popular. Here are a few examples:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
νερό	neró	water
καφές	kafés	coffee
τσάι	tsái	tea
αναψυκτικό	anapsyktikó	soft drink
μπύρα	býra	beer
κρασί	krasí	wine
ρακί	rakí	a strong, clear alcohol made from distilled grapes or other fruits

Now that we're familiar with some common Greek foods and drinks, let's move on to how to order them in a restaurant.

Ordering Food and Drinks in a Restaurant

When you enter a restaurant in Greece, it's common to be seated by the host or hostess. Oftentimes, there will be a menu at your table to peruse before ordering. If you have any questions about the menu, don't be afraid to ask your server. They'll be happy to help.

Here are some useful phrases you can use when ordering food and drinks in a Greek restaurant:

• Μπορώ να έχω ένα μενού, παρακαλώ; (Boró na écho éna ménoú, parakaló?) - Can I have a menu, please?
• Τι προτείνετε; (Ti proteínete?) - What do you recommend?
• Θα πάρω ένα... (Tha páro éna...) - I'll have a...
• Μήπως έχετε ένα ξεχωριστό πιάτο; (Mípos échete éna ksechoristó piáto?) - Do you have a special dish?
• Τον καφέ μου, παρακαλώ. (Ton kafé mou, parakaló.) - My coffee, please.
• Μπορώ να έχω τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ; (Boró na écho ton logariasmó, parakaló?) - Can I have the bill, please?

If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, it's important to let your server know. Here are some phrases to help you communicate your dietary needs:

• Δεν τρώω κρέας. (Den tróo kréas.) - I don't eat meat.
• Δεν τρώω ψάρι. (Den tróo psári.) - I don't eat fish.
• Δεν τρώω γλουτένη. (Den tróo glouténi.) - I don't eat gluten.
• Είμαι αλλεργικός στα φιστίκια. (Eímai alergikós sta fistíkia.) - I'm allergic to nuts.

Greek meals often include appetizers, called μεζέδες (mezéthes) or also called appetizers. These small plates are meant to be shared among the table. Here are some common mezédes:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
τζατζίκι	tzatzíki	cucumber and yogurt dip
τυροκαυτερή	tyrokauterí	spicy cheese dip
φέτα	féta	a crumbly, salty cheese made from sheep's milk
καλαμάρια	kalamária	fried squid or calamari
χωριάτικη σαλάτα	choriatikí saláta	Greek salad
μελιτζανοσαλάτα	melitzanosaláta	eggplant dip

In Greece, it's also common to share main dishes, called κυρίως πιάτα (kiryós piáta). Here are some popular main dishes:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
μουσακάς	moussakás	layers of eggplant, potatoes, and spiced meat, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce
σουβλάκι	souvláki	grilled meat on a skewer, often served with pita bread and tzatziki sauce
γύρος	gýros	thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, often served in a pita wrap with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce
χοιρινό στη λέσχη	chirinó sti léshi	slow-roasted pork shoulder with garlic and herbs
κεφτέδες	keftéthes	meatballs, often served in a tomato sauce with rice or potatoes

When you're finished with your meal, it's common to ask for the bill by flagging down your server and saying "Μπορώ να έχω τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ;" (Boró na écho ton logariasmó, parakaló?).

Cultural Information and Interesting Facts

Greek cuisine is one of the most beloved in the world, and for good reason. It's healthy, delicious, and uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. But Greek culture around food goes beyond just the cuisine itself.

In Greece, food is a social activity. Meals are often enjoyed with family and friends, and are meant to be savored slowly. In fact, it's common for Greeks to spend several hours at the table, enjoying multiple courses and engaging in lively conversation. This tradition is known as συνεστίαση (synestíasē).

Another important aspect of Greek dining culture is the abundance of fresh, local ingredients. Greeks take pride in their produce, and many dishes are made with vegetables grown in the region. Olive oil is also a staple ingredient in Greek cuisine, and it's used generously in cooking and as a condiment.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the importance of wine in Greek dining culture. Greece is home to many vineyards and wineries, and the country produces a variety of delicious wines. In fact, Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with evidence of wine production dating back to 6,500 years ago.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we learned some common Greek foods and drinks, as well as useful phrases for ordering in a Greek restaurant. We also discussed some cultural information and interesting facts related to Greek food and dining. Use these phrases and tips next time you visit a Greek restaurant, and you're sure to impress your server and fellow diners!

{{#seo: |title=Modern Greek Food and Dining Vocabulary - Ordering in a Restaurant |keywords=Modern Greek, Food and Dining, Ordering in a Restaurant, Greek cuisine, Greek food, Greek drinks, διατροφή, τρόφιμα, εστιατόριο, κρασί, συνεστίαση, mezethes, κυρίως πιάτα |description=Learn useful phrases for ordering food and drinks in a restaurant in Modern Greek, as well as cultural information and interesting facts related to Greek food and dining.]]

Table of Contents - Modern Greek (1453-) Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Greek Alphabet

• Greek Letters and Pronunciation
• Diphthongs and Special Combinations

  ---

Basic Greetings and Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Common Everyday Phrases

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Plurals

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods and Drinks
• Ordering in a Restaurant

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Greek Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Greek Cuisine

  ---

Greek History and Geography

• Historical Overview
• Geographical Regions

Related Lessons

• How to say Good Bye?
• Health and wellness
• Travel and tourism
• Kitchen
• Ask a question
• Dialogues
• Post Office Vocabulary
• Drinks
• Greek Roots in Medecine
• Numbers 1 100