Traditional Greek food is not halal by default. While Greek cuisine features lamb and chicken prominently, pork is also common, meat is not halal-slaughtered, and wine appears in cooking. However, Greece’s Thrace region has a Muslim minority, and Greek dishes adapt well to halal preparation. For practical options, see our halal food guides and halal food in Greece.
Why Greek Food Is Challenging for Muslims
Pork Usage
Pork is popular in Greece:
- Gyros: Often pork (pork gyros very common)
- Souvlaki: Pork skewers popular
- Pork chops (brizola): Restaurant staple
- Soutzoukakia: Sometimes pork meatballs
- Various stews: May contain pork
Non-Halal Meat
Even non-pork meats are problematic:
- No halal slaughter: Standard Greek butchery
- Lamb dishes: Not halal-slaughtered
- Chicken: Same issue
- Ground meat: May be mixed with pork
Wine in Cooking
- Stifado: Beef/rabbit stew with wine
- Marinades: Wine often used
- Sauces: May contain wine
Halal-Friendly Greek Dishes
Vegetarian Options (Best Choices)
Greek cuisine has excellent meat-free dishes:
Appetizers (Mezedes):
- Tzatziki: Yogurt, cucumber, garlic dip
- Hummus: Chickpea dip
- Melitzanosalata: Eggplant dip
- Taramosalata: Fish roe dip (halal)
- Dolmades: Stuffed vine leaves (rice, vegetarian version)
- Fava: Yellow split pea puree
- Gigantes: Giant beans in tomato sauce
- Spanakopita: Spinach pie
- Tiropita: Cheese pie
Main Dishes:
- Greek salad (Horiatiki): Fresh vegetables, feta, olives
- Briam: Roasted vegetables
- Gemista: Stuffed vegetables (vegetarian version)
- Fasolada: Bean soup (national dish)
- Pasta dishes: Various options
Cheese & Dairy:
- Feta: Greek cheese (vegetarian rennet usually)
- Halloumi: Grilled cheese
- Greek yogurt: Excellent quality
Seafood Options
Greece has great seafood:
- Grilled octopus (Htapodi)
- Calamari (Kalamari)
- Grilled fish (Psari)
- Shrimp saganaki
- Fresh fish tavernas: Coastal areas
With Halal Meat (If Available)
These dishes CAN be halal with proper meat:
| Dish | Description | Halal Version |
|---|---|---|
| Gyros | Meat cone | Halal lamb/chicken at halal shops |
| Souvlaki | Meat skewers | Halal chicken/lamb |
| Moussaka | Meat and eggplant | With halal beef |
| Pastitsio | Meat pasta bake | With halal mince |
| Keftedes | Meatballs | With halal meat |
| Kleftiko | Slow-cooked lamb | With halal lamb |
Dishes to Avoid
Always Avoid
- Pork gyros: Very common in Greece
- Pork souvlaki: Popular option
- Brizola (pork chops): Standard
- Any dish with “hirino”: Means pork
Verify Before Eating
- Gyros: Ask if pork or lamb/chicken
- Souvlaki: Check meat type
- Moussaka: Ground meat, may have pork
- Stifado: Usually has wine
- Dolmades: Meat version may have pork
Finding Halal Food in Greece
Athens
Some options available:
- Omonia Square area: Some Middle Eastern restaurants
- Monastiraki: Tourist area, some kebab shops
- Immigrant neighborhoods: Halal options
- Indian/Pakistani restaurants: Usually halal
Thrace Region (Best for Halal)
Greece’s Muslim minority area:
- Komotini: Significant Muslim population
- Xanthi: Muslim community
- Alexandroupoli: Some halal options
- Authentic halal: Turkish-influenced cuisine
Greek Islands
Limited halal:
- Tourist restaurants: Seafood focus best
- Very few halal options: Plan accordingly
- Rhodes: Some Turkish heritage
- Self-catering: Recommended
Key Greek Phrases
- “Einai halal?”: Is it halal?
- “Choris hirino”: Without pork
- “Mono kotopoulo/arni”: Only chicken/lamb
- “Choris kreas”: Without meat
Greek-Turkish Connections
Shared Cuisine
Many Greek dishes have Turkish origins:
- Gyros = Döner: Same concept
- Souvlaki = Şiş kebab: Grilled meat
- Tzatziki = Cacık: Yogurt dip
- Dolmades = Dolma: Stuffed leaves
- Moussaka: Shared dish
- Baklava: Shared dessert
Why This Matters
In Muslim countries or halal restaurants serving “Greek” food, dishes are often halal because they follow Turkish halal traditions.
Practical Tips for Muslims
- Vegetarian mezedes: Excellent and varied
- Seafood tavernas: Great coastal option
- Pork gyros common: Always ask
- Greek salad: Safe and refreshing
- Thrace has halal: Muslim region
- Feta is safe: Great protein source
- Bean dishes: Filling and halal
- Athens has options: Middle Eastern areas
- Islands challenging: Self-cater or seafood
- Spanakopita: Safe vegetarian choice