Feta, Tsipouro, Sausage… and Off We Go to...
Three traditional products serve as both...
From seafood to ice cream, here are seven specific dishes and snacks to try on Aegina right now.
The only bad part about leaving the city for island life in the summer, is leaving behind a vibrant restaurant scene. Thankfully, my island – while no Mykonos – boasts the perfect combination of traditional eateries and innovative culinary professionals. Besides all our go-tos, there’s always something new and delicious to try.
Below are 7 things to eat on Aegina this summer if you’re a foodie.
Read more about restaurants to visit on Aegina in our guides to the island here.
Miralice Salad, Miralice
On a hot summer day, the namesake salad at Miralice, one of the many café-restaurants along the port street in Aegina Town, has all the things you need for a pick-me-up. A bowl full of punchy flavor, it features crisp raw zucchini, finely sliced sweet peach, chèvre cheese, pollen, and a delicious tangy dressing. You might enjoy it as a tasty side dish, but yours truly happily eats the whole thing on its own for lunch.
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Smoked pistachios, Mourtzis Traditional Sweets
Probably the most interesting new product to surface ahead of the island’s annual pistachio festival (Aegina Fisitki Fest), which takes place in September, are the smoked, roasted pistachios found at Mourtzis Traditional Sweets next to the fish market. While they are way too addictive to buy now and store away for winter, I can’t wait to enjoy them with a stiff drink in front of a roaring fire.
Taramosalata, Skotadis
Award-winning Skotadis, on the port street, is considered by many to be the island’s best place for seafood. If you have never tried taramosalata, the Greek fish roe dip enjoyed all through the year and traditionally on Clean Monday, this is the perfect place to get your first taste. Light and airy like whipped cream, it is best enjoyed on its own, scooped up on some bread.
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Fried Calamari, Maridaki
Right next to Skotadis, you’ll find the newly refurbished Maridaki. While still finding its personality menu-wise, with the chef (known from a television cooking show) testing out some contemporary versions of Greek seafood, among the excellent traditional dishes is one of the best fried calamari you’ll ever try – perfectly crispy, delicious, and tender.
Kontosouvli, Taverna Xristina
In Marathonas, five kilometers south of town, locals have happily returned to family-run Taverna Xristina, which just reopened after being closed for over a decade. On the hillside above the sea, serious carnivores get bang for their buck here, along with a great view. The kontosouvli (spit-roasted pork) is especially tender and juicy, and comes – like all the main courses – with a mountain of hand-cut fries. While delicious, if you’re used to regular-sized portions, be prepared to ask for a doggy bag.
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“Gourmet Fistiki” ice cream, Aiakeon
In the summer on the island of Greece’s famous PDO-awarded pistachios, pistachio ice cream is obviously a must. At one of Aegina’s oldest and most famous pastry shops, Aiakeon on the port street, they make a special one; Slightly salted and with rich flavor, aptly named the “gourmet fistiki”-flavor, it features chunks of caramelized nuts. If you want more than one flavor, pair it with bitter chocolate or the popular “biskoto tis giagias” (“grandma’s biscuits”).
Risogalo, Cherouvim – Oreini Aegina
At the farm and modern dairy Oreini Aegina, located in the little village of Sfentouri, Giannis Cherouvim produces fantastic products from fresh goat’s and sheep’s milk. The risogalo (rice pudding sprinkled with cinnamon), is thick and creamy, with just the right amount of flavor from the farm fresh goat’s milk. You’ll find it in supermarkets and smaller markets around the island, but you might need to inquire as to when they get their deliveries, as the limited amounts tend to run out.
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