Rhodes has always been a beloved destination for travellers around the world. The lush surroundings, sandy beaches and outdoor activities on offer, leave a side of the island often overlooked. This side is food!
Rhodes will spoil you with a mouthwatering culinary experience that draws from its Mediterranean, Asian and European influences. Conquerors of the past shaped the island’s unique gastronomic traditions, which, luckily for us, means we can now enjoy delicious ingredients and great food combinations. herefore, without further ado, let’s get a real taste of what Rhodes brings to the…table!
It's All Greek to Me
Fun fact: Despite Rhodes’ long maritime tradition, what locals seem to enjoy most, today, is goat-and pork-based dishes. Meat, olive oil, honey and nuts combined with plenty of spices and herbs are commonly seen in the local cuisine and contribute to Rhodes’ elegant, yet powerful, culinary personality.
Since antiquity, Greece has been known for its high-quality olive oil production with olive trees being sacred and in honour of Goddess Athena. As a result, olive oil is still a key ingredient that enriches every dish with an extra touch of flavour and depth. As for the olives themselves, you won’t know where to start from. White, black salted (zoupes), dried and, green (kouloubistes) seasoned with quince, lemon and fennel, all can serve as great starters in food gatherings or as a leisurely snack.
Other staples are trahanas (made from sheep or goat’s milk and coarsely ground wheat) and handmade fresh pasta, prepared and served during local fairs, and celebrations. Sesame seeds and tahini also star in local recipes and stand out for their nutritional value. They can be found in soups, salads, pies, and even sweets!
The Freshest Ingredients on Your Plate
Rhodes displays its vast collection of fresh colourful foods at every opportunity! A rich gastronomic experience awaits visitors wherever they look. Don’t hesitate to try fresh juicy fruit from local farmers (melon, watermelon, oranges, tangerines, lemons, etc) or visit the street market in Rhodes Town. The market invites you into a vibrant world of some of the best local flavours and is the go-to place for locals who flock to pick up ripe fruits, crisp vegetables, and other authentic Greek goodies. A real paradise for food enthusiasts!
Address: Klavdiou Peper, Rhodes
Opening hours: Wed & Sat 8 am–2 pm
Opening hours: Wed & Sat 8 am–2 pm
Bonus: Every July, during Saint Marina's celebration (17/07), a local watermelon fair is organised in Apollakia village, where you can try delicious and thirst-quenching watermelon recipes from local producers!
Exceptional hard, semi-hard and soft goat’s and cow’s cheeses are abundant and will exceed your expectations; Anthotiro, gruyere, galotiri, kefalotiri and sinoro, to name but a few.
Follow Your Nose
Step into one of Rhodes’ traditional taverns and experience comforting fragrant food to get a clearer picture of the Mediterranean culinary culture. From pulses, chickpeas and lopia beans to homemade sausages, cheese and fish, everything will make you look forward to your dinner. All dishes become richer and more flavourful with aromatic herbs and spices. Cinnamon, black pepper and cumin are almost ever present! Even a Rhodes traditional liqueur, “herepadi”, is made from 19 herbs!
There are plenty of delicious meat dishes to try! “Pidiako” baby goat, “lakani”, goat with tomato and chickpeas and chicken with bulgur wheat are usually among travellers’ most popular choices.
If fish is more your thing, you can try “rouzetia”, fish served in skordalia (garlic sauce), “karavoli”, snails in tomato sauce, “pouggia”, wild greens pie, and red pumpkin, an absolute classic, cooked with tomato and vegetables.
Last but not least, “giaprakia”, the vine leaves stuffed with rice, minced meat, or mushrooms, also known as “dolmades” will really elevate your dining experience. Yum!
*Our Guest Relations team is always here to offer the best tips on local restaurants and taverns where Rhodes’ authenticity is at its finest!
Wine & Dine
No dining experience is ever complete without a glass of wine! Rhodes has a wine tradition that dates back to the 7th century BCE and its vineyards stretch to around 6,000 hectares. Athiri & Muscat white grapes and the red Mandilaria & Amorgiano varieties thrive on the island. As you might have guessed, in Rhodes, wine matters and farmers cultivate both native and international grape varieties.
Visit any winery in Rhodes (some are just a short drive from Amada Colossos Resort) and immerse yourself in a magnificent wine-tasting experience accompanied by vineyard tours. Learn how wine was developed and perfected over the centuries and…be a pro!
Wink wink: Plan your visit in late summer to see the grape harvest!
Apart from wine, a must-try for visitors is the local souma and Koriandolino, a liqueur containing ouzo and coriander beans.
To Bee or Not to Bee?
This is a tough question! Because who can honestly resist the purest of honey? This is a real gem of the island, known for its nutritional and healing properties. Spread it on your toast or yogurt, drizzle it on soft cheese and pies or add it to any recipe for extra sweetness.
In the Beekeeping Company of Rhodes, visitors can find different types of honey (thyme, pine, blossom, etc.) and other beehive products (royal jelly, wax, pollen, shampoos and soaps.)
Before you leave Rhodes, make sure you try the melekouni bars, a tasty snack made of sesame seeds and nuts, usually served at weddings and baptisms.
And that’s not all, there’s even a Bee Museum! Rhodes has the privilege of hosting the Bee Museum (the only one in Greece), where visitors can learn all about the beekeeping tradition of Rhodes dating all the way back to antiquity. Interactive exhibitions and educational games are available for our younger (and older) friends which makes this such a fun experience for everyone!
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:30 – 17:00 | (Jun-Sep), Sunday 9:00 – 13:00
Women In Entrepreneurship
In 2005, 9 Rhodian women founded the 1 st Women’s Agro-Industrial Cooperative of the Dodecanese Prefecture. Starting with developing their own melekouni recipe, they eventually became famous for making all local sweet and savoury Rhodian treats. Don’t miss the chance to visit their branches in pollonas Village or Rhodes Town and try these traditional delicacies.
Making Memories
Memories are worth their weight in gold, so…try to make as many as you can! Join “Tasting Rhodes”, a tour dedicated to the island’s gastronomic culture, including activities, such as hiking, walks in nature, cooking classes, wine tasting, etc. Put yourself at the heart of Rhodian traditions and immerse yourself in the island’s culinary philosophy. Local providers will assist you throughout the journey, at all times.
Not only this but our team are always here to provide you with a great variety of in- house bars and restaurants to make your life easier! Our latest opening, Enalia Seaside Restaurant serves flavoursome meats on skewers and traditional Greek pies in wood ovens right next to the beach.
Lastly, our Greek a la carte Taverna by the sea, Votsala , is deeply rooted in and inspired by this heritage which calls for collective gatherings around the table, sharing small plates, talking, laughing and enjoying life. From little mezedes to Greek salad and siropiasta desserts, everything is fresh, soul-awakening and made with love and expertise.
Key Takeaways
That’s it! Well done for staying with us till the end of this blog! Now, you have everything you need, food-wise and beyond, to consider yourself a real expert in Rhodes food! We can’t wait to see your food stories on Instagram!
Also, don’t forget to check our previous blogs for tips on how to make the most of your experience and ways to let Rhodes authenticity into your heart.
We wish you a pleasant journey to our beautiful island and we hope you make memories that last a lifetime!
See you soon!
