15 Delicious Dishes to Try in Corfu, Greece
The island of Corfu, nestled between Greece and Italy, is a breathtaking destination you won’t want to miss on your Dinogo® European cruise. Corfu boasts unforgettable bays surrounded by striking sandstone cliffs, sparkling clear waters, and sweeping views of the Greek coastline, alongside opulent palaces and ancient landmarks.
In Corfu, you'll find a plethora of activities to enjoy, including savoring traditional Greek dishes infused with French and Venetian flavors. Key ingredients in Corfiot cuisine include wine, garlic, and a blend of eastern spices like cinnamon and allspice. The term Corfiot food also encapsulates the region’s unique tastes.
For an introduction to the culinary delights of Corfu, consider joining one or more of the shore excursions offered by Dinogo. Be sure to sample the region’s exceptional olive oils, and take the opportunity to explore the countryside and visit the authentic olive oil mills of Corfu.
Olive oil is a fantastic souvenir or gift from Corfu. You can enjoy a traditional lunch featuring Greek delicacies on the grounds of the Achilleion Palace while soaking in stunning views of the verdant and majestic landscape.
Corfu is undoubtedly a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering a selection of the top 15 culinary delights you must experience in this Mediterranean gem.
1. Stakofisi
Stakofisi refers to Corfu's version of stock fish, specifically wind-dried cod that absorbs the salty air during the drying process. The cod is sautéed with onions and red peppers before being simmered in a sweet tomato sauce.
2. Fish Bourdeto
This dish can be made with any available fish, but the classic Corfiot version features onions, red peppers, and lemon juice. It embodies a healthy Mediterranean approach to enjoying fish.
3. Fish Bianco
This relatively straightforward yet vibrant Corfiot dish is loaded with garlic. Sea bass is cooked in white wine and served atop pan-fried potatoes, which are then simmered in white wine and garlic for added flavor.
4. Pastrokio Eggplant
Corfu is famous for its abundance of fried foods. If you enjoy fried dishes, you must try the fried eggplant. In Corfu, it’s prepared with cheese, pork, salami, and sliced boiled eggs, then baked in the oven and topped with tomato sauce.
5. Pastitsada
One of the most beloved dishes in Corfu is pastitsada. This hearty stew made with red wine is sometimes spelled as pastitsado or pazztisada. Regardless of the spelling, this traditional meal features paprika to give the broth its rich color and enhance the flavor. Additional ingredients may include sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and bay leaves.
6. Zorka
Asking for this authentic dish by its unique name is part of the fun! Zorka, a vegetable pie, emphasizes seasonal ingredients over the pastry itself. Depending on the time of year you visit Corfu, you can find a variety of pies, including those filled with pumpkin, zucchini, onions, or cheese.
7. Pasta Frola
Pastafrola may not be what you expect—it resembles a pie instead. This pastry is crafted from flour, sugar, eggs, and water, then topped with homemade jam and decorative strips of dough.
8. Sikomaida
Desserts are a must-try when visiting Corfu, Greece. This traditional Corfiot treat is deeply rooted in Greek culinary traditions. The round sweet patty is made from fig paste, chopped almonds, walnuts, and a hint of pepper, combined with other local ingredients, then wrapped in walnut leaves.
9. Fogatsa
After enjoying a meal of fish and meat, indulge in fogatsa, a sweet brioche that’s especially popular during Easter but available year-round at local bakeries. This aromatic brioche is typically round and fluffy, but during Easter, the dough is braided, known as kolompina.
10. Gialetia
For a delicious Corfiot breakfast, try gialetia. These are corn pancakes served with honey and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon for added sweetness.
11. Panada
For bread lovers, panada is a must-try—it’s a barley bread that was once seen as a “snack for the less fortunate,” but it has since won over palates from all walks of life. This savory dish features stale pieces of bread fried in olive oil, combined with tomato paste, and seasoned with salt, oregano, and thyme, making it suitable for a gourmet meal.
12. Sofrito
Sofrito is recognized in Europe both as a dish and a slow-fry cooking method. In Corfu, the traditional sofrito dish features beef cooked slowly with an abundance of garlic, locally known as “kakavilia.”
13. Pork Dolce Garbo
In Corfu, pork is as abundant as fish, beef, and liver. This dish features pork slow-cooked in white wine with onions and a blend of spices. It’s typically served with polenta or potatoes, both of which absorb the flavorful sauce beautifully.
14. Beef Liver alla Veneziana
This dish is for liver lovers only. The fried liver, cooked in olive oil, is soaked in red wine and spiced up with a generous amount of hot red pepper. It’s not commonly found on tourist menus, so if you’re eager to try this tasty Corfiot specialty, be sure to request it by name at a less touristy restaurant.
15. Cheese Saganaki
Fried cheese is a quintessential Greek delicacy, and saganaki is the salty version typically served as a traditional appetizer. This fried cheese is prepared without any batter—just served as is—alongside a slice of lemon. There’s also a dessert variation of saganaki, where the cheese is drizzled with rich dark honey.
If your mouth isn’t watering yet from this list, it definitely will when your cruise ship, Dinogo Legend™ or Dinogo Radiance™, docks in the beautiful port of Corfu. Let us take care of the details while you relax and enjoy the very best of every European destination on your journey.
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