Greece has once again confirmed its place on the global gastronomic map. According to the TasteAtlas Awards 2025/26, Greek cuisine has been ranked second best in the world, surpassing culinary powerhouses such as France, Japan, China, and Turkey. Drawing on nearly 600,000 verified evaluations of 16,357 traditional foods and products, the distinction speaks not only to the quality of Greek cuisine, but also to the enduring lifestyle, culture and heritage that define Greece’s global appeal.
In the latest TasteAtlas ranking of the 100 Best Cuisines in the World, Greece achieved an impressive average score of 4.60 out of 5, placing it just behind Italy (which received a score of 4.64 out of 5) and ahead of Peru, Portugal, and Spain. The award confirms the international appeal of Greece’s culinary philosophy, rooted in simplicity, regional authenticity, and centuries-old traditions. Most reviews originated from the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the United States, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Canada, France, and Turkey.
TasteAtlas is an online food encyclopedia and experiential travel guide that maps traditional dishes, ingredients, and authentic restaurants worldwide, acting as a “world atlas of flavours”.
What Makes Greek Cuisine Stand Out
Greek gastronomy earned its high ranking thanks to its exceptional local products, many of which hold Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Among the top-rated Greek products were:
– Santorini fava (PDO)
– Aegina pistachios (PDO)
– Traditional kontosouvli
– Extra virgin olive oil from Kolymvari, Crete (PDO)
These products embody the core values of Greek cuisine: authenticity, quality, and a deep connection to the land. For international audiences, this translates into a food culture that is both accessible and deeply rooted in place, an element that increasingly influences lifestyle-driven real estate decisions.
Among Greece’s most beloved dishes were also gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, pastitsio, tzatziki, spanakopita, revani (a traditional dessert), yemista (tomatoes and other vegetables stuffed with rice) melomakarona (a Greek Christmas dessert), dakos, and avgolemono soup. For more Greek destinations and memorable dishes you can read our related articles here and here.
Greek Regions Among the World’s Best Food Destinations
TasteAtlas also released its ranking of the 100 Best Food Regions in the World, where Greece delivered an outstanding performance. Seven Greek regions appeared on the list, more than any other country in the Top 15.
Highlights include:
– Crete – 3rd place globally
– Macedonia (Northern Greece) – 5th place
– Cyclades – 6th place
– Peloponnese – 8th place
– North Aegean – 10th place
– Thessaly – 15th place
– Ionian Islands – 37th place
Apart from these areas, the Sporades Islands ranked 68th (Skiathos, Alonissos, etc.) and Laconia ranked 93rd.
Only Italy’s Campania and Emilia-Romagna ranked higher than Crete, while iconic regions such as Tuscany and Sicily fell behind. This confirms Greece’s exceptional regional diversity, where each area offers its own culinary identity shaped by climate, history, and local agriculture.
For many international buyers, food culture is far more than a holiday pleasure, but a key component of everyday quality of life. Greece’s strong performance in global culinary rankings reinforces the country’s appeal as a place to live, invest, and settle, not just to visit.
Shrimp with Feta
Regions like Crete, the Cyclades, and the Peloponnese combine:
– High-quality local produce
– Strong gastronomic traditions
– Mild climate and outdoor lifestyle
– Growing international recognition
These factors increasingly influence demand for residential and holiday properties, especially among buyers seeking authenticity, sustainability, and long-term lifestyle value. Rhodes also offers exceptional, local, traditional cuisine, recently receiving an award for it, as you can read in our interview with a local restaurant.
This triumph comes as a reminder that food remains an integral part of daily life in Greece, with delicious, shared meals, unique local ingredients, and tastes that create moments and memories.
As international interest in Greece continues to grow, distinctions like the TasteAtlas Awards further strengthen the country’s position as one of Europe’s most desirable destinations, not only for travellers, but also for homeowners seeking a meaningful connection to the place.
