Top 5 Symi Food & Drink: A Delicious Guide

Symi, that little gem of a Greek island in the Dodecanese, is just a sight, you know? But its charm isn’t all that it has, oh no. The food scene, now that’s just where things get pretty amazing. It might be small, still it has the yummiest dishes and drinks you could even ask for. Forget mass-produced meals, you’re in for treats with fresh, local ingredients and recipes that folks have handed down for generations. I mean, imagine sitting by the harbor, sun doing its magic, munching on some freshly caught seafood with a crisp glass of local wine. That, my friends, is the Symi vibe.

1. Symi Shrimp: A Must-Try Delicacy

You hear “Symi,” you kinda just have to think “shrimp,” actually. So, they aren’t just any old shrimp, though. These little guys are small, sweet, and incredibly flavorful, really. It’s because, arguably, they’re caught right around the island’s crystal waters, adding to that specific taste, more or less. Fried whole in some flour and seasoned perfectly, they’re typically served with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt, I mean yum. The fun part? You just grab them and eat them whole–shells, heads, and all, or that’s typically how folks would tell you is best. It’s almost a sort of crunchy, salty, seafood explosion, really. Many taverns across Symi will boast their own variations. Asking around, finding the place with, just a bit, the most “secret recipe” could just become one of the greatest quests of your visit.

I mean, there’s this little spot, right on the harbor, called “Το Aliki,” that I’ve gone to a few times, you know. Their Symi shrimp, well, they’re cooked up with this little addition of local herbs that I’m pretty sure add so much flavor. Trust me; you’ll likely want to get yourself one, maybe two plates of these.

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2. “Horiatiki” Greek Salad: A Taste of the Mediterranean

No trip to Greece, more or less, is complete without diving into a Greek salad, right? But, the Horiatiki, in Symi, it really feels just so good, different, just a little bit. “Horiatiki” it roughly means “village salad,” actually. So, it’s a showcase for fresh ingredients. It usually will feature ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, onions that pack some punch, peppers, briny olives, and a big slab of feta cheese. Often all topped with that, you know, delicious local olive oil and oregano. Each ingredient tends to stand on its own. With the feta often, kind of, acting as the creamy, tangy superstar that ties it together.

At the restaurants, especially higher up away from the port, so they add caper leaves that seem to be growing out in the hillside. These caper leaves almost always add a briny undertone that just mixes so perfectly. The simpler the salad seems, the better that it arguably showcases what Greece provides in fantastic produce. I mean, if you find one made with tomatoes that kinda taste like sunshine, you won’t wanna share that dish with a soul, literally.

Read our full review: Greek Salad Spots in Symi Full Review and Details

3. “Pitaroudia”: Chickpea Fritters

“Pitaroudia” – they can be chickpea fritters, yet often, they include other vegetables that are kind of an island secret. So, they’re kind of a staple, you see, in the Dodecanese islands, including Symi. These little fritters have, as their base ingredient, mashed chickpeas that are almost always mixed with various other yummy greens and herbs. Then you get it all fried ’til each fritter achieves that perfect golden color. Often, island restaurants will offer these with just their local twist. Using some spice, maybe a little fennel, often you will never even know the recipe. I mean, they can seem pretty simple. You’re able to taste each of those ingredients so distinctly.

If you are wandering around Ano Symi, so make sure that you grab a seat at “Πανόραμα”. Not only are those views, like, truly breathtaking. You can taste a batch of “pitaroudia” that seem so fresh. Actually, they add some zucchini into the mix. And they serve it up with this little, delightful dollop of tzatziki sauce. Arguably, it just balances the richness of the fritters with that, still refreshing, touch of yogurt and cucumber.

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4. “Kopanisti” Cheese: A Spicy Delight

“Kopanisti” cheese is basically for those, or you can say, some people who really want a little heat in their flavors. You see, this is that, like, traditional Greek cheese that isn’t just your standard feta, or something, too it’s almost so different, more or less. Its known characteristic will be, you know, its kind of spicy, peppery bite. Typically, that spiciness comes from that culturing process that helps develop the cheese, kinda, to get those stronger flavors. Its something, so it definitely leaves an impression. Most of the time, you are just enjoying a small dab on top of some bread or crackers. Some other times you find this used to season other food dishes.

Try asking for the cheese to come alongside something as simple as just honey. Arguably, this mix balances well because it is combining the sweet flavor with a salty sharpness. As a matter of fact, one thing to make sure to notice are the different variations. I mean, some may only add just a mild zing, and then, seemingly, others set your tongue absolutely on fire. Sample it if you can, just a bit, to just test the flavor before you lather it across your bread, like your butter.

Read our full review: Where to Find Kopanisti Cheese in Symi Full Review and Details

5. Local Wine and “Soumada”: A Toast to Symi

To wash all this delicious food down, or you might be thinking of washing down all this yummy food, consider the local drinks. If you like wine, you know, many taverns on Symi have house wine. Usually, these are produced at vineyards throughout the close-by islands. So they are offering this flavor reflecting that island soil and climate, kind of. I mean, there are so many vineyards. The kindest owners will most often want to tell their story as a vineyard to your own little taste.

For a kind of different experience, consider, very, a glass of “soumada”. Soumada almost always has its basis coming from almonds. Also, you typically are experiencing something sweet and non-alcoholic and refreshing. Usually they offer it chilled. This comes with such a delicate flavor; arguably, you almost expect its addition with celebratory happenings on the island. You will want it to keep you cool after those long hot days or with those fantastic delicious Symi flavors. Basically, sip like a local; either way.

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Read our full review: Symi Wine and Soumada: Our Guide and Details