Mediterranean Meals

Mediterranean is my preferred cuisine, so naturally my choice to travel to Greece was partially fuelled by my excitement to savour local flavours in their original region. Most Greek dishes are suitable for my pescatarian-self, as they are based around seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, soft cheeses and minimal but healthy grains.

One meal stood out in particular during my time in Greece. A visit to Melitini, a small restaurant in Oia, provided the perfect spot to spend an afternoon sampling delicious mezes while hiding out from the overbearing summer sun. Their menu includes many different dishes all prepared fresh, in tapas-style sharing plates. We ordered four dishes, which was enough for a lunch for two people.

Dakos salad - a popular Cretan dish including a base of barley rusk topped with chopped tomatoes, soft feta cheese and dried herbs.

Saganaki - a typical Greek meze of fried cheese. We opted for gruyère, a semi-hard French cheese, and it was served with lemon which added a delicious flavour.

Grilled Octopus - I was initially reluctant about this dish, as it was quite literally a grilled leg of an octopus. However, it was the most delicious piece of seafood I have ever had. It was fresh, perfectly seasoned and grilled on the outside, but tender on the inside. It was probably the closest thing to real meat I have had since becoming a vegetarian/pescatarian!

Fava Beans - The yellow fava beans are cooked into a smooth stew with finely chopped onions and herbs and served warm. This dish is typical to Santorini, which is why it was a must-try while on the island.

Lunch was followed up with fresh-pressed milky coffee. It was the most perfect meal for a beautiful day in Oia, the service was great and the restaurant space is charming and warm. My top recommendation for a local meal in Santorini.