Gyro kebabs, tzatziki, souvlaki, moussaka, ouzo and retsina: these famous Greek dishes and drinks have traveled far beyond their Hellenic homeland and can now be found in many eateries and stores in Shanghai.

Perhaps the single most important ingredient in Greek cuisine are olives.

The Greek poet, Homer, once described olive oil as "liquid gold." Today, olive oil is used in almost every Greek dish.

A speciality of the country is cheese. Greece produces many different types including kasseri, kefalotyri, graveiera and feta, among many others.

Pastry delights

Many kinds of Greek food are wrapped in pastry, and shaped in either bite-sized triangles or in large thin sheets. Some of these include kotopita, filled with chicken, spanakotyropita, with spinach and cheese inside, and kreatopita, which is a Greek version of a meat pie.

Greek cuisine is extremely diverse and the country doesn't have one particular "national dish." But one of the best-known dishes outside of the country is souvlaki, which consists of small pieces of meat, usually pork, and vegetables, grilled on a skewer. The dish can be served on a skewer, in a pita sandwich, or alone, and is often accompanied by fried potatoes and tzatziki - a cucumber, yogurt and garlic sauce.

Moussaka is another staple of Greek cuisine, and it is also popular in other parts of the Mediterranean, Balkans and the Middle East. The Greek version of moussaka includes layers of minced beef and eggplant, onions and tomatoes, and is covered with a béchamel sauce and baked in the oven until the top layer is golden-brown and crispy.

Popular drinks

Of course, one of the most important parts of a Greek meal is the wine to accompany it. One of the most popular Greek white wines is retsina which has been produced in the country for thousands of years.

Another well-known drink is ouzo - an anise-flavored spirit distilled from grapes, figs or raisins, and blended with spices and sugar. Ouzo is traditionally mixed with water and served with ice in a small glass, or it can be drunk straight from a shot glass. Ouzo is usually served with mezes - a small plate of appetizers, including fish, fries, olives, pita bread and feta cheese.

In Greek culture, eating out and sharing food with friends and family is as important as the food itself. The Global Times has found a selection of restaurants in town serving Greek food.

The Fat Olive

This wine-themed restaurant is a creation of the renowned Australian-Greek chef David Laris, with three locations in Shanghai - Xizang Road, Sinan Mansions and Pudong New Area. Its Xizang Road location in Silver Court is the perfect place for summer drinking with its outdoor patio area overlooking the Pudong skyline. Unfortunately this branch is currently closed for renovation. The Greek-inspired dishes are served mezze-style which is perfect for sharing, and include small snacks, appetizers, dips, salads and desserts. What distinguishes The Fat Olive from other Greek eateries in Shanghai is its vast collection of wines, with options by the glass or by the bottle.

Add: 6/F, 228 Xizang Road South

西藏南路288号6楼

Tel: 6334-3288

Add: 2/F, 525-527 Fuxing Road Middle 复兴中路525-527号

Tel: 3368-9524

Add: 688 Biyun Road 碧云路688号

Tel: 2206-2988

Mythos

Mythos is located at the Cool Docks. Its décor is predominantly white and blue which are typically Greek colors and give the place the feel of dining on an Aegean Island. The restaurant occupies three floors as well as an open-air terrace on the roof offering fantastic views of the Bund and Pudong. The menu offers Greek staples including souvlaki, salads and moussaka, and a selection of Greek wines.

Add: Bldg 6, Lane 505 Zhongshan Road South 中山南路505弄6号楼

Tel: 6152-6755

Greek Taverna

Greek Taverna, with its four locations - on Yueyang Road, two in Pudong and one in Gubei - offers a variety of authentic Greek dishes including appetizers, entrees, Greek wines, and desserts. Everything at this restaurant is truly Greek - a lively atmosphere, Greek music, blue and white décor, and waiters yelling "opa" (a Greek exclamation) while smashing plates (an old Greek tradition). Stuffed grape leaves, souvlaki with a choice of beef, pork or chicken served with pita bread, and lots of hummus and tzatziki washed down with shots of ouzo are all on offer.

Add: 1 Yueyang Road 岳阳路1号

Tel: 6431-7751

Add: 1/F, Unit 41, No.43, Thumb Plaza, Lane 199 Fangdian Road 芳甸路199弄大拇指广场43号1楼41铺

Tel: 5033-7500

Add: B1/F, 151-148A, No.1-4, Himalayas Center, Lane 1188 Fandian Road 芳甸路1188弄喜玛拉雅中心1-4号B1楼151-148A

Tel: 6047-0510

Add: Villa 1, 3911 Hongmei Road  虹梅路3911号1号别墅

Tel: 6262-5011

Amphora

There are multiple branches of this boutique-style Greek delicatessen in Shanghai. Amphora specializes in imported Greek olive oil, alcohol, sauces and dips, and different kinds of Greek cheeses, yoghurt and honey, as well as natural skincare products based on olive oil.

Add: 409 Shaanxi Road North

陕西北路409号

Tel: 5213-9066

Add: 330 Madang Road马当路330号

Tel: 5382-0237