Horiatiki (Greek salad)
Photo: cyclonebill · CC BY-SA 2.0

History

Horiatiki is the village salad, designed around the peak-summer Greek tomato. The classic Athens version uses no lettuce, only ripe tomatoes and feta in a thick slab over the top. The dish became the Athens lunch staple in the 1960s and is now a non-negotiable taverna order between June and September. The salad requires good tomato to work; it dies in winter when supermarket tomato is the only option.

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Common allergens: Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 15 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe field tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 small red onion
  • 16 kalamata olives, pitted
  • 200g feta, in a single slab
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil
  • Sea salt

Method

  1. Cut tomatoes into thick wedges. Salt lightly.
  2. Peel cucumber in strips, leaving some skin on. Cut into thick half-moons.
  3. Slice pepper into rings. Slice red onion thin.
  4. Layer in a wide shallow bowl: tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion. Scatter olives.
  5. Lay the feta slab whole over the top. Sprinkle with oregano and a pinch of salt.
  6. Drizzle olive oil over everything just before serving. Tear bread to mop the juices.

Tip from the editors. Never refrigerate the tomato. Room temperature is the only way to taste it; cold tomato is flavourless tomato.

Where to eat horiatiki (greek salad)

Horiatiki (Greek salad) in Athens

Karavitis Tavern ★ 4.5

€€ GreekPangrati

Karavitis Tavern on Pausaniou in Pangrati is the 1926 neighbourhood taverna with a rustic courtyard, barrels of house wine and a point-at-trays system.

Why locals goPangrati neighbourhood taverna since 1926 with a rustic courtyard, barrels of house wine, and an order-by-pointing system that keeps the tourist trade away.

TipNo reservations are taken; arrive before 21:00 on weeknights and before 20:30 on Saturdays.

Directions

Taverna Saita ★ 4.0

€€ GreekPlaka

Taverna Saita on Kydathineon in Plaka is the rare Athenian-locals tavern on the quiet end of the strip, opposite the Metamorphosis church courtyard.

Why locals goThe rare Plaka room cooking for Athenian locals on the quiet end of Kydathineon, opposite the Metamorphosis church courtyard, away from souvenir shops.

TipPavement tables face the quiet end of Kydathineon; book a fortnight ahead for weekend dinners.

Directions

Taverna Platanos ★ 4.0

€€ Plaka TavernaPlaka

Taverna Platanos under the plane tree on Diogenous in Plaka Athens has fed the quarter since 1932, a courtyard room where slow-cooked lamb in lemon sauce.

OrderLamb in lemon sauce, stuffed cabbage rolls and a glass of retsina under the plane tree.

TipThe courtyard opens late spring; book ten days ahead for the Friday or Saturday seatings.

Directions

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