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The Greeks love to eat out- and socialize at the same time. The dyed-in-the wool atmosphere of Greece is anyway best experienced in the tavernas and the Voltas - the popular coffee shops which offer great atmosphere and a close look at Greek society. Your other options are the ouzeries or the mezedopolions, where you can get appetizers, but virtually no main meals. Here, savour the national favorites: souvlaki (a very Greek version of the hamburger); luscious kebabs and grilled gyros served with pita. In fish tavernas, you can have the best of the day's catch cooked in the finest of Mediterranean styles.
The staple Greek ingredients include fresh vegetables, seasoned with light olive oils, garlic, oregano and lemon juice. Cheeses, salads, grilled meats, and pastry are the other `must have' components of a Greek meal- and even tiny eateries in seemingly God-forsaken little mountain villages can churn out exquisite local grub. Throughout Greece people often enjoy eating from small dishes such as meze with tzatziki, grilled octopus and small fish, feta cheese, dolmades (rice, currant and pine kernels wrapped in vine leaves). Apart from Greek cuisine, there are plenty of pizza and burger places around and if for reasons mysterious you should like a change from the local flavors, you'll have no trouble finding these places.
As far as entertainment and nightlife go, Greece has it all. The Greek islands are justifiably famous for their colorful discos, nightclubs, bars and tavernas, but there's plenty to do even on the mainland. Athens, for instance, has a vibrant nightlife and concert halls such as the Megaron Athens Concert Hall. Bars in urban Greece stay open till the wee hours of the morning, and there are plenty of dance clubs, rembetika clubs, live jazz places, and bouzouikas where you can hear Greece's latest singing sensations perform. Performances of folk dances and music, opera, ballet and classical music are also an important part of the entertainment scene, especially in Athens and other large cities.
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