Γύρος
Gyros
Meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, shaved into pita or served as a plate with vegetables and sauces.
DairyGlutenSesame
Greek Cuisine Guide
GreekAllergen Guide
Greek classics, common allergen traps, and the best questions to ask before you order.
Signature flavors:Olive oil, lemon, oregano, garlic, dill, black pepper
Common dairy forms:Feta, yogurt sauces (tzatziki), béchamel, grated hard cheeses (kefalotyri/kasseri)
Common gluten forms:Pita, phyllo pastry, breaded items, pasta (especially pastitsio)
Typical ordering pattern:Shared plates + bread on the table (request bread separately if needed)
Cross-contact hotspots:Shared grills, fryers, and prep boards in fast-paced souvlaki shops and tavernas
Allergen Overview
How common each allergen is in this cuisine. Always confirm with staff.
Gluten
Often Present
Wheat shows up as pita, bread on the table, pasta (pastitsio), and sometimes flour-thickened sauces like béchamel.
Dairy
Often Present
Greek cuisine leans on feta, yogurt, and creamy baked casseroles. Even “simple” plates may come with yogurt sauces or cheese toppings.
Eggs
Sometimes Present
Egg is less “everywhere” than dairy, but it appears in some béchamel recipes, baked dishes, and many pastries/desserts.
Fish
Sometimes Present
Seafood is common in Greece, but many classic meat/veg staples are fish-free. The main risk is cross-contact on grills/fryers in mixed kitchens.
Shellfish
Sometimes Present
Shellfish is common in coastal tavernas. Even if your dish is shellfish-free, cross-contact can happen via shared fryers, oils, and utensils.
Soy
Rare
Soy is not central in traditional recipes, but can appear in modern marinades, seasoning blends, vegan substitutes, and some dressings.
Sesame
Sometimes Present
Sesame may appear on breads (including some pita), in tahini-based sauces, and in sweets. It’s often unmentioned when used as a topping.
Tree Nuts
Varies
Tree nuts show up more in desserts and some regional salads/sauces. In busy kitchens, nuts can cross-contact via shared prep surfaces.
Peanuts
Rare
Peanuts are not common in classic Greek savory dishes, but can appear in imported sauces, desserts, or as bar snacks near preparation areas.
Hidden Ingredients to Watch
Unexpected allergen sources that may not be obvious on menus.
Béchamel / κρέμα μπεσαμέλ
Often contains dairy, and frequently includes flour (gluten) and sometimes egg.
Found in: Moussaka, pastitsio, other baked casseroles
Pita / πίτα and table bread
Wheat-based; sometimes topped with sesame and can cross-contact with floury prep surfaces.
Found in: Gyros, souvlaki, mezze spreads, “bread included” baskets
Yogurt sauces (tzatziki and “white sauce”)
Dairy is the base; can be added automatically unless you request otherwise.
Found in: Gyros, souvlaki plates, dips, starters
Grated hard cheeses (κεφαλοτύρι, κασέρι)
Dairy that may be sprinkled on top even when not described as “cheesy.”
Found in: Pastitsio, baked dishes, salads, appetizers
Shared grill/fryer oil
Cross-contact risk for fish/shellfish and gluten (breaded items).
Found in: Souvlaki shops, seaside tavernas, mixed menus
Pre-marinated meats
May include hidden soy, mustard, dairy (yogurt marinades), or spice blends with allergens.
Found in: Gyros, souvlaki skewers, mixed grill plates
Σουβλάκι
Souvlaki
Skewered, marinated meat grilled over charcoal, served in pita or as a plate with sides.
DairyGlutenSesame
Μουσακάς
Moussaka
Layered baked casserole, typically eggplant and spiced minced meat, topped with béchamel until golden.
EggsDairyGluten
Χωριάτικη σαλάτα
Horiatiki salad (Greek salad)
A rustic salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and oregano, typically topped with a slab of feta and olive oil.
Dairy
Τζατζίκι
Tzatziki
A cold yogurt dip with cucumber and garlic, often seasoned with dill or mint, served as a dip or sauce.
Dairy
Παστίτσιο
Pastitsio
Baked pasta casserole with spiced meat sauce and thick béchamel, finished with cheese until browned.
EggsDairyGluten
What to Ask the Staff
Copy these questions to show restaurant staff. Available in English and .
English
- Does this contain wheat (pita, phyllo, flour, breadcrumbs) anywhere in the recipe?
- Can you serve it without pita/bread and keep it away from floury prep surfaces?
- Is there any yogurt, feta, butter, cream, or béchamel in this dish or sauce?
- Does the béchamel contain flour (gluten) or egg?
- Is the meat pre-marinated, and does the marinade contain soy sauce or dairy?
- Are fries cooked in a shared fryer with breaded foods (gluten)?
- Is the grill shared with fish or shellfish?
- Can you change utensils/gloves and use a clean pan for allergy orders?
- What sauces come by default, and can they be left off?
- Are there any nuts or sesame used as garnish or in dressings?
- Περιέχει σιτάρι (πίτα, φύλλο, αλεύρι, φρυγανιά/τριμμένη γαλέτα) στη συνταγή;
- Μπορείτε να το σερβίρετε χωρίς πίτα/ψωμί και μακριά από επιφάνειες με αλεύρι;
- Υπάρχει γιαούρτι, φέτα, βούτυρο, κρέμα ή μπεσαμέλ στο πιάτο ή στη σάλτσα;
- Η μπεσαμέλ έχει αλεύρι (γλουτένη) ή αυγό;
- Το κρέας είναι προ-μαριναρισμένο και η μαρινάδα έχει σόγια ή γαλακτοκομικά;
- Οι πατάτες τηγανίζονται σε κοινό λάδι με πανάρισμα (γλουτένη);
- Η σχάρα χρησιμοποιείται και για ψάρι ή θαλασσινά;
- Μπορείτε να αλλάξετε γάντια/εργαλεία και να χρησιμοποιήσετε καθαρό σκεύος για αλλεργίες;
- Ποιες σάλτσες μπαίνουν αυτόματα και μπορείτε να τις αφαιρέσετε;
- Χρησιμοποιείτε ξηρούς καρπούς ή σουσάμι ως γαρνιτούρα ή σε dressing;
Menu Glossary
Common menu words to help identify ingredients and allergens.
γάλα= milk
Dairy; appears in béchamel, desserts, and some sauces.
τυρί= cheese
Dairy; feta and grated cheeses are common.
φέτα= feta cheese
Dairy; common topping in salads and pies.
γιαούρτι= yogurt
Dairy; base of tzatziki and many sauces.
βούτυρο= butter
Dairy; used in baking and some sauces.
κρέμα= cream
Dairy; may appear in sauces and desserts.
αυγό= egg
Can appear in béchamel, baking, and batters.
αλεύρι= flour
Gluten; used in breads, phyllo, and thickened sauces.
ψωμί= bread
Gluten; often served automatically at the table.
πίτα= pita bread
Gluten; sometimes topped with sesame.
φύλλο= phyllo pastry
Gluten; typically made with wheat and often buttered.
σουσάμι= sesame
Can be on breads or in sauces; ask when sesame allergy is present.
ξηροί καρποί= tree nuts
More common in desserts; can be a garnish or cross-contact risk.
θαλασσινά= seafood
Shellfish/fish category; cross-contact risk in coastal kitchens.
γαρίδες= shrimp
Shellfish; often cooked in shared fryers or pans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not by default because it’s typically served in pita. Ask for a gyros plate without pita/bread, and confirm the grill and prep area aren’t shared with breaded or flour-heavy items.
Related Guides
Explore similar cuisines and dietary guides for more allergen insights.
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