Greek Phrases for Restaurants and Tavernas – How to Order in Kavala
Dinner at a taverna by the harbour is one of the best things about a stay in Kavala. Waiters usually speak English, but ordering in Greek is almost always met with a smile. In the pronunciation column the stressed syllable is shown in capital letters.
| Greek | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ | Ena trapEzi ya dIo, parakalO | A table for two, please |
| Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ | Ton katAlogo, parakalO | The menu, please |
| Τι προτείνετε; | Ti protInete? | What do you recommend? |
| Θα ήθελα… | Tha Ithela… | I would like… |
| Ένα νερό / μία μπύρα | Ena nerO / mIa bIra | A water / a beer |
| Λευκό / κόκκινο κρασί | LefkO / kOkino krasI | White / red wine |
| Ψωμί | PsomI | Bread |
| Ψάρι / κρέας | PsAri / krEas | Fish / meat |
| Χωρίς κρέας | HorIs krEas | Without meat |
| Είμαι αλλεργικός / αλλεργική σε… | Ime aleryikOs / aleryikI se… | I am allergic to… (m / f) |
| Άλλο ένα, παρακαλώ | Alo Ena, parakalO | One more, please |
| Είναι πολύ νόστιμο | Ine polI nOstimo | It is delicious |
| Στην υγειά μας! | Stin iyA mas! | Cheers! |
| Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; | Pu Ine i tualEta? | Where is the toilet? |
| Σε πακέτο, παρακαλώ | Se pakEto, parakalO | To take away, please |
| Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | Ton logariazmO, parakalO | The bill, please |
| Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; | BorO na plirOso me kArta? | Can I pay by card? |
| Κρατήστε τα ρέστα | KratIste ta rEsta | Keep the change |
When Greeks eat
Greeks dine late. Tavernas fill up after 9 pm, and even later in summer. If you want a quiet table with a sea view, arrive around 7:30–8 pm. Lunch is late too, most often between 2 and 4 pm.
Bread, water and “kerasma”
In many tavernas bread and water arrive without being ordered and appear on the bill as a small charge per person. This is normal practice, not a mistake. At the end of the meal you will often be given a dessert or fruit on the house. It is called κέρασμα (kErasma), a gesture of hospitality you do not pay for.
Fish by the kilo
In fish tavernas fresh fish is often sold by weight, so the price on the menu is per kilo, not per portion. Feel free to ask Πόσο κοστίζει; (pOso kostIzi?) and to see the fish before it is cooked.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is customary if you enjoyed the meal and the service.