Welcome to Skiathos! If you’re staying with us at Aphrodite Skiathos, you already know that our island is a lush, green paradise. But did you know it’s also a haven for food lovers? The local cuisine here is a beautiful “marriage” of the land and the sea. Because of our history, where fishermen used to trade their catches for the farmers’ vegetables and olive oil, we have unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Greece.
Here is your guide to the authentic flavors you should seek out while wandering through our cobblestone streets or relaxing by the shore.
Savory Staples: A Taste of Sea and Soil
The Skiathos Cheese Pie (Tiropita)
You cannot leave the island without trying our iconic cheese pie. Unlike the square pieces you might see elsewhere, ours is traditionally hand-kneaded into a paper-thin dough, filled with local feta or goat cheese and fresh herbs, and twisted into a beautiful spiral shape like a snail. It is often fried in our exceptional local olive oil until it’s perfectly crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Kalapodia (Shoe-shaped Pies)
If you are looking for a break from the spiral cheese pies, look for kalapodia. These are individual, oblong-shaped pies named after old-fashioned wooden shoe trees (kalapodia means “shoe trees” in Greek). They are hand-kneaded and stuffed with a mix of wild mountain greens and herbs like chervil and fennel, then fried or baked until the outside is crunchy and the inside remains warm and creamy.
Alonissos Tuna with Pasta
While the famous white tuna comes from the neighboring island of Alonissos, it is traditionally prepared in Skiathos as a hearty pasta dish. The tuna is cooked into a rich stew with tomatoes, sautéed onions, basil, and oregano, then poured over pasta for a satisfying, salty meal.
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Sweet Treats: The Flavors of Celebration
Hamalia
These are the “stars” of Skiathos celebrations like weddings and festivals. They are triangular-shaped pouches made of thin, crispy dough filled with a fragrant mixture of walnuts, local pine honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Once fried, they are heavily dusted with icing sugar. They are crunchy, soft, and sweet all at once!
Aspro (The “White” Sweet)
True to its name (aspro means white in Greek), this is a unique spoon sweet traditionally served at engagements to symbolize a pure union. It’s made from finely chopped blanched almonds, sugar syrup, and lemon. The mixture is beaten by hand with great persistence until it turns a brilliant white and becomes chewy, almost like a soft nougat.
Skiathos Baklava
Our baklava has a special touch thanks to the influence of Greek refugees from Asia Minor who settled here a century ago. It’s made in a wide round pan with up to 50 layers of paper-thin phyllo pastry, local honey, and either almonds or walnuts. It’s buttery, crisp, and the perfect way to end any meal.
Local Treasures to Take Home
Don’t forget to look for our Pine Honey, which is famous for its dark color and rich aroma of wild herbs. You might also see Amygdalota, which are delicate almond macaroon biscuits scented with flower water.
Skiathos is all about simplicity and fresh ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite for the beach or sitting down for a long dinner by the sea, we hope you enjoy every bite of our beautiful island!
