The traditional food of Corfu has an appealing richness to it, derived from flavorful ingredients available on land and in the sea surrounding it. Corfiot cuisine is primarily known for preparations that showcase a significant Venetian influence, to the point that many Ionian recipes still have Italian names.
However, keen travelers island-hopping around Greece, having booked their tickets through Ferryscanner, will also find dishes inspired by ancient Roman and Turkish cooking in Corfu. Of course, Greek food remains an island staple and is readily available in every local eatery.
However, before wondering what to eat in Corfu, one must select where to savor the best in local delicacies. While most cafes and restaurants in Corfu promise memorable meals, some stand out for their outstanding service, location, and food.
With its streetside seating in Corfu Town, Rex has been an iconic eatery since 1932 that you should book a table at. The 25-year-old Klimataria in Benitses is arguably the best family-owned fish taverna in the region.
On the other hand, Etrusco takes the traditional flavor profile of Corfiot cuisine, modernizes it, and presents contemporary dishes elevated to impressive gastronomic levels.
Now, as for what to eat in Corfu, here are nine dishes you should not leave the island without trying.
Pastitsada
Pastitsada is a traditional food of Corfu typically eaten by locals as part of their Sunday dinner. A wholesome and robust meal, pastitsada combines the richness of a meaty gravy with the comforting goodness of pasta.
Beef or rooster, slow-cooked in spices, onions, garlic, and red wine, form the fundamental elements of the dish. Locals then add a tomato gravy seasoned with cinnamon, bay leaves, nutmeg, and sugar to the meat. Once the stew is ready, it is poured on top of pasta and sprinkled with Kefalotyri cheese.
Zorka
When looking at what to eat in Corfu on the go, pick up a zorka. A savory vegetable pie, zorka gives more importance to the seasonality of the filling than the actual pastry. That’s in complete contrast to the famous Greek spinach and cheese pie, spanakopita, famous for its flaky phyllo.
Zorka fillings change from one season to another and typically feature onions, cheese, zucchini, or pumpkin.
Fish Bourdeto
A classic Venetian recipe, fish bourdeto, is also a traditional food in Corfu, much-cherished by the local fishing community. The dish gets its name from brodetto, which is Venetian for broth.
Having a thick soupy consistency, one can use a variety of fish to make bourdeto. The dish’s preparation requires cooking the fish in white wine and olive oil with onions, vinegar, and lemon.
Moreover, bourdeto gets its trademark red color not from tomatoes but from red peppers. The result is a zesty meal with a pleasingly sweet and sour taste.
Pastitsio Dolce
Pastitsio Dolce is specifically for meat lovers and diehard gourmands searching for hard-to-find traditional food of Corfu. Think of it as a sandwich having two layers of dough bursting with every meat possible, from veal and sausages to salami and rooster.
In addition to the meat, there are ingredients like eggs, cheese, tomato, and sauce, making most people salivate just thinking about this gastronomic creation. Definitely a tummy-filler, have it for lunch so you can try and work off the calories later in the day.
Eggplant Pastrokio
Often considered peasant food, eggplant pastrokio is a unique dish that includes both fried and baked elements.
At the heart of the recipe is fried eggplant, topped with layers of cheese, salami, sliced boiled egg, and pancetta. Locals then pour a rich homemade tomato and basil sauce over the ingredients and bake them.
Eggplant pastrokio is a hearty, full-bodied recipe, perfect for a late afternoon lunch and best paired with local red wine.
Sofrito
Sofrito is arguably the most prevalent and traditional food of Corfu that you must try at least once.
The Italian name of the dish translates to “sauteed.” However, the cooking process of the Corfiot version consists of slowly pan-frying veal in white wine, along with fresh herbs, olive oil, and kakavilia, a local variety of garlic.
Served with fava beans or mashed potatoes, you’ll find sofrito in every traditional Corfu restaurant.
Cheese Saganaki
Cheese saganaki is among the most popular starters in Greek cuisine. Unlike other fried foods, there is no batter in this dish. The salty cheese goes directly on the pan. When golden brown and crunchy, a sprinkle of lime juice completes the recipe.
However, in Corfu, you also find a dessert version of cheese saganaki. While the cooking method remains the same, locals drizzle dark honey over the fried cheese instead of lemon.
Fish Bianco
Seafood enthusiasts searching for what to eat in Corfu, fish bianco is one dish you will undoubtedly love. The delicate layering and construction process of this otherwise simple dish is fascinating.
Local chefs first pan-fry slices of potatoes in white wine, seasoning them with garlic and salt. They then take the fish, usually seabass, and separately simmer it in white wine.
Afterward, the fish goes on top of the potatoes, and the entire concoction continues to simmer ever-so-slightly till ready for serving.
Sikomaida
What to eat in Corfu for dessert, you ask? Try sikomaida, the ouzo-filled fig cake that is a specialty of the region.
To prepare the cake, one must first dry the figs under the sun and then mix them with black pepper, fennel, nuts, sugar, and ouzo. For seasoning, most people add cinnamon and aniseed.
Shaped into a small round patty wrapped in fig leaves, it takes two hours of baking for this sweet sticky dessert to be ready for consumption.