Two beloved Greek salads rose to the top of international food ranking in 2025, highlighting the enduring appeal of the country’s traditional dishes. The TasteAtlas Awards, known for celebrating authentic and local recipes, placed Greece firmly at the top of the world’s best salads list.
The global food community has recognized the rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and cultural heritage behind these traditional Greek dishes, marking a major win for Mediterranean food lovers. Here are the two Greek salads that stole the spotlight this year.
Dakos, a humble yet deeply flavorful salad from Crete, has claimed the top spot in the world this year. This traditional dish reflects the heart of Cretan cuisine—simple, honest, and rooted in the land.
At the center of dakos is paximadi, a hard barley rusk. The sturdy base holds a vibrant mix of chopped ripe tomatoes, crumbled Xinomyzithra cheese, and a drizzle of golden olive oil. Locals prefer the soft and creamy Xinomyzithra over the more widely known feta cheese, which is often reserved for tourist menus.
The salad is finished with whole olives, capers, and a touch of fresh oregano. Many Cretans gently rub the rusk with raw garlic and sprinkle it with sea salt for added depth. When available, a few sprigs of kritamo—a briny sea fennel—are added, offering a taste of the Aegean coast.
Dakos is not just food; it reflects Crete’s culture and way of life. Served as a meze or a light evening meal, this dish celebrates local ingredients and time-honored traditions.
Securing the second spot in the global salad rankings, Horiatiki— widely known as Greek salad —is a beloved national dish that speaks to the heart of Greek culinary tradition. Its name, which means “country-style” hints at its origins: a simple, nourishing meal assembled by farmers using what was fresh and available in the field.
The salad is a colorful mix of quartered tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sliced red onions, and bell peppers.
Topped with olives and a thick slab of feta cheese, it’s finished with a sprinkle of oregano, sea salt, and a generous pour of extra virgin olive oil.
In some homes, the feta is gently mashed with a fork, allowing its briny flavor to mix with the juices from the vegetables.
Traditionally served in a shallow bowl, Horiatiki is a staple on Greek tables, from coastal tavernas to mountain villages. It’s a dish best enjoyed in summer when sun-ripened tomatoes are at their peak and the flavors of the land come alive.
While Greece proudly took the top two spots, the rest of the list showcases the incredible diversity of salads worldwide.
From the Mediterranean and the Middle East to Asia and the Balkans, these dishes reflect local traditions, seasonal ingredients, and regional pride. Here are the eight runners-up rounding out the list of the world’s best salads in 2025:
3. Houria – Tunisia
4. Caprese Salad – Capri Island, Italy
5. Fattoush – Lebanon
6. Shopska Salata – Bulgaria
7. Pecel – East Java, Indonesia
8. Smacked Cucumber (Pai Huang Gua) – Tibet, China
9. Piyaz – Antalya Province, Türkiye
10. Mechouia Salad – Tunisia
