Experience Authentic Ioannina Cuisine with a Traditional Greek Dinner at Giota’s Home

Giota is more than just a host; she is a true guardian of Ioannina’s culinary heritage. Born and raised in this historic city, her deep connection to traditional cooking was cultivated by her grandmother and mother, who passed down time-honored recipes, techniques, and a profound love for the region’s cuisine. Each dish Giota prepares is a tribute to her ancestors, bringing their flavors to life with a modern yet deeply respectful approach to tradition.

In addition to her culinary expertise, Giota is a professional in food safety, ensuring that every ingredient she uses meets the highest standards of quality and freshness. This meticulous attention to detail guarantees that every meal she serves is not only delicious but also prepared with care and precision.

However, what truly sets Giota apart is her passion for Ioannina and its rich food culture. For her, cooking is far more than a task—it’s a sacred ritual, an act of love that connects her to her roots. Each meal is an opportunity to share the essence of Epirus with her guests, offering them a window into the flavors, stories, and traditions that make Ioannina’s cuisine so unique.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Step into the heart of Ioannina’s culinary legacy with a special dinner experience at Giota’s home in the picturesque Epirus region. This immersive 2.5-hour journey offers a genuine taste of local Greek culture, where each dish is a reflection of tradition and passion.

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed into Giota’s warm and inviting home. Here, tradition and comfort intertwine as you participate in a hands-on cooking demonstration, learning to prepare a traditional Greek pie. Giota, a master of local cuisine, will not only guide you through the techniques but also explain the cultural significance and heritage behind each dish.

This isn’t just a cooking class—it’s a deep dive into the flavors, history, and customs of Ioannina. As you knead dough or layer ingredients, Giota will share stories passed down through generations, offering rich insights into the essence of Greek food and local traditions.

The highlight of the evening is the communal dinner, accompanied by soft Epirotic music. You’ll savor authentic dishes like galotyri cheese and baked giant beans, each bite capturing the heart of Ioannina’s culinary heritage. With glasses clinking and stories flowing, this evening becomes a celebration of food, culture, and community.

Giota’s dinner is not just about food—it’s about experiencing the warmth and hospitality of Greek culture in a way that leaves lasting memories.

Ioannina, set in the captivating region of Epirus, is a city steeped in history. From the ancient walls of Ioannina Castle to the calm waters of Lake Pamvotis, it’s a city full of stories waiting to be discovered.

After a day of exploring its cobbled streets and historic landmarks, Giota’s dinner offers the perfect way to unwind and dive deeper into local traditions. Located near the city center, her home becomes a cozy retreat, where the rich flavors of traditional cooking come alive in a way that feels both comforting and magical.

The Menu

Appetizers

• Grilled Bread with Variety of Olives

Begin your journey with a selection of Greece’s finest olives, ranging from tangy Kalamata to robust Amfissa varieties, served alongside freshly grilled bread. This simple yet flavorful pairing introduces the depth and diversity of Greece’s olive-growing regions, a staple of the Greek table.

• Galotyri Cheese

A smooth, velvety cheese made from a blend of sheep and goat’s milk, native to the Epirus region. This creamy delicacy, with its slightly tangy flavor, reflects the time-honored dairy traditions of Ioannina, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience that complements the savory appetizers.

• Flour Pie (Alevropita)

A humble yet flavorful pie, featuring crispy layers of batter, baked to golden perfection. This iconic dish of Northwestern Greece is a nod to the simplicity and ingenuity of local cooking, where few ingredients are transformed into something truly memorable.

• Authentic Batsaria

A rare regional specialty, this rustic pie is crafted from a cornmeal batter, filled with fresh greens and herbs. Unlike the more well-known spinach pie, Batsaria uses corn flour instead of phyllo, capturing the innovative spirit of Epirus cuisine and its reliance on local grains.

Main Course

• Baked Giant Beans with Leafy Greens (Gigantes me Horta)

A quintessential comfort food of the Greek diet, this hearty dish combines tender, slow-cooked giant beans with sautéed leafy greens in a rich tomato-based sauce. It’s a celebration of plant-based nutrition, embodying the simple, wholesome flavors that define traditional Greek home-cooking.

Desserts

• Loukoumi Rose

A delicate and fragrant delight, loukoumi (also known as Turkish delight) flavored with rosewater is served as a gesture of hospitality. Its soft, jelly-like texture and floral sweetness provide a light and aromatic finish to your meal, reflecting the refined confectionery traditions of the region.

• Greek Milk Pie (Galatopita)

A warm, comforting dessert made with layers of crisp phyllo dough and a rich custard of milk, eggs, and sugar. This creamy pie, lightly dusted with cinnamon, brings the taste of Greek home kitchens to your table—an irresistible treat to end your culinary journey on a sweet note

Drinks

• Three Shots of Tsipouro per Person

No Greek meal is complete without Tsipouro, a strong traditional spirit distilled from grape pomace. Each guest will enjoy three small shots, starting with the pure, robust version and moving on to the aromatic, anise-flavored variety. These sips of fiery Tsipouro will warm both body and soul, offering a true taste of Greek hospitality and celebration.