12 Mediterranean Dinners That Feel Like a Summer Night in Greece

Close your eyes and picture a seaside table, warm air, fresh bread and a plate of grilled fish drizzled with olive oil. That feeling is what Mediterranean dinners are all about. They are colorful, full of flavor and built on simple ingredients like olive oil, vegetables, beans, fish and herbs. Every slide has an easy recipe. Want something sweet after? Visit our dessert galleries..

Mediterranean Dinners Start With a Simple Grilled Fish

Few Mediterranean dinners are as simple or as stunning as a whole grilled fish. Crispy skin, tender flaky meat, a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of good olive oil are all it needs. It is the kind of meal served in seaside tavernas from Greece to Italy. Make it at home, light a candle and pretend you are on vacation..

You will need: 2 whole sea bass or branzino (cleaned), 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 lemons, 4 cloves garlic, fresh oregano and parsley, and sea salt and pepper.

How to make it: Pat the fish dry and cut three slashes on each side. Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper, and stuff with lemon slices, garlic and herbs. Grill over medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side until the flesh flakes. Finish with lemon juice and olive oil.

Seafood Paella to Share

Paella comes from Valencia in Spain, and it is a dish made for gathering friends around one big pan. Golden saffron rice soaks up a rich broth while shrimp, mussels and peas cook right on top. The best part is the crispy layer of rice at the bottom, called socarrat. Bring the pan to the table and let everyone dig in.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups short grain rice, 4 cups seafood broth, a pinch of saffron, 1 pound shrimp, 1 pound mussels, 1 cup peas, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.

How to make it: Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil in a wide pan. Stir in the rice and paprika, then add the warm broth and saffron. Simmer without stirring for 15 minutes. Nestle in the shrimp, mussels and peas and cook 8 to 10 minutes more until the rice is tender and crisp at the bottom.

Classic Greek Village Salad

A true Greek salad has no lettuce at all. It is chunky tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red onion, peppers and olives topped with a big slab of feta and a pour of olive oil. It tastes like summer and pairs with almost every Mediterranean dinner. Use the ripest tomatoes you can find and good olive oil.

You will need: 4 ripe tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 green pepper, 1/2 red onion, 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, 1 block feta, olive oil and dried oregano.

How to make it: Cut the tomatoes and cucumber into chunks, slice the pepper and onion thinly and add the olives. Place the feta on top as one block. Drizzle generously with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano and a pinch of salt. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

Lemony Chicken Souvlaki

Souvlaki is one of the most popular street foods in Greece. Chunks of chicken soak in lemon, garlic and oregano, then grill until juicy and lightly charred. Serve them on a big salad or tuck them into warm pita with tzatziki. It is one of those Mediterranean dinners the whole family will ask for again.

You will need: 2 pounds chicken thighs, 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of 2 lemons, 4 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, salt and pepper.

How to make it: Cut the chicken into chunks. Mix the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper and marinate the chicken for at least one hour. Thread onto skewers and grill over medium high heat for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often, until cooked through.

Mediterranean Mixed Grill Platter

A mixed grill platter is how many Mediterranean families celebrate. Spiced kofta, chicken pieces and grilled vegetables are piled high on one big plate, with bread, dips and salad on the side. It turns an ordinary dinner into a feast. Everyone grabs what they love, and the table fills with laughter.

You will need: 1 pound ground lamb or beef, 1 pound chicken pieces, 1 onion, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 bell peppers, 1 zucchini and fresh parsley.

How to make it: Mix the ground meat with grated onion, half the spices, parsley and salt, and shape into logs on skewers. Season the chicken with the rest of the spices. Grill the kofta, chicken and sliced vegetables over medium high heat until cooked through. Pile everything onto a big platter.

Crispy Homemade Falafel

Falafel are crispy little fritters made from soaked chickpeas, herbs and spices. The outside crunches and the inside stays bright green and fluffy. They are naturally plant based and packed with flavor. Tuck them into pita with salad and tahini, or serve them in a bowl. Once you make them at home, you will never want frozen ones again.

You will need: 2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight), 1 small onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 cup parsley and cilantro, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon baking powder and oil for frying.

How to make it: Drain the chickpeas and pulse them in a food processor with the onion, garlic, herbs, cumin and salt until finely chopped. Stir in the baking powder and chill for 30 minutes. Shape into small balls and fry at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden.

Build Your Own Mediterranean Bowl

A Mediterranean bowl is the easiest way to eat well on a busy night. Start with rice or grains, then add falafel or chicken, chopped salad, hummus and a drizzle of tahini. Every bite is a little different. It is perfect for meal prep and one of the most flexible Mediterranean dinners you can make.

You will need: 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa, 8 falafel or 2 cups cooked chicken, 1 cup chopped cucumber and tomato, 1/2 cup hummus, pickled onions and tahini sauce.

How to make it: Divide the rice among bowls. Add the falafel or chicken, the chopped salad and a scoop of hummus. Top with pickled onions and drizzle with tahini thinned with lemon juice and water. Sprinkle with parsley and a pinch of paprika.

Mezze Night Platter

Mezze is the Mediterranean way of sharing a meal with small plates. A big platter with grilled meats, crunchy vegetables, olives, dips and warm bread lets everyone pick what they like. It feels relaxed and generous, like dinner with friends who never want to leave. No fancy cooking needed, just good ingredients.

You will need: Hummus, tzatziki, olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, radishes, grilled chicken or kebabs, feta, warm pita and fresh herbs.

How to make it: Spoon the dips into small bowls and place them on a large board. Arrange the vegetables, olives, feta and grilled meat around them. Warm the pita in the oven and cut it into wedges. Finish with olive oil, herbs and a squeeze of lemon.

Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Greek lemon potatoes are crispy on the edges and soft and creamy inside, soaked in lemon, garlic and oregano. They are the side dish everyone fights over at Greek family dinners. The secret is roasting them in broth so they absorb flavor before they crisp up. Serve them with fish, chicken or lamb.

You will need: 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, 1/3 cup olive oil, juice of 2 lemons, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 4 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons dried oregano and salt.

How to make it: Cut the potatoes into wedges and place in a baking dish. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, broth, garlic, oregano and salt and pour it over. Roast at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes, turning once, until the liquid is absorbed and the edges are golden.

Cool and Creamy Tzatziki

Tzatziki is the cool, garlicky yogurt sauce that makes every Mediterranean dinner better. Thick Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon and dill come together in five minutes. Spoon it over grilled meat, dunk pita into it or serve it with vegetables. Make it a few hours ahead so the flavors blend.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt, 1 cucumber, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped dill, 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt.

How to make it: Grate the cucumber and squeeze out as much water as you can in a towel. Stir it into the yogurt with the garlic, lemon juice, dill and salt. Drizzle with olive oil and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Chicken Gyro Wraps

Chicken gyros are a Greek street food favorite you can easily make at home. Spiced chicken is cooked until crispy at the edges, then wrapped in warm pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki and even a few fries, the way they do in Athens. It is messy, satisfying and perfect for a fun Friday night.

You will need: 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 4 pita breads, tomatoes, red onion, tzatziki and fries.

How to make it: Season the chicken with the spices, olive oil and salt. Cook in a hot skillet for 5 to 6 minutes per side, then slice thin. Warm the pitas, fill them with chicken, tomato, onion, tzatziki and a few fries, and wrap tightly in foil.

Spiced Chicken Kebab Platter

Chicken kebabs grilled with Mediterranean spices are juicy, smoky and full of flavor. Serve them on a big platter with grilled vegetables and fresh herbs, and dinner feels like a celebration. These easy kebabs prove that Mediterranean dinners can be both healthy and deeply satisfying. Leftovers make great lunch bowls.

You will need: 2 pounds chicken breast, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 cloves garlic and salt.

How to make it: Cut the chicken into chunks and coat it in the yogurt, lemon, spices and garlic. Marinate for at least one hour. Thread onto skewers and grill for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often, until charred and cooked through. Serve with herbs and lemon wedges.