Kosher products in Greek supermarkets: bread, milk, wine and what's really kosher
Greece has no national supervision for local products. Here's what is fine in the supermarket, what needs a symbol, and where to buy kosher meat, challah and wine.
- Most Greek supermarket products carry no kosher symbol. Check Chabad of Greece's current list or look for a recognised symbol on imports.
- Regular wine is not kosher, and we found no certified ouzo. Buy wine, meat and challah at the Chabad shop or e-kosher.gr.
- Pure milk is considered acceptable under the old guidelines (not chalav Yisrael). Chalav Yisrael only via Chabad.
If you keep kosher, order meat, wine and challah in advance from Chabad, and buy only listed or certified products in the supermarket. When in doubt, ask Chabad or your rabbi.
What is kosher in Greek supermarkets?
Greece has no national kosher supervision for local products, and most products in supermarkets (AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis, Lidl, My Market, Masoutis) carry no kosher symbol. So kosher-keeping travellers rely on three things:
- Chabad of Greece's kosher product list, published on chabad.gr.
- Imported products with a recognised symbol (OU, KLBD, OK and others) that are also sold in Greece.
- Chabad's kosher shops and deliveries, for meat, chicken, cheese, wine and challah.
Important: a product's kosher status depends on the symbol on the packaging and the current list. Kosher status does not carry over to another product of the same company, nor to the same product made in another country. When in doubt, ask Chabad or your rabbi.
Chabad of Greece's kosher list
The Chabad house in Athens publishes a list of kosher products found in Greek supermarkets (chabad.gr/kosherlist). Chabad asks users to read all the instructions at the top of the list first and to check each product's level of supervision.
Earlier versions of the list, compiled by Rabbi Mendel Hendel, set out some general principles. They help explain how the list works, but always check the current version:
- Products marked (D) contain milk and are not chalav Yisrael.
- Products are kosher all year but not for Pesach, unless stated.
- French and British products were approved according to the Beth Din of Paris and London.
Kosher bread in Greece
According to the old Chabad list, bread made only from flour, water and yeast may be acceptable under certain conditions (for example regarding yeast and baking trays). In practice, Greek bakeries have no supervision, and trays shared with greasy pastries are a common problem.
The safe option: challah and bread from the Chabad shop in Athens or from e-kosher.gr, which also sells frozen challah. The Chabad houses on Rhodes and Crete also offer kosher food; order ahead.
Kosher milk, yogurt and cheese in Greece
- Milk: according to the old list, pure milk with no additives was considered acceptable (not chalav Yisrael). Protein-enriched milk or milk with additives is not included.
- Yogurt and cheese: older versions of the list named certain Greek brands (such as Olympus yogurts and Tyras-Olympus products). Brands and recipes change, so check the current list before buying.
- Chalav Yisrael: not sold in regular supermarkets. Order through the Chabad shop or e-kosher.gr.
- Feta: most feta in supermarkets has no kosher symbol. Buy kosher cheese at the Chabad shop.
Kosher wine and ouzo in Greece
- Wine: regular Greek wine is not kosher. Buy kosher wine at the Chabad shop in Athens or order from e-kosher.gr.
- Ouzo: we found no ouzo with a recognised kosher certificate. Ouzo sometimes contains grape-based ingredients, so it needs supervision. Ask Chabad before buying.
- Beer: older versions of the list named international beer brands. Again, check the current list.
Snacks, cereals and basics
Products that usually need no symbol (according to Chabad's old guidelines, provided there are no additives):
- Extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil
- Fresh fruit and vegetables, and natural dried fruit (not roasted or oil-coated)
- Sugar, salt, flour, honey, rice and egg-free pasta
- Pure 100% coffee without flavourings
- Mineral water and natural juices not made from grapes
Snacks and cereals: many imported products (British, American and German brands) carry symbols such as KLBD or OU. Look for the symbol on the pack. Note: sweets and ice creams from brands familiar in Israel are not necessarily kosher in Greece, because recipes differ between countries. Chabad warns about this explicitly.
Where to buy kosher meat, chicken and products
| Place | What's available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad shop / e-kosher.gr, Athens | Meat, chicken, fish, dairy, frozen challah, wine, Shabbat meals | Esopou 10, Psiri. Sun–Thu 10:00–21:00, Fri 10:00–15:00. Delivery across Greece, including Mykonos and Santorini (about 3 working days) |
| Gostijo restaurant, Athens | Glatt kosher meat restaurant | Supervised by Chabad of Athens |
| Chabad of Rhodes | Kosher food and Shabbat | Arrange in advance |
| Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos) | Kosher tavern and grocery | Deliveries to hotels by arrangement |
| KosherMykonos | Shop and meal delivery on Mykonos and Santorini | Independent, not Chabad |
More kosher places: Shabbat times & kosher in Greece and kosher food in Greece: kosher restaurants. Chabad houses: Chabad in Greece.
Tips for kosher travellers in Greece
- Order ahead: Shabbat meals and food packages need 3–5 days' notice, especially on the islands.
- Stay with a kitchenette: an apartment with a kitchen makes things much easier, as you can cook from basic products.
- Eggs: regular eggs are fine; check for blood spots as usual.
- Pesach: the regular list is not for Pesach. See Passover in Greece.
FAQ
What is kosher in Greece? Most supermarket products have no kosher symbol. Kosher options: products on Chabad of Greece's list, imported products with a recognised symbol (OU, KLBD), and basics such as olive oil, fruit, rice and sugar without additives. Buy meat, wine and challah at the Chabad shop.
Is there kosher bread in Greece? Regular bakeries are not supervised. Buy kosher bread and challah at the Chabad shop in Athens or order from e-kosher.gr, which also sells frozen challah.
Is there kosher milk in Greece? According to Chabad's old guidelines, pure milk without additives is acceptable (not chalav Yisrael). Order chalav Yisrael through Chabad or e-kosher.gr.
Where can I buy kosher wine in Greece? At the Chabad shop in Athens or on e-kosher.gr, with delivery across Greece. Regular Greek wine is not kosher.
Is there kosher ouzo? We found no ouzo with a recognised kosher certificate. Ask Chabad before buying.
Is Greek yogurt kosher? Some Greek yogurts appeared on Chabad's kosher lists in the past, but this changes. Check the current list on chabad.gr.
