Introduction
Christmas and New Year in Greece and Cyprus are not just holidays, they’re a warm, cosy explosion of honey, cinnamon, roasted meats, and that unmistakable scent of “someone’s been baking all day.” The festive season arrives with a table full of treats, an army of yiayias guarding their secret recipes, and enough food to feed a small village (or at least all the cousins who suddenly appear when the baking starts).
Whether you’re new to Greek festive cooking or simply want to bring a bit more Mediterranean joy to your holiday table, these dishes will wrap you in the flavours of tradition, celebration, and the occasional kitchen disaster (because, let’s be honest, tsoureki dough has a mind of its own).
Let’s dive into the most iconic Greek festive recipes that make Christmas and New Year unforgettable, one delicious dish at a time.
Melomakarona — The Honey-Spice Cookies That Disappear Faster Than You Can Say “Kala Christougenna”
If Christmas had a scent, it would be melomakarona. These soft, spiced cookies soaked in honey syrup are the star of every Greek festive table. They’re sweet, comforting, and have that magical ability to vanish without explanation, especially if there’s a sneaky uncle in the house.
Orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves fill the kitchen with pure holiday cheer, and if you really want to impress, sprinkle crushed walnuts on top like you’re decorating a tiny, edible Christmas tree.
Why they’re perfect: They travel well, last long, and make brilliant edible gifts… assuming you don’t eat them all first.
See Our Recipe: Melomakarona Recipe
Kourabiedes — Snowball Cookies (Without the Frostbite)
Kourabiedes look like little snowballs but thankfully taste nothing like icy misery. Instead, these buttery almond shortbreads melt in your mouth and instantly put you in a festive mood. They’re dusted with enough icing sugar to guarantee that someone, at some point, will inhale while laughing and choke a little, it’s practically part of the tradition.
Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with roasted almonds, kourabiedes bring the “white Christmas” you never get in Greece.
Why they’re perfect: They make your whole house smell like a bakery run by angels.
See Our Recipe: Kourabiedes Recipe
Vasilopita — The New Year’s Cake That Decides Your Fate
Vasilopita isn’t just a cake, it’s a yearly suspense thriller. Somewhere inside this orange-scented, fluffy cake hides a lucky coin. Whoever finds it is blessed with good fortune for the entire year. And yes, the competition gets fierce. You’ll see full-grown adults inspecting slices like forensic detectives.
Some families make a cake version, others a brioche-style vasilopita, either way, it’s delicious, symbolic, and hilarious to watch unfold.
Why it’s perfect: It turns dessert into a family event closely resembling a game show.
See Our Recipe: Vasilopita Recipe
Christopsomo — The Bread Fit for Christmas Royalty
Christopsomo, or “Christ’s Bread,” is the kind of bread that looks so beautiful you almost don’t want to slice it. Almost.
It’s mildly sweet, full of warm spices, and decorated with intricate dough shapes symbolising prosperity and blessings. Think of it as the Greek version of Christmas décor, just tastier.
Why it’s perfect: It’s the bread equivalent of a warm hug from a Greek grandmother.
See Our Recipe: Christopsomo Recipe
Oven-Baked Lemon & Herb Chicken (Kotopoulo Psito Lemonato) — The Dish That Says “Winter Is Here”
If your menu needs something festive without being overly heavy, Oven-Baked Lemon & Herb Chicken is the ideal addition. It’s golden, aromatic, and bursting with fresh lemon — the kind of dish that brightens even the coldest winter evening.
The chicken roasts gently with garlic, oregano, thyme, and plenty of olive oil, turning beautifully crisp while staying wonderfully juicy inside. The potatoes beneath it soak up all the juices, transforming into soft, lemony, herb-infused perfection. It’s simple, rustic, and absolutely irresistible.
Why it’s perfect: Light but full of traditional Greek flavour and its easy to prepare, perfect for busy festive kitchens
See Our Recipe: Oven-Baked Lemon Herb Chicken Recipe
Avgolemono Soup — New Year’s Warm-Up (and a Cure for Overindulgence)
After all the sweets, roasts, and “just one more” pieces of tsoureki, avgolemono soup is the soothing bowl of comfort you didn’t know you needed. Creamy without any cream, lemony, and soul-warming, it’s often served on New Year’s Day and has magical restorative powers… especially after a night of too much celebration.
Why it’s perfect: It makes you feel human again.
See Our Recipe: Avgolemono Soup Recipe
Kleftiko — Slow-Baked Lamb Worth Waiting For
Greek festive meals love drama, and kleftiko delivers. Traditionally cooked wrapped and sealed so that the aromas stay locked in, kleftiko is tender, flavourful, and melts in your mouth in a way that makes you question why you ever wasted time chewing.
Marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, this dish transforms any holiday meal into a feast fit for legends.
Why it’s perfect: It’s the kind of dish people will talk about all year.
See Our Recipe: Kleftiko Recipe
Tsoureki — The Sweet Bread That Tests Your Patience (But Rewards You Greatly)
Tsoureki is the braided superstar of Greek festive baking. Lightly sweet, scented with mahlepi and mastiha, tsoureki is delicious on its own, with butter, or in true Greek fashion, toasted with chocolate spread at 11pm.
It can be a bit stubborn, though. If your dough doesn’t rise, don’t panic. Just blame the weather, blame your yeast, blame anything but yourself. That’s the Greek way.
Why it’s perfect: It’s festive, fragrant, and dangerously addictive.
See Our Recipe: Tsoureki Recipe
Beef Kokkinisto with Pasta (Mosharaki Kokkinisto) — Lets Eat
If you want a dish that feels like a warm hug on a cold December night, Beef Kokkinisto with Pasta deserves a proud place at your festive table. This Greek staple turns humble beef into something extraordinary: slow-cooked until irresistibly tender, bathed in a cinnamon-infused tomato sauce that fills the kitchen with aromas that scream Christmas is here.
The sauce becomes beautifully rich and silky as it simmers, and when it’s poured over long pasta or traditional hilopites, you’ve got a dish that is both comforting and celebration-worthy. Add a generous snowfall of grated halloumi, kefalotyri, or parmesan, and your feast suddenly feels like an occasion.
Why it’s perfect: It’s hearty, warming, and deeply satisfying and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages.
See Our Recipe: Beef Kokkinisto With Pasta Recipe
Conclusion
Greek Christmas and New Year celebrations are deliciously chaotic, full of warmth, joy, and more desserts than any one table should legally hold. From honey-soaked cookies to legendary roasts and the thrilling hunt for the lucky vasilopita coin, each dish carries tradition, love, and just the right amount of family drama.
Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or enjoying a quiet holiday season, bringing these recipes to your table guarantees festive magic and full stomachs. After all, nothing says “Happy Holidays” like the smell of melomakarona drifting through the house.
Tips
-
- Make ahead: Melomakarona, kourabiedes, and tsoureki stay fresh for days and are ideal for prepping early.
- Share the magic: Greek festive dishes make great gifts… if you don’t eat them first.
- Cook with company: These recipes are even better when shared with family, friends, or the neighbour who “just came to borrow sugar.”
- Add a festive twist: Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on avgolemono or serve tsoureki with orange marmalade.
