Must-try Mediterranean dishes at Greek restaurants in Maryland

June 6, 2022 at 7:00 AM
A plate of calamari.

Mediterranean cuisine options can feel endless, and they all sound equally delicious. Knowing what Mediterranean dishes are essential to try at Greek restaurants in Maryland is difficult. Luckily, at The Black Olive, we can help. While our restaurant is twenty years old, our culinary tradition and expertise span generations and originate in Greece. We predicate our unrivaled cuisine on simplicity, tradition, and a commitment to only using the best ingredients. Plus, we boast an excellent wine list.

Here are must-try Mediterranean dishes:

Bakaliaros

One of the most delectable Mediterranean dishes to try at a Greek restaurant in Maryland is bakaliaros. Bakaliaros, or cod fritters, are a Greek appetizer served with creamy garlic sauce.

Sometimes called bakaliaros skoradlia, this dish is popular on March 25th, a cherished tradition celebrating the Annunciation of Theotokos, or the Virgin Mary, and Greek independence day.

Bakaliaros can consist of salt or freshwater cod. This dish consists of batter-fried codpieces or flaked cod introduced to a thick batter. Bakaliaros Skordalia is made out of:

  • Cod
  • Flour
  • Beer
  • Yeast
  • Salt
  • Oil
  • Potatoes

If you are interested in unrivaled cod, at The Black Olive, we are the premier Greek restaurant in Baltimore, and we offer an array of unparalleled cod dishes.

Kalamarakia tiganita

Another essential Mediterranean dish to try at a Greek restaurant in Maryland is kalamarakia tiganita, or deep-fried calamari.

Deep-fried calamari is an excellent appetizer and the perfect way to start a meal. Throughout Greece, calamari and squid are some of the most common, most mouthwatering, and cheapest foods you will find, especially if you are on the islands.

This dish is usually served crispy, golden, and deep-fried. However, it is sometimes grilled. Calamari is essentially seasoned squid rings and tentacles covered in flour and fried and served with a lemon wedge for added flavor. Kalamarakia tiganita is made out of:

  • Squid
  • Flour
  • Peppercorn
  • Salt
  • Paprika
  • Oregano
  • Lemon
  • Parsley

If you are looking for unparalleled kalamarakia tiganita in Baltimore, at The Black Olive, our stuffed calamari on the grill is in a league of its own.

Astakomakaronada

Another must-try Mediterranean dish at Greek restaurants in Maryland is astakomkaronada. This decadent dish is lobster pasta, as lobster is a staple of Greek cuisine.

With this dish, the tender, flavorful lobster meat is served inside its shell, as is tradition. The lobster is served alongside spaghetti pasta with a rich tomato herb sauce often made with wine and spices. This dish can be found throughout Greece but is commonly associated with Skyros.

If you are interested in trying astakomakaronada, at The Black Olive, our lobster over pasta marries unrivaled local lobster with transcendent Greek tradition.

Garides saganaki

Another delicious Mediterranean dish to taste at a Greek restaurant in Maryland is garides saganaki.

A classic Greek seafood dish, garides saganaki is made out of sautéed shrimps traditionally deglazed with anise-flavored ouzo, which provides a distinctly Greek flavor, and doused in a rich tomato sauce made from paprika, herbs, and spices.

Afterward, the cook adds crumbled feta cheese. They named this dish after sagani, a small, two-handled pan traditionally used for cooking one-pot dishes. Restaurants also typically serve this dish in a sagani. This dish is an appetizer, and its ingredients are:

  • Shrimps
  • Tomato
  • Onion
  • Hot peppers
  • Garlic
  • Ouzo
  • Dill
  • Parsley

Book a reservation now!

If you are interested in trying the most delicious Mediterranean dishes at Greek restaurants in Baltimore, the choice is clear. At The Black Olive, we are the premier Greek restaurant with a culinary history that spans generations to Greece and family recipes that come straight from the source. Our passion is delivering unequaled dishes to customers time and time again, and we only use the finest ingredients, no matter what it takes to find them. Book a reservation now!