View source for Ouzeri

{{Short description|Type of Greek tavern}}
{{Expand German|topic=cult|Ouzeri|date=August 2024}}
{{notability|date=November 2017}}
[[File:Kos ouzeri.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A traditional ouzeri on the Greek island of [[Kos]]]]An '''ouzeri''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] ''ουζερί'' {{IPA|el|uzeˈri|IPA}}) is a type of Greek [[tavern]] which serves [[ouzo]] (a Greek liquor) and [[mezedes]] (small [[finger food]]s).

Ouzeris are found in all cities and towns around Greece. The meals are prepared in the restaurant, unlike in the traditional [[kafenio]]. Among these are also meat-based and fish-based meals, again in contrast to a kafenio. An ouzeri is alternatively called a ''tsipouradiko'', ''mezedopolio'' or ''ouzopolio''.

On the menu, one may find the following options:

* various types of cheese, such as [[feta]], [[kefalotyri]] and graviera;
* vegetables and salads, such as olives, [[tzatziki]] and Greek salad;
* preprepared meals like dolmades and broad beans from the oven;
* marinated, broiled and boiled meat and fish dishes like souvlaki, mussels, sardines, anchovies and pastirme.

A plate with a variety of small such dishes is called a ''pikilia'' (Greek ''ποικιλία''). Traditionally, the ouzo is sipped slowly, often with water or ice, and taken alongside mezedes during the course of a few hours in the afternoon.

==Sources==
*John Freely. ''Strolling through Athens: fourteen unforgettable walks through Europe's oldest city''.  Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2004 {{ISBN|1-85043-595-2}}, {{ISBN|978-1-85043-595-2}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=QME9WXUnookC&dq=%22ouzeria+is+a%22&pg=PA265]

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last=MacNeill | first=J. | title=Athens | date=December 1988 | publisher=Prentice Hall | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Y_oUEoTxgcC | access-date=February 18, 2018 | page=86| isbn=9780130476067 }}

{{Drinking establishments}}

[[Category:Greek cuisine]]
[[Category:Types of drinking establishment]]
[[Category:Restaurants by type]]


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