Grilled dishes such as souvlaki Wine including retsina, mavrodafni and other Greek red/white wine varieties Beer Spirits such as ouzo, tsipouro and Metaxa brandy Fruit Desserts such as baklava, galaktoboureko, etc. Operations Tavernes usually open at noon, with dinner hours starting at 20:00 and reaching a peak around 22:00. As tourism has grown in Greece, many tavernes have attempted to cater to foreign visitors with English menus and touts or "shills" being employed in many tavernes to attract passing tourists. Similarly, tavernes in tourist areas pay commissions to tour guides who send business their way. In literature and art The lead character in the play and film Shirley Valentine written by Willy Russell leaves her husband and family in Liverpool for a vacation where she has an affair with a waiter at the taverna and ends up working in the taverna. Gallery See also List of Greek restaurants References Citations Sources Further reading External links Soc.Culture.Greek FAQ (Tourist Information) Alcohol in Greece Greek cuisine Greek restaurants Restaurants by type