Athens, 11 – Greece’s beloved summer classic, gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers), has officially been ranked the 8th Best Vegetable Dish in the World in the newly released TasteAtlas Awards 2025/2026.
With an average rating of 4.2/5 from thousands of global food lovers and critics, gemista beat out iconic dishes from dozens of countries, securing its place among the planet’s most celebrated vegetable-based recipes.
The colorful, olive-oil-drenched peppers and tomatoes — traditionally filled with aromatic rice, fresh mint, dill, parsley, onion, and sometimes a touch of mince — were praised for their perfect balance of simplicity and explosive Mediterranean flavor.
This latest accolade adds to gemista’s impressive track record: it previously held the #1 spot worldwide in TasteAtlas's vegetable rankings and remains one of the most recognizable symbols of authentic Greek home cooking.
The ranking comes as Greek cuisine overall reclaimed the #2 position globally (behind only Italy) in the same 2025/2026 awards, with dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and dakos also appearing in various Top 100 lists.
TasteAtlas, the world’s leading encyclopedia of traditional food, local food, bases its annual awards on audience ratings combined with mentions by food critics and cultural significance.
“Gemista is summer on a plate,” the platform wrote in its description. “When the tomatoes are sun-ripened, and the herbs come straight from the garden, nothing else comes close.”
Opa — and pass the olive oil!
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