This classic Portuguese dish is made in the style of Lagareiro, hence the name. Lagareiro refers to a cooking style with numerous varieties, but it usually ends in dressing grilled or roasted fish and seafood with extra virgin olive oil. In this case, octopus is boiled, then cut into pieces, grilled, then brushed with olive oil.

The dish is often additionally dressed with a combination of garlic, corainder, lemon juice, and salt. It is traditionally served with small, roasted potatoes with their skin intact.

Chtapodi sti schara (grilled octopus) is a traditional octopus dish originating from Greece. Although there are variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of octopus, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and oregano.

The octopus is washed, dried, and placed on a grill over a charcoal fire. It's brushed with a marinade consisting of oil, vinegar, and oregano. Once the octopus is tender, it's placed on a plate, thinly sliced and seasoned with olive oil, a drizzle of lemon, and oregano. 

Polbo á feira (a.k.a. pulpo a la gallega) is a traditional Galician dish made by cooking octopus, potatoes, and sweet paprika powder in copper cauldrons. The cauldrons impart a unique flavor to the dish, and it is said that it is impossible to obtain that kind of flavor with any other material.

In the Sanabria region, it is traditionally served with garlic, while elsewhere, pulpo a la gallega is presented on a wooden board, drizzled with lots of olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt. It is recommended to pair the dish with a glass of red wine on the side. 

Pulpo al olivo is a traditional meal that is served as an appetizer or main dish. The dish consists of octopus in olive sauce. The sauce is usually made with botija olives, growing in the southern part of the country. Although there are many variations on this dish, it is typically prepared with octopus, olives, lime or lemon juice, olive oil, eggs, and garlic.

The octopus is boiled, then covered with the sauce made by blending the olives with mayonnaise. It is recommended to serve this Peruvian delicacy with boiled potatoes on the side.

The small, round takoyaki are one of the most famous Japanese snacks, made with a simple egg batter that is enriched with diced octopus pieces. These tiny balls get their signature shape from the traditional iron pan in which they are grilled. The pan is filled with small round molds in which the batter is poured and swirled until the traditional round shape has been developed.

The creamy egg mix consists of wheat flour, soy sauce, and dashi stock, and after it has been poured into the sizzling molds it is topped with tender octopus pieces. Sliced scallions, pickled ginger, crispy fried tenkasu pieces, and dried fish flakes are often incorporated to elevate the flavors of the dish. 

Filetes de polvo is a traditional dish consisting of fried octopus tentacles. The octopus is boiled until tender, and it is then often seasoned with lemon juice and pepper. The tentacles are dipped in eggwash and breadcrumbs, then fried in oil until golden-brown in color.

This delicious dish is sometimes served with rice on the side, and it is then called filetes de polvo com arroz do mesmo.

Folpetti is a traditional dish originating from Veneto. The dish is prepared with a combination of baby octopus, lemon juice, parsley, salt, black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil. This simple preparation of Venetian-style baby octopus starts by boiling the octopus for about half an hour.

It is then seasoned with salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Before serving, this traditional appetizer is sprinkled with chopped parsley. It's recommended to pair folpetti with a glass of wine or prosecco on the side. For a more filling meal, serve the folpetti with boiled potatoes on the side.

Ceviche de pulpo is a type of ceviche using octopus as the star ingredient. Commonly found along the Peruvian and Ecuadorean coast, this appetizer is ideal for those who don’t like the fishy texture and flavors of standard ceviche. It is usually made with raw octopus pieces that are combined with diced onions, lime juice, coriander, oil, salt, and hot chili peppers, although most recipes use different, variable ingredients.

This delicious ceviche variety is sometimes served with green plantain chips.

Stir-fried octopus is a classic Korean banchan (side dish). It is usually prepared with a small-sized octopus that is sliced and then fried in a flavorful combination of garlic, ginger, and gochujang chili paste, while other additions include sliced vegetables such as onions, scallions, cucumbers, chili peppers, or zucchinis.

The dish is usually served sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds and goes exceptionally well with hearty Korean soups and stews.