Greek restaurants in Europe
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Hatzis
In operation since 1908, when Thessaloniki was still an Ottoman city, this local legend brings the tastes of old Constantinople to you. After Hatzis, you'll never ask for a simple 'baklava' again.
The veritable symphony of sweets served at Hatzis includes vezir parmak (politika syrup cake with cream filling), hanoum bourek (hand-made pastry with raisins, peanuts and cream) and a dish of malempi mastiha (cream from milk and rice porridge, flavoured with mastiha from Chios and served with rose syrup).
reviewed
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Paros
You'll kick up your heels like Zorba himself after filling your tummy with Greek soul food at this simple yet sophisticated nosh spot. The menu features all the usual suspects (gyros, moussaka, avgolemono soup) but daily specials like veal cutlet grilled on lava rock are worth exploring as well. Opa!
reviewed
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Ouzou Melathron
Just from the sight of the scroll-like menu at this very popular sidestreet ouzerie, you know you're in for something special. Occupy yourself with ouzo and mezedhes, then dig into heartier fare like lamb in sweet wine sauce.
reviewed
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D
Sarri's
Tucked away in the back streets, Sarri's is a good spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the shady garden terrace. Check the daily specials board.
reviewed
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Othonas
The touristy-on-the-outside but decent Othonas is recommended for traditional Cretan food. It's a member of Concred and uses quality produce.
reviewed
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Dionysos Fiesta
Take a break at Dionysos Fiesta, specialising in local dishes, including an omelette made with artichokes and Karpathian sausages.
reviewed
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O Diavlos
What first attracts the eye in this unique ouzerie set in a lofty, wood-beamed building is the artwork lining the walls. Monthly exhibits show off local artist's works, which diners can purchase; might the next Theophilos be discovered here? However, aside from being an art lover, Diavlos owner Panayiotis Molyviatis crafts what might just be the most satisfying and nourishing mezedhes in all of Lesvos.
Local specialities include giouslemes (a crunchy cheese pie) and sfongatoa (a sort of oven-baked cake made of zucchini, egg, onion and cheese). Try also the Turkish-flavoured beef kebabs on pita bread with onions and yiaourtlou kebab (Greek yogurt). Music ranges from relaxe…
reviewed
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Mavrommátis
Sea-blue window frames and olive trees in giant terracotta pots whisk gourmet punters off to the Med at this well-established Greek restaurant. One bite into a tarama- drenched toast, aubergine fumée (smoked aubergine), salade grecque (tomatoes, lettuce, peppers and feta) or crépines d’agneau sur lit de tomates, courgettes et pommes de terre (lamb tripe with tomatoes, courgette and potatoes) and those inauthentic Greek takeaway joints on rue de la Huchette and streets like rue St-Séverin are instantly put to shame. Reserve in advance.
reviewed
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Kafeneio
Just above the small square you'll probably see local black-clad gents under the mulberry tree of the old-style Kafeneio, where apart from the local myzithropita (cheese pie) with honey you can normally get a basic meal like local sausage, or on weekends traditional wild goat or lamb tsigariasto or vrasto (boiled), charged by the kilo. And lots of raki.
For a glimpse of traditional Sfakian village life, it is worth veering right off the main road to arrive at a small square flanked by four kafeneia and statues of local resistance heroes.
reviewed
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Myrsini
Myrsini serves up hearty portions of authentic Cretan dishes for Thessasloniki's boisterous young hedonists. The food is delicious and healthy, from rusks topped with tomato, Cretan olive oil and soft cheese (dakos) and flavourful wild greens (horta) to roast rabbit, pork and - crucially - mizithropitakia (flaky filo triangles with sweet mizithra cheese).
Décor is simple, with worn wood floors and traditional accoutrements. Violin and bouzouki music from Greece's best island plays on in the background.
reviewed
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Marco Polo
You mightn't know about this seriously select dining locale if you didn't read it here. Original Graeco-Italian creations include pork with balsamic vinegar, rocket and sliced parmesan cheese, pork fillet with manouri cheese (a creamier and unsalted version of feta) and fig jam, or Santorini fava lentils with caramelised onions with a sweet wine sauce and mint. Select, but palate-pleasing wine list. Dining at its best in a palm tree caressed courtyard.
reviewed
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Kali Kardia Taverna
Kournas is a traditional village of white-washed houses, a few stone homes and a couple of kafeneia. You can get a delicious meal at the Kali Kardia Taverna on the main street. Owner Kostas Agapinakis is known for his award-winning sausages, excellent apaki (smoked pork) and meats cooked on the grill outside the taverna. If you are lucky you might get to try his delicious galaktoboureko (custard pastry) while it is still warm.
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Kavala
This Greek taverna has the usual classics such as souvlaki and moussaka, plus a delicious seafood mezze (320Kč) that could easily be a meal in itself. The indoor dining room, with the sponged walls and light woods, is a little too cute – a better bet is the front garden. The Greek Society runs a small grocery next door, which is great for stocking up on fresh olives, Greek wines, authentic Greek yogurt and fresh feta.
reviewed
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Gargadoros
This stylish restaurant opposite a relatively quiet beach on the way to Almyros is a recent and promising addition to Agios Nikolaos' dining scene. It's light and cheery with colourful chairs and tables and a relaxed feel. The food is well executed, with modern takes on traditional dishes and emphasis on Greek and Mediterranean flavours. It's a longish walk from town along the beach front (there's a path).
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Konaki
Not far from the Kelvingrove museum, Konaki is a friendly and unpretentious Greek restaurant that makes a great morning or evening pitta stop. The starters are a particular highlight of the authentic menu – in fact, ordering a whole lot of them to share is the most enjoyable way to eat here. There are several Greek wines to accompany your meal; knock back a traditional thick coffee afterwards.
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Mezedopoleion Palaio Petrino
The only reason to lament Chios' wonderfully warm weather, perhaps, is that diners never have to sit indoors and enjoy the Palaio Petrino's splendidly painted interior. No matter, the food is good enough to enjoy inside or out. Try the tyrokafteri (spicy cheese dip) and ktapodi krasato (octopus in wine sauce) with some hearty Northern Aegean wine.
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Avli
This former Venetian villa is the place for a romantic evening out, or at least one with maximum ambience. The nouveau-Cretan-style food is superb and there's an idyllic garden courtyard bursting with pots of herbs, bougainvillea canopies, fruit trees and works of art. The sleek wine bar in the adjacent old stables boasts more than 400 Greek wines.
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Stou Mihali
It's getting hard to find a free table at lunch at this tasty and inexpensive place serving mayirefta. Unlike many other such eateries, here you can combine half-portions and thus enjoy more variety. Everything is good; try the soutzoukakia (tomato-soaked beef rissoles), imam baïldi (roast eggplant) and Greek salad.
reviewed
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Topkapi Sense Restaurant
An 'Ottoman' restaurant with cuisine from Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Algeria, Morocco… The couscous with sea bass is a winner, as is the baked, stuffed zucchini. Ruby-red drapes and beads combine with low lighting to create a suitable atmosphere, although the guy in the corner playing cheesy tunes on his synthetic organ tempers it.
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Kouti
Even if the outdoor tables with an Acropolis view are taken, the food is more than a consolation at this popular eatery. The cute Greek menus are handwritten in children's books and there are English versions too. Try creative takes on Greek classic dishes, international cuisine and great salads, including a delicious avocado and crab salad.
reviewed
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Taverna I Skala
Climb the steps above the National Bank to reach this small and unpretentious wood-panelled hideaway, midway between Delphi's two main roads. The menu features a range of tasty mayirefta (ready-cooked meals) like stifado (veal stew) with orzo pasta and onions, and delicious mezedhes such as eggplant salad and fried cheese.
reviewed
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Syntagies
Housed in one of Iraklio's few surviving 1920s neoclassical mansions, this elegant place has original painted ceilings (including damaged sections from WWII) and tables in the flower-filled courtyard garden. There are well-executed classic Greek/Cretan dishes alongside international cuisine. The pastrami pastries are stand-out starters.
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Ouranos
A popular ouzerie that looks across at Turkey from a breezy patio on the ancient northern port. Tempting mezedhes include kolokythoanthi (fried pumpkin flowers stuffed with rice), ladotyri mytilinis (the oil-drenched local cheese) and hefty servings of some of the most enormous calamari in the Mediterranean.
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Zisi's
Locals swear by Zisi's for cheap, quality Cretan food, particularly the charcoal-grilled meats and the 25 or so daily trays of home-style dishes. It's a little out of town along the stretch of beachfront hotels and resorts (on right just before the Creta Palace), but is worth the trip. Kids will love the playground.
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Molyvos
This place has a lovely refined setting and elevates Greek cuisine to fine dining; nearby Molyvos Ethnik (2310 555 952), located on the corner of Ionos Dragoumi and Papadopoulou is its freewheeling companion eatery, with a smooth interior of high ceilings and polished mirrors, imaginative almost-fusion cuisine and Latin music.
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