Greek restaurants in Greece
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A
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).
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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.
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C
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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
reviewed
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
reviewed
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O Antonis
An institution with the locals, this simple ouzerie is 2km from the town centre, on a breezy hill top offering sublime views of the sea and Mytilini town. Try the koutavakia (fried baby shark), sardines and kolios (mackerel). O Antonis has only a few tables, and fills up on weekends and after 20:00.
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O
Ela
This 14th-century building was a soap factory, then a school, distillery and cheese-processing plant. Now Ela serves up a decent array of Cretan specialities, such as goat with artichokes, while musicians create a lively ambience. The tacky board outside tells you it's in every guidebook but the accolades are not undeserved.
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Ouzeri Tzivaeri
The sort of food strong enough to soak up ouzo (the Tzivaeri serves 10 kinds) is dished out at this friendly portside eatery. You might need a cast-iron gut to lay into oil-drenched, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled cod strips and traditional Chios sausages - but then again, that's what a good ouzerie is all about.
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Thalassografia
This excellent mezedopoleio is the place to watch the sun set and try some fine mezedes, as well as a few pastas and more hearty meals. It's a casual place with a breathtaking setting under the fortezza, taking in views over the sea. The grilled sardines are excellent, as are the creamy mushrooms.
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Sti Linda
From the Stavros junction a rough track winds upwards to the shepherd's hut on the mountain spine and then an extremely rough track (take care) winds downwards to Kaminakia beach, where there is a good seasonal restaurant, Sti Linda, which rustles up hearty fish soups, oven-baked goat and home-made bread.
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