Must-see restaurants in Greece

  • Kottani

    Thrace

    High in the Rhodopi Mountains, this isolated taverna feels like a fairy tale, and the food is definitely magic: spicy kebab romani (beef patties), beans…

  • Taverna Mylos

    Dodecanese

    If there's one reason to visit Leros, it's to eat here, one of the best restaurants in the Dodecanese. Run by two passionate and knowledgeable brothers,…

  • To Paradosiakon

    Dodecanese

    This patisserie and ice-cream bar, housed in an historic Italianate mansion on the waterfront, provides a sweet-toothed experience like no other. The…

  • Ergon House Agora

    Syntagma & Plaka

    A superb addition to Athens' culinary landscape is this deli, cafe and restaurant occupying a gorgeously designed atrium space flooded with light. There…

  • Marco Polo Cafe

    Rhodes Town

    Despite being barely visible, or even signed, from the street, this irresistible dinner-only restaurant is filled nightly, with diners savouring exquisite…

  • El Greco

    Dodecanese

    Offering tables right on the beach or on a thatch-roofed terrace, this stylish taverna prepares up-to-the-minute versions of traditional seafood cuisine…

  • CousinA

    Ikaria

    A short walk from the main square, this tiny but outstanding eatery ventures well beyond the Ikarian mainstream, upgrading traditional Greek food to the…

  • Karamanlidika tou Fani

    Athens

    At this modern-day pastomageireio (combo tavern-deli) tables are set alongside the deli cases, and staff offer complimentary tasty morsels while you're…

  • Steki tou Ilia

    Athens

    If there's a line to dine at this no-frills psistaria (restaurant serving grilled food), it's worth joining. The payoff is succulent lamb and pork chops,…

  • Yiantes organic restaurant in Exharia.

    Yiantes

    Athens

    This lovely restaurant with a central courtyard garden is upmarket for Exarhia, but the food is superb and made with largely organic produce. Expect…

  • Garden Arkoudenas

    Rethymno Province

    One of the most enjoyable places to experience traditional Cretan cuisine and hospitality is this vibrant taverna set among fruit trees and adjoining…

  • Peskesi

    Iraklio

    It's almost impossible to overstate how good Peskesi's resurrected, slow-cooked Cretan dishes are, nor the beauty of the revamped Venetian villa in which…

  • George's Yard

    Iraklio Province

    George (Giorgos) was the lone local who dug in with the invading hippies in the 1970s, coining Matala's motto: 'Today is life. Tomorrow never comes.'…

  • Haihoutes

    Kos

    Set in a ghost village (name; it was once a thriving village of 450 people), this tiny and oh so tasteful cafe has been restored and stands, along with…

  • Oria Taverna

    Kos

    You'll be rewarded by making the effort to get to this idyllic taverna, only accessible by a 15-minute walk up a track. Here you'll face the 1000-year-old…

  • Kritsa Hotel Restaurant

    Pelion Peninsula

    A favourite with foodies – more the kind of place you’d expect to find in Provence than in the Pelion – this outstanding restaurant spreads beneath the…

  • Taverna Niki

    Iraklio Province

    After visiting the nearby Kerá Kardiotissas, stop for the view and a bite at this traditional taverna perched on a hillside corner 850m from the monastery…

  • Yevsea

    Dodecanese

    Meaning 'taste', this lovely, waterfront place is set to put Nisyros on the culinary map. Run by a passionate young duo, both Masterchef Greece…

  • O Platanos

    Kythira

    The family behind this charming restaurant say that if you're searching for modern food then you're in the wrong place, but if you prefer to savour hand…

  • O Makis

    Kos

    Ask any local where to eat? O Makis, of course. Don't expect linen and haute cuisine. Think better: a genuine experience. Grilled fish and seafood…

  • Taverna Iliomanolis

    Rethymno Province

    At the top of Kotsifou Gorge, mountainside Taverna Iliomanolis serves superb homestyle Cretan food. There’s no menu, but you’ll be invited into the…

  • Chrisovoulo

    Monemvasia

    Aiming higher than the other restaurants hereabouts, Chrisovoulo raises expectations. But it delivers: it prepares creative salads and various delicacies…

  • Hope

    Elounda

    Clinging to a steep hillside in the ancient hamlet of Mavrikiano above Elounda, Hope has been a local fixture since 1938. The terrace where fishermen once…

  • Taverna Sideratico

    Rethymno Province

    In an appealing location away from Spili's touristy centre, this delightful taverna sits on the main road 500m south of town. There's no menu, so you'll…

  • Ladokolla Stin Plagia

    Kefallonia

    High in the hills in the whitewashed and near-silent village of Damoulianata is this superb, family-run restaurant (the chefs are twin brothers). The menu…

  • Elia & Diosmos

    Iraklio Province

    At this foodie destination, market-fresh ingredients shine in flavour-intense and progressive Cretan dishes from chef Argyro Barda. The menu chases the…

  • Thea's Restaurant & Rooms

    Ikaria

    There are a few fine tavernas in Nas, but Thea's excels, serving up outstanding mezedhes, meat grills and a perfect veggie mousakas (baked layers of…

  • Bakaliko with Tsipouro

    Dodecanese

    Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior, fronted with red and green wooden chairs and tables. Formerly a grocery store (that was housed across the road…

  • Thalassino Ageri

    Hania

    This solitary fish taverna among the vestiges of Hania’s old tanneries in Halepa, 2km east of the centre, is one of Crete’s top restaurants. Take in the…

  • Tholos

    Symi

    The name on locals' lips is Tholos and there’s no more romantic restaurant in the Dodecanese than this lovely taverna, poised at the tip of Harani Bay,…

  • Meltemi

    Dodecanese

    Open all year, this atmospheric spot – whose traditional artefacts accessorise a handsome wood-and-tile interior – is an ouzerie come mezedhopoleio (place…

  • Ktima Petra

    Dodecanese

    For one of Patmos' wholesome and genuine foodie experiences, don't miss this winner, located at Petra Beach. The setting – under a shaded terrace…

  • Kritikos

    Macedonia

    Set just back from the portside tavernas and their ingratiating hucksters, gleaming-white Kritikos is the place for seafood in Ouranoupoli. Freshness is…

  • Betty’s

    Lesvos

    This restored Turkish pasha’s residence on the upper street, overlooking the harbour below, offers a tasty variety of excellent mayirefta (ready-cooked)…

  • Taverna Fabrika

    Chios

    This cheerful traditional eatery nestled in the trees of Volissos occupies a century-old olive-and-flour mill, where some of the vintage equipment is…

  • I Gonia Tou Kavalari

    Nafplio

    Just off Plateia Syntagmatos and nestled into a cosy corner, this delightful spot whips, tosses and fries up some of the best mezedhes (tapas-style dishes…

  • Labyrinthos

    Patra

    Inside the rough stone walls of this 85-year-old family restaurant (one of the oldest in Patra), you can expect classics such as briam (oven-baked…

  • Taverna Vakhos

    Delphi

    Delphi’s best restaurant, this exceptional place uses fresh local ingredients and mountain herbs. Along with generous salads and hearty lamb and rooster…

  • Kardamo

    Pelion Peninsula

    Makrinitsa's finest restaurant enjoys a beautiful perch towards the end of the village. You'll find solid Greek grills, very tender rooster stewed in wine…

  • Idol Restaurant Bar

    Fira

    This caldera-edge, three-level restaurant and bar serves up stupendous views and intelligent dishes full of depth, fire and vivacity. The chef dares…

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