Must-see restaurants in Greece

  • Taverna Aggelika

    Pelion Peninsula

    With its to-die-for setting, perched at the far southern end of ravishing Mylopotamos beach, and warm, welcoming atmosphere, Taverna Aggelika encapsulates…

  • Kimatothrafstis

    Athens

    This great-value, bright and casual little cafe dishes out a range of homestyle Greek cooking and alternative fare. Choose from the day's offerings at the…

  • Atlantikos

    Athens

    Tucked down a little lane, this small, hip fish restaurant is easy to miss – look for happy people chatting over heaps of shrimp shells. The atmosphere is…

  • Cayenne

    Sifnos

    Shaded by a fig tree and drowning in a riot of herbs just off the Steno, this modern Greek restaurant affirms its strong commitment to Cycladic…

  • O Zotos

    Dodecanese

    Another local secret. Head to this wonderful ouzerie for a glass of ouzo and accompanying snack, whatever is available that day. Tapas-style plates of…

  • To Tsikali

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Friendly and very welcoming Manavika-district taverna that’s on a mission to introduce Trikala to the joys of Cretan cuisine. Highlights on the…

  • Taverna To Agnanti

    Pelion Peninsula

    This atmospheric restaurant stretches across Plateia Taxiarhes, facing the church and luxuriating beneath the massive cover of the plaza's ancient plane…

  • Taverna Aetos

    Rethymno Province

    This traditional taverna in the upper village has a giant charcoal grill out the front and fantastic mountain views out the back. On offer are such…

  • Four Seasons

    Hydra

    This tasty seaside taverna offers a different face of Hydra: the sound of the breeze and the waves instead of the portside buzz. Don’t miss the…

  • Teloneio

    Limeni

    This colourful seafront restaurant and bar serves imaginative fare – traditional Greek with a modern twist – such as roasted kritharaki (rice-shaped pasta…

  • Seirios

    Cyclades

    The best of Vourkari's waterfront restaurants delivers a concise but appealing seafood-focused menu including marinated anchovies and delicately battered…

  • Marianthi

    Monemvasia

    Forget the views just this once and concentrate on what's on your plate: hearty, honest fare. Marianthi is run by 70-something Magda, who has been…

  • Indian Palace

    Mykonos

    An offshoot of Athen's renowned Jaipur Palace, this breezy place overlooks Paradise Beach, offering a fresh and fragrant take on the greatest hits of…

  • Palios Fournos

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Open late, in the Palaia district, this is the best bakery for miles around. Pelion residents think nothing of driving here from outlying villages to get…

  • Taverna Psaropoula

    Dodecanese

    Bluer than a sea nymph's iris, this beachside favourite packs them in thanks to well-executed sea bass with ginger and basil (a favourite), calamari,…

  • Limnopoula

    Corfu

    Just past the little fishing port where the coast road veers inland, this friendly family-run taverna with a veranda, set beside a scruffy gravel beach,…

  • Veneti

    Athens

    Branch of the very good bakery and pastry shop, which also sells ice cream.

  • Vagelaras

    Lefkada

    Sitting at the end of the harbour, just short of the ferry dock, this century-old taverna serves great salads, mezedhes, pasta and fresh seafood at…

  • Platis Gialos Restaurant

    Dodecanese

    Sitting on the island's best beach for swimming in unbelievable turquoise water, this pleasant little summer-only taverna has decent grilled food and…

  • Point a

    Acropolis Area

    The rooftop restaurant of the Herodion Hotel, with stunning Acropolis and Acropolis Museum views, serves guests and loyal locals alike. Signature ‘tapas…

  • Café Avissinia

    Athens

    This antiques-bedecked place on Plateia Avyssinias, in the middle of the antique dealers, has been legendary since the 1980s for its live music and varied…

  • Avli

    Athens

    Cheap, cheerful and borderline chaotic on weekend nights, Avli requires you to squeeze down a narrow hall to get in; you'll probably wait for service if…

  • 2 Mazi

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Inside a neoclassical mansion, this elegant dining room with white linen and proper crystal is the venue for inventive creations by chef Elias Gogos…

  • Colibri

    Athens

    Locals go here for the alleged best pizza in Athens. The pies range from classic Italian to creative vegetarian (seriously, the yoghurt works). Burgers…

  • Palia Taverna tou Psara

    Syntagma & Plaka

    A little above the main bustle of Plaka, this taverna fills tables cascading across the street and down the stairs. It's touristy, but respected by locals…

  • Palia Athina

    Syntagma & Plaka

    No muss, no fuss, no music or show: just a quiet little family-run taverna with excellent prices (especially for the area) and good food. The stews and…

  • Vyrinis

    Athens

    This popular neighbourhood spot has been modernised a bit, but maintains its essential taverna-ness, with homestyle Greek food plus reliable house wine…

  • Strofi

    Acropolis Area

    Book ahead for a Parthenon view from the rooftop of this exquisitely renovated town house. Food is simple grilled meats and fish, but the setting, with…

  • Tzitzikas kai Mermigas

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Greek merchandise lines the walls of this cheery modern place that sits smack in the middle of central Athens. It serves a tasty range of delicious and…

  • Rakoumel

    Athens

    Home-cooked Cretan fare. Sip Cretan rakomelo (honey-infused liquor) while sampling small plates featuring mountain herbs and slow-cooked meats.

  • Athali

    Iraklio

    This colourful, crowd-pleasing restaurant is a true family affair: Dad oversees a massive central open fire, roasting spits of succulent lamb and pork for…

  • Acropolis Museum Restaurant

    Acropolis Area

    For the splendid view it provides of the Acropolis, this restaurant is already a winner. Even better is that the food, made using local seasonal…

  • To Spitiko

    Iraklio Province

    Locals will tell you To Spitiko is the best in town, but at research time it managed to run out of roast lamb and pork by 7.30pm in early May (blaming…

  • Kentrikon

    Iraklio Province

    Kentriko is a beautiful, congenial stone kafeneio (coffee house; established 1922) on the narrow main drag. Decorated with old photos of village families,…

  • Ergon

    Skiathos Town

    Skiathos' upper-Papadiamanti outpost of Thessaloniki-born local-produce powerhouse Ergon is a firm favourite for third-wave coffee and internationally…

  • Navagos

    Macedonia

    Yorgos, the fisherman who runs this driftwood beach bar and 'restaurant', lives here year-round; in the summer he prepares his catch for guests on an open…

  • Lukumades

    Athens

    What's not to love about fried dough? Loukoumadhes (from Arabic lu'mat al-qadi, 'the judge's morsel') are served here as crunchy round balls, doused…

  • Brillant/Herbs’ Garden

    Iraklio

    The avant-garde decor at Brillant, the fashionable culinary outpost at Lato Boutique Hotel, may almost distract you from the creatively composed, feistily…

  • Kostas Tavern Meze

    Iraklio Province

    It’s easy to be distracted by the street-facing eateries in Piskopiano and Koutouloufari, so you might walk right past this gem, at the edge of the church…

  • Taverna Vasilis

    Iraklio Province

    In 1982 Taverna Vasilis was the first restaurant on this beach, and the impossibly polite and generous grandsons of the original owner show you the same…

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