Must-see restaurants in Greece

  • Alkyoni Inn

    Saronic Gulf Islands

    The welcoming, family-run Alkyoni is a 10-minute stroll southeast of Skala’s quay. The popular taverna dishes up well-prepared fish and meat, while the…

  • Takis

    Limeni

    Takis lures in diners with simple yet beautifully prepared fresh fish – of course, the stunning setting, right over the turquoise water, helps. Take your…

  • Eliá

    Messinia

    Gourmet Greek meets contemporary Mediterranean on the seaside strip. The menu changes seasonally but is generally matched by the funky ambience, designer…

  • La Cucina Italiana

    Messinia

    From the seasonal spaghetti vongole (with clams) and chicken sautéed with oranges and honey, to the ample servings of the spicy pizza piccante, this…

  • To Limanaki

    Sifnos

    It's well worth detouring to the village of Faros just to dine at this seafront taverna, where fisherman and owner, Giorgios, cooks up the sea's bounty…

  • Nissi

    Lefkada

    Memorably good Greek–Italian restaurant, as popular with locals as with tourists, with stylish, comfortable seating on the central inland square. The jet…

  • Sirenes

    Ithaki

    A smart little restaurant a block back from the waterfront, with a cool front terrace and a swanky bar in its elegant wood-panelled dining room…

  • Apolafsi

    Kefallonia

    A popular taverna, 50m in from the seafront 1.5km south of central Lixouri. It's reliable for high-quality fresh seafood and grilled meats, and also…

  • Thalassa Taverna

    Lasithi Province

    This powder-blue, hole-in-the-wall waterfront restaurant has an interior festooned with coral and shells, and a few tables outside for tucking into…

  • Trattamento

    Kythira

    A newbie on the Kapsali dining scene, modern taverna Trattamento appeals as much to salt-crusted fishers as it does to holidaying city folk. The kitchen…

  • Shall We Go to Anna's?

    Samos

    Very friendly and smallish new taverna on the edge of a nice mountain village, with sweeping views of the sea and adjacent islands. Anna is a great cook:…

  • Parnassos Taverna

    Central Greece

    Popular and dependable taverna on Plateia Xenias, alongside the post office and slightly above the taxi rank. Open year-round, with well-prepared…

  • Taverna Karavolos

    Saronic Gulf Islands

    Karavolos means ‘big snail’ and snails are indeed a house speciality at this quaint eatery on a backstreet. Friendly proprietors also offer classic Greek…

  • Taverna Babis & Popi

    Hania Province

    This taverna is known for its fresh fish and decent Cretan specialities, such as wild snails or goat in white-wine sauce. Enjoy your meal under a shady…

  • Lambi Fish Tavern

    Dodecanese

    Idyllic 'so-this-is-island-Greece' setting with tree-shaded tables propped up amid the beach pebbles and the waves almost lapping at your feet. The…

  • To Ouzeri

    Fira

    Central and cheerfully dressed in red gingham, this terrace restaurant has surprisingly reasonable prices and a good local following. Expect top…

  • Glykeria Tavern

    Hania Province

    One of the best options for a feed in Elafonisi, family-run Glykeria offers a mix of Cretan classics, burgers, pasta and seafood, as well as sea views and…

  • O Apostolis

    Hora (Naxos)

    Occupying a tiny plaza right at the heart of labyrinthine Bourgos, O Apostolis serves up traditional dishes in its pretty flagstone courtyard. The…

  • Aloni

    Serifos

    Halfway up the hill between Livadi and Hora, signposted on the right, Aloni offers splendid panoramas and an upscale feel. Islanders rate it among Serifos…

  • I Stemnitsa

    Peloponnese

    The only taverna open year-round in Stemnitsa, and it's a solid one, just behind the bell tower. Eat inside or sit outdoors under giant umbrellas. The…

  • En Plo

    Rethymno

    One of several tavernas right at the water’s edge below the fortress, En Plo does dependable faves like shrimp spaghetti and grilled salmon but shows its…

  • To Stavrodromi

    Corfu

    A homey dinner-only joint at the main crossroads just east of Pelekas. Delicious local specialities include Corfu’s finest kontosouvli (spit-roast pork…

  • Plakostroto

    Syros

    Get Syran food at its best at this atmospheric taverna, its walls covered with ye olde photos of village life. They serve rooster, delicious lamb chops…

  • Barbagiannis

    Athens

    An Exarhia institution since 1915, this low-key mayirio (cookhouse) is popular with students and anyone with a taste for good-value, homestyle Greek food,…

  • Fish Tavern 1960

    Hania Province

    This classic taverna on the central waterfront is known for fresh fish (which you can take a look at in the kitchen before ordering) but also has plenty…

  • Molos

    Skopelos

    A smarter-than-most taverna towards the north end of the seafront promenade, with flagstone floors, baby-blue decor, a warm welcome and a seafood-starring…

  • Petrino

    Dodecanese

    Hands down the most succulent meat on the island is to be found at smart Petrino. Aside from delicious steaks there's octopus salad, stewed rabbit, and…

  • Loukas Taverna

    Samos

    Upon entering Manolates you'll see signs, one after the other, pointing the way to this traditional eatery above the village. Proud owner Manolis serves…

  • Yianni’s

    Rethymno Province

    Just south of the Venetian fountain, this friendly place has a big roadside terrace, reliably good traditional cooking and a decent house red. Try the…

  • O Tarsanas Restaurant

    Samos

    Named for Kokkari's old boat-building area, this authentic old-style Greek taverna – nothing more, nothing less – does great pizzas and mousakas…

  • Kalosta

    Mykonos

    Drunk with sunshine and skin tangy with sea salt, beachgoers make their way up to Kalosta's shady terrace overlooking Panormos Beach. Bask in the…

  • Ariston Cafe

    Ierapetra

    This modern cafe is known for its good coffee and gooey loukoumadhes (honey doughnuts) along with generously stuffed fresh sandwiches, cakes and cheese…

  • Fassoulas Grill House

    Skiathos Town

    The local go-to for some of the best souvlakia (cubes of meat on skewers), gyros (meat slithers cooked on a vertical rotisserie; usually eaten with pitta…

  • Tavern Aggeliko

    Pelion Peninsula

    Drive 18km southeast from Volos to find this little gem in the main square of Ano Gatzea, serving very good Greek standards and wine at very decent prices…

  • Kechribári

    Sparta

    On the main square, 'Amber' gets a green light from us with its nouveau-rustic interior and commodious outdoor tables. The menu offers punchy flavours and…

  • O Michalis

    Skopelos

    The red door, hand-painted signs and tiled floors give away this snappy cafe, known for its perfect fresh tyropita (cheese pie). At night the place morphs…

  • Ikaros

    Alonnisos

    A cheerful terrace cafe with green deckchairs, fresh juices, light meals, Greek desserts and a supermarket by the waterside. Owner and author Kostas…

  • Café Bar Cavos

    Samos

    An efficient and comfortable Kokkari harbour bar, serving good breakfasts, afternoon snacks, fresh juices and evening cocktails. Decent prices, plus free…

  • Abakas

    Corfu Town

    Let your inner carnivore loose at this excellent grill house, which has a keen local following and is set a little way off the noisy tourist strip. Sit…

  • Araxe

    Folegandros

    With a lovely outdoor setting in the leafy town hall square, Araxe serves up Greek and local favourites utilising bounty from the sea and land. The lamb,…

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