Cyclades
Pita gyros, stuffed with succulent pork or chicken, plus all manner of souvlaki are on offer here, served beneath a leafy canopy. Head into the tiny…
Must-see restaurants in Greece
Iraklio Province
Set on the upper slopes at the eastern end of Hersonisos, Saradari has a lot going for it: top-quality cuisine, posh factor and lovely ocean view. Write…
Limnos
Homemade pasta, good Limni wine and excellent mayirefta (ready-cooked meals) dishes with an emphasis on meat are served at this iconic place under two…
Hania Province
Leventogiannis Taverna has a lovely courtyard under a giant canopy of plane trees and does a menu of grilled meats, toasted sandwiches and sometimes a…
Lakonia
If it's not fresh, they don't have it at this excellent seafood taverna on the waterfront. Stellar calamari and octopus are highlights. Wash it down with…
Thessaloniki
This friendly shopfront taverna is a true neighbourhood hang-out, a place where you can find top, home-cooked Greek fare, all served with warmth and…
Skiathos Town
A great, quick, super-friendly mid-Papadiamanti stop for baguettes, coffees, fresh juices and breakfast goodies (including vegan croissants and yoghurt…
Iraklio Province
Head to this appealing taverna for its million-dollar sunset views over Kommos Beach and its fish and meat dishes. It’s 1.2km before/after Matala on the…
Thrace
This friendly, modern restaurant has an excellent selection of meat, as the name suggests, but also great fresh salads and other veggie dishes to round…
Aegina
Marked out by a canopy of colourful umbrellas suspended above the entrance, Bakalogatos has fresh, well-crafted mezedhes in an elegant setting, with faux…
Macedonia
This quality, sprawling seafood restaurant on Ammouliani island sits right above the ferry dock, with pretty harbour views. Alongside the daily catch, it…
Samothraki
A short distance from the popular Lakkoma Beach, this is a pretty terrace filled with rose bushes and geraniums. It's a prime spot to sample Aegean fish,…
Saronic Gulf Islands
Renowned for its meat, this taverna's owners have a butchering business, meaning cuts of pork, lamb and chicken are of the finest quality. It's up the…
Iraklio Province
Sigelakis, slightly north of Sivas' main plaza, has a less pretty setting than some of the town's central tavernas, but it has a fabulous range of…
Dodecanese
This chic little cafe with lavender and white trim has an intimate interior for snacks, coffee and cocktails, and a breezy sea-facing outside terrace…
Chios
Veering from the taverna mainstream, this beach cafe features a good variety of salads and unusual appetisers, such as spicy mussels with beer and ginger,…
Ikaria
Meat dishes such as katsikaki (kid goat) or veal in a clay pot are specialities at this taverna, the first along the Armenistis harbour road. The great…
Samos
Very useful 24-hour bakery selling large pies with cheese and mushrooms, plus croissants, fresh orange juice and coffee. Convenient for hiking trips,…
Thrace
This traditional family taverna is just a little more dressed up than usual, and it does all its grilling over charcoal. This gives the usual options –…
Cyclades
One of the humbler looking tavernas on the waterfront strip, Rolando's serves tasty rustic food such as meatballs, katsiki (kid goat), an excellent…
Ikaria
Kelaris serves its own fresh-caught fish, cooked over coals, along with midday mayirefta (ready-cooked) dishes from the oven. Look for the landmark church…
Lasithi Province
One of the better among the tourist-deluged pit stops below the Dikteon Cave, Taksiarhos offers the gamut of trad fare but is known for its succulent…
Hania
Locals swear by the undeniably tasty gyros (meat slivers cooked on a vertical rotisserie) and souvlaki at tiny, old-style Oasis. There are a few seats…
Samothraki
Fournello makes for a nice change of pace, serving good pizza and spaghetti. It's one of the few places where you can dine by the sea. Close to Niki Beach…
Hydra Town
Having recently changed owners, Gitoniko remains popular for its broad range of good Greek dishes, and its (pricey) fresh fish. The setting, on a lovely…
Skyros
Join the regulars at this friendly portside taverna for reasonably priced fish and lobster and perfectly simple salads and Greek classics, amid blue…
Thrace
This tidy steam-table restaurant has been dishing up hearty home-style stews and slow-cooked vegetables for decades. Pick from the day's specials, such as…
Monemvasia
The oldest taverna on the main street, Matoula is also the most touristed. Its selection of classic dishes is reliable rather than spectacular, but the…
Iraklio Province
Overlooking the beach, down-to-earth Lions has been popular for many years and the food is better than average. It gets buzzy in the evening, making it a…
Kefallonia
Vasso’s is renowned for its high-quality seafood, with highlights including honeyed octopus with mashed fava, mussels, saganaki (fried cheese) and…
Athens
Dig into fresh organic sandwiches, salads and brunch treats (such as huevos rancheros) beneath images of Louis Armstrong and Marilyn Monroe at this casual…
Thessaloniki
Ladadika's Cretan restaurant is enlivened by traditional music, an amiable background to platefuls of plump mussels and flaky cheese pies. Look for the…
Central Greece
This friendly taverna – a short walk southwest from the main Plateia Markou Botsari – offers up the day's catch of fresh fish (sold whole, by weight) plus…
Folegandros
Perched above the port with lovely views, Meltemi stands out with its lovely terrace with blue balustrades. This is a mama's cooking, family-run place…
Lesvos
A friendly taverna perched dramatically on the edge of a near-vertical cliff. Specialities include octopus cooked in red wine, and their trademark salad…
Aegina
Burrow into the backstreets to find this excellent restaurant that's popular with locals. Imaginative, fresh specialities include Aegina's pistachio pesto…
Naxos
In a remote spot down on the northeastern coast of Naxos, Delfinaki serves up great home cooking with farm-fresh ingredients. Vassiliki, the hostess,…
Mykonos
Near Ornos Beach, this cheap and cheerful canteen-style Lebanese joint is the local go-to place for chicken taouk, shawarma, falafel, souvlaki, kebabs,…
Nafplio
Simple, good-value dishes (eg lamb with lemon) characterise this family-run restaurant in the new town. Venerable black-and-white images create an old…
Cyclades
On the road between Korissia and Ioulida, this excellent farm shop sells its own olive oil, delicious wood-oven-baked bread, pies, sweets and ice cream,…
