Must-see restaurants in Greece

  • Nero tis Agapis

    Saronic Gulf Islands

    The sweetly named ‘Water of Love’ offers gourmet meat as well as fish dishes. The crayfish tagliatelle is worth every bite, as is the zarzuela (fish stew)…

  • Aranto

    Paros

    Well deserving of the Aegean Cuisine label, this family-run, vine-clad taverna is a reliable stop for creative takes on recipes from all over the Cyclades…

  • Pane e Vino

    Folegandros

    At the far end of Ano Meria, Folegandros' only Italian restaurant is run by Paolo and Flavia, an Italian couple who settled here after visiting the island…

  • O Kroustas

    Lasithi Province

    The rightly popular O Kroustas serves traditional Cretan food, including a superb lazania (twisted handmade pasta also called stroufikta) cooked in stock…

  • I Kori tou Mihali

    Small Cyclades

    At this welcoming taverna in Mersini village, 6km from Stavros by road, Koula conjures up excellent Greek cuisine with a modern twist: wild goat from the…

  • Soulatso

    Lesvos

    This busy beachfront ouzerie-taverna along the boardwalk has a large outdoor patio and specialises in fresh fish, reasonably priced by the kilo; it's also…

  • Roukounas

    Cyclades

    A little way up from Roukounas Beach, this delightful family-run taverna hides amid a lush garden. A great place to sample simple, hearty dishes such as…

  • Eden

    Parga

    An array of Italian-inspired dishes are served with a smile at this refreshing bistro in Parga's old town. Try the seafood tagliatelle, or grab crêpes and…

  • Pyrgos

    Chios

    Excellent setting, service and food. This traditional hilltop stone taverna serves up superb mezedhes plus spit-roasted lamb and pork. Upstairs are five…

  • Petrino

    Thrace

    One of several enticing old-fashioned restaurants in the shady lanes off Ermou, Petrino serves Greek-Turkish mezedhes such as garlicky aubergine and…

  • Filoti

    Ikaria

    This tasty eatery 30m from the square, up the first alleyway, offers Agios Kirykos’ best-value meals, including tasty grills, salads and excellent pizza.

  • Tzivaeri

    Ikaria

    Best souvlaki and gyros (meat slithers cooked on a vertical rotisserie, eaten with pitta bread) at the port. Look for the umbrellas; it's next to Taverna…

  • Sushimou

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Sushi in Athens doesn't get any better than this. Tell Antonis Drakoularakos, the Tokyo-trained chef who holds court behind the counter, your budget and…

  • Benaki Museum Cafe

    Athens

    Traditional Greek food gets dressed up to match the museum setting, with an open dining room and terrace with a view of the National Garden and the…

  • Akordeon

    Athens

    Slide into this charming butter-yellow house across from a church in a quiet Psyrri side street for a warm welcome by musician-chefs Pepi and Achilleas …

  • Feyrouz

    Athens

    Lahmajoun (flatbread topped with spiced meat and rolled up with vegetables) is the focus at this jewel box of a Turkish-Lebanese snack shop. The…

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    I Kriti

    Athens

    There is no shortage of Cretan restaurants in Athens, but this is the one that Cretans themselves recommend, especially for rare seasonal treats such as…

  • Fabrika tou Efrosinou

    Acropolis Area

    Named for the patron saint of cooks, this 'factory' is really a two-level restaurant focusing on good ingredients and rarer Greek recipes. When everything…

  • To Kapileio Tou Zaxou

    Piraeus

    It may be a bit inland, but this family-run Greek fish taverna still conveys the spirit of the sea. Choose from grilled catches of the day, calamari and…

  • Nancy's Sweethome

    Athens

    Get your sugar fix at this place on a bustling square. It's famous for its extra-large cakes swimming in melted chocolate and giant dollops of ice cream…

  • Avocado

    Syntagma & Plaka

    This popular cafe offers a full array of vegan, gluten-free and organic treats with an international spin. Next to an organic market, and with a tiny…

  • Mani Mani

    Acropolis Area

    Head upstairs to the relaxing, elegant dining rooms of this delightful modern restaurant, which specialises in herb-filled cuisine from the Mani region in…

  • Kalderimi

    Syntagma & Plaka

    This downtown taverna offers Greek food at its most authentic. Everything is freshly cooked and delicious: you can't go wrong. Hand-painted tables edge a…

  • Kohylia

    Around Athens

    Kohylia offers a romantic, upmarket dining experience with elegant tables spread over a seaside veranda at the exclusive Grand Resort Lagonissi. The menu…

  • Spondi

    Athens

    Athenians frequently vote two-Michelin-starred Spondi the city's best restaurant, and its Mediterranean haute cuisine, with a strong French influence, is…

  • Kostas

    Athens

    On a pleasant square opposite Agia Irini church, this old-style virtual hole-in-the-wall joint grills up tasty souvlaki and bifteki (Greek-seasoned…

  • Cremino

    Syntagma & Plaka

    The lovely proprietress at Cremino makes gelato and sorbet that's both intensely flavoured and incredibly light, using cow and buffalo milk. Flavours…

  • Outdoor tables at Thanasis restaurant in Athens.

    O Thanasis

    Athens

    In the heart of Athens' souvlaki hub, just off Plateia Monastirakiou, O Thanasis is a good place to settle in and watch the street parade. It's known…

  • Hytra

    Athens

    Hytra offers exquisitely presented Greek food with a hypermodern twist. Though portions can be small, the flavours and cooking techniques are spot on,…

  • General Market

    Piraeus

    With the sea breezes blowing over the morning hustle and bustle, the Piraeus market is an excellent slice of life. There's a broad range of food and bric…

  • Loles Kores

    Dodecanese

    This place is deceptive: you enter off the principal lane via basement stairs (with tasteful decorations of olde-world Greece), before entering a pretty,…

  • Chromata

    Lakonia

    Pikoulianika shows its true colours (chromata) at this wonderful spot, set high on a hill behind the village. The gorgeous garden patio (open in summer)…

  • Milia

    Hania Province

    The restaurant at Milia ecotourism retreat is well worth the detour for its frequently changing seasonal menu incorporating organic produce cultivated on…

  • Eurothirama

    Thrace

    Perched on a hill in the Thracian countryside, this destination restaurant has a lord-of-the-manor feel, all stone walls and antler chandeliers. The…

  • Argentina

    Pelion Peninsula

    The pick of the seafront tavernas ranged along Milina’s one through road. Its brightly painted tables stand right on the quayside, so only the occasional…

  • Peroulia

    Messinia

    Overlooking the teal waters of the gorgeous Peroulia Beach, 6km north of Koroni, this waterfront restaurant has earned a loyal local following for its…

  • Veneti

    Athens

    Legendary cafe Neon, famous haunt of Athens literati, fell victim to the crisis. But the cavernous space got a decent new tenant in Veneti (aka Beneth, if…

  • Diporto Agoras

    Athens

    This charming old taverna is an Athens gem. There's no signage – look for two sets of doors leading to a rustic cellar. There's no printed menu, just a…

  • Vrisi

    Rethymno Province

    Set below the main road, this stylish restaurant creates delicious Cretan cuisine with panache. Dishes like chicken with honey and mustard, fig and…

  • Ama Lachei stis Nefelis

    Athens

    This modern mezedhopoleio (restaurant specialising in mezedhes) is a minor hike up Exarhia's hill, but you're rewarded with a lovely setting – an old…

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