Must-see restaurants in Cyclades

  • 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…

  • Enalion

    Milos

    The finest Greek produce is showcased at this wonderful little restaurant. Grab a seat on the waterfront terrace and let the switched-on staff guide you…

  • Doukato

    Hora (Naxos)

    One of the Cyclades' best eating experiences, in a magical setting that was once a monastery, church and a school, Doukato is rightly deserving of…

  • Aroma Avlis

    Santorini

    Part of the Artemis Karamolegos winery, this terrific restaurant does wonderful things with local ingredients with brilliance and flourish. Go for the…

  • Ston Pyrgo

    Amorgos

    Turn off from the village of Arkesini towards the signposted Tower of Agia Triada (also well worth a visit) and you find this traditional mezedhopoleio …

  • Metaxi Mas

    Santorini

    The raki flows at this convivial taverna near the church, a favourite among locals and authenticity-seeking travellers. It serves a delicious menu of…

  • Kalokeri

    Antiparos

    This imaginative restaurant on the main street executes modern Greek dishes with flair and a real understanding of seasonal ingredients. There's the tang…

  • Lauda

    Oia

    One of the top fine dining experiences in Santorini – natch, in Greece! – Lauda morphed from Oia's humble first restaurant into a destination in its own…

  • Funky Kitchen

    Hora (Mykonos)

    The open kitchen of this contemporary restaurant brings forth beautifully presented dishes marrying Mediterranean flavours with French techniques. Dishes…

  • Lord Byron

    Ios

    Near the main square in Hora, coming here is like entering a curiosity shop, filled with masks, vintage ads, and other quirky memorabilia from the owner's…

  • Omega 3

    Sifnos

    The cute name (Ω3) hints at the treats on offer at this small, casual 'fish and wine bar'. There’s a menu of fab fishy flavours, grabbing techniques from…

  • Selene

    Santorini

    This is one of Santorini's most celebrated restaurants. Dishes such as pasticcio stuffed with pork cheek and Aegean codfish with smoked aubergine are…

  • Salt

    Ios

    One of those rare restaurants that get everything right, Salt is a light-filled, breezy outdoor space under a canopy of whitewashed bamboo overlooking the…

  • Sousouro

    Paros

    Occupying a small corner in Old Town, this cafe is big on flavour. One of the islands’ best breakfast menus awaits: superfood smoothies and shakes, a…

  • To Krinaki

    Oia

    All-fresh, all-local ingredients, such as wild greens, white aubergine, hand-crushed fava, caper leaves and wild asparagus go into top-notch taverna…

  • To Steki

    Cyclades

    Regular taverna fare is taken to the next level at this attractive place tucked beside St Spyridon's Church, with terrace seating overlooking the valley…

  • O Ntinos

    Tinos

    Set on a sunny terrace overlooking Giannaki Bay, this friendly taverna offers superlative home-cooked island specialities, including a particularly good…

  • Taverna Tsitsanis

    Paros

    A local institution since 1969, this taverna is as traditional as it gets, with a lovely vine-draped terrace out back. Vlasis and Christina source all…

  • Axiotissa

    Naxos

    A destination in its own right, Axiotissa is all about creative dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, be it fresh catch from their fisherman…

  • O Kossis

    Andros

    Renowned throughout Andros as the island's best 'meatery', O Kossis is located in the middle of nowhere, in the hills above Gavrio, signposted beyond…

  • Mikres Cyclades

    Small Cyclades

    Showcasing the best of Cycladic produce with pride, Mikres serves a short and sweet menu of mezedhes, fish and meat dishes under a stylish bamboo awning…

  • Lefteris

    Naxos

    With an outdoor terrace beneath a walnut tree, this charming, well-regarded family taverna has the feel of an old country kitchen and serves the best food…

  • Armeni

    Oia

    With the seashore literally at your table, this gem of a tavern is worth the steep ascent on foot to Armeni Bay (though you can also catch a boat from…

  • Youkali

    Amorgos

    Wander over to the opposite side of the bay from the port for Katapola's most imaginative cooking. That ingredients are fresh and locally sourced goes…

  • Kali’s

    Serifos

    Slather zingy seafood spread onto bread and get messy with mussels saganaki (in a rich broth, with feta) and scampi on orzo (pasta) at this water's edge…

  • Trata Fish Taverna

    Paros

    A five-minute walk from the port, this family-run place has been going strong for two decades. You come here for one thing only: some of the best fish and…

  • Tzanakis

    Santorini

    A local institution into its third decade, this family-run taverna uses vegetables and herbs grown in its garden and meat and fish sourced from farmer and…

  • Taxidi Gefsis Apo Ti Kriti Sto Aivali

    Amorgos

    Near the south end of the beach, this Cretan restaurant is exceptional in terms of hospitality and the quality of its homemade dishes. Slow-cooked goat,…

  • Mylos

    Fira

    Located in a converted windmill on the caldera edge in Firostefani, this uber-glam venue has upscale food that’s ambitious in its techniques and…

  • Restaurant Anna

    Paros

    A fine example of farm-to-table cooking, Anna serves whatever happens to be fresh from her family's farm. This might be goat in lemon sauce, rabbit…

  • Kali Kardia

    Amorgos

    On the tiny square next to the church, this wonderful, family-run place, decorated with family photos and retsina jugs, cooks up the best meatballs in the…

  • Tao’s Center

    Paros

    This wellness retreat and meditation centre has an excellent restaurant open to nonguests, serving authentic Thai curries courtesy of the Thai chef, plus…

  • Anemelo

    Cyclades

    This is Kastro’s most atmospheric place to grab a local tea, beer or simple crêpe-and-salad lunch. Locals chat at the tables over chess games or lounge…

  • Deli Bistro-Bar

    Small Cyclades

    Deli consists of a top-notch restaurant with views out to Ios and Iraklia, plus a cool ground-floor cafe-bar. The Cretan owner-chef's menu is the most…

  • Koukoumavlos

    Fira

    Award-winning fresh, modern Aegean cuisine (including a worthwhile degustation at €82), with obligatory caldera views from the terrace. Daring pairings of…

  • Hellenic Social

    Ios

    On any given morning, this place is filled mostly with visitors to Ios, some slumped over their poached eggs, others perkily downing filled bagels, green…

  • Maro's Tavern

    Hora (Naxos)

    There’s no sea view or old-town romance here, but the locals don’t care. They’re too busy tucking into mammoth portions of delicious, good-value food. The…

  • Cafe Distrato

    Paros

    Dine outside under a leafy canopy at this friendly place that will draw you back time and again. This casual all-day cafe exudes wholesomeness, and is…

  • L’Osteria

    Hora (Naxos)

    This authentic Italian eatery is tucked away in a small alley uphill from the harbour, beneath the kastro walls. Grab a table in the cute courtyard and…

  • Kalamia

    Small Cyclades

    A chilled-out cafe and lively bar, Kalamia does many things well. Grab a seat under the thatched roof and dig into eggs florentine for brunch, epic…