Best Places to Eat in Spetses: Restaurants & Local Food
The best places to eat in Spetses range from longstanding fish tavernas in Kounoupitsa to waterfront restaurants at the Old Harbour and contemporary Greek dining beside Dapia. Seafood plays a leading role, but there are also options for a casual pizza, a family meal or a special evening out.
Where you eat can fit naturally around your plans. Explore the Old Harbour before dinner, stop in Kounoupitsa after a waterfront walk or choose somewhere central when you want an easy evening near your accommodation.
These six restaurants provide a starting point across different settings and styles. Menus and opening arrangements can change seasonally, so check before travelling specifically for a meal.
Where to Eat in Spetses at a Glance
| Restaurant | Area | Main reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Patralis Fish Tavern | Kounoupitsa | Traditional cooking and seafood |
| Tarsanas | Old Harbour | Seafood beside the boatyards |
| Orloff | Entrance to the Old Harbour | Greek and Mediterranean dining in a historic setting |
| NTA — Nero Tis Agapis | Kounoupitsa | Seafood and sea-facing dining |
| On the Verandah | Poseidonion Grand Hotel, Dapia | Contemporary Greek fine dining |
| Clock Eatery | Central town, Dapia area | Pizza, pasta and burgers |
1. Patralis Fish Tavern — Traditional Cooking in Kounoupitsa
Patralis is a longstanding family-run fish tavern in Kounoupitsa, along the waterfront west of Dapia.
Fish and seafood are central to its identity, alongside traditional Greek dishes. Its published menu includes options such as fried squid, small fish and moussaka, giving groups some flexibility beyond ordering a whole fish.
Patralis suits a meal where you want to share starters before choosing something more substantial. Ask what fish is available and which cooked dishes have been prepared that day.
If you are ordering fish or shellfish priced by weight, establish the total cost before it goes to the kitchen. This is particularly useful when sharing a larger fish between several people.
Best for: Traditional Greek cooking and a seafood meal in Kounoupitsa.
2. Tarsanas — Seafood beside the Old Harbour’s Boatyards
Tarsanas is located among the traditional boatyards at the Old Harbour. The setting connects a meal with one of the parts of Spetses where its maritime heritage remains visible.
The restaurant specialises in Mediterranean and fish-based cooking. Its outdoor seating is close to the water, while indoor spaces provide alternatives depending on the weather and arrangements.
Tarsanas is worth considering when you want lunch or dinner to form part of a longer visit to the Old Harbour. Walk around the waterfront beforehand, then leave time for a relaxed meal.
Ask about fish à la Spetsiota, the island’s characteristic baked fish dish, and the seafood available that day. Book ahead if you have your heart set on a particular outdoor table.
Best for: Seafood and a meal in the working maritime setting of the Old Harbour.
3. Orloff — Greek and Mediterranean Dining in a Historic Building
Orloff occupies a historic building at the entrance to the Old Harbour. The building formerly served as the island’s Port Authority headquarters, adding context to its waterfront position.
The restaurant offers Greek and Mediterranean cooking, with a published menu covering seafood, salads, starters and other main dishes. It provides an option when you want a more considered dinner after a day of walking or swimming.
Its location makes it easy to combine a meal with the coastal route between Dapia and the Old Harbour. Allow time to enjoy the walk rather than rushing straight to your reservation.
Check the current menu before booking if particular dietary requirements or dishes are important to your group.
Best for: A special dinner and a historic setting near the Old Harbour.
4. NTA — Nero Tis Agapis — Seafood with a Sea View
NTA, also known as Nero Tis Agapis or “Water of Love”, is in Kounoupitsa.
Its menu focuses strongly on fish and seafood, with pasta, risotto, salads and Mediterranean starters also represented. The restaurant describes several dining spaces, including a balcony and veranda overlooking the sea.
It is worth considering if you want to build a meal around seafood without limiting the table to grilled fish. Depending on availability, the published menu includes dishes ranging from shellfish pasta to fish prepared à la Spetsiota.
Request the seating area you prefer when reserving. If you want a specific fish or preparation, contact the restaurant in advance rather than assuming it will be available when you arrive.
Best for: Seafood-focused dining and a sea-facing setting in Kounoupitsa.
5. On the Verandah — Contemporary Greek Fine Dining
On the Verandah is the fine-dining restaurant of the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, beside Dapia.
Its focus is contemporary Greek cuisine, making it a different proposition from a traditional fish taverna. Consider it when you want to plan a special evening around the restaurant itself.
The hotel’s prominent waterfront position is part of the appeal. It allows you to combine dinner with a walk around the main harbour and the surrounding streets.
Check the current menu, pricing and reservation arrangements before committing. The hotel has several food and drink venues, so make sure your booking is specifically for On the Verandah.
Best for: A special occasion and contemporary Greek dining.
6. Clock Eatery — Pizza, Pasta and Burgers
Clock Eatery provides a casual alternative in the central town around Dapia.
Pizza, pasta and burgers form the core of its offering. It is a practical choice when your group wants familiar dishes or a change after several seafood meals.
Families and groups with different preferences may find this style of menu useful, especially when the priority is an uncomplicated meal rather than a long restaurant occasion.
Its central location also makes it convenient to fit around shopping, a museum visit or an evening walk. Check the current menu for specific choices and dietary requirements.
Best for: Casual dining, families and a break from seafood.
What Local Food Should You Try in Spetses?
Fish à la Spetsiota
Fish à la Spetsiota, also called psari Spetsiota, is the dish most closely associated with the island.
It combines fish with tomato, garlic and herbs, cooked in the oven. Recipes vary between kitchens, and some versions include onions or other additions.
Ask which fish is being used, how the dish is served and whether it needs to be ordered in advance. A preparation intended for sharing may suit a group better than an individual diner.
Amygdalota
Amygdalota are almond sweets closely associated with Spetses. They are worth looking for in local pastry shops, whether you want something with coffee or a small edible souvenir.
Check storage advice if you are taking them home, particularly during warm weather.
Seafood Meze
A selection of smaller dishes can be a rewarding way to eat around the waterfront. Choose according to what is available rather than expecting the same seafood at every restaurant.
Combine a few dishes with salad and bread, then decide whether you need a larger main course.
Thyme Honey
Thyme honey is another local product worth asking about. Look for clearly labelled origin information when buying it, especially if you want honey produced on Spetses itself.
Which Area Should You Choose for Dinner?
Dapia and the Central Streets
Dapia is convenient when you want to stay close to the main harbour or your central accommodation.
On the Verandah offers a fine-dining option, while Clock Eatery provides a casual alternative. The surrounding streets also make it easy to combine a meal with an evening walk.
The Old Harbour
The Old Harbour suits visitors who want the waterfront setting to be part of the evening.
Tarsanas and Orloff offer different dining experiences here. Consider your return journey when booking, particularly if you are staying farther across town.
Our Things to Do in Spetses guide includes ideas for exploring the area before dinner.
Kounoupitsa
Kounoupitsa is a useful direction to explore for seafood, with Patralis and NTA among the established choices.
Check the precise restaurant location against your accommodation rather than assuming every waterfront venue is close to the ferry landing.
Practical Tips for Eating Out in Spetses
A little planning helps when booking a restaurant:
- Confirm seasonal opening: An online listing does not guarantee that the kitchen operates throughout the year.
- Request your preferred table: Outdoor, waterfront and sea-view seating may need to be reserved.
- Check fish pricing: Establish whether a dish is priced per portion or by weight.
- Look at the current menu: Older photographs may show dishes or prices that have changed.
- Explain dietary requirements: Ask directly about ingredients and preparation.
- Plan the evening’s travel: Allow time for walking or arrange local transport when needed.
For a beach-and-lunch day, see our Best Beaches in Spetses guide and choose somewhere that fits your route.
