Located in an 1845-built mansion in Oia, 1800-Floga Restaurant pairs traditional Greek cuisine with upscale gourmet fare and stunning sea views. Tuck into dishes like grilled octopus and a creamy moussaka and don’t forget to pair your meal with their award-winning wine!
A true hole-in-the-wall, this tiny taverna in Megalochori serves up super fresh local dishes like fava and tomato gefthedes. It’s also incredibly cheap!
1. Aidani
With a view over the caldera, this family-run tavern serves dishes made with local produce and catches from the sea. Though seating is tight, it’s easy to see why patrons flock here for the fresh, friendly atmosphere and excellent food, particularly grilled calamari. Try to reserve ahead, especially if you want to sit outside and enjoy the sunset or a meal around sunset time.
While Santorini may have become a hotspot for opulent superyachts littering every bay and lavish hotels on every cliff, the island is still blessed with an outstanding collection of restaurants serving up the finest modern Greek cuisine. At the aptly named Selene, masterful chef Ettore Botrini showcases his talent with a degustation menu featuring locally grown ingredients (think white aubergines and tiny capers) that’s perfectly paired with wines from the island. The ambiance in the restaurant’s former Catholic monastery is romantic, and you can make reservations up to five days in advance for dinner.
With its gorgeous waterfront setting and quintessential Greek taverna set-up, this is one of the most enjoyable places to eat on the island. Dine on traditional dishes like moussaka, stuffed tomatoes and soutzoukakia (meatballs in tomato sauce) while sipping glasses of island wine. A bottle of 100% Aidani is unique because it’s rarely vinified alone; instead, the grape is blended with Athiri and Assyrtiko to give it its light lemony aroma and moderate alcoholic strength. Try a glass on its own, or order it with your meal. The staff will be happy to recommend pairings. They also serve a lovely melitini, which is similar to baklava but more tart, and is the ideal way to finish off your meal on the island.
2. To Psaraki
One of the best places to eat in Santorini, To Psaraki is a simple, traditional restaurant in Vlychada offering some of the freshest fish and seafood on the island. The restaurant is run by two very passionate locals who aim to offer the simplicity and deliciousness of various Greek recipes. The menu can change based on availability and the emphasis is always on the freshest catch. Try the grilled sardines, dolmades and taramosalata as well as the fish of the day (swordfish or magiatiko). To finish off, try their infamous blackberry cheesecake and a glass of the local Assyrtiko wine!
This charming tavern is not new, fancy or expensive but the food has a friendly, pretense-free freshness that keeps regulars coming back. It is located in the village of Ammoudi, down from Oia, and offers spectacular sea views as well as some of the most authentic seafood on the island. The portions are huge and prices are reasonable for a waterfront restaurant. Don’t miss the sea urchin dish and the octopus skewers.
Another fantastic place to eat in Santorini is 1800. Located beneath Floga, the former 1800 Restaurant in Oia, this restaurant offers a unique setting in which to enjoy gourmet cuisine while also experiencing the history of the island. Their dishes are a fusion of tradition with modern touches and can be paired with wines from their impressive cellar.
This is one of the best restaurants in Santorini and a must visit! You can dine in the dining room or on the terrace overlooking the caldera. It is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner and a great way to experience the sunset in Santorini! The atmosphere is truly unforgettable and you will be blown away by the incredible view.
3. Selene
This unpretentious seafood restaurant may not offer swanky service, molecular sauces or live piano, but what it lacks in glitz it makes up for in hearty Greek cuisine. Tucked away in a corner of Perivolos Beach, its quintessential taverna set-up and waterfront views make it a favourite among locals. Its menu is packed with traditional dishes like moussaka, stuffed tomatoes and soutzoukakia (meatballs in tomato sauce), all of which can be easily shared between groups. The grilled fish is also a standout, served with saganaki cheese and chunky potato wedges on the side.
Another great choice for a hearty Greek meal with spectacular views is the lively Avocado, found on one of the highest points in Santorini. A popular spot for large groups, its huge terrace is the place to be to soak in its enviable sunset views. Its prices are also reasonable considering its location and the wide range of wines on offer is perfect for a group celebration.
For a slightly more sophisticated dining experience, look no further than the new 1800 in Oia. Taking over the former Floga Restaurant, the renovated interiors are a feast for the eyes while the menu is equally impressive. Tuck into traditional dishes given a contemporary touch or try their award-winning wines from the island’s vineyards.
Alternatively, head over to Aktaion in Firrostefani for a traditional tavern with a gorgeous view of the caldera. You can sit inside the spacious dining room or enjoy a more intimate atmosphere on their beautiful rooftop garden. Their fresh calamari is so flavorful it barely needs any sauce and the grilled octopus and cuttlefish are also highly recommended. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with their decadent warm grapes and baklava.
4. 1800
The best restaurants in Santorini offer a range of styles and price points, but one thing they all have in common is a dedication to local ingredients. From glamorous cliffside spots to authentic tavernas, these top picks promise sublime cuisine, beautiful settings and warm Greek service.
The name says it all: this is a must-do for seafood lovers. Located on the cliffs above Firostefani, the restaurant overlooks a natural swimming pool and the Aegean Sea. Expect a feast of sensational grilled seafood (including lobster, squid and octopus) and rich stews. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner.
One of the most renowned upscale restaurants in the region, this gorgeous spot overlooks the caldera at the end of a long staircase. Its menu is rooted in traditional Cycladic flavors and the wine list features a good selection of local vintages. A pre- or post-meal tour of the stunning 170-year-old neoclassical mansion is a must.
A jaunty tavern overlooking Vlichada’s fishing port, this is another must-visit for fresh seafood. Highlights include whole grilled fish, sardines stuffed with herbs and smoked eel on grilled aubergine. And don’t miss the homemade desserts.
This is a great place to sample the best of the island’s wines and try a variety of local dishes, from classic souvlaki to pork belly. It’s a great option for groups who want to dine in comfort while soaking up the atmosphere. The owners take pride in using only the finest produce from their own farm and orchards. And the dishes are as good as they are affordable. You can also buy their wine to take home with you.
5. Aktaion
One of Santorini’s best places to eat, this jaunty taverna overlooks Vlichada’s fishing port and offers the best (and most honestly priced) seafood on the island. Diners enjoy whole grilled fish, sardines stuffed with herbs and smoked eel, and a variety of grilled vegetables. For dessert, try pears poached in local Assyrtiko wine. Be sure to call ahead and ask for a table overlooking the harbor.
This family-run taverna has been on its current site since 1922, and serves up traditional dishes including fava with fried capers and spring onions, a plate of tomato fritters, and braised veal with smoky aubergine puree. A handful of tables outside offer caldera views, and the snug interior features wood carvings and paintings by third-generation owner Vangelis Roussos.
Within a converted monastery at the north end of pedestrian Fira, this restaurant is led by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. Creative dishes showcase Mediterranean cuisine and reflect the restaurant’s traditional architecture. The menu includes such delights as a succulent red mullet topped with wild fennel pesto and pistachios, plus a variety of locally-sourced ingredients. A superb selection of wines from Santorini and other Greek regions are on the lengthy wine list.
Santorini’s adorable settlements are packed with restaurants and tavernas serving everything from classic Mediterranean to Asian and more exotic cuisine. But the cliff-hugging islands also have a burgeoning fine dining scene, making it a joyfully unexpected destination for globetrotting gastronomes. Pair any meal with a glass of ouzo or raki and a bottle of local wine, and you’ll discover why so many people love this gifted island.