Restaurants in Santorini

The culinary experience in Santorini owes its reputation to two factors: the setting and the delicious cooking.
There are three broad location-wise categories in which we can separate Santorini restaurants; those with undistracted volcano and caldera views, those located by the seashore, and, finally, those located in less touristy villages and areas.
All these come with a few unique traits. Note also that most Santorini hotels are located in the same areas as the restaurants.

Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate which allows the country to yield and grow great produce; from vegetables and fruit to dairy products, poultry, meat, and fresh fish, it is no wonder why Greeks and foreigners alike cherish Greek cuisine.
With Santorini being the flagship of tourism in the country, the island has regular and easy access to the finest and tastiest of them at its restaurants.
Those two factors combined with the recipes and expertise of top chefs and the especially delectable wine from the volcanic soil of Santorini result in gastronomic marvels.

Caldera with volcano views

Establishments with majestic calderas and sunset views at the villages of Imerovigli, Oia, and Fira abide by the Cycladic architecture in their design, with minimal but elegant decor found even in the smallest detail.
After all, what better decor than one of the world-renowned sunsets while dining with your loved ones?
Of course, it is essential to note that the combination of excellent location and view, along with top culinary experts, does not come cheap, so travelers should plan their budgets accordingly.

Beach Resorts & Harbors

Regarding restaurants and taverns by the seafront, two things are for sure; the freshest fish Aegean can provide are being served, along with a hearty ambiance.
You can enjoy your lunch or dinner with more traditional decor and music, with affordable and moderate-priced options. It is always a good idea to book a table for dinner, as they might get a bit crowded but such an arrangement is not so necessary concerning lunchtime.
Such establishments mainly lie at the beaches of Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos.

If you are more up to eating fresh fish under the wild, massive slopes of the caldera while watching a beautiful sunset, then you should book a table at one of the taverns in the quaint harbor of Ammoudi.
They have become really popular lately since they provide fresh seafood and a local atmosphere.

Eat like a local

Furthermore, some of the top traditional taverns and restaurants are not located near the scenic caldera views; in fact, they can be considered hidden gems. They can be found in less touristy villages and sometimes are unseen, as they may not be on the main village pathway.
No need to worry about it, though. You can get directions from the locals and hotel reception in order to visit them.
They tend to keep a traditional and welcoming ambiance, while locals frequent them as well.
The decor can vary between the minimal Cycladic style of the seafront and the more mountainous-inspired side of the island.
The prices are affordable and moderate, as they do not need to compete with the more upscale restaurants of the caldera.
We recommend trying the ‘mezes’ option if you’d rather have a drink with various local appetizers on a platter.
Many of those taverns host live music in the evenings, a very pleasant event to attend at least once while being in Santorini.

• Where to have a fine dining dinner?

Selene, Mylos, Oia 1800

• Where to eat fresh fish and seafood?

To psaraki, Melina’s tavern, Yorgaros fish

• Where to enjoy a romantic dinner?

La Maison, Roka, Kapari restaurant

• Where to eat like a local?

To psaraki, Anogi, Santorini mou

• Where to dine with the best caldera view?

Onar, Roka, Idol, Lauda, Athenian house

• Where to eat modern Greek cuisine?

Aktaion, Metaxy Mas, Feggera, Kapari taverna

• Where to eat international cuisine?

Ginger sushi lounge

Santorini is blessed with the best sunset views in the Aegean Sea and holds an incontestable place, high in the tourist visiting lists. That is one of the reasons why the local cuisine has expanded in the last decades, engulfing more refined and upscale dining options. Travelers are not left unsatisfied, as there are many Mediterranean restaurants that combine Greek flavors with some European notes for a broader palate menu.

Meal times

Lunchtime: 12:00 -17:00 / Dinner time: 18:00 - 24:00.
Note that in Greece, in general, and especially during the summer season when days are longer, people eat later compared to the European habits and meal times are very flexible.
Lunch is usually served around 14:00 and dinner at around 21:00. Even if you arrive as late as 23:00, most establishments still operate and will serve you.
Particularly in Santorini, many visitors prefer combining their dinner with the famous sunset views at approximately 19:30 - 20:50.
If you want to experience it, we strongly recommend booking your table far in advance to be on the safe side, as restaurants get full really quickly in the evening.

Reservations

Depending on the location first and the popularity of the restaurant second, it is wise to book your table at least a few days in advance to have a comfortable mealtime without delays.
The top-rated restaurants in Santorini require a reservation at least five days in advance for dinner, whereas for lunch, it is much easier to find a table as they are not as popular.
If you have already spotted some restaurants or taverns you would like to visit, we highly recommend proceeding to a reservation. If you plan to have dinner at a restaurant with a caldera view during sunset time, you will definitely need to make a reservation even a few weeks in advance.
Make an online reservation and look forward to your special and delicious rendezvous in Santorini!

Tipping

Tipping in Greece is not strictly regulated by percentage.
An average tip can start from 3 - 6 € for small orders, but it is polite for large orders to go with the 10% courtesy.
Not leaving a tip at all is considered impolite and taken as dissatisfaction with the establishment’s service and meals.

Water

Restaurants serve bottled still water by default. If you prefer sparkling water you can always ask for it.

Communication

Every restaurant on the island, even small local taverns, provides its menu in English.
Some might have a menu translated into other languages as well (French, German, Italian, Chinese, or Russian).
Also, restaurant personnel speaks English and communication is not considered a problem.

Meze meal

As you may notice on the menus, both traditional and modern restaurants present their dishes by category: salads, appetizers, main dishes, fish, meat, etc.
If you plan on having a group meal of more than two people, you can request a mixture of different main dishes and appetizers for the middle of the table and share them instead of ordering one main dish per person.
That is called mezes and is very common in Greece; you will see many Greeks preferring a group meze along with their drinks.
With Greek cuisine having such a variety of delicious appetizers, it is only logical that you would want to taste as much as possible.