18 Best Restaurants in Epirus and Thessaly, Greece

Just outside of Kalambaka is the little village of Agios Dimitrios. On the main square sits Arados, the local taverna that has become a draw for many from farther afield. As you'd expect in this part of the world, meats are the mains, are local and are cooked to perfection on a wood fire that adds that extra bit of flavor. Mrs. Fola, who runs the taverna with her husband, hand-makes pies everyday and they too are cooked in a brick wood-fired oven. Everything seems to tastes that little bit better here. It could be because the free flowing, crisp local wine goes down a little too easily or dining under the venerable village chestnut tree in the small buzzy square triggers notions of what proper village eating is all about.

The coffee here is pretty special, but what really steals the show are the delightful desserts. Treat yourself to one of the maison speciality waffles, the honey-soaked French toast, a chocolate cheesecake, or the deconstructed banoffee pie (a British pie made from bananas, cream, and caramel), all with an innovative twist inspired by pastry chef Dionisis Alertas. If you're feeling peckish you can grab a serving of the gastro-fare dished out here, more at home in a fine dining establishment than a café.

Also know as Elias's Garden restaurant, this simple taverna with a traditional Greek menu and a waterfall in the garden attracts everyone from visiting royalty to Olympic-medal winners. Kids get their own pethika piata (kids' plates). Unusual appetizers include spicy fried feta with peppers and grilled mushrooms. Among the main dishes are beef stamna (baked in a covered clay pot with herbs, potatoes, and cheese), rabbit with onions stew, a range of local village sausages and perfectly fried vegetable croquettes.

For one of the best dining experiences in the city look no further than Presvia restaurant/bar. Housed in a carefully restored two-story listed building, formerly the Italian Embassy—hence the name Presvia, the Greek word for embassy. Owners George Tsolis and Yianna Tefa have expertly come up with playful takes on Greek and Mediterranean dishes. In summer you can dine out in the lovely courtyard or on the breezy little porch.

Koutouki ("little box"), aptly named for its diminutive interior, is a good value, just one reason this place is so popular with the locals. All the taverna favorites are here, but order something made with the local cheese, or the amazing hilopotes (local pasta) cooked in a chicken broth, or the divine celery-leek-and-beef meatballs. Anything served in this taverna is delicious and honest, and the local wine isn't bad either. Kali Orexi! (Good appetite!)

At this spot on the main square, a local favorite since 1925, the Gkertsos family serves food prepared by the matriarch, Ketty. This taverna is known for hearty main courses—try Ketty's special wine-and-pepper chicken, veal, or pork stifado (stew)—and some specialties from Asia Minor, including tzoutzoukakia Smyrneika, aromatic meatballs in a red sauce laced with cumin. The surrounding hills and mountains are noted for goat and sheep rearing, and these meats are grilled to perfection here. Customers are ushered through the kitchen to place their order.

For innovative street food look no further than Folk. This Americana-style diner has a modest but creative menu. Beef burger with feta sauce, lettuce, tomato and crispy pear chips, a mizo tsatsiki chicken sandwich, a soft brioche filled with rib-eye fillets, orange mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, tomato, arugula and melted cheddar. For vegetarians there is the option of celeriac gyro pita with leak cream, pickled apple and popcorn.

A local classic with vintage rustic charm (crackling fireplace included), situated in the town’s main square, this has been a go-to choice for quality local flavors for three decades. Try various homemade pies, a wide array of regional cheeses, trachanas (a Greek type of buttermilk-soaked pasta crumb, served here in an extra creamy rendition with feta and butter), local hylopytes pasta stewed with tomato sauce in a ceramic pot, local game, and kokoretsi (lamb’s intestines seasoned and cooked to a crisp on the spit).

For more than 30 years Mr. Vassilis has run this friendly place, where you can discover how Greek grandmothers cooked before the comforts of electricity were introduced to Epirus. The gastra is basically a large clay or iron container placed on a fire with hot coals scattered on the iron lid over the pot. Your meal (of lamb, chicken, or goat) roasts very slowly in its own juices, resulting in tender, juicy meat with a crispy outer skin. Even though the location is rather charmless, the great food has local diners coming in droves.

Whether you sit outside on the terrace or inside near the large glass paneled fireplace, you can observe life in this industrious little town as it hums by. Good coffee, teas, and rich hot chocolates accompany creamy desserts, and wash down toasted cheese and ham sandwiches with a glass of wine or craft beer. It's also the place to have a well prepared cocktail and experience Mtesovo's muted nightlife.

Come here just for the knockout views of Meteora and the Kalambaka plain below, and the food isn't bad either. Of course, to make sure you get a prime position on the veranda it's best to book in advance. For starters, along with typical mezes, they serve mushrooms stuffed with cheese and a deliciously rich melitzana saganaki (roasted eggplant) served in a claypot with bacon. Try the beautifully prepared lamb chops or the smirneika meatballs, swimming in a spicy tomato sauce. For dessert don't miss out on the syrupy orange cake with a scoop of ice cream.

A large fireplace, Metsovo costumes on the walls, old photos, and carved wooden furniture enliven the dining room. Try the vegetable pies, especially the kolokithopita (zucchini pie) made from bobota (corn flour), an unusual crust in Greece but an Epirote favorite. In addition, the saganaki (fried cheese) made with four Metsovo cheeses and tender lamb yiouvetsi (baked in tomato-wine sauce) are winners. The large wine selection includes good local choices, Katogi and Zitsa.

When a Greek cooks with meraki (good taste and mood), the world does indeed find paradissos (paradise). Owner Kyriakoula Fassoula serves meat dishes cooked tis oras (to order), such as grilled pork and lamb chops. Vegetarians can choose from delectable eggplant papoutsakia ("little shoes"), fried zucchini with garlic sauce, and various boiled greens. Complimentary fruit is served for the finale, but it would be a shame to pass up the flaky baklava.

English-style pub with a plethora of Greek and international beers in the heart of Kalambaka. Pop in for a sly pint (a liter here) or hang out and enjoy the predominantly rock (rather appropriate for Meteora) sounds and the easy eating, North American–inspired bar grub (burgers, hot dogs, and spicy glazed chicken wings) that they happily dish out.

All the food in this no nonsense little eatery is served on grease-proof paper, including the Greek salad, or else wrapped in it to take out. You'll find all types of flame grilled meats from kontosouvli pork loin, pork, chicken or beef souvlaki to kokoretsi lamb offal sausage. As you'd expect every thing is locally sourced and fired up to a crispy yet succulent perfection.

A large fireplace, Metsovo costumes on the walls, old photos, and carved wooden furniture enliven the dining room. Try the vegetable pies, especially the kolokithopita (zucchini pie) made from bobota (corn flour), an unusual crust in Greece but an Epirote favorite. In addition, the saganaki (fried cheese) made with four Metsovo cheeses and tender lamb yiouvetsi (baked in tomato-wine sauce) are winners. The large wine selection includes good local choices, Katogi and Zitsa.

The name means "traditional," and that's what this comfortable spot decorated with colorful weavings and folk crafts is. Vasilis Bissas, the chef-owner, has revived many of the more esoteric regional specialties. Try the fileta tou dasous (fillet of the forest)—a choice beef fillet stuffed with cheese, ham, tomato, mushrooms, and "woodcutters' potatoes" (potato slices baked with bacon and four kinds of cheese). "Grandmothers' bread" is toasted and stuffed with cheese, bacon, tomato, peppers, and onions, then baked in the oven. Accompany your meal with the house wine, guaranteed to be a well-researched regional specialty, or choose the heady local red Katogi.