12 Best Restaurants in Kefalonia, Greece

Fiskardo's harbor is lined with restaurant terraces, but Irida's is the pick of the bunch. Reliably good seafood is the difference-maker, with comforting staples such as shrimp saganaki (in a spicy tomato sauce laced with cheese) supplemented by the odd culinary gem like the sole in champagne sauce. It also runs a rather nice boutique shop around the corner, filled with jewelry, hats, and pretty knitted bags.

As is the case with much of Kefalonia, many of its dining gems are found outside of the larger towns. Il Borgo lies in the lee of Agios Georgios Castle, 15 minutes' drive south of Argostoli, and makes for a dramatic pit stop. Its vine-shaded terrace has easily the best dining views on the island and the food isn't far behind, with homespun pastitsada (one-pot pasta) and lip-smacking youvetsi (slow-cooked lamb leg and orzo) soothing both belly and soul.

This inventive taverna, run by a pair of local twins, is well loved by islanders. The atmosphere is never less than bouncing, with the dying light accompanied by the old-world strains of Greek guitar and the husky accompaniment of moist-eyed diners. The hand-written, meat-heavy menu is capable of surprises, too, with house takes on traditional favorites (kleftiko, kreatopita, etc.). Booking is advised.

Owner Tassia Dendrinou has become something of a local culinary celeb in recent years, with a couple of cookbooks to her name, and her quayside restaurant attracts celebs such as Tom Hanks, a frequent visitor to Fiskardo. Her menu is creative, with dishes such as octopus and chickpea puree and mussels stewed in Robola wine that makes fine use of the island's specialty ingredients. 

The setting alone is worth paying for, and staying for a long, long time and way past your welcome. Set in the forested surroundings just north of the main run, this family-owned restaurant has tables and chairs right up to the waterfront—with just the breeze and the passing butterflies for company. On the menu are all the Greek favorites—but its specialty is fresh fish, grilled to perfection. Set in a former wine-making area, it also serves up a great range of local tipples.

Yogurt-thick smoothies and scrumptious homemade cakes make this the perfect spot for a sugar kick. Gaze out over the yachts in the harbor and indulge your sweet tooth—the syrup-drenched baklava here is the size of a doorstop and every bit as satisfying as it looks.

Meat is the order of the day here, typically served in huge portions, at decent prices, and with fries on the side. This robust grillhouse is a favorite with village locals, who make invariably friendly dining companions as you tuck into succulent lamb chops, great heaving hunks of pork, and local-style sausage, all with a glass of chilled Robola wine to hand.

This delightful mother-and-daughter-run café-restaurant lies a couple of miles outside Fiskardo, on the road to Assos and Myrtos. It makes for a great breakfast and brunch spot, and even wraps up picnic lunches for those wanting to drop by and pick up a meal for the beach. Well worth passing by.

This venerable taverna stands apart from the needy café-bars that ring the waterside of Assos village. It's a solid old-stager with a menu of classic Greek mezedes, grills, seafood, souvlakis, and a far larger than usual range of vegetarian dishes. The more rural dishes, such as the goat stifado or rabbit lagoto stews, are particularly rewarding.

Perched on the cusp of Megas Lakkos Beach, with a garden terrace running to the shore, you couldn't get much closer to the water. The seafood is excellent, though demand often curtails the menu, so it pays to get there early. The monkfish tail wrapped in guanciale (Italian cured meat) is a particular delight.

A stone-walled interior sets the scene for this family-run slice of traditional taverna hospitality. The friendly owner is always happy to offer suggestions, though the Kefalonian kreatopita (three-meat pie), the island's famous "national dish," is well worth sinking your teeth into.

Garden terrace views gazing out to Xi Beach and across to the island of Vardiani offer a feast for the eyes. The menu is no less satisfying, with some of the best boat-fresh shrimp you'll ever savor. The cocktails here are also some of the best on the peninsula.