462 Best Restaurants in Greece

A new restaurant celebrating Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors with an adventurous twist, alongside vermouth spritzes. Small plates ideal for sharing will fill your table, offering an exciting variety of tastes. Start with fresh oysters with coriander foam, kingfish sashimi in fermented soy, shrimp tortellini with Naxian arseniko cheese, and fresh flatbreads. The use of Middle Eastern spices is delicate yet profoundly flavorful. The decor marries mid-century elegance with industrial cool, inviting you to linger over creative cocktails or vermouth (their specialty) at the stylish bar.

A favorite of tourists and locals alike, Vyzantino is directly on Plaka's main square—good for a reasonably priced, well prepared, and traditional bite (like stewed meats such as beef stifado, baked lamb, and stuffed tomatoes) with a front seat to all the action.

The name is something of a giveaway. This local chain is beloved by families and grown-ups with a sweet tooth or a love of sorbet-based cocktails. Spare a thought for its "waffins," a kind of donut-waffle hybrid that is either a crime against humanity or the best thing ever. We're not sure. It also does alcoholic drinks.

Offering a variety of rich homemade ice creams, fresh waffles, and minisize "waffins," Waffle House has expanded since it opened in Naxos Town to the country's capital in Athens. Nevertheless, the Naxos original is a local favorite, and tables get packed here.

In the old Ottoman district of Splantzia, opposite the underground church of Agia Irene, this restaurant is somewhat difficult to find but it is worth the endeavor. With vaulted ceilings, terra-cotta floors, cobalt blue walls set with jewel-like windows, and the eponymous well, it is a memorable place to eat a mixture of Greek and Turkish dishes with the odd trip to Northern Africa and the Middle East. Flatbreads, such as Fatayer bi Sabanikh, with spinach, mizithra, walnuts and raisins, and Lahmajun, with minced lamb and parsley, are particularly strong. Best to take a number of small plates and share in the traditional way.

The setting for Wild Duck's terrace, among the cluster of eateries that line up across from the quayside, affords views out over the water—and the food is every bit as delectable. The menu eschews the typical taverna favorites for Italian and Greek-style bistro fare: pork fillets in demi-glaze sauces and crayfish kritharoto (a local take on risotto using orzo) join plenty of pastas and steaks that have been given a local twist.

A new-generation coffee shop that's as much about nostalgically celebrating the '70s-style granola hippie philosophy as ultramodern health consciousness and love of nature. Wild Souls has organic coffee, a sunlight-flooded space to sit at with your dog and friends, and an interesting array of plant-based bowls like chia pudding and overnight oats, with an emphasis on six types of homemade nut butters like almond and pistachio, that can also be bought by the jar. Eggs, sandwiches, and salads are also on the menu, packed with seasonal freshness and ethical vision.

This slightly chintzy seaside beach hut belies a stylish menu filled with organic, gluten-free, and vegan goodies. Its focus on all things veggie perhaps explains away the fresh and leafy decor, but in the evening it turns more sultry, with a range of mouthwatering and creative dishes like delicious oat-crusted feta dressed with a zesty salad; beef cheek ragout; and plenty more besides.

This breezy café-patisserie on the ground floor of the Hotel Zefiros is a cool place to hang out after a day on the beach or a boat trip around Paleokastritsa's spectacular shores. Light bites include various gyros, salads, and souvlaki, plus a range of sweets. For the truly greedy, the giant burger features a stack of four patties topped with cheddar, lettuce, onions, egg, pickles, barbecue sauce, and mayo. 

The Tsirou family cooks delicious Greek classics with a Tinian touch. Try the Tinian omelet with sausage and fresh potatoes, or for a more hearty dish go for the savory roasted local goat. The desserts are homemade and change with the season. Every Sunday during the summer you'll hear live Greek music along with your meal. It's open all year.

Sometimes it seems like everyone in town gathers at this friendly harborside spot, where the emphasis is on fresh seafood and traditional home dishes. What distinguishes this locale from its neighbors is the quality of its ingredients and the skill of its cooking. Locally grown vegetables and Samos wines accompany the meals, which are served with care by the friendly staff.