363 Best Restaurants in Greece

This family-run and long-established landmark entices with its playful and innovative takes on classic Greek dishes. While the awe-inspiring panoramic vista of the Aegean Sea would be enough to please customers, owner Nikos Stamatakis and his chef father, Stamatis, wow diners with the island's most exciting cuisine, expertly finessed with on-point presentation. The setting is cool, contemporary, and elegant: perfect for a special occasion. Reserve well ahead as it gets booked up quickly.

The Botrini family restaurant is considered one of the best in Greece (the Athens branch has a Michelin star), and it certainly can be classed as among the most inventive, offering lavish set menus of Italian- and Greek-inspired dishes. Chef Ettore Botrini demonstrates his flawless technique and creativity on the molecular gastronomy front in the range of artwork dishes on offer. Completing the picture of class with, a sprinkle of opulence, is the magnificently romantic setting, where the best tables—often booked solid with chic and wealthy Corfiots—are set out in a large, antique-style courtyard. 

A stupendous, 15-course gastronomic journey based on the European, Middle Eastern, South American and Southeast Asian culinary endeavors of multi-awarded owner-chef Herve Ponzato awaits you. You'll arrive to a place that looks closed because all the windows are curtained. Entry is only accessible to dinner guests who punch in a code that's sent to their phone after booking. Inside, a slick chef's table with stools wraps around the action in the ultramodern kitchen, modern street-art inspired paintings hang on the wall and the lighting is low. The tasting menu is altered every season, with some standard classics always remaining, and is based on exotic (like foie gras and caviar) elements as well as local ingredients sourced from small producers around Greece. There are also tables around the bar and in a separate courtyard area that has an open roof during summer. One thing you can surely expect is to be delighted repeatedly, spending at least three hours on a memorable adventure in which every small gourmet dish is a beautiful surprise. The wine pairing (optional) offers some sublime tasting experiences.

This whitewashed fisherman’s cottage on a promontory overlooking Kamini Harbor features a charming terrace decked with nautical pennants and communal tables—perfect for sunset views. The menu highlights grilled daily catches like squid and shrimp.

With quality ingredients—everything from vibrantly colored flowers and aromatic herbs to olives and partridge meat—sourced from an organic farm in ancient Corinth and a full respect for zero-waste practices, this fine dining restaurant provides a rich gourmet experience with high conscience. In an elegant, peaceful setting over the Roman Agora, chef Petros Dimas creates exquisite dishes like mushroom cappuccino with a brioche for dipping, scallop with jamon Iberico, duck fillet with asparagus, and langoustine ravioli with truffle that are as incredible to taste as they are to look at. Staff is friendly and informative, and the polished space includes a rooftop dining area and a cellar with a glass floor through which you see ancient Athenian structures.

Enclosed within a leafy, serene courtyard, this restaurant serves some of the best food on the island—with the ambience to match. Traditional fare is on the menu, with carefully sourced specialties that sing of Greece's natural larder, like rabbit roasted in Samos's sweet wine. With knowledgeable waiting staff to boot, this is many a Skiathos regular's favorite restaurant. Reserve at least a week ahead in high season as it tends to be booked up.

Pharaoh, awarded with the Michelin Bib Gourmand, serves soulful, ingredient-driven Greek fare, with an emphasis on wood-fire cooking. Chef Papoutsakis channels “cucina povera” into vibrant dishes built from pristine, hyperlocal ingredients—think slow-cooked lamb, artichokes cooked in creamy staka butter, stewed chestnuts and grilled greens with manouri cheese. The vibe rides on positive energy, but a stripped-back cool reigns, too: minimal decor, playful vintage touches, and a killer vinyl soundtrack that sets a laid-back, buzzy tone. A fantastic selection of natural wines flow freely, curated to spotlight organic and biodynamic vineyards across Greece.

The entrance to this well-hidden fine-dining restaurant nestles discreetly between two bars, but it's worth finding. A courtyard terrace so hip you can taste it in the air is the setting for an adventurous Greek-fusion affair with a superb and extensive wine list and dazzling cocktails (from €12). Choose the house special, "sous vide" catch of the day (cooked according to a strict method), to see what all the fuss is about with this melt-in-your-mouth fish. The menu draws on Greek and Italian influences for some of the most creative dishes on the island—albeit with prices to match. A bill for two rarely dips below €120.

The go-to taverna for the islanders, Tholos is nestled in the pine forest spilling down from the Temple of Aphaia on the road down to Agia Marina. The wonderful views through the trees down to the sea are complemented by the flavorsome rustic dishes served at this establishment. Meat grilled to your taste is the staple here. The veal in a rich herby tomato sauce with macaroni is another favorite, and most of the vegetables are either home-grown or locally sourced. Another reason to dine here is to take a welcome hiatus from the somewhat frenetic summer high-season energy that grips the rest of the island.

This restaurant, located in picturesque Mikrolimano, is a cornerstone of Greek fine dining. Helmed by chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to earn a Michelin star, the restaurant offers a seafood-centric menu that marries tradition with innovation. Standout dishes include red shrimp tartare with citrus and lemongrass, cuttlefish risotto, and grilled squid with ouzo gel. The setting—overlooking the marina—adds to the allure, making it a must-visit for those seeking refined maritime cuisine in Athens.

Ask a local to name the best restaurant in Aegina, and the response is invariably Vatzoulias. In summer the garden is a pleasant oasis, scented with jasmine and honeysuckle; in winter, nestle inside the cozy dining room to dine on expertly prepared taverna classics. Eggplant in garlic sauce or zucchini croquettes are can't-go-wrong starters. Continue with a dish such as veal in red sauce; thick, juicy grilled pork chops; or moussaka, oven-baked eggplant and potatoes with ground meat enlivened with cinnamon and a wonderfully fluffy béchamel. In winter try the hare stew. A 10-minute walk from Aegina Town center gets you to this rustic taverna where only dinner is served, and only on four evenings a week, usually Wednesday and weekends.

The scene is as delicious as the food at this wonderfully romantic restaurant arranged around a 17th-century well on the most beautiful little square in the Old Town. Expect a small but select menu of innovative Corfiot dishes, with a menu that changes regularly according to the availability of the always-fresh ingredients. An optional set menu allows you to explore further. Pair your meal with one of the single-estate Greek wines, or choose one of the selected global vintages. Kremasti Square is a little awkward to find, so be sure to get directions from your hotel.

Focused on the philosophy of making what's most comfortingly indulgent from the day's seasonal and fresh ingredients, this is a sophisticated yet unpretentious and quirky Greek restaurant with a gastronomically enticing repertoire. Known for its homey, contemporary feel, it has become a hot spot for the city's foodies. Try the "bread and fish" dish and the vermicelli cooked in a seafood broth with cuttlefish ink and served with steamed clams and sautéed langoustines. Microbrewery beer lovers will also be happy here, although there is a great wine list to match.

Daphne's is one of the most exclusive (and at times priciest) food destinations in Plaka, but the food is worth it. The Pompeian frescoes on the walls, the fragments of an ancient Greek building in the garden, and the tasteful restoration of the Neoclassical building in terra-cotta and ocher hues also contribute to a pleasant and romantic evening. The refined Mediterranean and Greek dishes (such as the baby rooster with lemon-oil sauce, tender lamb wrapped in vine leaves, rabbit stew, and the traditional moussaka) help make this one of the area's classic stops for a high-end experience.

Though it's not situated in Votsi, the restaurant is just a 10-minute drive away, and it's one of the island's most unmissable properties, not least for its delightful restaurant serving up exceptional modern Greek cuisine. Merging in total complement to its natural surroundings, the restaurant's unobtrusive tables, chairs, and canopies are spread out across an olive grove on Leftos Gialos beach, one of the island's most beautiful, with pine forest springing from untouched headlands. The menu features Greek and Alonnisos specialties, and are expertly-cooked by chef Michalis Jovas. There are three luxury villas available to book here, should you never want to leave. 

A cheeky backyard cantina with festival vibes, fairy lights, and colorful barrels, Gialantra is a late-night magnet. It serves up grilled meatballs with tzalafouti, decadent hot dogs, and creative twists like vegan mushroom-truffle ragù rigatoni. Set against a 1920s facade, it serves a lively crowd until the early hours with ice cream, fish-and-chips, and frozen margaritas on tap. Co-founded by chef Gogó Delogianni, it’s equal parts whimsy and substance.

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.

One of the most enchanting places to dine in Rhodes is in the garden of this self-styled "mansion," or rather, a small guesthouse, where you'll want to linger amid the foliage and flowers for an entire evening. The menu features a wide array of international influences, from French cookery to fine Italian pasta dishes—all executed with finesse. Desserts lean toward Italy—in honor of the largely Italian crowd here. It gets quickly booked up, so make your reservation ahead of your visit.

This wine bar–bistro is as famous for its food as for a very extensive wine list and a magnificent outlook across the Old Port to the massive walls of the New Fortress. Using pure ingredients from Corfiot farms as well as from small producers all over Greece, the menu takes traditional Mediterranean dishes and moves them to new gastronomic heights; don't miss the wide-ranging cheeses on offer.

Although it's named after one of the world's most exotic destinations, this restaurant is almost provincially Greek in its ingredients but postmodern in culinary attitude. In a neighborhood that's especially à la mode among artists from all over, the neo-traditional element is played up for its unpretentious and familial charm, but don't fool yourself, this place is decidedly "in."

Opposite Avli, and part of the same stable, on one of Rethmynon's myriad pretty walkways, this is a modern reinvention of the classic Greek rakadiko—a place to eat small plates and drink raki. Don't assume the food is an afterthought to drinking, though, this is top-quality mezedes. Plates come thick and fast; it's food to be shared. Think imaginative Cretan tapas—sutzuki (spicy beef sausage), askolymbri (marinated hand-picked mountain greens), pastourma (crispy spiced pork cigar rolls), and hot feta with caramelized figs. It's relaxed dining, in a stylish setting reminiscent of an old grocery store, and perfect for a group of friends.

Elegant Aeglí Zappiou, an excellent, classic spot for a Greek coffee and bites experience, was reopened recently after an impressive renovation on its interiors that have now turned it into a classy venue for a multitude of events. Inside the Zappeion park that borders the National Garden and next to the open air Aigli cinema, it sprawls among fountains and flowering trees offering tranquility. It's an ideal spot to have a work meeting, read your book or relax with friends, and the restaurant serves a quality array of Greek and international dishes.

Since 1922, three generations of the Roussos family have offered hospitality and fine food in this tiny blue-and-white taverna. Outside, tables overlook the caldera; inside, murals and artworks are by the owner. Traditional recipes and local ingredients are given room to shine and are presented well by the attentive staff. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation, the cozy atmosphere may well find you chatting with fellow diners who are just as pleased with their choice.

Restaurants, including this multiple-award-winning Michelin-starred gem of Neoclassical design and inventive Mediterranean cuisine, are the reason Metaxourgeio's profile is on the rise. As soon as you arrive in the beautiful garden, lit with fairy lights and scattered with creative decor details, you'll want to stay for hours; the winter dining area indoors is very elegant, too, if less uplifting. Chef Gikas Xenakis's cooking is a serious candidate for notoriety, with two tasting menus, "Earth & Sea" or "Garden & Nature," as well as a pescatarian menu and a vegetarian menu, with a choice of five or six dishes and an excellent wine pairing option. There is also an excellent wine pairing alongside a wide-ranging wine list. 

Though known for its seafood, the handsomely decorated old rooms, beautiful walled garden, and panoramic view from the roof terrace found here are equalling enchanting. Mussels in wine, scallops in vodka sauce, shrimp risotto in an ouzo sauce, as well as simply grilled fish fill the menu. A side dish might be sautéed squash with wild glistrida (purslane), grown in the restaurant's own gardens.

Popular among locals, this venerable Turkish-Greek joint has a catch-all menu that hits every comfort-food high note. Zucchini flowers filled with lip-smacking Greek cheese, aubergines bursting with meat, and filling pastitsio complement a vast choice of souvlakis and Turkish-style kebabs.

Crowning the Venetian Castle, the picture-perfect blue-and-white-painted restaurant—a converted barn—enjoys probably the most breathtaking views in Skopelos Town, overlooking the glittering Aegean and the Panagitsa Church below. Traditional Greek fare like baked aubergines, souvlaki, and stuffed peppers are on the menu, plus plenty of local liqueurs. Tap into a Greek vein with owner Giorgo Xithari, who, along with local musicians and friends, will strum up a storm after 9:30 pm on his bouzouki and sing rembetika, traditional Greek acoustic blues. Not all the seating benefits from great views, so book ahead to make sure.

With mouthwatering dishes inspired by cuisine from Asia Minor and Greece, and ingredients from both the land (seasonal vegetables and quality meats) and the sea (fresh shellfish and seafood), this is one of the top places in the area for a meal. The menu changes with the seasons, but luscious desserts such as the delicious profiteroles and homemade ice cream are a must-try year-round. Whether you visit during the hot months, when white tables with colorful mats are laid out along the pedestrianized Old Town street, or during winter, when tsipouro-sipping locals huddle over loaded platters, Ap’Allou can best be described as cozy, jovial, and a joy (with a gourmet twist) for the tastebuds.

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.