6 Best Restaurants in Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Greece

The most popular hangout in town serves homemade ice cream by day and cocktails by night in the cool, blue-cushioned interior and pebbled courtyard as well as on the rooftop terrace of a sea captain's house.

Meals at this simple taverna, as popular with locals as it is with tourists, are served in a high-ceilinged, whitewashed dining room; or, on their terrace partially shaded by a grape arbor, which affords wonderful views over the sea and surrounding hills. Fish is a specialty, and simply prepared mezedes such as roasted peppers topped with feta cheese and fried zucchini are a great start to a meal here. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, but the food is exemplary.

A 10-minute walk east of the evening bustle on the main waterfront leads to this waterside gem. The accomplished Haritomeni has a lofty terrace with spectacular views over the bay. Like most places on the island, either eat early or book ahead as it fills up fast later on. The menu is decent value, with typical Greek mezedes dishes—calamari, fried saganaki cheese, papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant)—all crafted with skill and propping up meatier grilled fare.

Belly-busting portions are served up at this crowd-pleasing restaurant—with dishes that cater all kinds of tastes. The stars of the show are the creamy, herby, seafood-laced pasta dishes, enough to feed two and brimming with local flavors. There's plenty more beyond, from mezedes and gyros to burgers and steaks, but the grilled whole-fish is a real knockout.

When you arrive back hungry and desperately in need of refreshment after a day out on the boats, this little taverna rises to the occasion with its array of hearty Greek favorites, cooked quickly and served with a smile from the friendly family--owners. The Symi shrimp and beef stifado are must-tries. It has an excellent range of local wines to sip in total serenity while watching the harbor boats bob on the water.

When Rhodians want a traditional meal, they head to this simple little taverna on a residential street south of the walled city. Dining is in a plain room and on a sparkling-white terrace in warmer months, where you can compose a meal of such delicious mezedes as bakaliaros (salted cod) in garlic sauce, pumpkin fritters, and zucchini flowers filled with feta cheese. It's a bit of a walk, but worth it for the quality of food and to escape the hordes of the Old Town.