11 Best Restaurants in Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Greece

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.

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.

Family run by the owners of the nearby Opera House hotel, Kavos has umbrella-shaded quayside seating for sunny days and for cooler evenings tables in the elegant setting of an old Symiot mansion. The Med-fusion menu emphasizes local seafood. 

With a large terrace overlooking the sea and Lindos Square, Mavrikos offers elegant simplicity through its flavorful dishes, which twists traditional Greek mezedes with surprisingly delightful results—the usual favorites are offered, but are enriched. Third-generation chef Dimitris Mavrikos owns this institution along with his brother Michalis and has steadfastly maintained its stellar reputation.

Hidden away in a more tranquil part of the old town, this gorgeous restaurant hits the spot for those seeking a bit of peace and quiet away from the crowds. The tables, scattered across a large cobbled square, are shaded by an enormous, gnarled ficus tree, with the backdrop of a UNESCO-listed site of antiquity—the partially ruined Ottoman mosque of Recep Pasha. On the menu are slow-cooked meats, pasta, and popular seafood dishes; plus, it has a dedicated gluten-free and vegetarian menu.

Set on the shady square where Hippocrates reputedly once taught in the shade of a vast plane tree, Platanos is a breezy space with an airy inner lounge and outdoor tables. Its limited menu of thoughtful mains utilizing only the best local ingredients is testimony to the attention paid to the cookery here—think glazed octopus slathered in grape molasses. Live music accompanies meals on some evenings, to boot.

Choose between a table on the main square (perfect for people-watching) or the raised terrace out back with stunning views of the sea. Equally showstopping is the fine dining available here, each dish beautifully decorated and incorporating some of the island's most delicious ingredients in both traditional and more modern fare. It caters excellently to vegetarians, too.

Set apart from the scrummage of Lindos and buoyed by dizzying views over the bay below, this seductive Italian restaurant does everything well. The food—slow-cooked lamb, melt-in-the-mouth truffle gnocchi, juicy fillet steaks—is never less than glorious, and the house wine is great value. Low lights, good eating, and the ocean breeze make it an intoxicating combination. Book ahead—this spot is popular, for good reason.

Considered by many to be the finest of the city's seafood restaurants, family-run Nireas comes with little fanfare or pushiness, just impeccable service and a peaceful vine-draped setting apart from the hubbub of the center. Prices compare well with lesser spots in the city, especially for the quality of produce, and staff won't try to hustle you into spending big, as is the case with many seafood restaurants here where bills can suddenly rocket. Good service and quality food rule.

The setting is the star here. Three brothers have created a calm oasis a few streets in from the hustle and bustle of Kos Harbor. A 150-year-old stone house provides cozy dining in cool months, and in summer, tables pepper a garden full of private nooks, fountains, and gentle music. The enormous menu lists Greek staples, such as zucchini pancakes and seafood pasta side-by-side with more hearty steaks and grills.

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.