14 Best Restaurants in Tinos, The Cyclades

Who wants some tasty Italian food with a view? This place does what it says on the tin—great pasta and pizza for all. Handmade on the premises every day, the dishes are authentic and use ingredients from the local area to great effect. A punky soundtrack and a funky cocktail list add to the happy aura in this hillside gem.

The old open-air cinema, steps away from the main street, has been lovingly reimagined as the island's gastronomic hot spot. A romantic pastel-painted courtyard festooned with greenery fronts the clearest expression of Tinos's outstanding produce, where clever contemporary trends are married to traditional techniques and recipes. Elegant and beautifully plated, dishes are offered by a brother and sister team proud of their island heritage. Every Greek child knows the song "There was a little boat" (Itan ena mikro karavi) and every visitor to Tinos should know its impressive namesake.

A short walk through Isternia's mazelike streets leads to an unexpected terrace in the shade of a plane tree that overlooks the Aegean. Sitting here makes you understand how the gods must have felt, idly toying with the people below. Grab a table at the front if you can, order a spritzer and soak in the rays of the dying sun—the view is one of the best in the islands, a pure blue wall of sea and sky.

Set on a platform on Ormos Isternion Bay, right up against the Aegean Sea with views of Syros, chef and owner Antonia Zarpa produces innovative, well-thought-out dishes that capture the local flavors of her beloved island. Just as pilgrims visit the cathedral, so do food worshippers head to Thalassaki for its ephemeral works of art—the restaurant has such a cult following that speedboats zip over from Mykonos for lunch.

This pastry shop and bakery is the local go-to for anything traditional and sweet. It's known for Tinian specialties such as almond paste candies called psarakia tinou, and cheesecake bites made with Tinian cheese called gliko tiropitaki tsibiti. You’ll find yourself walking away with little gift boxes filled with your favorites, but before you go try their homemade ice cream.

On a trellised lane by the harbor, this family-run taverna is a Tinos favorite, serving a wide range of Greek traditional and Tinian dishes. Main-course favorites include spicy lamb cooked in paper and calamari stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, and peppers. Starters such as local artichokes in vinegar sauce or hot eggplant slices wrapped around cheese, mint, and green pepper, and a light, rich mille feuille dessert might bookend a meal here. The name means "between us," and a friendly air prevails. The decor is traditional—pale stone walls and high stone arches—the staff is welcoming, and a fireplace in winter and summer air-conditioning keep it open year-round.

Small by name, but big on flavor, Mikro Kafe is the pick of the brunch spots in town. Spilling out on to the main street, eggs come all ways but many opt for the full English breakfast to set them up for the day. Crepes are sweet or savory, sandwiches are freshly made, omelets are from local eggs, and all dishes are lovingly garnished. Needless to say, the coffee is the best in town.

On the corner at the end of Agios Fokas beach, San To Alati—"like salt"—looks over the water and seven different islands are visible on a clear day from this whitewashed little taverna. The menu is wrapped in a fairy-tale book cover, and magic continues in the kitchen as the gifts of the sea are transformed into crowd-pleasing local cuisine with modern touches and super presentation. For once, the desserts and wine choice are not an afterthought.

Giorgos Vidalis's café and restaurant occupies a sophisticated and well-preserved neoclassical building on a pedestrian-only street. Select from international- and Mediterranean-influenced dishes, to be enjoyed daytime on the upper terraces that overlook the Turkish fountain and the passing scene. At night, it's interior is an ambient blend of pastel colors, elegant furnishings, and marble-topped tables. Try the Symposium salad, a delightful mix of French lettuce, avocado, grilled shrimp, and citrus vinaigrette. Main dishes include the sole fillet with parsley and basmati rice, and the Tinian veal fillet with peppercorns and roasted vegetables. The Greek wine list is impressive.

The queues that sneak around the block tell you who cooks the best fish in Tinos. At the far east of the harbor—Tarsanas means boatyard—a stylish wood interior and two outside areas are the setting for distinctive dishes prepared with the finest ingredients. The menu is based on fresh produce with respect to the traditional Tinian kitchen, and all the dishes are served in smaller sampling portions, with correspondingly small prices—all the better to do more sampling!

They don't make them like this anymore. A handful of tables sit under lilac bushes outside this grocery store/café/mezzotaverna in the mountain village of Myrsini. The menu is scribbled into a school exercise book by hand and froutalia, the rich island omelet always features. Like stepping back into the 1950s, villagers come and go into the shop piled high with tins and packets, soap powder, and toothpaste.

On a small alley off the Panagias road is a brightly decorated eatery, run by the equally brightly decorated Eleni, that dates back to 1812. Once a wineshop-cum-hangout for artists and writers, it now serves the most memorable of classic Tinian dishes in a homey environment. Alleyway tables groan under the hearty dishes served with flair and passion—it is home-style cooking that reminds the Greek clientele of their childhood days.

Abutting the Sanctuary of Poseidon and facing the sea, this multilevel taverna offers traditional Greek taverna fare. Open all day, a stone's throw from the beach, and away from the wind that blights much of Tinos, the art of the grill is key here. Local meats and homegrown vegetables feature and fresh fish is available, depending on the weather.

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.