87 Best Restaurants in The Cyclades, Greece

It seems that just about everyone in Santorini looks forward to a meal at this village taverna. Even though the name means "between us," the secret is out and the key to success appears to be to keep it simple—the kitchen sticks to traditional homestyle cooking from Santorini and Crete. You can reach this rural outpost by car, a 10-minute taxi from Fira, or on the Fira-Pyrgos bus.

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.

A tasty stopover on the road up to Plaka, Mouratos invites you to indulge in home-baked delights. A panoramic view over Adamas and the sea is the setting for hearty breakfasts and Milian specialties. A special wine section is dedicated to the local offerings, a great souvenir.

This legendary Psarou beach restaurant is the place to go on the island for a healthy dose of excess—super-bling, self-conscious, and selfie-central, Nammos is the spot for late lunches next to the sea with the jet set. The eye-poppingly expensive Mediterranean fusion cuisine is actually good, but it's not really about the food and drink: tables are for dancing on rather than eating at, and champagne is for spraying over your fellow diners, racing-driver style. It is a place to be seen spending conspicuously, and depending on your sensibilities, you will either love it or hate it. For those who want to live the full lifestyle, there is a 26 room and 3 villa Nammos hotel next door.

Old-fashioned Greek fare, made with care and served by a friendly and accommodating staff, can be enjoyed on a breezy balcony; tables at one end get a caldera view. The decoration won't win prizes but the view will. Many consider the moussaka, served in an earthenware pot, to be the best on the island.

At one of the best seafront locations on the island, with Little Venice on one side and the windmills on the other, farm-to-table Mediterranean cuisine is the scene-stealer. The menu is plentiful, with diverse choices, but the philosophy is simple—the best organic ingredients from Greek producers cooked simply and with respect. Greek craft beers are well represented as are local wines on the drinks list. While the sea view is very Mykonos, the restaurant's overall design and concept is infused with 1950s Hollywood icons, thanks to the influence of one of the owners, a former LA restaurateur.

This charming little taverna, all pastel colors and spindle-backed chairs, is a cozy retreat from the busy streets outside. Named after the chef's grandfather Nikolas Oinomagiremata, traditional hearty recipes are delivered with charm and, while there is no knockout view to distract you, the food works hard to keep you entertained.

Perched above Agkali Beach with stunning views, this is the fish taverna you have been daydreaming of, with wooden chairs, paper tablecloths, and sea breezes to keep you cool. Comforting homemade food, moderate prices, and friendly service make this a must-visit on the island.

Food fashions come and go in Mykonos, but one thing that never goes out of style is souvlaki. Get the cleanest and tastiest in town at Pepper—tiny, with just a few tables outside, this is the answer to all your street-food needs.

Greek cuisine was always vegan friendly, and now Rhino has brought street food into the 21st century. Souvlakis are reimagined with tofu nuggets and mushrooms, Greek salad gets vegan feta, and lentil and beetroot burgers leave you feeling healthy and virtuous. A nice change from the many meat-centric tavernas, the delicious food is a must for all.

Apart from the summit of Mt. Zas, there is no better viewpoint on Naxos. Next to the church of Panagia--Ai Giannis, a series of terraces give 360-degree views of the island. Open from midday, it is a great place for a coffee or a glass of wine to survey the lush green land beneath your feet or for a longer sojourn, the cuisine is hearty and traditional, strong on local meats and cheeses.

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.

If the wind is up, the waves sing at this magical and lively spot, set on a far tip of land below the famous windmills of Mykonos. The preferred place for Greek shipowners, Sea Satin Market's fine seafood dishes are enjoyed on a beautiful seaside terrace, and even onto the sand of the beach bordering Little Venice. When it comes to fish, prices vary according to weight. Shellfish is a specialty, and everything is beautifully presented.

The balcony overlooking the caldera on top of this café-cum-bakery-cum-pizzeria is a prime spot for lazing over breakfast, a coffee, or a home-baked pastry. Open all year, too, for soothing summer ice cream or warming winter waffles.

On the backstreets of Naousa, this is the place for healthy breakfasts and brunch. A white-tiled interior is decorated with goofy art and handwritten blackboards extolling the superfoods used in their dishes. Think home-baked granolas, avocado on toast, fruit smoothies, and quinoa salad. Replenish your vitamins and minerals, then return in the evening for delicious cocktails until the early hours.

A lovingly decorated mansion is home to one of the island's best cellars with a deep and extensive international list. The food is no afterthought though; eclectic and creative magic goes on in the kitchen as a mainly Mediterranean menu is put through its paces. The rooftop terrace is a favorite for sunset views, but the vaulted-ceilinged dining room can be a wiser option on blustery summer nights—either way, it is a wonderful place to spend an evening.

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!

Tradition counts for everything at this family-run taverna. Like his parents who ran Klarinos before him, Andreas Ragoussis only uses homegrown vegetables and local meat in his dishes. Up the stairs, on the square, it has been here for years and rightly so.

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.

Located in the central market, To Kastri is run by the Women’s Union of Syros, a group of ladies who cook 10 dishes a day—home cooking so good that local housewives secretly buy food for their husband's midday meals here. Open all year, this cafeteria often sells out by early afternoon.

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.

On one side there is a romantic terrace with grandstand views of the iconic hilltop Church of Komisis tis Theotkou, on the other a pretty garden with one of the old island buses repurposed as a dining room. Whichever you choose, the heart of the kitchen lies in the fresh pasta and pizza dough, handmade every day to old island traditions. Wines from neighboring islands are a good match for the local flavors or choose one of their innovative cocktails to salute the dying of the sun.

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.

In the Faragas area of town, overlooking the old market and in the shadow of the castle, Typografio gets its name from the former newspaper office it inhabits. Thick stone walls border charming terraces where local ingredients are put through their paces with some panache. Presentation is a step-up from most tavernas and the romantic setting is often accompanied by local musicians playing in the square below.

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.

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.