4 Best Restaurants in Olympia, The Peloponnese

Finer dining in Olympia town is reserved for a handful of eateries clustered near the entrance to the archeological site. Dimitra is arguably its most accomplished, with a pretty terrace surrounded by trees and a blend of Italian and Greek fare to savor. Dishes range from pork belly and various pastas to grilled mastelo cheese, and a decent wine list makes this one of the slicker spots in town. Service is slow though. 

Don't let the garish signs depicting the menu put you off: the far-ranging offerings are excellent. You can eat lightly—a gyro or pizza—but do venture into some of the more serious fare, especially such local dishes as the fish that's been oven-baked with onion, garlic, green peppers, and parsley. The house's barrel wine is a nice accompaniment to any meal.

The best restaurants in Greece are often in small villages, and this appealing family-run taverna and inn set amid fields, a favorite among Olympians, is one such example. The poolside terrace is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or evening, though locals don't start arriving until 10 pm or so for dishes that include a delicious chicken with oregano, grilled lamb, and farm-fresh vegetables that appear in such deliciously simple preparations as baked eggplant with tomatoes and feta.

Olympians flock out to the little village of Floka, about 5 km (3 miles) west of town, at dinnertime to enjoy traditional fare in this country setting. Dining is in a homey room or on the summertime terrace with wide views across the landscape, and the specialties are the expertly grilled meats—try the piglet.