6 Best Restaurants in The Saronic Gulf Islands, Greece

Housed in an 18th-century fortress at Mikro Kamini, Castello offers sophisticated Mediterranean dishes, including seafood, premium beef cuts, and signature carpaccio and tartare. Enjoy fine dining paired with magnificent sea views from terraces overlooking the beach.

Spetses's most renowned restaurant has been evolving since it first opened almost three decades ago, and the owner, Giorgos—a local who grew up on the island working in his father's taverna—still loves what he does and it shows. Everyone from fishermen to Hollywood headliners know him by his first name, and a meal here is not to be missed, not only for the innovative upscale Greek-Mediterranean dishes and thoughtful wine list, but also for the elegant and romantic seafront setting and candlelit tables on a little pier jutting into the bay. Try the ceviche made with the catch of the day, the island's traditional fish à la Spetsiota and the grilled jumbo prawns. The restaurant also hosts events like weddings and parties.

This spot where Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas once danced is a vision in minimalist island stone and white. The restaurant-bar is set in the high-ceiling Hydra Nautical Club and the deck outside, which affords an exquisite sea view. Gourmet seafood dishes, and lively salads are the light standards that will help ensure you keep the energy levels up if you choose to stay on and dance the night away as the night time revelry kicks in and cocktails start flowing.

This highly regarded restaurant is right on the water in Dapia and is the all-time classic bar and nightclub of Spetses (running since 1975). The food in the restaurant is pretty decent, too, and it's probably one of the better choices on the island. Lounge in the veranda's comfy armchairs surrounded by maritime antiques and savor the predominantly Mediterranean cuisine and cool cocktails, accompanied by piano music and a romantic view of the yachts moored in the quaint old port.

Hop onto the island's charmingly old-fashioned "taxi service"—a horse and carriage—at sunset and settle comfortably on the terrace of this award-winning restaurant, housed in a Neoclassical mansion from 1802 and overlooking a picturesque yacht and sailboat-filled marina. Order a cooling, spicy cocktail as you scan the menu and enjoy the relaxed yet sophisticated vibe. Like many of the other top restaurants on the island, fresh fish is the key ingredient here, and the chef at Orloff likes to include hints of Mediterranean and Asian tastes without overpowering the prime ingredient. Although the pasta and meat dishes (especially the sirloin steak) are of high quality, aim for the seafood and fish dishes like fresh tartare and ceviche dishes selection to get a real island feel, and don't miss out on the delicious fava (yellow split pea dip).

Sit on the waterside veranda or the garden across the taverna and savor seafood mezedes and fresh fish in one of the more affordable (although somewhat noisy) restaurants on this overall pricey island. The house specialties are the fish soup, astakomakaronada (lobster with spaghetti), shrimp saganaki (cooked with melty feta cheese), and crayfish. Magirefta (oven-baked dishes) include stuffed aubergines and oven-baked lamb. The chef makes a mean baked apple for dessert, but before you order, know that miniportions of baklava, karydopita (walnut cake), and spoon sweets with yogurt are on the house.