24 Best Restaurants in The Sporades, Greece

This long-established landmark entices with its playful and innovative takes on classic Greek dishes. While the awe-inspiring panoramic vista of the Aegean Sea would be enough to please customers, owner Nikos Stamatakis and his chef father, Stamatis, wow diners with the island's most exciting cuisine, expertly finessed with on-point presentation. The setting is cool, contemporary, and elegant: perfect for a special occasion. Reserve well ahead as it gets booked up quickly.

Confections oozing syrup, loukoumades, and a tantalizing assortment of gelato flavors make a pit stop at this old-fashioned sweet shop a must in the late afternoon.

The balcony pairs inviting breezes and sprawling views, a perfect setting in which to enjoy fresh local fish. Portions are large and so perfect for sharing, so order several of the creative dishes on the menu. It's family-run, and passionate owner Christos takes great pride in the ingredients served, from the organic vegetables grown in his own garden to the beautiful Greek wines on the drinks list.

Crowning the Venetian Castle, the picture-perfect blue-and-white-painted restaurant—a converted barn—enjoys probably the most breathtaking views in Skopelos Town, overlooking the glittering Aegean and the Panagitsa Church below. Traditional Greek fare like baked aubergines, souvlaki, and stuffed peppers are on the menu, plus plenty of local liqueurs. Tap into a Greek vein with owner Giorgo Xithari, who, along with local musicians and friends, will strum up a storm after 9:30 pm on his bouzouki and sing rembetika, traditional Greek acoustic blues.

Though it's not situated in Votsi, the restaurant is just a 10-minute drive away, and it's one of the island's most unmissable properties, not least for its delightful restaurant serving up exceptional modern Greek cuisine. Merging effortlessly and in total complement to its natural surroundings, the restaurant's unobtrusive tables, chairs, and canopies are spread out across an olive grove on Leftos Gialos beach, one of the island's most beautiful, with pine forest springing from untouched headlands. The delectable menu features Greek and Alonnisos specialties, and are expertly-cooked by chef Michalis Jovas. There are three luxury villas available to book here, should you never want to leave. 

Enclosed within a leafy, serene courtyard, this restaurant serves possibly the best food on the island. Traditional fare is on the menu, with carefully sourced specialties that sing of Greece's larder, like rock samphire salads and grilled cheese served with baked peaches. With knowledgeable waiting staff to boot, this is many a Skiathos regular's favorite restaurant. Reserve at least a week ahead in high season as it tends to be booked up.

One of Volos's claims to fame is its tsipouradiko taverns (named for the regional spirit tsipouro, made by distilling the residue of the grapes after pressing them to make wine). There are plenty to be found in the city's nooks and crannies, including this one, near the waterfront, which has combined the tradition with a youthful spirit that draws from modern gastro-style restaurants, with Edison lightbulbs, copper tubing, and aged raw wood. In addition to dozens of varieties of artisanal tsipouro, ouzo, raki, and zivania; the kitchen turns out a host of traditional mezes, also updated with an inventive gourmet touch.

There's a lot of fun to be had at this lively taverna, where tsipouro is more the order of the day than its wide range of gyros and souvlaki dishes. That said, its food is plentiful and delicious—and if you're lucky, your visit will coincide with a set from its resident three-piece rembetika band, who really get things going.

With tables set around the courtyard of a rustic old olive oil factory, the restaurant's setting is enough to draw you in—never mind the tantalizing grill menu. Meat and seafood are the specialty here, and the wide selection of traditional Greek sides will more than cater to diners who aren't so heavy on the meat. The atmosphere is tranquil and romantic, and the service unhurried and friendly. Portions are enormous, so arrive hungry.

At this little garden restaurant on the hillside, a 200-year-old well in the center of the elegant, leafy terrace produces its own natural spring water, a perfect addition to a traditional meal. Everything that comes from the kitchen is an old-time classic—with lamb often listed as the house special. It's a 10-minute walk uphill from the port; if you lose your way, just ask a local, as everyone knows this island institution.

You'll spot many signs for this restaurant around Skopelos Town, but don't let that put you off. The jasmine-scented garden setting here offers an escape from the hubbub of the busy port, with a neat layout, low lighting, and gracious hosting by owner, Anna. Pasta and risotto dishes feature on the menu, with an excellent range of salads, plus local specialties like the honey-drizzled Skopelos cheese pie.

A canopy of grapevines hang overhead at this family-run terraced taverna—a little clue that gives away the restaurant's dedication to serving regional Greek wines. It offers stupendous views across the island, making for a romantic meal in the old village. Its vegetarian moussaka is a must-try.

Though all the restaurants on the harbor are loved by locals and visitors alike (each has its own kitchen garden at the rear), Corali enjoys a quieter setting, with shaded seats right up to the seawall. The made-to-order Alonnisos cheese pie that uses "grandma's recipe" is a lip-smacking pleasure.

Breakfast is served with a genuine smile at this friendly and family-run café, facing out to the crystal clear blues of Roussoum beach. Order the Greek yogurt with fruits, nuts, and honey for extra decadence.

Many a late-night craving in Volos has been satisfied at this gourmet creperie near the waterfront. It's not just the sweetness or savoriness of the dishes that stimulate hunger pangs, but the inventiveness of combinations by chef and owner Konstantinos Siatras in dishes like bitter chocolate crepes with sauteed orange and cinnamon, and salmon with vegetables and pink pepper. More fun, however, is to let Siatras play consultant to the moment's desire. An excellent selection of beers and cocktails also adds to the late-night vibe . . . and munchies. Saturday night features a DJ.

Situated on Skiathos's exceptionally stylish run of seafront restaurants, Kahlua draws in restaurant goers for its distinctly bohemian style, ample open-air seating, and ambient mood lighting. Reserve ahead for a spot by the seafront, where you'll have the best views of bobbing boats and sunsets. The Greek menu features plenty of exciting salads with fruity twists, but it's most-loved for its fresh seafood.

This romantic spot serves seafood and traditional Greek fare at a quiet edge of the seafront, with the sea caressing the beach just a few feet from the tables as classical music tinkles in the background. Fresh fish is grilled with a blend of mountain herbs, and the succulent lamb lemonato (slow-roasted with garlic, salt, and lemon) falls off the bone. Attentive service is a standout, even on this friendly island.

The restaurant faces the heart of the harbor's action, without feeling too exposed—tucked beneath a canopy and with cozy-feeling wooden furniture, it remains tranquil and intimate. Traditional Greek favorites are on the menu, but think beyond the seafood and the grilled meats. Belly-busting portions of baked beans in tomato sauce, moussaka, zucchini croquettes, and meat balls are the more usual fare.

Spirited brothers Andreas, Riginos, and Christophoros enthusiastically run the seafront taverna that has belonged to their family since 1896, serving traditional Skopelos recipes. The signature dish is tis maharas, an intense, pungent, yet surprisingly light mix of vegetables and cheeses with a creamy sauce, dedicated to the brothers' grandmother, whose name, Mahi, means battle, and whose physical strength and towering height was said to ensure there was never any trouble at the taverna.

Set yourself down in the restaurant's plant-filled, shaded outdoor seating area for a serene escape from the burning midday sun. Freshly grilled seafood and meats are the kitchen's strength here (and the rest of the dishes on the menu leave a little to be desired).

Heartful, homemade, original and unpretentious cuisine made with love in a modern taverna ambience. Its menu, popular among students, couples, and groups of friends alike, includes saffron risotto; chicken marinated in orange juice, ginger and turmeric; green beans with garlic butter; and creamy cheese pie made with crispy angel-hair phyllo-pastry. Named after a character in a famous Manos Hatzidakis children’s song, the taverna has a playful spirit and sometimes becomes even livelier with improvisational Greek music performances.

Chef Giorgos and his mother take traditional Greek dishes and gives them a twist at this recently renovated restaurant 10 km (6 miles) from Volos in the village of Katochori. Most of the vegetables are grown in their own garden and the olive oil is produced nearby. Signature dishes include pork shank with rosemary, zucchini fritters in spicy cheese sauce, and chicken fillet with honey mustard—all cooked in an open kitchen. A fireplace keeps things cozy in cooler weather, while the open terrace is the favorite for the rest of the year.

For eating on the hoof, nothing beats a satiating pitta gyro or souvlaki. As you travel northwards in Greece, pitta bread becomes interchangeable with a soft and lightly toasted baguette. To Souvlaki tis Alexandras speedily serves these up, packed full with meat, fries, tomato and tzatziki (the creamy yogurt and garlic dip). They can also deliver to your hotel.

Loved by the locals, this traditional Greek restaurant serves belly-busting portions of gyros, souvlaki, and grilled meats to queues of hungry diners. With plenty of outdoor seating shaded by the immense canopies of fragrant pine trees, and with pretty pendant mood lighting, it's a chilled out space to eat after a scorching day at the beach.