28 Best Restaurants in The Sporades, Greece

This family-run and 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.

Enclosed within a leafy, serene courtyard, this restaurant serves some of the best food on the island—with the ambience to match. Traditional fare is on the menu, with carefully sourced specialties that sing of Greece's natural larder, like rabbit roasted in Samos's sweet wine. 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.

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 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 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. 

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

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. Not all the seating benefits from great views, so book ahead to make sure.

A canopy of grapevines hang aesthetically overhead at this family-run terraced taverna—a little clue that gives away the restaurant's dedication to serving regional Greek wines. Rustically clinging to the hilltop, it offers stupendous views across the island, making for a romantic meal in the old village.

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.

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 pork served with plums is an island speciality not to be missed. Attentive service is a standout, even on this friendly island.

If the smell of grilled meat is following you around Skopelos Town, it's likely wafting from this place. Meat and seafood are the specialty here, but the wide selection of traditional Greek sides will more than cater to diners who aren't so heavy on the meat. The atmosphere, set among the rustic courtyard of an old olive oil factory, is tranquil and romantic, and the service unhurried and friendly. Portions are large, so arrive hungry.

It's a little hidden on the Agora, but this cherished family-run establishment, dating back to 1897, is a must-visit. Skyrian cuisine fills the menu---the taverna offers dishes like lemon-infused goat, lobster pasta, and moussaka, all prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The cozy garden setting, coupled with the warm hospitality, will really make your trip to Skyros.

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.

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.

The balcony pairs inviting breezes and sprawling views, a perfect setting in which to enjoy fresh local fish. Portions are mostly 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.

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, organic Greek wines, plus local specialties like the honey-drizzled Skopelos cheese pie. There's occasional live music, too, so call ahead to check the timings. 

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 always a lip-smacking pleasure.

Breakfast is served with a genuine smile at this friendly, family-run café, with superbly comfortable seating facing out to the crystal clear blues of Roussoum beach. The food here is nothing pioneering, but it's familiar, tasty, and well-priced.

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.

Tucked away in a garden tangled up in stunning flowering vines, this fairly new family-run restaurant (whose location really lives up to its "secret garden" name) serves up food cooked by mom in the kitchen, with her two sons running the show out front. Dishes feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients and are paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list, with unusual picks. The kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb in parchment paper) is a showstopper.

Situated on Skiathos's stylish run of seafront restaurants, Kahlua draws in diners thanks to its distinctly bohemian feel, 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.

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---beyond the usual seafood and grilled meats. Belly-busting portions of moussaka, lamb kleftiko, and meat balls are the more usual fare.

Phàos, meaning "light" is a serene courtyard café where mornings begin with the best espresso and buttery brioches. Opened in 2023 by two childhood friends, it serves great brunch fare, too—like mascarpone waffles and classic Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts. By night, it's a swanky wine bar.

Spirited brothers Andreas, Riginos, and Christophoros enthusiastically run this fourth-generation seafront taverna that has belonged to their family since 1896. Though the restaurant serves mostly traditional Skopelos recipes, some dishes are family favorites; dedicated to the brothers' grandmother whose name was Mahi, meaning battle. Her 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 (including more unusual catch) and meats are the kitchen's strength here, but there are plenty of homemade dishes seldom seen on restaurant menus elsewhere despite their fame, like real gemista (Greek stuffed vegetables).

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.

Chatty owner-manager Lefteris is reason enough to stop by this cute café, but it tempts also with its great coffee, tasty pastries, and ingredient-packed sandwiches---all freshly made every day. The brunch is a popular order.

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.