10 Best Restaurants in Santorini

Metaxi Mas is a long-standing favourite restaurant in the centre of Santorini, serving traditional Greek cuisine. But the restaurant takes its local flair a step further by not only offering authentic Greek dishes but authentic Cretan and Santorinian dishes as well.

What are some of the items you’ll find on the menu here that you won’t find on just any trip? How about raki, a grape-based pomace brandy produced in Crete? Or Santorinian fava with spring onion and capers? Or Santorinian baked white eggplant? Many of the ingredients that come together to make these mouthwatering dishes are grown right in the restaurant’s own garden.

Pitogyros is an affordable, family-friendly eatery in Oia. If you think of Greek food and only think of gyros, gyros, gyros... then this is the place for you. Gyros are the speciality here, with soft pitas piled high with tender, freshly roasted proteins, all served the traditional way (along with tzatziki and a tomato and onion salad), in a casual, low-key atmosphere.

If someone in your travelling crew isn’t quite keen on the gyros, the menu also includes some sandwiches, wraps and larger salads. Many menu items are only a few euros each, making Pitogryos a great place to enjoy authentic cuisine on a budget.

At Ammoudi Fish Tavern, you’ll feel Santorini has an undeniable connection to the sea as you dine on their delectably fresh seafood. The open-air restaurant allows you to overlook the Aegean as you listen to the waves – a pristine setting that remains memorable no matter what time of day you visit (though sunset is admittedly a magical time to go).

You’ll have to descend 300 steps from Oia to reach Ammoudi Bay, the tiny port where the restaurant is located, but the climbs up and down the volcanic cliff face are well worth it, once you bite into your first taste of the fresh catch of the day.

Situated on the Santorini caldera, Argo Restaurant overlooks the water, with views of the island volcano beyond. The restaurant embodies the traditional Grecian architecture and decor that you already expect from Santorini, with minimalistic white table settings and stone walls, accented with touches of blue and greenery. The menu is filled with traditional Santorinian dishes created with ingredients handpicked at local farms.

One of Argo’s specialities is the shrimp saganaki, a traditional Grecian appetiser prepared in a heavy-bottomed skillet, with a mixture of tomato sauce, shrimp and feta served along with crusty bread for dipping. Other favourite menu items include the risotto with fresh mushrooms and truffles as well as the orange souffle with chocolate ice cream.

To Psaraki is a small open-air restaurant serving simple, fresh cuisine like what you might imagine a local grandmother would make for her family. The restaurant boasts some of the freshest seafood around, with views of the very boats that bring in that seafood. Handpick the fish you’d like to enjoy and the staff will debone it in front of you and cook it to your liking.

Many diners recommend not even bothering with an appetiser or other menu items – just head straight for the seafood entrees, which include tantalising options such as seafood orzo pasta, grilled or pan-roasted fillets, shrimp spaghetti and more.

The Athenian House is where you should book a table if you have a special occasion or just want to treat yourself during your trip to Santorini. Here, seasonal ingredients combine to create both traditional Greek dishes and new takes on those dishes, with a menu that evolves on a regular basis.

Start off with a bottle of Greek wine from the extensive list or a cocktail made exclusively from Greek spirits. Then move on to the dinner menu, where you’ll find artfully presented and flavourful savoury dishes. Don’t miss dessert; the Athenian baklava and lemon and basil panna cotta receive rave reviews.

At Meroula, you’ll find vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free options on the menu. This budget-friendly, poolside eatery offers dishes starting at just a few euros, with some of the favourite menu items including the grilled pork chop, grilled calamari, tomato fritters and saganaki (a fried cheese appetiser served along with bread and sometimes combined with seafood, pork or other extra ingredients). 

Dessert includes baklava and kataifi, an almond and walnut pastry created from strands of lighter-than-air dough and then topped with a simple syrup that leaves just a hint of sweetness.

Lombranos is a traditional seaside taverna located in Fira’s charming Old Port. While you’ll have to descend the cliffside to find it, the cable car makes this easy and quick. The affordable eats include traditional Greek dishes and lots of fresh seafood, such as an array of fish, squid, mussels and octopus.

Grab a table right by the water and enjoy unobstructed views of the pier, passing boats and the fishermen at work. The relaxed setting will put you at ease as you sit back and enjoy your meal. The enthusiastic wait staff (even the owner helps out at this truly local business) is the icing on the cake that tops off the excellent experience.

Fino is a stylish restaurant in Oia, acclaimed for its Mediterranean eats, handcrafted cocktails and local wine list. Sit back at one of the cosy, indoor tables and get ready to wow your senses with delicious and creative dishes that are sure to delight the eyes as much as your tastebuds.

The menu is small, but the restaurant has perfected its limited offerings. Some of the favourited dishes include the ricotta gnocchi with goat cheese, truffle pecorino cheese and sun-dried figs; the seared tuna with sesame seeds and ponzu sauce; and the grilled octopus with couscous.

Karma is a fairly affordable restaurant that boasts an intimate environment from its near-hidden location off a narrow side street, reachable only on foot. The courtyard dining room is small, so reservations are encouraged. Once there, you’ll sip on complimentary port wine as you sample the restaurant’s delicious offerings.

If you’re less of a seafood fan, you’ll be glad to know that this is one of only a few restaurants on Santorini that is known more for its lamb than its fish. The lamb is cooked as it would be in the region for an Easter celebration – marinated in red wine, garlic and thyme and then roasted in a clay pot for 6 hours before being served with a helping of mashed sweet potatoes.