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I’ve been travelling to Greece for more than 20 years and I can count the number of disappointing meals on one hand. Greek islands are a dream for food lovers and have beautiful beaches and ancient history to explore when you’re not enjoying a meal. In this guide I’m going to talk you through the best Greek islands to visit if you love great food and exploring food culture. I’ll also be recommending wineries to visit on each of the islands that I recommend. Food and wine are so interconnected, and so it makes sense that any foodie will also be interested in the local tipple.
Before getting on to my specific tips, I’m going to share what I’ve learned from eating out in this beautiful country.
What you need to know about eating out in Greece
On my first ever trip with Mr Travel Psychologist in 2004, we were given some advice about eating out that we’ve tried and tested over the years. Being young and naïve at the time, we had been attracted to the restaurants that looked swankier and more romantic. A lovely owner welcomed us into his taverna and explained the importance of trying smaller, traditional places. After being completely blown away by the food there, we have followed this advice wherever we go. Our experience has been that on the whole, if a traditional restaurant has stood the test of time, there is a reason for this, and it’s probably worth a try.
Over the past few years there has been a bit of a shift, with more high-quality restaurants beginning to offer a modern take on the traditional Greek taverna. These give you the connection to the local food and flavours with an environment that feels a little more polished, and not at all gimmicky. There are some really great examples that I’m going to share with you later in this guide.
When it comes to street food in Greece, the gyro (pronounced YEE-roh) pitta is king here. A gyro is a delicious, handheld pitta wrap filled with seasoned pork or chicken. It’s loaded with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki and even a few fries. It’s as satisfying as it is iconic, so you will have to try a few on your visit.
The best Greek islands for foodies
Chania, Crete
Chania in Crete is a great foodie destination because there is an amazing choice of restaurants and because the island produces the most delicious wine. This means that a visit to Chania involves eating and drinking local produce and enjoying great food.
I’ve specified the West of Crete here because I’m more familiar this area and I know that the food is generally great is Chania and Rethymnon. I have visited the Heraklion area on a girl’s holiday before university and I had discovered my love of swordfish at that point. However based on that trip I don’t have too much else to say about the food.
Traditional Cretan dishes include the local cheeses, which are eaten as part of a platter or sometimes as a cheese pie or pastry. You’ll also find many traditional Greek dishes from across the country here too including tzatziki, dolmades, kleftiko and stifado.
If you’re interested in a winery tour I’d highly recommend this full day wine tour on your visit to Chania. I always advise taking a tour when you are doing any wine tasting rather than hiring a car, purely for safety reasons. This tour was brilliant and so much more than we were expecting. As well as visiting to wineries, we were able to see the oldest olive tree in the world. We had lunch in a lovely traditional restaurant situated up in the mountains. We never would have found it without the tour and were so glad that we did. For lunch we had the opportunity to taste the local cheese, so it was a great experience all round for any foodie!
My favourite traditional options
Enetikon Restaurant, Chania Town. I have been here on two separate visits to Chania and it was my favourite restaurant on both occasions. It is located in the small streets of the old town and is very traditional. Their moussaka really is really one of the best I’ve ever had. If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that the bar is high with this. As well as the flavour and quality of ingredients, the ratio of potatoes, meat, vegetables and bechamel is hard to get right with a moussaka. This one had great ratios and I can’t think of a better compliment than that!
Neoria Fish Taverna, Chania Town. This is everything an old fish restaurant on a Greek harbour should be – not fancy at all but gorgeous fresh food, cooked simply and served with care and kindness.
Aristea’s Kitchen Paleochora. This is a great garden restaurant which is always busy due to it’s great food and atmosphere. I love garden restaurants that have jasmine climbing up the wall and a warm traditional feel. This one ticked all of the boxes for me!
So we’ve had a fish restaurant and a garden restaurant which are the heart and soul of traditional tavernas. The final type of awesome taverna is a mountain restaurant. In Crete, my favourite one is Known as The Old School House in Anidri near Paleochora. As well as serving great food in a beautiful setting, the restaurant also has a few cats which are clearly well looked after. They hang around, as cats do, without being intrusive. It’s definitely worth a trip here if you are in the Paleochora area.
My favourite modern options
Salis is an upmarket option on the port. The food here is out of this world and they have the most amazing selection of wines. Seriously the wine menu is like a novel, and you will find wines from all over Greece as well as selections from across the World. This is a very special restaurant so would be great if you are celebrating something. It does get very busy so I’d recommend making a reservation.
Monogram coffee This place has the most delicious coffee and is very cool. I’d definitely recommend trying it.
Best for gyros
Delish Food Streat Story Each time I have been to Chania I have arrived on a late flight, and this place is my ‘go to’ after I land and get into town.
Where to stay in Chania
I’ve stayed in a few places in Chania Town and there is only one that I can recommend wholeheartedly, and that is Elia Bettolo Hotel. This hotel is as centrally located as it gets, so it is a great place to enjoy everything Chania has to offer.
The hotel is beautiful and I felt that I was staying somewhere that was both stylish and comfortable. The breakfast each morning was excellent. For more information check out my full guide to Chania Town
Paros, Cyclades
Paros is another great option for foodies as it has a great selection of traditional and modern restaurants. The main town Parikia is where you will arrive by ferry, and is definitely worth spenig a few days. The main harbour is lined with great restaurants and there are several great garden restaurants in the town.
Paros is famous for the beautiful fishing village of Naoussa on the North Coast of the island. It’s picturesque Venetian harbour attracts visitors from all over the World. This means that this tiny town has become home to many wonderful upmarket restaurants as well as maintaining some traditional options.
Naoussa is also home to Moraitis Winery which is absolutely amazing to visit. It’s not just that the wine is a great here, it is a lovely setting and very professional tasting set up. The platters they serve with the tasting are also out of this world. You can find out more about the tastings on their website.
Across the Cyclades islands, including Paros and Naxos, you will find the traditional fava bean dip available. Despite it’s name, isn’t made from fava (broad) beans, but a silky purée made from yellow split peas. It’s a staple of mezze platters here along with hummus, and tzatziki. You will find it in other areas of Greece, but not necessarily in every restaurant. My advice would be to eat as much as you can while you’re exploring these islands!
My favourite traditional options
My favourite harbour restaurant from my most recent trip to Paros was Mouragio Tavern in Parikia town, where we had this excellent fish platter. There’s nothing better than eating fish next to a harbour!
My favourite modern options
It is very easy in Greece to eat on the harbour or seafront each night and miss out on the garden restaurants which are often hidden gems. My favourite on my recent trip to Paros was Open Garden Restaurant in Naoussa, which served traditional food with a modern take. I loved this place especially their sardines with hummus, as you can probably see from the picture .
Best for gyros
Stavros Kebabtzifiko near to the harbour and ferry terminal in Parikia town.
Where to stay in Paros
I usually stay at Angie’s Studios and I can’t recommend it enough. It is a five-minute walk into the town and yet feels so quiet and secluded. The owner Angie is helpful and gently available, but never intrusive. She is great at helping to organise trips and one year even arranged a delicious cake for Mr Travel Psychologist’s birthday.
Naoussa is only 15 minutes’ drive from Parikia, and so it’s not necessary to change hotel when visiting that part of the island. The public buses run regularly, you can drive or take a taxi very easily.
If you would like to stay more locally Hotel Fotilia is a great option in Naoussa. It is gorgeous, on the edge of town and very close to Moriatis winery. It also has a nice pool and great breakfast.
You can find my full guide to Paros here
Naxos, Cyclades
Naxos has a great selection of restaurants so is a must visit for any foodie. It’s the largest Island in the Cyclades, and is close to Paros and Mykonos so easy to reach by ferry. It has a laidback and friendly atmosphere and a fascinating history. Its most famous landmark is the The Portara, which was intended to be part of a grand temple. However it was never finished. Nonetheless the monument is huge, and spectacular to see.
From a food perspective, my Greek friends have told me over the years that Naxos is the best place to try rooster with pasta. It’s a traditional dish here. I can’t say I’ve tried it but Mr Travel Psychologist did and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Naxos also produces a citron flavoured liquor called Kitro. It’s made from the citron fruit which is similar to a lemon but more potent. You can visit the distillery and have a tour and tasting. When we visited the distillery we discovered that it was right up in the mountains and not the easiest to get to by car. If we visited again we would do the tour as this takes away the hassle and means that you can enjoy tasting the liquor.
My favourite traditional options
I can’t speak highly enough of Irini’s Restaurant. This place looks very unassuming, but their seafood pasta is out of this world. We ate here on our first visit to Naxos in 2015 and loved it. I dreamed of the seafood pasta. When we revisited the island a few years later, I was actually really nervous about going back in case it was not as good as I remembered. It’s safe to say that I was not disappointed and I’d highly recommend you try it!
My other absolute favourite is Oasis Restaurant in Naxos Town which lives up to its name, offering a tranquil, garden-like setting. The food is traditional here and the portions are plentiful. It’s also a very welcoming and warm place.
My favourite modern options
Capriccio Restaurant is a seafood restaurant inspired by the Aegean sea. As well as excellent fish dishes, this place has a great wine selection.
Best for gyros
My favourite was To Spitiko Naxos
Staying in Naxos
My absolute favourite is The Galaxy Hotel is just on the edge of Naxos town. It’s a small and gorgeous hotel and has the loveliest traditional breakfast. It has a pool and is right next to the beach so you have the best of both worlds. I stayed here on both visits to Naxos and plan to do the same on any future visits.
For more information, see my full guide to Naxos, Greece
Skiathos, Sporades
Skiathos has so many great restaurants and even beyond my recommendations, you’re likely to have an amazing meal. I spent four weeks on the island one summer and have returned many times, and my grand total of disappointing meals is two. This means that you can confidently be spontaneous when it comes to eating out.
If you visit Skiathos you’ll notice that the island has an abundance of pine trees, which gives the island one of it’s nicknames as ‘the emerald island’. This is in addition to being known as the ‘boomerang island’ because so many visitors return after their first visit. Anyway, back to the pine trees, which means that one of the island’s food products is a distinctive and aromatic pine honey. You won’t find this all over Greece, so it’s nice to enjoy it over some Greek yoghurt while you are on the island. It’s also great to take home as a tasty souvenir.
Skiathos also has a winery; Parissis opened its doors in 2019 and is situated up in the hills near the Panorama restaurant. This is the only winery on the island, and has been really embraced by the local community, which is lovely to see. We went here for a tasting in the year that it opened and I hear that it has gone from strength to strength. As a result, I understand that it is necessary to book in advance, especially in high season.
My favourite traditional options
Taverna Anatoli – this fantastic mountain taverna is around 10 minutes’ drive from Skiathos town. They serve a small menu of traditional home cooked Greek food. The setting is quiet and beautiful, and away from the hustle and bustle of the town.
Mouria Taverna – another traditional Greek garden restaurant but this time in the heart of Skiathos town. The food is home cooked and with good portions, and the service is warm and friendly. Their traditional moussaka is a particular favourite of mine.
Taverna Anemos, Skiathos town. This is a family run restaurant that has spectacular views from the main restaurant and also has a roof terrace one floor up. Again the food here is delicious, traditional and very reasonably priced, and the service is warm and friendly.
My favourite modern options
For a slightly more upmarket option outside of town, I’d recommend Kioupi near Kanapitsa. This was another restaurant in years gone by but re-opened in 2024 in it’s current form. It’s pretty special, especially for meat dishes, and all that you could wish for from a garden restaurant.
The Bourtzi café which is on the small peninsula between the old port and the new port. This place has great views back towards town and is extremely cool! They have a good selection of drinks and a small food menu, which is always high quality. Whilst I usually think of The Bourtzi as somewhere for drinks, it has become busier in recent years. This means that the tables at the edge of the restaurant with the best views are reserved for people who are eating. In high season you will also have to book in advance. It’s definitely worth it though for that view, and as I say, the food quality is very good, but the menu is not extensive.
Best for gyros
My favourite is MAM Souvlaki at the bottom of Papadiamantis street. I’ve been here lots of times and have always been very satisfied.
Where to stay in Skiathos
If you’d like to stay in the heart of Skiathos town, Skiathos House is a great option. Staying here means that you will have easy access to many bars and restaurants in the evenings. You will be able to access the island’s beaches during the day by boat taxi or public bus, so it’s a good option all round.
If you want to stay away from town, Villa Meliá is a great option. Rooms have great views and it does feel very tucked away even though it’s in an accessible location. Rooms are basic but clean and have a small kitchenette.You can walk into Skiathos town from here or get the bus. There are also parking spaces if you want to hire a car. There is a good size pool.
For more information check out my full guide to Skiathos
What about Santorini and Mykonos?
Santorini and Mykonos are very popular islands and yes, of course they have some great restaurants. I’ve visited both places and had some lovely meals there. However, they are not where I choose to go if I wanted to taste local and traditional food. For that reason, they haven’t made my list of being the ‘best’ Greek islands for foodies. However please remember that ‘best’ is subjective and this is just my opinion.
Final thoughts
Greece is an amazing foodie destination and you will almost always get a welcoming, hearty meal in the country. When visiting the islands with food in mind, look for a mix of restaurants. The upmarket options can be wonderful but don’t forget those harbour, garden and mountain tavernas that make visiting Greece so special.
