Santorini, Greece Hotels and City Guide

Santorini - Eating Out

Traditional Greek Dishes

If your previous experience of Greek cuisine is limited to the ‘Greek salad’ at your local restaurant, you will be pleasantly surprised when you visit Santorini. Greek dishes use many seasonal ingredients such as zucchini, aubergine and cucmber, as well as locally made specialities like tzaziki and feta cheese. Meat dishes most often use lamb and seafood, and there are always vegetarian options.

Moussaka, a casserole made from aubergine and cheese, is likely to be found on most menus, as well as the soup fasolada (made from carrots, beans and tomato). Dishes based around a pita bread (flat oven-baked bread into which ingredients are put) are also common, and are great for a take away or lunchtime meal. One thing you should be sure not to miss is traditional Greek baklava – crisp phyllo pastry layered with nuts and drenched in a sweet, sticky syrup.

Local Cuisine and Customs

As with most popular tourist destinations, dining out in Santorini can be a case of finding the few authentic restaurants amongst the sea of tourist-orientated venues. The main trick to this is avoiding restaurants situated directly on the beach and on popular squares – the hard-to-find restaurants where locals eat are, well, hard to find. Try searching down back alleys or, an easier way, ask a few locals what their favourite restaurant it. It will most likely be a tavernas – a traditional cross between a restaurant and a bar serving up delicious Greek meals and with a warm, family friendly atmosphere.

Selected Santorini Restaurants

Traditional Greek and Mediterranean

Naoussa
Near to the Cable Car, Fira, Santorini

A successful local restaurant specialising in all manner of traditional seafood and meat dishes.

Tavernas Aktaion
Firostefani, Santorini

A charming Greek restaurant and shop located in Firostefani.

Lotza
Nomikou pedestrian, Oia, Santorini

A traditional Greek restaurant located on top of the caldera with incredible views and just-as-amazing food. Affordable for its prime location.

Asian

Ginger Sushi Lounge
St. Gerasimos, Firostefani, Santorini 

Sushi on Santorini? The fish couldn’t be any fresher! Dine in an elegant Japanese setting indoors or outside in the courtyard. Sushi available for take away as well.

Western

Mama’s House
Main Square Firs, Fira 84700, Santorini

A favourite amongst tourists and backpackers, this Greek-run restaurant serves an assortment of local dishes as well as Western treats such as pancakes, French toast and hashbrowns. Known as much for its delicious food as it is for its host, Mama.

Aquarius
Perissa Beach, Santorini

A pizzeria situated on the beach in Perissa. Also serves Greek dishes and seafood.

Hotels in Santorini, Greece