Santorini Travel Guide

Greece  #1 in Best Places to Visit in October
Credit

Courtesy of Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Getty Images

What to Eat in Santorini

While in Santorini, take full advantage of the fresh Greek fare. The island's climate in combination with its volcanic soil enhance flavors of the fruits and vegetables grown here. As such, Santorini has made a name for itself in the wine community, making a visit to one of the island's wineries a top attraction. In addition to delectable grapes, make sure cherry tomatoes (especially sun-dried), capers and white eggplant are part of one or more of your meals during your time in Santorini. The sweetness and white color of the eggplants here are a direct result of being grown in volcanic soil. Cherry tomatoes are another fruit that can attribute their taste to the unique soil. If you like eggplant, then you'll no doubt enjoy moussaka, a Greek-style lasagna that features layered eggplant, minced meat, fixins and spices topped with béchamel sauce. Other must-try Greek specialties include anything with olives and olive oil, especially a traditional Greek salad, as well as fava, a traditional dip made of fava bean puree.

Greeks are all about their dips. Along with fava and the famous tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumber and garlic), another must-try and uber-traditional dip is taramasalata, made from smoked fish roe and mixed with olive oil and lemon juice. Other popular small bites include dolmades and keftedes. Regularly served before meals, dolmades are seasoned rice often mixed with meat or vegetables and wrapped entirely in a grape or vine leaf. Keftedes are fritters commonly mixed with cherry tomatoes (tomatokeftedes) or grated zucchini (kolokithokeftedes). If you're after something heartier, you're in luck: The island, as well as the whole of Greece, have a penchant for grilled meats. Souvlaki, or seasoned skewered meat, often topped with tzatziki, can be found all over. Octopus, which you'll likely find hanging by its tentacles outside seaside tavernas, are also popular. And, of course, you can't leave without grabbing a gyro. Whatever you choose to eat, make room for dessert – baklava, a filo pastry layered with honey and ground nuts and loukoumades, or deep-fried donut holes sprinkled with hot honey and cinnamon, are local favorites.

You can find everything from quick gyros to casual eateries to upscale restaurants throughout Santorini. Head to Restaurant 1800 in Oia for fine dining and expertly presented Mediterranean cuisine. If you can, snag a table on the roof to enjoy sweeping views of the island's cliffs. Selene is another upscale option, conveniently located in Pyrgros, which houses a number of wineries. In Fira, the hundreds-year-old Taverna Nikolas is as traditional as it gets, offering classic Greek dishes at affordable prices. For a little romance, enjoy a candle-lit dinner at the edge of the caldera at Ambrosia.

Find the Best Restaurants in Santorini

  • #1
    Le Ciel Restaurant
    #1 of 46 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 119 reviewsTripAdvisor (119)
    $$ | Seafood, International, Mediterranean, European, Greek
    Epar.Od. Firon-Ias, Imerovigli 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Anemos restaurant
    #1 of 24 Places to Eat in Pyrgos
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 80 reviewsTripAdvisor (80)
    $ - $$ | Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Greek
    Eparchiaki Odos Kallistis- Profiti Ilia, exw plateia Near to pharmacy, Pyrgos 84701 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Stoa Santorini
    #1 of 211 Places to Eat in Fira
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 107 reviewsTripAdvisor (107)
    $ - $$ | Cafe, Greek, Wine Bar, Bar, Pub
    Danezi, Fira 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #2
    Rakadiko MeRaki
    #2 of 211 Places to Eat in Fira
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 158 reviewsTripAdvisor (158)
    $ - $$ | Greek, Mediterranean, Steakhouse, Grill
    Fira 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Jaipur Palace Santorini
    #1 of 21 Places to Eat in Karteradhos
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1247 reviewsTripAdvisor (1247)
    $ - $$ | Indian, Asian
    Fira, Karteradhos 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #2
    Confetti Dessert Boutique
    #2 of 46 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 123 reviewsTripAdvisor (123)
    $ - $$ | Cafe, French, International, Greek
    Imerovigli 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Aroma Avlis Food & Wine
    #1 of 2 Places to Eat in Exo Gonia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 897 reviewsTripAdvisor (897)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, Greek
    Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Exo Gonia, Fira 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #8
    Lombranos
    #8 of 833 Places to Eat in Santorini
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 132 reviewsTripAdvisor (132)
    $ - $$ | Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek
    Ormos Firon Kyklades, 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Santa Irini Bakery
    #1 of 75 Places to Eat in Perissa
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 670 reviewsTripAdvisor (670)
    $ | Greek
    Main Road Perissa, Perissa 84703 Greece
    Read More »
  • #3
    FlyAway Creative Restaurant & Bar Powered by West East Suites
    #3 of 46 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 277 reviewsTripAdvisor (277)
    $$ | Mediterranean, Greek, Seafood, European, Contemporary
    Eparchiaki Odos Firon - Ias West East Suites, Imerovigli 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Casa di Te Santorini
    #1 of 24 Places to Eat in Firostefani
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 366 reviewsTripAdvisor (366)
    $$ | Greek
    Santorini Greece, Firostefani 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Alali Restaurant
    #1 of 43 Places to Eat in Akrotiri
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 130 reviewsTripAdvisor (130)
    $$ | Mediterranean, Greek, Seafood, International
    Epar. Dromos Akrotiriou Kaldera, Akrotiri 84703 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Il Forno Pizza and Pasta
    #1 of 134 Places to Eat in Kamari
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1162 reviewsTripAdvisor (1162)
    $ | Italian, Pizza, Fast Food, Mediterranean, International
    Panagias Mirtidiotissas Kamari beach, Kamari 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Lefkes
    #1 of 3 Places to Eat in Finikia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 634 reviewsTripAdvisor (634)
    $ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Healthy
    Finikia Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Armeni Restaurant
    #1 of 103 Places to Eat in Oia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 238 reviewsTripAdvisor (238)
    $ - $$ | Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek
    Oia Santorini Old Port of Armeni, Oia 847 02 Greece
    Read More »
  • #2
    JuiceMe
    #2 of 134 Places to Eat in Kamari
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 224 reviewsTripAdvisor (224)
    $ | Mediterranean, Cafe
    Leoforos Megalou Alexandrou, Kamari 847 00 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    To Kafenedaki tou Emboriou
    #1 of 13 Places to Eat in Emporio
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 197 reviewsTripAdvisor (197)
    $ - $$ | Cafe, Mediterranean, Greek
    Emporio 86330 Greece
    Read More »
  • #4
    Falafeland
    #4 of 211 Places to Eat in Fira
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 929 reviewsTripAdvisor (929)
    $ | Healthy, Street Food
    Danezi, Fira 84700 Greece
    Read More »
  • #2
    Lolita's Gelato
    #2 of 103 Places to Eat in Oia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1842 reviewsTripAdvisor (1842)
    $ |
    Oia 84702 Greece
    Read More »
  • #1
    Margarita
    #1 of 38 Places to Eat in Perivolos
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 399 reviewsTripAdvisor (399)
    $ | Cafe, Mediterranean, Greek
    Santorini , Perivolos beach, Perivolos Greece
    Read More »

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