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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
- #1Le Ciel Restaurant#1 of 41 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
Tripadvisor (143)$$ | International, Mediterranean, European, GreekEpar.Od. Firon-Ias, Imerovigli 847 00 GreeceRead More » - #1Stoa Santorini#1 of 183 Places to Eat in Fira
Tripadvisor (159)$ - $$ | Cafe, Greek, Wine Bar, BarDanezi, Fira 84700 GreeceRead More » - #2Confetti Dessert Boutique#2 of 41 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
Tripadvisor (172)$ - $$ | Cafe, InternationalHeroon street, Imerovigli 84700 GreeceRead More » - #4Lombranos#4 of 747 Places to Eat in Santorini
Tripadvisor (290)$ - $$ | Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek, EuropeanOrmos Firon Kyklades, 84700 GreeceRead More » - #5Kaliya Reimagined Food & Drinks#5 of 747 Places to Eat in Santorini
Tripadvisor (119)$ - $$ | International, Greek, Seafood, Mediterranean, HealthyMitropolitou Gavriil 22, 84700 GreeceRead More » - #1Il Forno Pizza and Pasta#1 of 118 Places to Eat in Kamari
Tripadvisor (1672)$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian, InternationalPanagias Mirtidiotissas Kamari beach, Kamari 847 00 GreeceRead More » - #1Jaipur Palace Santorini#1 of 15 Places to Eat in Karteradhos
Tripadvisor (1667)$ - $$ | Indian, AsianFira, Karteradhos 847 00 GreeceRead More » - #1To Kafenedaki tou Emboriou#1 of 12 Places to Eat in Emporio
Tripadvisor (229)$ - $$ | Cafe, Mediterranean, GreekEmporio 86330 GreeceRead More » - #2Santo Athiri Restaurant#2 of 118 Places to Eat in Kamari
Tripadvisor (363)$ - $$ | GreekKamari 84700 GreeceRead More » - #3Juicy Burger#3 of 118 Places to Eat in Kamari
Tripadvisor (365)$ | American, Greek, Fast FoodShopping Center Atlantis, Kamari 84700 GreeceRead More » - #1Santa Irini Bakery#1 of 65 Places to Eat in Perissa
Tripadvisor (783)$ | GreekMain Road Perissa, Perissa 84703 GreeceRead More » - #1Terra Nera#1 of 4 Places to Eat in Agios Georgios
Tripadvisor (1688)$ - $$ | Pizza, Cafe, Mediterranean, European, Healthy, GrillAgios Georgios, Perivolos 84703 GreeceRead More » - #2Falafeland#2 of 183 Places to Eat in Fira
Tripadvisor (1158)$ | Healthy, Street FoodDanezi, Fira 84700 GreeceRead More » - #1Aidani#1 of 3 Places to Eat in Vourvoulos
Tripadvisor (159)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, GreekVourvoulos Square, Vourvoulos 847 00 GreeceRead More » - #3FlyAway Creative Restaurant & Bar Powered by West East Suites#3 of 41 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
Tripadvisor (346)$$ | Mediterranean, Greek, Seafood, European, ContemporaryEparchiaki Odos Firon - Ias West East Suites, Imerovigli 84700 GreeceRead More » - #2Margarita#2 of 34 Places to Eat in Perivolos
Tripadvisor (494)$ | Bar, Cafe, Mediterranean, GreekSantorini , Perivolos beach, Perivolos GreeceRead More » - #1Misteli Restaurant#1 of 38 Places to Eat in Akrotiri
Tripadvisor (180)$ - $$ | Greek, Healthy, ContemporaryAkrotiri 84700 GreeceRead More » - #3MeRaki#3 of 183 Places to Eat in Fira
Tripadvisor (444)$ - $$ | Greek, Mediterranean, GrillFira 84700 GreeceRead More » - #4Gia Mas#4 of 118 Places to Eat in Kamari
Tripadvisor (433)$ - $$ | Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek, HealthyKamari 84700 GreeceRead More » - #4Kapari Wine Restaurant#4 of 41 Places to Eat in Imerovigli
Tripadvisor (730)$$ | Mediterranean, European, Greek, InternationalImerovigli 847 00 GreeceRead More »
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