The best restaurants Dodecanese

In the quiet bay of Pedi, the Katsaras tavern offers a nice wooden pontoon that juts out into the water. You can have lunch or dinner there, almost with your feet in the water. On the menu, a good traditional cuisine where fish and seafood are honored. You will find a good octopus salad in particular. However, this tavern has become a bit more middle-class in the last few years and now charges a bit higher than the average for similar establishments: you pay for the setting, of course, but you don't have to pay too much either...

On the heights of Horio, Georgio and Maria's tavern offers a tasty traditional cuisine, with a view of the bay of Gialos below. The shaded terrace is a real treat when you have made the effort to climb the steps of Kali Strata... The food is simple, but quite good, with classic Greek dishes. There is nothing special to point out here, it won't be the meal of the century but the atmosphere and the view are there to compensate for the lack of inventiveness of the menu. On weekends, concerts of Greek music are organized.

This tavern is part of the Alinda Hotel, located opposite the beach at the beginning of the bay. It is open to all and offers good traditional cuisine, generous and tasty. You will eat all the classics of Greek cuisine as well as good stews and grilled fish to enjoy on the shaded terrace. In season, rebetiko concerts accompany the dinner and sometimes continue late in the evening. This will be an opportunity to discover this popular Greek music, and perhaps even to let yourself go to a few dance steps.

It is one of the best ouzeries and seafood taverns in Leros. We sit on the terrace overlooking the beach of Vromolithos, beyond the bay of Panteli, and enjoy tasty little dishes, including a delicious octopus carpaccio, to be accompanied by a famous fava and grilled fresh fish, while sipping a good ouzo. It's a bit of heaven. As always with fresh fish, have the price confirmed before ordering: it is often reasonable, but it is better to avoid unpleasant surprises.

This small ouzerie in the village of Drimonas, in the bay of Gourna, is the perfect place to eat fresh fish, caught directly by the owner. We settle there to take a break in the shade during a beach day, but the must is still to come for dinner: you will enjoy the golden light at the end of the day. The whole is absolutely simple: when the freshness of the peach is king, it takes precedence over the rest! Don't take offence at the service, sometimes a little nonchalant, and take the time to taste these treasures of the sea.

Overlooking Linaria beach, it is a trendy option where you come with family and friends to enjoy a drink while enjoying food from elsewhere. Indeed, you will not really find Greek specialities in this seaside establishment, but rather burgers and Italian-style pasta. The whole is served in a slightly lounge setting but which remains warm and friendly, and which enjoys a magnificent view. An address that locals love very much: high season evenings are often full

This is a well-known restaurant on Kalymnos, serving traditional local cuisine including mououri, stuffed lamb cooked over a low heat for around ten hours. It's an island specialty that's becoming increasingly hard to find in restaurants. Here, all the ingredients come from the owner's own vegetable garden and farm, and he also bakes his own bread. All cooked with love and served in an exceptional setting overlooking Telendos and the open sea. The terrace fills up quickly, especially at sunset.

Along the harbour towards the north exit of Skala, you will find this very good restaurant, on the first floor of a beautiful building (not to be confused with the restaurant on the ground floor). The terrace is very pleasant and the cuisine tasty: very popular, we advise you to book in the evening if you want to dine on the pretty terrace and not in the indoor room. You will discover classics of Cretan gastronomy, in addition to the more usual dishes. Let yourself be tempted by spicy pork with peppers or the traditional tomato-based strapatsada

Situated on the heights of Chora, between the town hall square and the coach and bus park, Loza offers spectacular views of Skala and northern Patmos. During the day, the blue of the sea mingles with that of the sky, while at night, the lights of the port shine brightly. The cuisine here is a little more sophisticated than in a traditional tavern, with beef fillets, seafood spaghetti... The clientele is touristy and older for dinner, while younger people come here to have a drink with friends.

At the back of Skala, this large terrace is one of the Patmos locals' favorite addresses: you'll soon notice it's still very busy every evening in summer. Here you can eat seafood, grilled fish and fried calamari, while sipping small bottles of ouzo. It's a very popular, friendly and non-touristy address, so you can expect packed evenings and sometimes a bit of a wait. And that's what a traditional tavern is all about! One of the best dining options in the back streets of Skala.

On the beach of Platis Gialos, the tavern is open in season. The terrace is very pleasant, overlooking the turquoise waters of the beach. It offers a nice shade and something to refresh and eat during a day of swimming. You will find classic and unsurprising cuisine, typical of Greek taverns, which does not mean that the dishes are ordinary: the tavern is famous for its grilled meat. They are indeed succulent, the animals being raised by the owners of the place.

Calypso is a Lipsi institution: a hotel, restaurant, mini-market and café all rolled into one! And we're not complaining, as it's one of the best restaurants in the port. One sure sign: most of the Italian regulars eat here, and their love of good food is well known. On the menu, lots of fish and seafood, but also good pasta dishes and tasty antipasti . In the mornings, we meet in the café area, next to the mini-market, to have breakfast while watching the harbor wake up.

For years, Manolis has been filling its restaurant every night of the season, and it's not only because it has the necessary bagou to pick up visitors on their sailboats... Regular visitors also continue to climb the small streets of the village to enjoy a generous risotto or a grilled fish. Here, the cuisine is copious and friendly, with a slightly more sought-after ambition than the average. Come early to try to have a table on the terrace located on the first floor of the historic villa.

Dilaila is the essence of a holiday in Lipsi, concentrated in one place. Christodoulos serves a tasty cuisine, prepared with local products but modernized. It is served throughout the day and in the evening, in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. We spend the day reading, talking, being with friends. Not to be missed: the legendary Full Moon Party evenings where the island meets to dance in front of the moon until the morning. In high season, the service can be long but what need to hurry? Enjoy it, you're in Lipsi!

Certainly, Dikeos does not offer a view of the sunset and the sea, unlike other tables in the small village of Zia. However, we recommend this option rather than its competitors for the quality of the products used in the kitchen and for the kindness of the family who are in charge. Everything is prepared homemade, the old-fashioned way, and at very reasonable prices. Meat grills and vegetable dishes are the best choice: in this mountain village, the sea is not the main source of fresh produce.

To Petrino is Lakki's most popular restaurant, renowned throughout the island for its grilled meats. Vegetarians should stay away, as should seafood and fish lovers: here, meat is king, served with all kinds of sauces or simply grilled. The quality of the products is well worth the trip, even if the restaurant is not on the seafront and doesn't offer a particularly pleasant setting. Be warned, the portions are copious: small appetites will share the dishes.

This tavern is one of the most famous in Lakki: you can enjoy a delicious traditional cuisine, prepared with particularly fresh ingredients. The vegetables come from the owners' vegetable garden and the fish and seafood are caught during the day. Vegetarians and vegans will be particularly delighted with the selection of dishes adapted to their diet: we recommend aubergine imam. Let the carnivores among you rest assured: grilled meats and fish are also delicious. A good address.

On the small port of Agia Marina, Ta Kroupia has been an institution since the 1990s: you will eat the best souvlaki in Leros. Be careful, here there is an almost infinite choice, between vegan or vegetarian options and necessarily carnivorous options, pita bread made from corn, whole wheat, or the multi-cereal version... There will be enough to satisfy all desires and types of diets. You also come here to have a drink or a coffee during the day or in the evening and watch the world go by quietly on the small port.

This solitary restaurant overlooks Kamarakia Bay, north of Finiki. Ilias and Manolis are farmers and herders: all the vegetables and meats you will eat here come from their farm. As we can imagine, it is extra fresh and very tasty. Opt for the traditional makarounes, always a success, or for delicious roasted meats, to be served with grilled vegetables from the garden. The terrace is very pleasant, with a view of the sea: an essential stop to enjoy the sunset while enjoying good products!

This restaurant is located on the ridge of the village of Olymbos, in an alleyway leading off from the church. Nestled on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, you'll enjoy incredible views of the infinite horizon and the sunset at the end of the day. When it comes to gastronomy, get ready to taste the traditional cuisine of Olymbos, especially the handmade makarouns . Pleasant, friendly service: beware, however, of being taken in by the owner's overflowing enthusiasm for every dish on the menu.

This traditional tavern is housed in the mills on the western slopes of Olymbos, facing the sea. Take the opportunity to visit a refurbished mill. The terrace is a very pleasant place to take a break and enjoy a delicious traditional karpathiote dish prepared the old-fashioned way, including the famous handmade makarouns . You'll also be tempted by an excellent kid: cooked for a long time, it's as fragrant as you could wish for. Last but not least, don't miss the loaves of bread prepared in traditional ovens by the village women.

About halfway between Finiki and Lefkos, just after the junction for Piles, this restaurant specialising in grilled meats is a must on the west coast. You will be installed in the shade, on a deserted beach, facing the sea and at sunset at the end of the day. The dishes are absolutely delicious and the meat and fish perfectly cooked. Relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, unpretentious but friendly: families often meet here and spend hours at a table. A real good address

It's certainly here, on the little port of Maltezana, that you'll eat the best fish and seafood on the island. The word of insiders and locals alike is that the Almyra tavern is renowned throughout Astypalaia for its undeniably fresh dishes, prepared with a touch of originality. Don't miss the revisited fish tartars, flavored with local saffron, or the tarama, the house specialty. A delight with a sea view. Some daily fish by the kilo may be a little more expensive, so ask for the price of the animal before placing your order.

This restaurant, located in a pedestrian alleyway off the port, will be one of your best options in Pigadia. You'll be able to sample all the classics of Greek cuisine, as well as some traditional Karpathian dishes, of course. This family-run restaurant offers better quality and slightly tastier dishes than most of the port's tavernas. Service is attentive and friendly: don't hesitate to ask for advice, especially on the special of the day. The clientele is loyal: in August evenings, free tables are rare.

All Karpathiotes will tell you that Finiki is the place to eat the best fresh fish on the island. This is not so surprising, considering that it is a small fishing port and that the arrival is therefore daily. But, in addition to the fresh produce that arrives every morning, you need to know how to prepare it: it is at the Delfini tavern that you will eat the best fish and seafood dishes. The grilled fish is cooked successfully and the seafood pasta dishes are comforting. Depending on the arrival, try Karpathos shrimp.

Rhodians come to this simple restaurant on a residential street in the new town to eat a real traditional meal, prepared just like at home. Everything is good, especially the zucchini flower fritters, which we recommend. The family who run this delightful tavern are natives of Karpathos: you can discover some of the island's culinary specialties and admire the old photos adorning the walls. The atmosphere is simple and warm, far from the tourist crowds: this is an authentic taverna, just the way we like it.

Slightly set back from Eristos beach, in the gardens that green in this fertile valley, En Plo is a pleasant shaded tavern. You can enjoy all the classics of local cuisine, including a very good imam, a mixture of vegetables in the oven. The ingredients are fresh and the dishes are hearty. You can also come and buy a small ice cream to take back to the beach. We like to laze for hours after lunch under the arbour, while the sun hits too hard on the sand of Eristos. Warm and relaxed service.

The Filoxenia restaurant, located for many years in the Eristos valley, continues to offer one of Livadia's finest tables at its new seaside address. Produce still comes from the gardens of Stella and Giorgos, who continue to bring their fruits and vegetables to your plate. The menu is limited and everything depends on the day's harvest: a guarantee of quality and freshness. If possible, try the zucchini flower fritters. Everything is very good, and we love the deckchairs on the beach available to customers.

Kastro offers traditional and old-fashioned food. You can't miss the pleasantly laid tables in the heart of Megalo Horio. We love all the kid dishes (always a treat in Tilos), baked vegetables, fried anchovies and all the classics on the menu. Here the produce is fresh, the view of the Eristos valley is magnificent and, on request, you can be picked up free of charge in a minivan in Livadia, before being dropped off again after your meal. On the other hand, the service sometimes leaves something to be desired.

Opposite the Michailis tavern, this is the gathering point for Livadia's residents, who come to enjoy a good gyros or souvlaki grilled to perfection. In the evening, all generations gather here, and we recommend a visit too, as you'll be able to sample some of the island's best kebabs and kebabs in a very local, family-friendly atmosphere. The tables set up on the corner of one of Livadia's main streets are perfect for watching the world go by in the evening, when the season is in full swing.

Right in the heart of Megalo Horio, this is the traditional kafeneio , which also serves as an ouzerie. Overlooking the church and its courtyard with its beautiful pebble mosaics, you can come in the morning or evening for a drink or a Greek coffee, have breakfast or opt for some mezzedes to accompany your ouzo in the evening. A very good address with views across the valley to Eristos beach. Be sure to check out the old photos inside, which give an idea of life at the café in the 1950s and 1960s.

Next to the Place d'Australie, under a small arbour on the harbour, these few tables offer a welcome shade and break for lunch. Since the 1970's, you can enjoy good food, served in a calm and relaxed atmosphere by the owner of the place. Try the souzoukakia, beef balls baked in a tomato sauce. The menu is small and limited to a few home-cooked dishes of remarkable freshness.

This beach restaurant, open only in summer, is located on the long beach of Lies, before the road ends and a footpath takes over to Pachia Ammos beach. This is the meeting point for campers who come here for a bite to eat and a shower. As well as a particularly relaxed atmosphere and wonderful surroundings, you'll find that the food here is excellent. Special mention goes to the baked chickpeas and grilled meats. The service is friendly - don't be in a hurry! - and the quality of the products is top-notch.

This family tavern in the small port of Pali is specialized in dishes and mezzedes of fish and seafood. You will eat delicious little spicy shrimps and a perfectly fresh fried squid. All this with honey cheese, zucchini fritters and other generous and tasty dishes. The portions are large, it's perfect to share with others, around a bottle of ouzo or raki. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service warm: it is definitely a good address

The To Pefko tavern boasts a pleasant terrace overlooking the quay leading from the port to the landing stage. The main attraction is the deliciously prepared traditional dishes, including a good oven-baked lamb kleftiko . Nikos is a charming host: always happy to chat with regulars and new customers alike, he is one of Lipsi's endearing characters. Everything is good, generous and tasty, so don't hesitate to come again and again. You'll always find the same quality and welcome, year after year.

This breathtaking address is the only one that enjoys a view overlooking the entire caldera: located in the village of Emborios, the Balcony bears its name well! Beyond the exceptional view, one comes for the good homemade cuisine which gives pride of place to the traditional dishes of Nissiros, including stuffed kid's dishes or courgette flowers stuffed with cheese. Taste the pithies, the dish of chickpeas that you won't find elsewhere in the Dodecanese.

If you're dying for fresh fish, look no further: To Fresko is the tavern for you! Specialized in fish and seafood dishes, we eat the fish caught in the morning by the husband of one of the owners. A menu without surprises but of quality in a simple and family atmosphere. You will be served homemade prepared dishes and well grilled fish (which is not so easy to find). As always, the bill goes up quickly with fresh fish but the other dishes are quite cheap

Located in a traditional house with a pleasant shaded courtyard, Broccolino is a very friendly Italian restaurant. Elia and Cristina left their native Italy to open this warm restaurant where Emilia Romagna's cuisine is in the spotlight. Fresh pasta, shrimp or fish tartars depending on the arrival of the day, gnocchi with truffles and provolone, tiramisu for dessert and Italian wines in glasses.... It is a delicious culinary stay in Italy that you will find in the heart of Lindos. Finally, the cocktails are delicious.

This restaurant on the beach of Ftenagia offers a very fresh, tasty and cheap homemade cuisine. Ideal for a break between two swims or to enjoy the shade while looking at the sea. The service is warm and the setting magnificent. You can taste the shrimp saganaki with feta cheese and tomatoes, and the vegetable imam, two particularly successful dishes. Special mention also for all locally caught fish. The establishment also rents deckchairs to relax all day long, comfortably installed

The Podamos beach taverna is a pleasant option for lunch or even dinner in Halki. Here you'll find all the Greek classics, well prepared and, of course, with a view of the sea. Fish lovers can enjoy the catch of the day, the mezzedes are good and the setting is magnificent, on this sumptuous sandy beach. The tavern also runs the beach bar, where you can order coffee and drinks and rent deckchairs at affordable prices. For a number of years now, attractive rooms have also been available for rent.

This traditional kafeneio is the first coffee you will see when you arrive in Kattavia village square. Set in the shade of tall trees, it is the ideal place for a refreshing lunch break or a comforting dinner. The menu is limited to a few simple but well prepared options: omelettes, local sausages, fresh daily specials and some grilled meat or fish. In the evening, windsurfers and kitesurfers from Prasonisi meet there for dinner and a drink: the village is then enlivened by a thousand nautical conversations!

This restaurant, which doubles as a beach bar, is surely the best tavern in Halki. And for good reason: what a setting! In the shade of the few trees on the little cove, you can enjoy delicious home cooking, prepared with love and skill. The owners love what they do, and you can feel it. They'll be delighted to give you advice, and you can spend long afternoons indulging in fresh mezzedes , succulent fish or simply a good cup of coffee. Deckchairs are free for customers (otherwise 3 euros).

An address like no other! Lost in the heights and ruins of Palio Pyli, this small tavern offers an enchanting setting and exceptional charm. From the few tables set up outside, you can see the rocky outcrop topped by the ancient castle and, beyond, the plain stretching down to the sea, with the island of Kalymnos in the distance. The café serves breakfast, including a very good yoghurt with local honey, and also serves as a taverna with more substantial dishes. Ideal for recovering from the climb to the castle.

The Akrogiali tavern spreads out its small tables directly on the beach of Pera Gialos, facing the imposing rock of the medieval castle and the heights of Chora: if only for this exceptional setting, you'll be delighted to have dined here at least once during your stay! In terms of gastronomy, the menu doesn't offer anything out of the ordinary, but simple, comforting fare: nothing better to recover from a hard day's vacation. You'll come for the family atmosphere at the end of the day and the romantic ambience in the evening.

This restaurant - the best on the island - is a little more sophisticated than a typical taverna and enjoys a truly enchanting setting, at the end of the bay of Agia Marina, near the old mill. You'll be seated facing the sea, overlooking the harbor and the castle. Excellent seafood platters and superb fresh fish dishes are served. Try the sea urchin, octopus carpaccio and fish tartar of the day. Special mention must be made of the highly specialized wine list. In the evening, it's best to book ahead, as the place is very popular.

Nestled on the seafront, this delightful restaurant is located at the end of the bay of Pera Gialos. The view of the horizon and the Venetian fortress is splendid. In terms of cuisine, the menu is refined, prepared with research and finesse. Freshly caught fish from the in-house caique are exceptionally well cooked (ask for the price of the animal before ordering to avoid unexpectedly high bills), but all the dishes on offer are well worth the detour.

A pleasant location, especially in the evening, with views of the illuminated Venetian castle overlooking the tranquil bay of Livadia. Also very pleasant during the day, between swims at the beach. You'll find great grilled calamari and other Greek classics here, as well as local specialties such as Astipalaia risotto, served with surprises from the morning's catch. At lunchtime, you can also enjoy a tyropita (cheese pastry) and a fresh salad, while watching the waves roll in and out.

Located in the heart of the village, set back from the sea, this family tavern spreads its tables on a pretty terrace and a flowered inner courtyard. You will eat here the typical cuisine of Greek taverns: no surprises on the menu with all the classics in terms of meat, vegetables and mezzedes. The chef buys his fresh fish from Nikos, the fisherman from Tilos, of course. Choose the beast of the day in the fridge at the entrance. Good grills and the traditional goat or goat stew with lemon are also available.

This tavern located on the pier of the small port is particularly enjoyable in the evening: the view of Nissiros and the setting sun is fabulous. We enjoy the lapping waves on the few fishing boats moored there, we sit under the garlands hanging from the trees and order a good beer before attacking a fresh fish, brought back by another fisherman from the area. The lemon goat cheese, cooked for hours, is also excellent. During the day, we like to come and have a cold drink before or after a hike in the area.

This small, friendly tavern on the quayside offers a good menu of traditional and well-prepared dishes. On the fish side, you can taste small karpathian shrimps, cuttlefish with fennel or the house specialty: small fish known locally as menoules. Otherwise try snails with dill and laurel or cardamom omelette. Don't forget to mention the unmissable Karpathos makarounes, prepared with onion confit and served with local cheese. They're delicious.