The best restaurants Dodecanese

This tavern, a little set back from the beach, offers a pleasant wooded terrace, opening onto fields and orchards. We come here for its generous menu of simple and homemade dishes, prepared as much as possible from the products of the vegetable garden. The mint and dill tomato balls are very good. Unfortunately, this address is sometimes a little victim of its success in high season: you will have to be patient because the servers can be overwhelmed and the service slowed down. No hurry, so take your time!

This traditional tavern is beautifully located on the south side of Grikos Bay, in an enchanting wooded setting. Ideal for a light lunch or a shady break during a beach day in the area, the tavern is also open in the evening, when it offers a more substantial menu. Vegetables are grown by the owners in neighboring kitchen gardens, and cheeses are also produced in-house. Adorable service and authentic cuisine: in the evening, try the baked kid, or the rabbit - a real treat!

In the world of Kallithea, there are the hallmarks of mass tourism on the one hand, and the rare temples of luxury or simple authenticity on the other. The thermal baths and the Elysium are the epitome of luxury, while the Noble restaurant has become a destination for fine dining. On the wonderful terrace overlooking the bay, young chef Spyros Kougios concocts elegant, complex dishes, even daring a few forays into molecular cuisine orchestrated by his mentor, chef Troumouchis. Impeccable service and a fine wine list.

Dimitri and Flora, the owners of this tasty restaurant, have settled in one of the oldest captain's houses in Lindos. The building dates back to the very early 17th century: admire the traditional pebble mosaic floors. The restaurant has a good location: opt for an outdoor table on the terrace overlooking the citadel and the acropolis. It's so romantic! Traditional flavours, seafood dishes and fresh local fish. Excellent homemade desserts too, and a very good wine list.

Plates that smell of southern Italy, simple and authentic. Thin-crust pizzas are baked to perfection, and pasta dishes will satisfy hearty appetites looking for something other than traditional Greek cuisine. You'll also find a wide variety of Italian charcuterie. All served in a friendly, unpretentious family atmosphere. The portions are generous and the produce is fresh - what more could you ask for? Undeniably one of the best addresses in the area, especially with the younger crowd.

This immaculate establishment, which plays the design card and tries its hand at design, is located on the waterfront in Kos-ville. A little pretentious, this restaurant specializes in seafood dishes: mezzedes of seafood and fresh fish are in the spotlight. Very well prepared, they are a little more expensive than the average: you will also pay for the frame, installed on the pleasant shaded terrace that opens onto the sea. It is a classic of Kos-ville: very popular, it fills up quickly, especially for dinner. We advise you to book in high season.

We come to this good inn to eat, drink, chat, snack, listen to music and certainly have a good time. The dishes are really delicious and the choice is varied: there is the whole range of Greek cuisine. We come here in the morning to have coffee and breakfast (tasty bougatsa), and we stay there until late in the evening to share mezzedes (very good honey feta cheese) or more elaborate dishes. Small addition, the establishment has a few rooms on the first floor, pretty and very comfortable.

This tavern on the Bay of Alinta has been the kingdom of Dimitris for about 20 years, which continues to offer the best of gastronomy in Leros, year after year. You choose one of the tables under the pleasant terrace or those set directly on the sea and let yourself go to its suggestions, always tasty. Fresh fish, grilled meats and vegetarian dishes: there is something for everyone. About twice a week, rebetiko musicians come to play in the evening. An opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the taverns of yesteryear.

This quiet taverna in the tiny village of Asomatos is perhaps one of the best on Kos. We love the tranquil setting, the old building with its high wooden ceilings, the golden rays of the sun at the end of the day, the shady, serene terrace, the stove by which we tell ourselves we'll be back to warm up in winter... and the authentic, tasty cuisine, which changes with the seasons. The kind of address we'd like to see more of on the island of Kos... Go ahead, but be discreet!

This table is a little more than just a tavern: some Kalymniotes go so far as to say that it is the best restaurant on the island. Here, we offer the same classics as elsewhere, but in a slightly revised and modernized version (and a little more expensive). All the products used in the kitchen are impeccably fresh and the service is flawless. Not to mention the setting, which is obviously enchanting, with a view over the sea and the pyramid of Telendos. Keep an appetite for the loukoumades offered for dessert, a treat!

This beach restaurant was recently opened on the headland of the famous Anthony Quinn Bay. People come here to share mezzedes with a view, to take a coffee break in the shade between swims or to sip a cocktail at the end of the day. The location is idyllic, of course, but the cuisine is no slouch either, remaining above average compared to other establishments of its kind with the same trendy, boho chic look.

If it were only necessary to remember one souvlaki address in Rhodes, it would be this one, a few meters from Akti Miaouli beach! Certainly, the shop doesn't really look like anything: a boui-boui a little cracks at most. As for the location, in front of a gas station, it doesn't really make you dream. However, it would be wrong to stop at appearances because it is the best pita gyros and one of the best souvlaki in the city. All the ingredients are undeniably fresh, whether it's the meat itself, the bread, or even the tzatziki!

Just next to the main square, in the refreshing shade of tall trees, the kafeneio Omonoia is announced in English: snack bar. However, it is much more than snacks that you will eat here, but good food that is tasty, generous, honest, cheap and homemade. We are here in the traditional traditional style: a classic menu but prepared with fresh products according to the same recipes that have made the reputation of the place for decades. All the atmosphere of Tilos in a small tavern, quickly filled.

5 km south of Pothea, the shady beach of Vlychadia is a corner of paradise that hides one of the best tavernas in Kalymnos. The locals say it: they eat mezzedes and small typical dishes as they used to be prepared in the old days. Everything is as fresh as ever, especially the fish. Among the Kalymnian dishes par excellence, don't miss mermezeli (local version of the Greek salad), fila (local version of the dolmades), xtapodokeftedes (octopus balls) and finally spinialo, a surprise from the sea to be discovered.

This tavern located on the Emporios waterfront is loved by tourists and locals who gather there with their families when the season has finally calmed down, or when it has not yet really started. You can sit down in the sand or on the large covered terrace, overhanging, to enjoy a good, generous and traditional cuisine, served in a relaxed atmosphere. The portions are large and the prices reasonable. Opt for the daily specials, as a priority. For dessert, the house offers good loukoumadessoaked in honey.

In the abandoned village of Haihoutes, on the slopes of Mount Dikaios, this small kafeneio brings the surrounding ruins back to life. It is in this unique landscape, far from the tourist crowds of beaches, that you will find a little of the island's historic heart. It remains, despite everything, and clings to these little tables where you have coffee in silence, where you share an ouzo with a laugh, where you enjoy delicious and fresh mezzedes, where you listen to endless sessions of rebetiko under the stars and where you forget the night by joining the dance.

Cooking a burger may seem easy, but the Burger Lab takes its art a step further. First, the quality of the ingredients is impeccable, with buns and breads prepared and baked on site. Then with sweet potato fries that rival no less tasty truffle fries. Finally, with sophisticated burgers: try the salmon burger, a gustatory masterpiece with black bread buns. To enjoy this, a nice white courtyard or a rooftop with a breathtaking view of the acropolis and the church tower.

From the 100% vegetarian (and mostly vegan) dishes served to its environmental approach (zero plastic), this restaurant will delight veggies. From breakfast to dinner, ONO by Marouli has managed to offer travelers what was sorely lacking in Rhodes: good, healthy, delicious and rather inexpensive food. The menu changes regularly and is inspired by Israeli cuisine, which knows how to combine flavors, veganism and fresh produce. On the drinks front, the house cocktails and lemonade are well worth the detour. Brunch is a must for a good start to the day.

There are fewer than 30 year-round residents in Vati, fortunately untouched by the fires of 2023: Kostas and Toula have been offering delicious, traditional, high-quality cuisine for many years. We come here off the beaten track and away from mass tourism to enjoy a quiet lunch. The ingredients are incredibly fresh, and the dishes are prepared with taste and simplicity, without hiding behind superficial frills. Just ask for the katsikaki, a delicious kid with lemon. Vegetarians will be delighted too. Everything is homemade!

This fish and seafood restaurant left Linaria a few years ago, moving to slightly more chic premises at the end of Pothea harbor. This is good news for the capital of Kalymnos, which had been somewhat lacking in gastronomic options. This restaurant has lost none of its quality over the years: you'll taste delicious fresh fish, perfectly prepared, including succulent carpaccios. Some shellfish options. Service can be a little overworked in season, so the welcome can be a little gruff.

Giaeli is located on the small port of Bouka. It spreads out its tables right in front of the church of St. Spyridon and has a slightly more modern interior than the other establishments that have been on the island for decades. Try the honeyed feta puff pastry as a starter and try a non-vegetarian variation of the traditional makarouns, with minced meat and sitaka. If you order in advance, you can also try the lamb with paspara stuffing: a mixture of rice, onions, tomatoes and spices with liver. Good house wine.

Located on the promenade that runs along Livadia Bay, Kritikos is one of our favorite seaside restaurants. We love its small terrace overlooking the sea, a little out of the way from the village center, in a quiet setting. We like the service, warm and friendly without being too insistent. We especially like the dishes, which are generally better prepared than elsewhere. Meat lovers, fish lovers and vegetarians alike will all find something to their liking. In particular, try the generous shrimp pasta, which can be shared for smaller appetites (large portions).

It's a classic on the port of Gialos: Pantelis opened its doors years ago, and continues to draw crowds for its slightly more upscale - and therefore more expensive - cuisine than that offered by a traditional taverna. Succulent specialties include lamb with bulgur or linguini with sea urchins. Symi prawns are also a must, as is octopus in truffle oil. Once again, be warned: mezzedes and starters to share are really more expensive than elsewhere.

Over the years, Agoni Grammi has earned a well-deserved reputation as the queen of fresh pasta. Traditional makarouns are handmade and prepared in a variety of sauces, to our delight. The classic Fisherman's pasta is obviously represented, but you can also sample more humble but equally succulent traditional dishes, such as makarouns with local kid meat. You'll find many of Astypalaia's specialties among the sharing starters.

This restaurant overlooking Massouri beach is a direct competitor of the neighbouring Aegean Taverna. The two taverns are neck and neck in terms of the quality of the products cooked and the dishes served. That said, Avra Aigaiou offers a more traditional menu and a slightly less chic atmosphere, which lowers prices and increases portions! The meats are succulent, as is the seafood. And the view is just as beautiful. In our opinion, one of the best options on the island.

Chef Theologos Kaniaros has set up this restaurant, one of the best on the island, overlooking the Skala marina. True to the principles of the slow-food movement, the chef works with only the finest, freshest local produce. He revisits traditional Greek cuisine and adds a touch of originality, without ever sinking into pretentious creativity that could spoil the beautiful simplicity of his tasty products. The large, elevated terrace is particularly pleasant on balmy summer nights. An experience not to be missed.

A young Greek man and a young Turkish woman teamed up to set up this vegan restaurant-grocery which, in just a few years, has become a Skala landmark. Everything is fresh: the kitchen uses only local, organic and seasonal produce. Whether it's for a light brunch or lunch, or a traditional dish or a more hearty, inventive evening meal, everything is tasty. Respect for the environment is everywhere: organic and fair-trade groceries, glass bottles, recycled packaging... The setting is very pleasant, in a pretty courtyard planted with trees: an initiative worth supporting!

This restaurant is located on the small beach of Aspri, a hidden cove not far from Meloi Bay. This exceptional location, overlooking the sea and the bay of Skala, explains much of the restaurant's success. The other reason is certainly the quality of the fresh fish and seafood dishes, which are perfectly prepared. It's very expensive compared with the average for Patmos and the Dodecanese as a whole: you come here to see and be seen, but to mark an exceptional evening, the setting is just right.

This very respectable and respected restaurant is located in Sapsila Bay, north of Grikos, and enjoys a quite exceptional location on the sea. We come here for dinner at one of the best restaurants on the island. The products are impeccably fresh and the quality of the cuisine is unfailing from year to year, in addition to the romantic setting. You can also come for a drink or an aperitif at the pleasant bar, in a wooded garden. The mezzedes are really excellent and it's cheaper than the restaurant.

This tavern is located on the bay of Panteli, and offers some tables directly on the water, at the end of the small port which gives it a pretty romantic setting, especially in the evening. We eat a tasty cuisine that mixes traditional recipes and approaches a little more contemporary. Leros obliges, the menu obviously proposes very good seafood dishes and fresh fish, perfectly grilled (we do not forget to check the price before ordering!). Taste the kataifi shrimps: shrimps coated with angel hair.

Stelios installs his little colourful caravan every year on Eristos beach. A small Zen paradise, we settle around the hammock tree and spend the day reading and swimming, between two strikes, a good omelette for breakfast and simple but successful snacks (including some very good hamburgers). In the evening, the place comes alive with all the beach campers who come for a drink: beers and cocktails are shared, often around a moment of music with their feet in the sand and Stelios takes care of everyone.

This chic, luxurious restaurant offers top-notch Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, admittedly more expensive than the average in Lindos (itself inflated in the village's restaurants due to the influx of tourists), but well worth it for the quality of the dishes and ingredients on offer. You'll appreciate the sober decor, which gives way to the traditional architecture of the whole place: the pebble mosaic floors are magnificent, as are the views over the rooftops. Reservations are essential if you want a table after 6pm.

This family-run taverna is located on the small coastal road between Grikos and Petra bays. Overlooking both bays, it offers splendid views of the surrounding area and the islet of Tragonisi. It's a great place to sit back and sip a fresh ouzo, accompanied by traditional fare such as baked chickpeas, delicious stuffed zucchini flowers or a tasty eggplant imam. Lovers of grilled fish and meat will not be disappointed. Live traditional music on certain evenings.

At the entrance to Aghios Antonios, this family-run restaurant has set up tables overlooking the sea. The family who run the establishment are adorable, as is the service. The speciality of the place is twofold: on the one hand, traditional grilled meats, with delicious spit-roasted meats in particular; and on the other, a modern option with... sushi! That's right, here you can order your raw fish the Tilos way, not for the mastery of Japanese technique, but for the freshness of the fish! Good seafood dishes too.

Greek and international cuisine in this family bistro brasserie as you love them. You are especially recommended for meat, which has made the restaurant reputation. Inside, you will see a collection of Greek plates and dishes. The pleasant terrace overlooks a small square with archaeological remains.

Very good restaurant with a very varied menu and rich dishes. The staff were very helpful and helpful. Large terrace, close to the casino and the beach.

Historic restaurant, this tavern is located in a house dating back to 1933, restored since. Nearby you can admire the ruins of a beautiful archeological site. Lunch is a pleasant break under flowered trees. The menu is varied and the dishes are of high quality, the place is popular with both the premises and tourists.

Small traditional tavern on the beach of Panteli. Fresh fish and very good spaghetti with seafood, chef's specialty. 

Excellent map, delicious food and magnificent views. We often offer you dessert (last summer, honey doughnuts with vanilla ice). Superb terrace with view of Telendos. It is not the cheapest restaurant in Massouri, but the value for money is excellent. But it is better to book…

Do you like fish? Don't go any further. It is probably the best fish restaurant in the city. You choose your fish, then a few minutes later it's on your plate. The cut is made before you. And then the owner of the restaurant is an incredible character that speaks about ten languages, but not French…

This restaurant, whose name literally means "Taste of Rhodes", is located in the new district that rises, on the side of the new marina. You will discover the traditional cuisine of the island at its peak. Here, there is no compromise on product quality and the culinary heritage of Rhodia. Try cheese croquettes, parsley and garlic cooked in the oven, or beef cheek, deliciously prepared! It is also an opportunity to taste the local wines of which Rhodes has the secret. Friendly and pleasant service.

This pleasant taverna is ideally located on the north coast of the "dolphin's tail", on the small beach and anchorage of Limnionas. To reach it, leave the main road at around Camel Beach or arrive from the plateau of Kefalos, the upper town. The solitary landscapes you pass through offer 360° views of the Aegean. At the end of the road, this small restaurant specializes in seafood and fish, which are very cheap here. Very pleasant for a break in the shade during the day, or to enjoy the sunset in the evening.

As you leave Skala on the Netia peninsula, this traditional tavern serves some of Skala's finest cuisine. Patmiotes gather here with friends or family, form large tables and enjoy the generous cuisine served here, sometimes for hours on end. The island's popes and clerics also come here to fill their bellies. On the menu: all the classics of Greek cuisine prepared according to the rules of the art, warm, family-style service and a simple, friendly atmosphere. A good address.

Akres opened a few years ago in a beautiful traditional building that has been magnificently renovated in a sleek, elegant contemporary style. The house prides itself on bridging the gap between tradition and the avant-garde, right down to its kitchens, which offer classics of Rhone gastronomy, successfully revisited by chefs who dare to mix new ingredients in a thoroughly modern approach. The result is a gastronomic experience of the highest quality, all in a sumptuous setting with a view of the Acropolis to boot.

It's a well-hidden treasure nestling in the rocks of the peninsula that juts out to the south of the Kallithea thermal baths. Far from the high-rises and resorts, this summer shack spreads out its few tables in the shade, overlooking the infinite horizon of the Aegean. On the menu: a limited menu that reflects the freshness of the dishes offered in the kitchen. Treat yourself to a few mezzedes and grilled fish, sheltered from the world. No loud music, just a few good-value deckchairs and you're back to the simple pleasures of Greece, far from the crowds.

This pleasant taverna is located on Meloi (pronounced Méli) beach, offering soothing views of the Aegean and the horizon. The large, shaded terrace is ideal for a refreshing break after a day on the beach. Here, you can dine with great honor on good, traditional cuisine, prepared simply and with the finest ingredients, the old-fashioned way. This family-run business spreads hospitality, warmth and generosity. Take your pick from the fresh, tasty daily specials in the kitchen. Vegetarians will be delighted by the options available.

In the pretty village of Zia, this restaurant successfully blends tradition and modernity. It's a wonderful place to sit, under the cover of refreshing vegetation and with a view of the green horizons of Mount Dikeos, the Aegean Sea and the islands in the distance. This is certainly one of the best addresses on Kos, maintaining the culinary reputation of the island's unspoilt center. Everything is good, prepared with care, and you'll appreciate the effort put into decorating by the owners. The sunset here is sumptuous: don't forget to make a reservation if you're hoping for a table!

Lachania became an artists' den when foreigners in search of tranquility bought back the traditional houses abandoned by the locals who went to the United States or Australia to try their luck. Since then, life in the village has revolved around the central square and the only tavern in the shade of the plane tree. Here, Michalis serves a limited and simple menu but only uses fresh ingredients. The emblematic dish: eggs with chips. It's simple, we grant you that, but when they are good products, what a treat!

A very subtle play on words for this establishment, which specializes in souvlaki... in Lakki, hence Souvlakki! Whether it makes you laugh or not, the main thing is the delicious grills, kebabs and gyros you can enjoy here, set right on the bay. The service is friendly, the prices are low and the quality of the meat is top-notch. Vegetarians will be happy to pass, but lovers of grilled or roasted meat will be delighted with a light snack or a more substantial meal, including sets to share.

One will come to the restaurant and wine bar of the eponymous hotel, notably for its impressive cellar which aligns a beautiful selection of 170 Greek wines, including some orange wines. The restaurant, which matches the hotel's chic and tasteful style, offers an assortment of cheeses to match either the white wines or the more robust reds. Grilled meats, grilled cheeses and traditional Greek dishes(ladopita, tigania...) complete the menu.