The best restaurants Dodecanese

This establishment on Pigadia harbor doesn't look very appealing at first glance: located in a touristy area with no particular charm, you'd tend to avoid it. Yet it's one of the best places in town for gyros and souvlaki. The meat is good, as are the side dishes, and it's not for nothing that the tables are often crowded with tourists and locals alike. The tables overlooking the port are pleasant, perfect for a quick, tasty break.

This pleasant tavern is the stronghold of Chef Manolis, a restaurateur of the younger generation who has taken up the torch of local gastronomy. Here you can enjoy all kinds of delicious grilled meats, since, admittedly, the specialities are more meat-based... One of the main reasons for coming is to share the assortment of grilled meats, including the famous local lamb chops. Everything is prepared with care, and quality is certainly the order of the day at this Arkassa favorite. A good address, despite slightly above-average prices.

This small, friendly tavern is located slightly back from the waterfront in Pera Gialos. The food is good and generous, served with a smile. The regulars are not mistaken, who come back here several times during their stays, depending on the fish arrivals. Indeed, here you have to order to reserve the catch of the day, which you will be served perfectly grilled and simply accompanied by good fresh vegetables. Do not hesitate to do as they do and reserve the fish dishes in advance. The desserts are delicious, a plus!

This traditional kafeneio has been installed in the New Market since 1946. Today, it has been taken over by the granddaughter of the original owner, who has given new life and dynamism to this historic establishment. We like to come and sit in the shade to have a good breakfast in the morning (omelettes, toasts) over an iced coffee, waiting for the arrival of the day's fishing. The extra-fresh small fish are grilled or fried for lunch and are simply served with a little fava or eggplant caviar. That's what happiness is all about after all!

This café-restaurant has been a Krithoni Bay institution for many years. The cuisine here is entirely vegan or vegetarian, prepared with care and attention to detail. Locals gather here for a coffee or a drink, as do tourists, all in a relaxed and very pleasant atmosphere. Unfortunately, the road right in front spoils the fun a little, but if you're lucky, you'll be able to sit with your feet in the water on the few tables set up on a small stretch of beach shaded by large tamarisk trees.

This tavern is a delightful option in the narrow streets of Fri, set back from the port. You'll enjoy delicious home cooking, prepared with the freshest ingredients, including vegetables from the owners' garden. If possible, opt for the dish of the day, which is always delicious. You'll certainly have the chance to try some of the island's specialties, such as the local squid ink risotto known as soupiopilafo in Kassos, or skate fillets (rare in the rest of the Greek islands), accompanied by skordalia, a garlic sauce.

The Alinda restaurant belongs to the hotel of the same name, not far from the Bellenis Tower. The hotel's rooms are simple but pleasant, but the tavern is well known throughout the island for its generous and tasty traditional cuisine, prepared with Leros products and respecting certain local recipes. In summer, this vast terrace restaurant hosts concerts three times a week, of the highest quality. It's an opportunity to discover the Greek repertoire, and to dance along with the locals who flock here!

This taverna on the pretty bay of Kato Lefkos, or the lower town, has been delighting its loyal customers for years. The main attraction is the fresh fish, brought here daily by local fishermen. You can choose your fish in the kitchen, taking the time to confirm the price of the animal you have chosen, as the bill quickly rises with fresh fish, and prices are indicated per kilo and not per dish. Alternatively, you can opt for a nice grilled octopus, always a pleasure to enjoy with a view of the sea, in the splendid setting of Lefkos.

Lost in the small village of Avlona, this is the only tavern in the area. Run by a couple of local elders who are still very traditional, Kyria Anna's fresh, ultra-local cuisine is served here. She doesn't speak English, and doesn't offer a menu, just the dish of the day, which you'll discover as you eat. A 100% authentic guarantee, and old-fashioned cuisine prepared with local produce grown in the surrounding countryside. Just a dozen or so people live here year-round, so you're sure to be immersed in a world of yesteryear!

This restaurant is one of the must-visit spots in the port of Gialos. You can enjoy a delicious menu of traditional dishes right on the seafront. In the evening, the tables are packed: reservations are essential to enjoy the view over Gialos Bay and the succulent dishes. It's a family-run business, and you'll appreciate the warm, intimate atmosphere and warm welcome. The house also offers a few rooms for rent upstairs, which are simple but pleasant, and offer very good value for money for Symi.

Overlooked by the rock of the Acropolis, this beach establishment spreads out its tables and deckchairs over the small bay of Saint-Paul, south of Lindos. The setting is exceptional, which explains the inflated prices (especially for deckchairs rented by the day). But the quality of the place is no less high, with a tasty menu, a boho chic aesthetic that's been all the rage for the past few years, and the opportunity to swim and dine in one of the island's most beautiful spots.

The village of Apollona lies about halfway between Eleoussa and Prophitis Ilias, about 10-15 minutes by car, below the forest mountain. This farming village is home to a little gem of Rhodian gastronomy: the Paraga tavern. Housed in a former club for Italian officers, this traditional tavern offers local cuisine, prepared and cooked the old-fashioned way (wood-fired) with locally produced ingredients. You'll discover a taste of Rhodian authenticity, in a setting from another time.

This small, traditional kafeneion is located at the foot of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin, on the pebble mosaic square in the heart of the picturesque village of Nikia. Here you can enjoy a pleasant break under the parasols. You can enjoy a quick coffee or a refreshing drink during the day, or linger a little longer to take advantage of the exceptional location and savour generous, unpretentious home cooking. Please note: we don't accept credit cards, so please bring cash.