The best restaurants Ionian Islands

We understand why there are so many people, the place is worth it. This is a simple tavern, nestled in a quiet area, near the sea and lined with eucalyptus trees. We would almost forget the crowd of holidaymakers around. In addition, it is one of the most popular addresses for the local population: excellent quality of dishes and unique recipes. Here, the taramosalata (tarama) is white, the courgette croquettes are not too greasy and the marinated mussels and anchovies are elegantly flavoured and excellent. Charcoal-cooked fish and meat, and good value for money.

Perhaps the best restaurant in Gaios (reservation recommended in summer!). The setting is pleasant and you can watch the boats pass by while waiting to be served. The terrace tables are always full and the establishment is popular with the local population. Mambo offers one of the best grilled fetas on the island, but also excellent souvlakis (chicken), grilled octopus or meatballs. Don't miss some interesting homemade specialities such as squid, zucchini croquettes or stuffed peppers.

In this restaurant, the service is nice although sometimes a little long. But it's worth the wait. The cuisine is simple and revisited. Welcome to a very pleasant tavern with its feet in the water. Giannis, the chef, invites you to discover the traditional cuisine of Kythera with a welcome (small) touch of modernity. The chef, we are told, trained in Belgium. Mediterranean menu and excellent mezze. Among the Greek classics, the stifado is excellent. The decor is pleasant. And, above all, you are right on the beach.

Going down to the old port, between Donzelot Street and Zavitsianou Street, you will find this lovely tavern sheltered by a large patio. Nothing will disturb a meal that only the boats accompany. The place has a warm atmosphere thanks to the colours of the furniture and the hospitality of the waiters. The Greeks mix with the tourists in one of those cacophonies that one gets used to with a smile. Right in front of the port, with a beautiful view, one goes there rather to have lunch and to watch the maritime life.

Perhaps the most beautiful place to eat lunch and dinner in Kythera... In a bucolic setting, under the plane trees, let yourself be tempted by this family tavern. And the cuisine is delicious, classic and traditional as we like it. Here you will eat home-cooked dishes that you will not find anywhere else. The dishes are prepared with love and talent, as are the desserts, which are really worth the fork. The galatobouriko, puff pastry with cream of milk and honey, is simply sumptuous!

In a bend that beautifully overlooks the sea, this unpretentious little restaurant will serve you excellent homemade dishes. On the heights of Xyrokastello, this tavern has a large shady terrace overlooking the olive groves with the sea on the horizon. The cuisine is typically Greek: grilled swordfish, stuffed peppers, fried squid... The portions are generous and the prices are small! And the staff is very friendly and really good advice. Perhaps the best restaurant in this part of the island.

It is really nice this terrace overlooking the sea: you will practically have your feet in the water. At sunset, it's divine, and in the evening, when the tables are illuminated by candles and lanterns, it's very romantic! A la carte, corfiote specialities: moussaka and excellent lamb chops, swordfish steak and amazing fried squid! Professional service. A very considerate and professional welcome. The white wine in the pitcher is excellent and the traditional Greek dishes are very well executed.

You have to walk all the way to the end of the pier but it is worth it. You will recognize this restaurant by the statue between the restaurant and the sea. Hurry to be at the water's edge! Facing the green statue of the port, a little sheltered from the passageway, a few minutes from the square, this restaurant with terrace offers a magnificent view. And on the plate, a superb varied cuisine at a very reasonable price. Perfect for an octopus salad or just to have a drink. And apparently, many boat crews seem to have a habit here!

Dinner just a few meters from the beach, what a delight! Especially when, on top of that, the food is tasty. A la carte, zucchini from the garden, stews, pies or seafood risotto in the middle of olive trees. In the middle of the olive trees, fresh grilled fish and fresh seafood dominate the menu of this tavern. Prepared dishes, pies, pasta and risotto, meat dishes, homemade desserts, freshly prepared ice creams and cocktails served at the bar on the right side of the courtyard. Quick and polite service. Unless you just come in for a cocktail at sunset.

This welcoming restaurant, with its tables set outside as soon as the weather permits, serves one of the best homemade corfiotes, created here by the respected Marina Beska. In the heart of the old Jewish quarter, a little away from the popular tourist streets, take a sofrito (beef cooked with white wine and garlic), bourdeto fish (cooked in the oven with a spicy tomato sauce)... The pasta with Corfu pancetta and mushrooms is creamy and worth a visit! The owner will also welcome you with friendliness!

Here's a traditional tavern (adjoining the Apartments Ilias complex) serving both fresh fish and local dishes (with a stifado, of course) in a pleasant setting. Very good food, a warm welcome and a comfortable terrace - even if it's on the side of the road, with no real view. For vegetarians, try the delicious vegetarian moussaka! It's a little more expensive than other places in Sami, but the quality of service is excellent. The manager also offers rooms for rent on site.

Seemingly very touristy, Star Taverna serves tasty traditional Greek cuisine: moussaka, grilled fish, fried squid, meatballs... Try lamb chops with garlic or lamb shank with potatoes and vegetables. The portions are generous, the prices are correct, and above all the staff is very friendly! The owner and staff are adorable and may give you some free appetizers (like pita with tzatziki, a small cheese salad) and often ice cream for dessert.

On the highest point of the town, this family restaurant offers perhaps the best view in the area. Ideal for a romantic sunset dinner as the views from the room and its terrace are extraordinary, overlooking Argassi and the town. If you want to meet locals, you should know that the atmosphere is particularly lively on Thursdays and Saturdays (we spotted a menu with traditional dancing and unlimited local wine all night long, that's saying something). Besides, transportation is sometimes free with transfers from some hotels.

On the seafront, 5 minutes from the center, a psistaria as the Greeks call it, i.e. a tavern specializing in grilled meat and fish. Generous portions and strong Mediterranean flavours. For vegetarians, the pasta dishes, fried or grilled vegetables and salads are also very good. A fine address with a view of harbor life. The food has something for everyone, and the bill remains moderate. And maybe you'll be served by Marietta, who is very attentive and quick.

An unpretentious place from the street, but the food is really very good. Inside, it's even a little more sophisticated than a traditional tavern. Local specialties include Captain's Soup (fish, lobster, mussels, shrimp and vegetables), mussel risotto, grilled calamari. Excellent wine. The house lemonade is also very, very good and fantastic on a hot day, as is the chicken club sandwich with home fries for a snack. A good address and good value for money.

Perhaps the best place to eat by the sea. This tavern serves good local food and fresh fish delivered directly from the local fishermen. The calamari, sardines and seafood spaghetti are delicious! You can also enjoy a nice selection of typical Greek dishes (lamb and potatoes, beef in sauce, moussaka). You can also go (or return) for breakfast for its freshly squeezed orange juice and excellent homemade marmalade. The owners are always lovely.

If only we could, we'd pass by without going inside. We must! In a warm atmosphere, your friend the chef Alex invites you to a charming evening filled with wonderful flavours, good wine and music. Away from the noise, enjoy true Greek Mediterranean cuisine. All dishes are prepared with the best ingredients, the kitchen is open. Ask for the fish of the day and you will be sure to get fresh products. You can order the very good house wine or choose a bottle from the best Greek producers.

You can have lunch at the Rosa di Paxos on the beach. This restaurant serves Italian-inspired Greek cuisine on a beautiful flowered terrace. In the picturesque bay, you will sit at tables with director's chairs. On display: a high level Italian cuisine (table open in the morning for breakfast), with fifteen kinds of spaghetti and some suggestions for meat dishes. Carpaccio (octopus, tuna, swordfish), fresh fish and exquisite lobster. Delicious steamed mussels are not to be missed.

When you are invited to come to the kitchen to see what is being prepared as daily specials, it is always a good sign. Anteti means "customer" in the ancient patois of Zakynthos. The shaded terrace is really charming. The local cuisine is in the spotlight: beef with red sauce and a little spicy local cheese, baked rabbit with potatoes, among other dishes with sauce... A family address just the way we like it, a little away from the tourist centres, which exudes authenticity! Excellent service and value for money.

Don't let its small name fool you. The Flisvos tavern ("The lapping of the waves"), has weathered its share of media storms on the port of Nidri. "I met Athina Onassis Roussel when she was thirteen", Dimitris, the owner, liked to tell us. As the photo on the wall attests, "She dined here with her father, Thierry Roussel, the first time she went to Skorpios, and it turned into a riot! What's left today is an honest menu and lots of old photos on the wall to savor too...

Another excellent Italian restaurant in the old town. Despite the moderate prices, the cuisine is fine, with white tablecloths, a romantic setting and very good Greek wines. The food is fresh and perfectly seasoned. You may want to have a beef carpaccio followed by a fresh pasta dish and the sage ravioli is an absolute delight. There is also the penne à la pergola, with truffles. In short, fine food and good wine just a few steps from downtown Corfu. Don't forget to book, especially at weekends.

You will always find a warm welcome in this bar and beautiful and very relaxing views. This address is brilliantly run by three brothers and sisters. Typical Greek dishes are revisited: vegetable risotto, saganaki with local cheese (fried cheese), homemade pizzas... The tsipouro, the brandy that is widespread throughout Greece, is also prepared by the owners. Reservation is recommended as the place is usually very popular. But quite ideal out of season or at the beginning of the service. In short, to be recommended!

At Nionios you will taste the authentic Greek cuisine. The owner invites you into his kitchen to show you all the dishes cooked and there is a choice! After presenting you with the available dishes, the chef will be pleased to let you taste his extra-fresh products of the day. Gemista (stuffed tomatoes or peppers), beef stifado (cooked with wine), vegetable lasagna, moussaka, cheese puff pastry... Vegetarians will also have a large choice of dishes at their disposal! Simply, in season, don't forget to book before you go!

Since 2001, Kate, Christoforos and Foteini, the chefs, have been serving traditional homemade food in a relaxing family environment. A large flowered terrace facing the sea. At Amalia's, the whole family welcomes you with a smile. The dishes are all homemade with fresh products. Among the specialities, the pork roasted for almost 12 hours, the cheese or meat puffs, the rabbit in the pan. The desserts are also homemade: baklava and galatobouriko (milk cream cake) are to die for!

A table right on the water, in a beautiful setting and above all a delicious cuisine, rather above the average of what you find in the tourist areas. From the restaurant's terrace you can almost see the harbour of Kioni with its picturesque fishing boats. You have to go there for the seafood. The restaurant serves fresh fish and lobster, sumptuous but obviously a bit expensive! But you can also settle for mezzedes or a less expensive mushroom risotto.

An excellent cantina, although slightly off the port. It is worth coming to Vontza for its good gemista (stuffed tomatoes), chicken souvlaki and Greek salads. To accompany this, order the delicious house wine offered here. Its beautiful shaded terrace is popular with locals all year round. And in the kitchen, Spiros offers fresh fish, stifado and keftedes, tasty meatballs. For dessert, Spiros is happy to offer you melon and fresh grapes, or baklava.

This restaurant was recommended to us several times and we were not disappointed! The owners, originally from Cyprus, were quick to establish the (good) reputation of the place. Try the kotsi (roasted pork with vegetables), baked peppers, seafood saganaki (gratinated with feta) or one of the excellent salads on the menu. The grilled swordfish is also tasty. The locals also come here for the good atmosphere at the end of the week, but you'd better behave yourself (of course, with the police station next door!).

This restaurant offers a pleasant retreat compared to more touristy sites. Wooden floors and tables and rustic decor. Gerasimos, the owner, is no stranger to the reputation of the place. Excellent homemade olive oil, grilled meats and the best gyros in Skala! On the menu, traditional Greek cuisine, fish, some vegetarian options and fabulous desserts. Generous portions, pleasant flavours and, in the end, a reasonable bill.

On a wooden terrace, the lapping of water under your feet. As its name suggests, this restaurant is located on the quays (akti). This traditional tavern by the water's edge offers great classics such as moussaka, cephalonian pies, rabbit or fish. But their specialities also include pork with applesauce or rooster in wine with homemade potatoes. Or, on the sea side, wonderful mussels, shellfish and fresh fish (try swordfish). Beautiful wine list and seasonal dishes.

During your stay in Corfu, you can enjoy the best meat cooked on the spit or on the grill here. 150 metres after the village church, in the direction of Kassiopi, Vangelis and Anna offer you their specialities: kokoretsi and kontosouvli - roasted meat and charcoal grilling. The mistress of the kitchen prepares everything herself, rolls her own pastry for pies, makes her sausages, her tzatziki, but also homemade fries! In an area crowded in summer and where gastronomy is not always a priority, we appreciate it!

This tavern was the first one established in the area, by Spyros Mavronas, in 1987. Today, the restaurant is managed by his two sons, Adonis and Yiannis. Just a few meters from the sea, it has a breathtaking view of the clear water of the Ionian Sea and the mountains of the remote Epirus coast. The setting is idyllic with a beautiful view of the Avlaki beach from the terrace. Good Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, full of flavors, especially its kleftiko, incredible in flavor and sweetness. Good house wine as a bonus.

It is one of the "historic" addresses of this very touristy seaside resort. Thirty years ago, Kostas, the owner's father, came back from his military service with the idea - simple and beautiful - of this tavern sourcing only local products. At that time, tourism was not so flourishing! Today, it is run by his son and his two granddaughters. Traditional Corfiote and Greek cuisine. As a bonus, the terrace overlooks the Ionian Sea with a breathtaking view of Mount Pantokrator.

The village is full of more or less interesting taverns, but you can eat well and cheaply at this ouzerie. But above all, you can enjoy an evening cocktail or glass of wine in this very romantic setting. Prices are a little high, but almost all drinks are "signature" cocktails with unique ingredients not easily found. Simpler cocktails are of course more affordable and just as tasty. If you're coming by car, there's a parking lot just down the road.

The main attraction of this pizzeria is the view of the castle and Kapsali Bay. But the dishes are not bad either, and at a fair price: traditional cooking and homemade sauces. More local dishes include tiropita and good meats. Pasta with squid ink and salmon was also very good. A good atmosphere, dim lighting in the evening with a magnificent view, and professional service. All in all, the prices are very reasonable for what you get, both in terms of quality and generosity on the plate.

You must try Anna's cuisine! This restaurant has been in business for over 35 years. Specializing in fish, this tavern serves, among other things, excellent spaghetti with lobster. Overlooking the beautiful landscape and the bay of Avlemonas with its enchanting translucent blue waters, you will enjoy a unique taste journey through fresh fish and seafood, and traditional dish selections. The management also prides itself on offering options for meat eaters and vegetarians.

Kato Korakiana is best known for its restaurant, voted best establishment in Greece by Athinorama magazine in 2018. Under the sophisticated verandah of a country house is Etrusco, considered one of the best restaurants in Greece. Married to a Corfiote, the Italian chef Ettore Bortini revisits Ionian cuisine with joy. His menu is an odyssey that recounts his memories of Corfu, his father's birthplace in Italy in the Ionian Islands. And the terrace is wonderful. Reservation highly recommended.

Housed in a ^17th-century Venetian building, let yourself be stunned by a sophisticated combination of flavors, colors and textures for a gastronomy of the highest level. Lamb with eggplant purée, fig chutney and potatoes with marjoram and thyme are among the chef's signature dishes. Alternatively, try his caramelized onion tart or veal cheeks with ginger, lemongrass and honey. Accompany your meal with one of the 700 references of Greek, French and world wines, one of the finest cellars in Greece.

Located above the "walls" (hence the name mouragia) overlooking the sea, praised and frequented mainly by locals, at the exit of the Liston and on the old port of Corfu, this tavern serves the great Corfu classics such as the pastitsada and the sofrito. 10 minutes from downtown, it is an excellent address, very authentic. Don't rely on the "Traditional Greek food" tourist catch sign: apart from the traditionally long service and the old-fashioned furniture, the kitchen is perfect. Mainly Greek customers.

Very good reception, excellent cuisine and good value for money. Very decent Greek cuisine and, what doesn't spoil anything, an excellent cocktail bar right next door managed by the same owners. It is understandable that the locals are in a hurry. The restaurant is charming, the staff is pleasant and above all the food is incredible! Here you will find homemade dishes but also products from their own garden. If you linger, it is also the story of the owners, Lakis and Diana, and their attachment to the island that you will get to know.

An excellent fish tavern near the port of Elafonisos facing the sea. The fish is fresh and cooked to perfection. The fava, the baked eggplant, the tomatoes stuffed with rice are also delicious. Quality products for a varied traditional cuisine (fish of the day, various salads, stuffed tomatoes and peppers....). But the must is the spaghetti with lobster. To be ordered in advance if possible! In fact, it's better to reserve at all. Very good value for money with a location right on the water.

One of the best Greek cuisine on the island! On a shady terrace near the sea, Portoni is a friendly place held with malice by Thanassis. The women in the kitchen are busy preparing typical Greek dishes: beef simmered with onions, spinach puff pastry, fried courgettes, fresh grilled fish, tasty stuffed eggplant, delicate saganaki (cheese) shrimps, but also the perfect house white wine as an accompaniment. The prices are frankly affordable and the welcome is truly exceptional!

We have dined here several times and have always eaten fresh fish and seafood at reasonable prices. Our recommendation: swordfish steak! Despite some exterior renovations, the kitchen has not moved and remains good, with a touch of originality, and generous portions. Try zucchini croquettes, local langoustines, lobster spaghetti, meat pie or the hearty "Vasso's" salad. Beautiful wine list and impeccable service. The staff is friendly and professional.

An authentic tavern where you can taste the wine made by the two brothers, Nikiforos and Kostas, the owners. All the products are fresh: the vegetables come from the garden, the eggs from the chickens in the surrounding villages, the meat from the local farms... The dishes on the menu are freshly prepared and change every day according to the arrivals. You will enjoy it! The view is very pleasant, in a setting overlooking the olive groves, sometimes with goats, and a panoramic view of the sea. A good option even if you stay in Porto Katsiki.

We will concede that it is certainly not the restaurant of the corner which has the most taste as regards the decoration. Clearly, we flirt with excess! And yet, the place is honest and above all pleasant to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, facing the sea, with a beautiful terrace and sheltered by a large patio and the staff makes great efforts to make the moment pleasant. Declared "best restaurant in Gouvia" by the village

Don't rely on the unattractive look of the restaurant on the street and cross it to discover the terrace. The prices, however, are not the promise of tiny portions or reduced flavours: the Greek and Italian dishes are very good, and the quantities very generous. Try the "Bruschetta Big Bite" with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and olives on a large slice of toast: the recipe is Italian but not the food. As soon as you consume, you can use the deckchairs on the small beach.

Come and settle down here: musical lounge atmosphere, terrace by the sea, Avra has the merit of offering a setting conducive to both a romantic evening and a beer with friends. The staff is attentive and smiling, but it is above all the cuisine that is recommended: seafood and fish of course, but also salads, zucchini fritters, desserts... Terrace. Deckchairs on the beach too. All this for reasonable prices.

An off-the-beaten-track address that never fails to fill up. This tavern has been in existence since 1948, as indicated on the front. It serves traditional Greek and Corfiote dishes, with fresh meat and fish. It's above all the picturesque atmosphere of the establishment, thanks to its proximity to the sea and the Greek families who eat there, that makes it a singular place. A little pricey for a tavern, though. The owner is adorable and speaks a little French. Delicious, typical and affordable dishes. A quiet moment by the sea.

This family-run tavern is the place to go for a meal in the village of Lakones. Like its neighboring establishments, it offers a small terrace with a breathtaking view of the bay and a wide choice of home-cooked dishes. Prices may be a little steep compared with other restaurants in the area, but there's a good selection on offer: stifado, lamb kebabs, the inevitable horiatiki, as well as homemade desserts such as the excellent lemon tart or the moist orange cake. Finally, the service is excellent.

Beware,aliada is a garlic dip, but it is also delicious. Like meat pie, coq au vin or rabbit stew. On the menu, you'll find kleftiko, the traditional slow-roasted leg of lamb from local farms with tomatoes, peppers and feta cheese, or kouneli (rabbit marinated in vinegar overnight and cooked in a tomato sauce with white wine, onion, garlic and cloves). Special mention also goes to the patsavouropita, a milk pie. Not surprisingly, the establishment also makes its own wine

Backed by a small pine forest, a rustic place in its own right. Some classics of Greek and Cephalonian cuisine: traditional meat pie, local sausages stuffed with cheese or lamb stuffed with prunes, apricots and raisins. A vegetarian menu is also available. And while you're at it, don't miss the delicious desserts, especially the walnut cake. But if you're looking for less traditional fare, the owners also run the Symposium on the Beach, which serves predominantly Italian cuisine.