The best restaurants Kos Ville

This friendly and warm tavern is always full. We come here for its family atmosphere, the service is always pleasant despite the crowds, the good homemade dishes, typical of traditional Greek cuisine and not necessarily found elsewhere: stifado, pastitsio, moussaka are in the spotlight, in other words dishes that we will reserve for the evening to avoid the digestive club at noon. Everything is delicious, the mezzedes to share are simple but fresh.

The story of Broadway is the story of a man, Kostas, who left Kos in the 1970s to try his luck as a chef in Manhattan restaurants. In the 1990s, he decided to return to his native island: he founded Broadway, at the junction of American and Greek cuisine. From his experience, he withdraws this fusion, which is both creative and accessible. Since then, he has given his place in the kitchen to the younger generation, who offer a tasty, refined but uninhibited and inspired menu. It's one of Kos' best tables.

This traditional tavern promises a pleasant break under the beautiful pergola that shades the courtyard. The cuisine offers classic dishes that are genuinely fresh, unlike many of the touristy restaurants in the area. The menu is limited but tasty, and you can sample some fine local wines. As this is a very popular address, it's best to book in the evening, especially in high season. Opt for the tables on the street to watch the world go by, or for the inner courtyard if you're looking for a little peace and quiet. Good value for money.

It's certainly one of the oldest restaurants in Kos town, and it's easy to see why it's still in business: a pleasant terrace, old-fashioned decor, music from the 1920s and, above all, good traditional cuisine, which is maintained year after year. Indulge in the house tsipouro with anchovies, kavourdisti (fried pork) and other tasty dishes. It's all about taking your time, and relaxing, as the tavern's name suggests, "Jamais le dimanche" if translated into French!

This restaurant, run by the same family for decades, is a must if you want to discover the community and gastronomy of the Turks of the Dodecanese (see Religion section at the start of this guide). The menu features Turkish-Greek specialties that will delight you after or before your visit to the nearby Asclépéion. Everything is delicious, especially the stuffed zucchini flowers and the yoghurt vegetables. As for meat, the kebabs are famous. Another stall, on the other side of the street, also sells good ice creams and oriental pastries.

Ampavris is one of the best tavernas in Kos. Located close to the town center, it's set on the road leading to the Asclepion, which, although busy, doesn't get in the way of enjoying a good meal. The family who run the restaurant are always ready to recommend the dish of the day. Try the lahano dolmades (cabbage stuffed with rice, minced meat and herbs), otherwise the stewed or grilled meats(souvlaki) are delicious. We appreciate the warm and attentive service, which is not necessarily very common in high season in Kos.

This fish tavern is pleasantly situated on the seafront, almost with its feet in the water. It's a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, who come for its reasonable prices, ideal location and fresh produce. We recommend the small fried fish, atherina, to be shared as a mezze with a nice cold beer to recover from the day's sightseeing, before tackling the more substantial dishes. Given the busy season, service can be a little slow.

Even before entering the area, we linger in front of the two-storey, century-old building, which has been nicely restored. This is undoubtedly the most pleasant tavern on Ioannou Theologou Square with, fortunately, a kitchen to match. The wine list - more than 120 - is stunning. The cuisine is simply refined, offering all the classics of Greek cuisine. In summer, the garden is lovely. Reservation recommended, as the place is very popular in this quiet and less touristic corner of Kos-ville.

This tavern located set back from the seaside is renowned by the locals for its mezzedes of the sea and its fresh fish. We come here with family or friends to remake the world around many small dishes of octopus, sardines or fish caught the same day. To accompany them, you will find great Greek classics such as fava, mashed split peas or zucchini fritters. And, as always for fresh fish, go choose your animal with the waiter and ask for confirmation of the price before ordering.

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.