Santorini deserves all the hype it gets! The wineries, the beautiful architecture, and of course the food! I’m a self proclaimed foodie, so it’s safe to say that you can trust my food choices. While in Santorini (4 days of relaxation), we tried our best to capture some of our favorite restaurants. Also, Santorini may be one of our favorite places to vacation (we even considered retiring here). Bali is still number 1 on our list. Either way, we love everything about our visit to Santorini. All in all, I thought sharing our favorite places to eat will help persuade you to make Santorini your next destination.
Chromata Santorini
So, we typically have breakfast at the hotel we’re staying at. It’s just easier. Traveling quite a bit in the last two years has afforded us enough hotel points to get free or discounted breakfast. Chromata is one of Santorini’s 5-star hotels. The seaside views are organically the best thing about this hotel. Not only are the views great, the food is as well. We enjoyed breakfast which offered a great selection of meat, danishes, fruit, and champagne cocktails just to name a few. Hubby and I opted for an omelet almost every morning because they were out right delicious. If you decide to stay at the Chromata, I recommend their breakfast.
Skaros Fish Restaurant
Skaros is a small local spot that has really good seafood. It is walking distance from Chromata. As soon as we landed and checked into our hotel, we were starving. Hubby read that Skaros is a place you should dine so we decided to eat here for a late lunch. The view is gorgeous and the food is delicious. If you are a fan of fresh fish, then you should definitely give this place a try. The seafood overall was very fresh. The staff is very friendly, but I can say that we didn’t have bad service anywhere in Santorini. So if you are a lover of seafood, try Skaros!
Aegeon Restaurant
Aegeon is such a great place, especially if you are looking for a reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine. In the heart of Santorini, set in the magnificent Imerovigli, I love everything about its laid back ambiance. Aegeon is only a few steps away from Chromata which is where we stayed during our vacation in Santorini. We happened to stop by late one night and was able to walk right in. But from observation it is usually packed and hard to get in, so I would advise making reservations if you plan to dine during the day.
Pito Gyros in Oia
After our donkey ride up to Oia, spending a few hours taking in the scenery and frolicking through the cute shops and boutiques, we were starving. So we knew we’d try Pitogyros since we were in the area. It is hands down the best place to get gyros located in Oia. Although we opted for the chicken, they have a variety of meat roasted on charcoal with drink choices such as beer, wine, and local beverages. We enjoyed the scenery and people watching, of course. I couldn’t eat it all, but I sure tried. Pito Gyros is considered the best gyro place in Oia!
Elia Tavern in Fira
Elia Tavern is very close to the Center of Fira. There is so much to take in while in Santorini, so we wanted to see every inch of it or at least try to. Ultimately while walking through Fira and taking in the sites, we stumbled across this peaceful restaurant which features a quiet, cute roof garden, decorated with olive trees. We enjoyed it so much because it offers a calm and relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy your lunch or dinner.
Santorini can be a bit overwhelming and crowded but this gem is away from the clutter and noise of Santorini’s capital. We wanted good, authentic Greek food at a deal and we got it! We opted for a recommendation from our waiter. The only thing I remember to get a photo of was the dessert, which was delish! Hubby and I was able to share. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment.
We didn’t have to make reservations but if you plan to come and want to ensure a seat, you can reserve here.
Mezzo in Imerovigli
Our final night in Santorini (Date Night), we ate at Mezzo Restaurant. Mezzo overlooks the Venetian castle; the scenery is ah-mazing!!! They have a good selection of local and Greek cuisines and the service was great.
Short story: I accidentally left my Louis Vuitton purse there (don’t ask how) and I didn’t realize it until the next morning when I went to look for my ID and credit card. Hubby called the restaurant and they immediately knew who we were and told us they locked it in a safe place and that we can come get it whenever we get a chance. Hubby went to get it and while there he and one of the guys enjoyed small talk about basketball. Don’t be like me and leave your Louis Vuitton but if you do, Mezzo will keep it safe if they find it first.
Ultimately, the food was delicious and the views are great especially at night! Also, during date night we have a “no phone” rule so I definitely didn’t get many pics of the food here (tried to sneak a couple). Oh! Make sure you get the Santorini Fava for an appetizer. It’s delicious!
Simple Tips on Choosing Restaurants
“Be open to trying dishes that the locals recommend.”
The Urban Elle
- When choosing restaurants, we tend to get a feel for the area. So ask locals about their favorite places to eat and/or wing it.
- Every now and again we’ll eat at recommended restaurants. We use Trip Advisor for reviews.
- Experience places that aren’t on the list of Best Restaurants. Most of the time you will be surprised at how good the food is.
- If you have allergies, ask questions about how the food is prepared; usually this isn’t something they inquire about when you’re ordering food.