Must-see restaurants in Northeastern Aegean Islands

  • CousinA

    Ikaria

    A short walk from the main square, this tiny but outstanding eatery ventures well beyond the Ikarian mainstream, upgrading traditional Greek food to the…

  • Thea's Restaurant & Rooms

    Ikaria

    There are a few fine tavernas in Nas, but Thea's excels, serving up outstanding mezedhes, meat grills and a perfect veggie mousakas (baked layers of…

  • Betty’s

    Lesvos

    This restored Turkish pasha’s residence on the upper street, overlooking the harbour below, offers a tasty variety of excellent mayirefta (ready-cooked)…

  • Taverna Fabrika

    Chios

    This cheerful traditional eatery nestled in the trees of Volissos occupies a century-old olive-and-flour mill, where some of the vintage equipment is…

  • Ouzeri To 11

    Limnos

    This unassuming little ouzerie (place that serves ouzo and light snacks) by the bus depot is the local favourite for seafood. From kydonia (mussels with…

  • Kechribari Ouzerie

    Chios

    This cosy gem of an ouzerie (place that serves ouzo & light snacks) offers a variety of small plates in addition to excellent fish, mussels, baked…

  • Marymary

    Ikaria

    Marrying traditional island cuisine with cosmopolitan culinary fashion, this upmarket eatery in the heart of Armenistis has a small army of devoted…

  • Mantella Taverna

    Limnos

    A popular well-managed taverna, 20 minutes' drive from Myrina in the village of Sardes, just north of Therma. Traditional country dishes include rooster,…

  • To Tigani tis Platias

    Samos

    Beautiful Greek standards, popular with both locals and visitors. It's especially great for veggie choices, such as baked feta, gigantes (white beans) and…

  • Armeno

    Thasos

    Well-regarded waterfront taverna, where you can have a look at the day's catch of fish. The organic produce here is from the gardens of the friendly…

  • Taverna Efkaliptos

    Lesvos

    You might be sitting closer to the fishing boats than the kitchen at this first-class fish taverna in Panagiouda; it's just 4km north of Mytilini Town but…

  • Masabuka

    Thasos

    Visitors rave about this exceptionally friendly 21st-century souvlaki joint, where meat skewers are served with a variety of mouth-watering dips. It's…

  • Misirlou

    Lesvos

    A new American-run place above the marina, Misirlou serves delicious tortilla wraps, burgers and pizzas – all using fresh local produce. In the evening,…

  • My Falasophy

    Samos

    A guest from the Levant, this little fast-food joint in the main square serves large portions of artfully prepared hummus and falafel, as well as great…

  • Sta Perix

    Ikaria

    Classy eatery in Akamatra, 6km south of Evdilos, well regarded for its traditional Ikarian recipes, a variety of local cheeses, and even its own wine.

  • Hippy's Restaurant Café

    Samos

    This cool open-air cafe-bar is a family affair, combining Greek and South Seas decor with jazz, reggae, classical, trip-hop and ambient sounds. Good…

  • Taverna Platanos

    Ikaria

    Nestled under the shade of a rambling plane tree, a 500m stroll from Hristos Rahes, Platanos offers authentic Ikarian dishes, including soufiko, a summer…

  • Sunset

    Lesvos

    Perched above the main road, this is not your average taverna but a fully fledged restaurant, with attentive service and a very competent chef-manager,…

  • Soulatso

    Lesvos

    This busy beachfront ouzerie-taverna along the boardwalk has a large outdoor patio and specialises in fresh fish, reasonably priced by the kilo; it's also…

  • Pyrgos

    Chios

    Excellent setting, service and food. This traditional hilltop stone taverna serves up superb mezedhes plus spit-roasted lamb and pork. Upstairs are five…

  • Filoti

    Ikaria

    This tasty eatery 30m from the square, up the first alleyway, offers Agios Kirykos’ best-value meals, including tasty grills, salads and excellent pizza.

  • Tzivaeri

    Ikaria

    Best souvlaki and gyros (meat slithers cooked on a vertical rotisserie, eaten with pitta bread) at the port. Look for the umbrellas; it's next to Taverna…

  • Cafe P

    Lesvos

    This hip back-alley bistro draws a crowd mostly from the university for its unusual and well-priced small plates, slight menu, eclectic music mix and all…

  • Two Spoons

    Samos

    Make sure you run a marathon before coming to this place, because you'll be hard pressed to prevent yourself from gorging on profiteroles, millefeuille…

  • Syntages tis Giagias

    Ikaria

    Occupying a terrace on the 2nd floor of the main shopping compound in Armenistis, this small confectionery makes exemplary galaktoboureko (custard slice),…

  • Tavern at the End of the World

    Samos

    Drive or walk 3.5km west of Limnionas Beach and you'll find this secret gem perched on a rocky cliff above fish-rich waters ideal for snorkelling and…

  • Hotzas Taverna

    Chios

    This comfortable, attractive taverna above Chios Town serves fine Greek standards with a twist, such as lamb kebab with yoghurt and rocket; white beans…

  • Kazaviti Restaurant

    Thasos

    Set in the shade of plane trees on the beautiful square of its namesake village, this restaurant makes a conscious effort to surprise those used to (and…

  • Archontissa Potami Adventure Cafe

    Samos

    Its called Adventure for good reason: trekking along the creek before climbing wooden stairs on a near-vertical slope is indeed just that. But this canopy…

  • Taverna Baido

    Ikaria

    Past the bridge towards Nas, this interesting taverna is the work of Marianthi, who serves well-priced dishes using local products, fresh fish and Ikarian…

  • Simi

    Thasos

    Locals agree that this year-round eatery at the Old Harbour serves Limenas’ best fish, along with fine fish soup, stifadho (meat, game or seafood cooked…

  • Argios Restaurant & Bar

    Ikaria

    Located on the 'roof' of Ikaria, up high in Profitis Ilias, a 10-minute drive from Hristos Rahes, this large terrace serves a menu that is vaguely Greek,…

  • Grammóphōno

    Limnos

    The traffic circle may not be the most appealing of surrounds, but this place is special thanks to its creative take on traditional taverna fare. It…

  • Psarotaverna O Stratos

    Lesvos

    Look for the fishing boats moored beside this popular fish taverna on Skala Polyhnitou’s waterfront. Enjoy inexpensive fresh seafood, plus salads such as…

  • Maistrali

    Lesvos

    You can't eat much closer to the water than at this cosy traditional taverna at the harbour, below Molly's Bar. Roula is the owner, cook and server of…

  • Pera Vrehi

    Samos

    Known to expat regulars as 'the salad place', Pera Vrehi serves large bowls of inventive salad arrangements with largely local ingredients, as well as an…

  • To Kati Allo

    Lesvos

    Sweet in every sense of the word, this cafe in the main square of Andissa is a wonderful place to stop for a cup of Greek coffee with a spoon sweet – a…

  • Taverna Arodou

    Ikaria

    An excellent traditional seaside eatery overlooking the sea in the village of Xilosirtis, 5km southwest of Agios Kirykos. Strong on fresh veggies, salads…

  • Sinialo

    Limnos

    A noncanonical taverna that strives to surprise you with foods that traditional establishments wouldn't feature. Shrimps in ouzo and milk sauce, fried…

  • Pastards

    Chios

    In a welcome departure from the island-taverna routine, this place serves homemade pastas, risottos and risonis, all with a strong locavore element,…

More destinations you need to see