Quick answers — eating in Santorini
- Best restaurant overall
- Lauda Restaurant
- Best value
- Fino Restaurant & Cocktail Bar (€70-€110 / $75-$120)
- Strongest cuisines
- Greek, Mediterranean
- Dishes to try
- Tomatokeftedes (Tomato Fritters), Fava, Chlorotyri, Santorini Salad
- Booking window
- Book fine dining restaurants at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for sunset tables in Oia or Imerovigli, as prime spots fill up quickly.
Booking is essential, especially for sunset tables, often several weeks in advance. Dress code is typically smart-casual to elegant. Tipping around 10-15% is customary. Dinner generally starts from 7:00 PM, with peak hours from 8:30 PM onwards.
Greek
Best Greek restaurants in Santorini
Greek kitchens keep it ingredient-first: olive oil, fish off the day boat, vegetables, and a long lunch rather than a rushed dinner.
Lauda Restaurant
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Greek · Oia · €150-€250 / $160-$270
George Dospras
Perched on the cliffs of Oia, Lauda offers an unparalleled dining experience with dramatic caldera views. Its culinary approach honours traditional Greek flavours while applying contemporary techniques, using meticulously sourced local ingredients. The atmosphere is refined, making it a quintessential Santorini luxury destination.
Order: Santorini Tomato Salad with Feta Snow, Lobster with Orzo
Selene
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Greek · Pyrgos · €120-€180 / $130-$195
Panagiotis Giakalis
A pioneering force in Santorini's gourmet scene since 1986, Selene offers refined Greek cuisine in a historic setting within Pyrgos village. Having relocated from Fira, it focuses on showcasing indigenous Santorini ingredients and age-old recipes through a contemporary lens, emphasizing authenticity and sophisticated execution in a charming, traditional courtyard.
Order: Fava with Caramelized Onions, Slow-Cooked Lamb with Wild Greens
Throubi Restaurant
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Greek · Imerovigli · €140-€220 / $150-$235
Charalambos Koukoudakis
Nestled within the Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, Throubi offers exquisite Mediterranean and Greek gastronomy with a focus on healthy and seasonal ingredients. The chef's tasting menus highlight fresh produce from the hotel's organic garden. The breathtaking caldera views from its terrace elevate the dining experience to an unforgettable level of luxury and serenity.
Order: Seabass Ceviche with Citrus, Confit Lamb Shoulder
Santo Maris Oia - Alios Ilos
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Greek · Oia · €110-€170 / $120-$185
Christos Papageorgiou
Alios Ilos, meaning 'the sun that rises from the sea', offers a sophisticated take on traditional Greek cuisine, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. Located at Santo Maris Oia, the restaurant combines stunning sunset views with a menu that is both innovative and deeply rooted in Greek culinary heritage, promising a truly elegant and authentic experience.
Order: Grilled Octopus with Fava, Lamb Kleftiko
Koukoumavlos
Acclaimed local fine diningCreative Greek · Fira · €90-€150 / $95-$160
Nikos Pouliasis
Koukoumavlos is known for its highly artistic and imaginative approach to Greek cuisine, with a theatrical presentation that matches its unique cave-like setting in Fira. Chef Pouliasis constantly reinvents classic dishes, using bold flavour combinations and unexpected textures, creating a dining experience that is both avant-garde and deeply satisfying.
Order: Chocolate Soup with Chili, Foie Gras with Fig
Mediterranean
Best Mediterranean restaurants in Santorini
Mediterranean menus borrow freely across the sea — olive oil, fish, vegetables, citrus — and tend to be the easiest choice for a mixed table.
Botrini's Santorini
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Mediterranean · Fira · €130-€200 / $140-$215
Ettore Botrini
An outpost of the acclaimed Athens restaurant, Botrini's Santorini brings Chef Ettore Botrini's innovative and playful approach to the island. Located within the Katikies Kirini, it offers a sophisticated menu that reinterprets Mediterranean classics with artistic presentation and intense flavours, all in an elegant poolside setting.
Order: Deconstructed Greek Salad, Carbonara of the Sea
Ambrosia Restaurant
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Mediterranean · Oia · €100-€160 / $110-$175
George Kapris
Offering a romantic, intimate setting with iconic caldera views, Ambrosia specializes in elegant Mediterranean cuisine. Their dishes are crafted with precision and feature premium ingredients, focusing on fresh seafood and quality meats. It's a classic choice for special occasions, celebrated for its impeccable service and breathtaking backdrop.
Order: Fresh Lobster Pasta, Pan-Seared Scallops
Fino Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Acclaimed local fine diningMediterranean Fusion · Oia · €70-€110 / $75-$120
Angelos Bakopoulos
Tucked away in the beautiful Canaves Oia Epitome, Fino offers a chic and vibrant atmosphere with an emphasis on Mediterranean fusion cuisine and exceptional cocktails. The menu features creative small plates and main courses, perfect for sharing, showcasing fresh seafood and local produce with international twists in an elegant setting.
Order: Tuna Tartare with Wasabi Mayo, Black Angus Fillet
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Santorini
Lucky's Souvlakis
A Fira institution, known for its fast, delicious, and incredibly affordable gyros and souvlaki wraps. Perfect for a quick, authentic Greek bite. Expect to pay around €3-€5 per wrap.
Pitogyros
Located in Oia, Pitogyros serves up some of the best pork and chicken gyros on the island, with fresh ingredients and generous portions. A popular spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Prices around €4-€7.
Metaxi Mas
A beloved taverna nestled in Exo Gonia, offering traditional Cretan and Santorinian dishes with a rustic charm. Reservations are highly recommended. Mains typically range from €15-€25.
Kritikos Taverna
A no-frills, authentic Greek taverna in Kamari, serving classic dishes like moussaka, grilled fish, and hearty salads. Enjoyable for a casual meal by the sea. Expect to pay €12-€20 for a main course.
Lolita's Gelato
Not a restaurant, but a must-visit in Oia for artisanal gelato. Freshly made daily with natural ingredients, offering a refreshing treat. Scoops are around €4-€6.
Local dishes
What to eat in Santorini
Tomatokeftedes (Tomato Fritters)
These savory fritters are a Santorini specialty, made with the island's small, intensely flavored cherry tomatoes, onions, mint, and flour. Fried until golden and crispy, they are a delicious appetizer, often served with a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki. You can find them on almost every traditional taverna menu across the island.
Fava
Santorini's fava is not a fava bean but a creamy, earthy puree made from yellow split peas unique to the island. Slow-cooked until smooth, it's typically served drizzled with olive oil, chopped onions, and capers, making it a staple appetizer. Its mild, slightly sweet flavor pairs wonderfully with fresh bread.
Chlorotyri
A rare, fresh, and tangy goat cheese, Chlorotyri is produced in very small quantities on Santorini, primarily for local consumption. It has a distinctive creamy texture and a slightly sour, salty taste. It's often enjoyed as a spread on bread, in salads, or as a meze, offering a true taste of local Santorini produce.
Santorini Salad
A refreshing variation of the classic Greek salad, the Santorini salad typically features the island's unique cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, capers (also locally grown), red onion, and the local Chlorotyri cheese, all dressed with virgin olive oil. It highlights the fresh, vibrant flavors of the island's produce, offering a lighter, regional twist.
Melitinia
These are traditional sweet cheese pastries, typically made for Easter but found year-round in some bakeries. Small, open-faced tarts with a sweet mizithra cheese filling, flavored with mastic or orange zest, and baked until golden. Their unique shape resembles a small basket or boat, offering a delightful local dessert or snack.
Atherina (Fried Whitebait)
Small fish, typically whitebait, lightly floured and deep-fried until crispy and golden. Atherina is a popular meze in coastal tavernas, often served with a wedge of lemon. They are eaten whole, offering a delightful crunch and a taste of the Aegean Sea, perfect for sharing as an appetizer with ouzo.
Vinsanto
Santorini's most famous sweet wine, Vinsanto is made from sun-dried Assyrtiko, Aidani, and Athiri grapes. Its rich, amber hue and complex flavors of dried fruit, honey, and spices result from a long aging process. It's traditionally served as a dessert wine, a true liquid embodiment of the island's volcanic soil and sunshine.
Pistachio Baklava
While baklava is a widely loved Greek dessert, many Santorini bakeries offer exceptional versions, often with a generous pistachio filling and drenched in a fragrant syrup. Layers of crisp phyllo pastry, finely chopped nuts, and sweet syrup create a rich and satisfying treat, perfect with a Greek coffee.
How to book a table in Santorini
- · Book fine dining restaurants at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for sunset tables in Oia or Imerovigli, as prime spots fill up quickly.
- · Many upscale restaurants require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for reservations, particularly for larger groups or peak season bookings.
- · Consider booking a lunch seating at fine dining establishments; it often offers a similar culinary experience with impressive views, often at a more accessible price point.
- · Be aware of cancellation policies; many high-demand restaurants enforce strict rules with charges for late cancellations or no-shows, so plan accordingly.
FAQ
Santorini restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Santorini?
Lauda Restaurant in Oia is the benchmark table — Modern Greek, led by George Dospras, acclaimed local fine dining, around €150-€250 / $160-$270 per person. Order the Santorini Tomato Salad with Feta Snow, Lobster with Orzo
Where is the best Greek restaurant in Santorini?
Lauda Restaurant in Oia is the Greek table to book in Santorini (€150-€250 / $160-$270 per person). Other strong options: Selene, Throubi Restaurant, Santo Maris Oia - Alios Ilos.
Where is the best Mediterranean restaurant in Santorini?
Botrini's Santorini in Fira is the Mediterranean table to book in Santorini (€130-€200 / $140-$215 per person). Other strong options: Ambrosia Restaurant, Fino Restaurant & Cocktail Bar.
Where can I eat well in Santorini without spending a fortune?
Fino Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is the best-value table on this list at roughly €70-€110 / $75-$120 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Lucky's Souvlakis, Pitogyros, Metaxi Mas.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Santorini?
Book fine dining restaurants at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for sunset tables in Oia or Imerovigli, as prime spots fill up quickly. Many upscale restaurants require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for reservations, particularly for larger groups or peak season bookings.
What food is Santorini famous for?
Tomatokeftedes (Tomato Fritters), Fava, Chlorotyri, Santorini Salad, Melitinia — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. These savory fritters are a Santorini specialty, made with the island's small, intensely flavored cherry tomatoes, onions, mint, and flour. Fried until golden and crispy, they are a delicious appetizer, often served with a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki. You can find them on almost every traditional taverna menu across the island.
Planning the rest of Santorini?
The full Santorini guide has a seven-day itinerary, neighbourhoods, museums and the mistakes to avoid.
Read the Santorini travel guide