The Best Restaurants in Santorini
You might be heading to Santorini for its famous whitewashed villages and breathtaking sunsets, but the island’s food scene is just as memorable. Whether you’re searching for a romantic dinner overlooking the caldera, a traditional taverna serving family recipes, or a hidden gem away from the crowds, there are plenty of incredible restaurants to discover across the island.
From iconic cliffside venues in Fira and Oia to authentic local favourites in Santorini’s smaller villages, this guide covers the best restaurants in Santorini. Whether you’re searching for the best restaurant in Santorini with a view, fresh seafood by the beach or traditional Greek cuisine in a family-run taverna, we’ve rounded up where to eat, what to order and which restaurants are worth booking well in advance.
Best Restaurants in Fira
As Santorini’s bustling capital, Fira is home to some of the island’s most famous restaurants. Here you’ll find everything from spectacular caldera-view dining to cosy tavernas tucked away in side streets. If you’re looking for a mix of incredible views, vibrant atmosphere and excellent Santorini food, Fira is one of the best places on the island to dine.
1500 BC Restaurant
When you picture dining in Santorini, you’re probably imagining somewhere like 1500 BC Restaurant. Perched on the edge of the caldera in Fira, this iconic restaurant pairs panoramic sea views with a refined menu showcasing modern Greek cuisine.
The terrace offers front-row seats to Santorini’s famous sunsets, making it one of the island’s most sought-after dining spots. While the views are a major drawcard, the food more than holds its own, with a focus on fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavours.
What to order: The lobster pasta is a signature dish, while the grilled octopus and fresh catch of the day are also popular choices. Pair your meal with a glass of local Assyrtiko wine for the full Santorini experience.
Reservations: Essential. Sunset tables are among the most sought-after on the island and should be booked several weeks in advance during peak season.
Mama’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
For a more traditional dining experience, Mama’s Restaurant & Wine Bar offers some of the most comforting and authentic Greek food in Fira. Located in the heart of town, this long-standing favourite combines warm hospitality with classic recipes that showcase the flavours of the Cyclades.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with rustic décor, friendly service and a menu designed around traditional Greek cooking rather than fine dining trends. It’s the kind of restaurant where visitors often return more than once during their stay.
What to order: The moussaka is a standout, layered with rich béchamel and slow-cooked meat, while the lamb dishes and mixed meze platters provide an excellent introduction to local flavours. The restaurant also offers an impressive selection of Greek wines for those wanting to sample varieties from Santorini and beyond.
Reservations: Recommended during summer evenings, though lunch and early dinner bookings are generally easier to secure.
Kokkalo
Hidden away from the busiest tourist streets, Kokkalo offers a more contemporary take on Greek cuisine. The restaurant’s stylish interior, featuring minimalist Cycladic design and elegant touches, creates a sophisticated setting without feeling pretentious.
Kokkalo stands out for its creative menu, which reimagines traditional Greek ingredients in modern and unexpected ways. While many restaurants focus solely on classic dishes, Kokkalo adds a level of innovation that appeals to food lovers looking for something a little different. The restaurant is particularly popular among couples and those looking for a refined dinner experience away from the busiest sunset crowds.
What to order: The seafood risotto is a standout, while the grilled fish, seasonal small plates and local wine pairings are also well worth trying.
Reservations: Recommended, especially for dinner during the peak summer months.
Best Restaurants in Oia
While Oia is best known for its perfect sunsets, it’s also home to some of Santorini’s most memorable dining experiences. Many of the island’s most romantic restaurants can be found here, combining incredible caldera views with elevated Greek cuisine and unforgettable sunset settings.
Lycabettus Restaurant
Arguably one of the most spectacular dining locations in Santorini, Lycabettus Restaurant sits on a dramatic terrace carved into the cliffs beneath Oia Castle. Few restaurants anywhere in Greece can compete with its setting.
The restaurant’s elevated position offers uninterrupted views across the caldera, making it one of the most popular spots on the island for proposals, anniversaries and special celebrations.
The menu focuses on Mediterranean fine dining, featuring beautifully presented seafood dishes, premium meats and seasonal ingredients. The extensive wine list includes some of Santorini’s finest labels, making it easy to pair your meal with local varieties.
What to order: The tasting menu is the best way to experience Lycabettus, with expertly prepared seafood, seasonal ingredients and wine pairings that showcase some of Santorini’s finest local labels.
Reservations: Essential. Book as early as possible, particularly for sunset seating during summer.
Botrini’s Santorini
Led by acclaimed Greek chef Ettore Botrini, this sophisticated restaurant offers one of Santorini’s most refined dining experiences. Located in Oia, Botrini’s focuses on modern Greek gastronomy, blending local ingredients with innovative techniques.
The décor is elegant and contemporary, while the service is polished without feeling overly formal. It’s an excellent choice for travellers looking to experience a more upscale side of Santorini’s food scene. Expect beautifully plated courses showcasing fresh seafood, local produce and creative flavour combinations.
What to order: The tasting menu is a must, particularly when paired with the restaurant’s carefully selected Greek wines for the full Botrini’s experience.
Reservations: Highly recommended and often necessary during peak season.
Ambrosia
For many visitors, Ambrosia is synonymous with romantic dining in Santorini. Perched above the caldera, the restaurant is famous for its candlelit terraces, panoramic views and offers one of the most unforgettable sunset views in Oia.
The elegant setting is one of the most sought-after in Oia, making it a popular choice for anniversaries, honeymoons and special occasions. The menu leans towards Mediterranean fine dining, with seafood, pasta and premium meat dishes all featuring prominently. While the views are undoubtedly a major drawcard, the quality of the food ensures Ambrosia remains one of Oia’s most enduring dining destinations.
What to order: The seafood pasta is a standout, while the grilled fish and a bottle of local Santorini wine make for the perfect sunset dinner.
Reservations: Essential for sunset dining and highly recommended throughout the summer season.
Best Restaurants Beyond Fira and Oia
Whilst Fira and Oia are definitely foodie hubs, some of Santorini’s best food can be found away from the island’s busiest tourist centres. Venture into the villages and you’ll discover authentic tavernas, family-run restaurants and local favourites that offer a more traditional taste of Santorini.
Metaxi Mas, Exo Gonia
Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants on the island, Metaxi Mas has built a reputation for exceptional food, warm hospitality and authentic Greek flavours.
Located in the traditional village of Exo Gonia, around a 15-minute drive from Fira, the restaurant offers a refreshing alternative to Santorini’s caldera dining scene. The area is known for its quiet streets, local wineries and more authentic atmosphere, making it a great place to escape the crowds and experience a different side of the island.
Instead of focusing on sunset views, Metaxi Mas focuses on food (and does so exceptionally well). Traditional recipes, locally sourced ingredients and generous portions have earned it a loyal following among both locals and returning visitors. The rustic setting and welcoming service only add to its charm, making it one of the most sought-after dining experiences in Santorini.
What to order: The slow-cooked lamb is a must-try and one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes. Pair it with the tomato fritters and any daily specials, which often showcase seasonal ingredients and traditional family recipes.
Reservations: Essential. One of the hardest tables to secure on the island, particularly during summer, so book as far in advance as possible.
To Psaraki, Vlychada
Seafood lovers shouldn’t miss To Psaraki. Located in the small fishing village of Vlychada on Santorini’s southern coast, around a 20 minute drive from Fira, the restaurant overlooks the harbour and specialises in fresh fish and traditional seafood dishes.
The setting provides a completely different perspective of Santorini, away from the caldera views and closer to the island’s maritime roots. With fishing boats coming and going throughout the day and the famous lunar-like cliffs of Vlychada nearby, it’s one of the most authentic dining experiences on the island. It’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in local Greek life and practise a few words of Greek along the way.
The menu changes depending on the daily catch, with an emphasis on simple, expertly prepared seafood that lets the quality of the ingredients shine. The relaxed waterfront setting makes it particularly popular for long lunches and laid-back dinners.
What to order: Ask about the fresh fish of the day, which is the star of the menu, and pair it with the grilled calamari or seafood pasta for a true taste of Santorini’s coastal cuisine.
Reservations: Recommended during summer, particularly for dinner and waterfront tables.
Seaside Santorini, Perivolos Beach
If you’re looking for a long lunch by the sea, Seaside Santorini is one of the best options on the island. Located directly on Perivolos Beach on Santorini’s southeast coast, around a 20 minute drive from Fira, it combines fresh seafood with a relaxed beach-club atmosphere.
Perivolos is famous for its striking black-sand beach, crystal-clear water and lively beach bars, making it a popular destination for visitors wanting to spend a full day by the coast. Seaside captures the best of the area, with stylish beachfront seating, attentive service and uninterrupted views across the Aegean.
Guests can enjoy a leisurely lunch just steps from the water before settling into a sunbed for the afternoon. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, Mediterranean flavours and light summer dishes, making it a perfect choice for a relaxed beachside meal.
What to order: The fresh fish and grilled prawns are standout choices, while the seafood pasta is perfect for sharing after a morning spent at the beach.
Reservations: Recommended for beachfront tables, particularly during summer and on weekends when Perivolos is at its busiest.
What to Order in Santorini
One of the best ways to experience Santorini is through its local cuisine. Thanks to the island’s volcanic soil and unique climate, many of Santorini’s ingredients have flavours unlike anywhere else in Greece.
Santorini Fava
One of the island’s most famous dishes, Santorini fava is made from locally grown yellow split peas and served as a creamy dip topped with olive oil, onions and capers. It’s simple, delicious and found on menus across the island.
Tomato Fritters (Tomatokeftedes)
Santorini’s volcanic soil produces intensely flavoured tomatoes, which are used to create the island’s signature tomato fritters. Crispy, savoury and packed with flavour, they’re a must-order starter.
White Eggplant
Unique to Santorini, white eggplant is sweeter and less bitter than traditional varieties. You’ll often find it grilled, baked or layered into moussaka.
Fresh Seafood
With the Aegean Sea on its doorstep, Santorini offers excellent seafood. Grilled octopus, calamari, prawns and fresh fish are menu staples throughout the island.
Greek Meze
For a little bit of everything, order a selection of meze dishes. Popular options include tzatziki, saganaki, stuffed vine leaves, olives and grilled vegetables.
Assyrtiko Wine
Santorini’s signature grape variety produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines that pair beautifully with seafood and local dishes. Many restaurants on the island feature excellent local wine lists, making it easy to sample the region’s best drops.
Moussaka
A Greek classic, moussaka combines layers of eggplant, minced meat and creamy béchamel sauce. Every taverna has its own version and it’s well worth trying at least once during your trip.
From clifftop restaurants overlooking the caldera to family-run tavernas tucked away in Santorini’s villages, the island offers one of Greece’s most memorable food scenes. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner with a view, fresh seafood by the coast or authentic Greek cuisine away from the crowds, there’s something to suit every taste and travel style.
Santorini is a stop on both our Greek Island Explorer and Greek Island Hopper tours, giving travellers the chance to experience the island’s food scene for themselves. With free time to dine independently on selected days, you can choose from many of the restaurants featured in this guide, and your local guide will be happy to share recommendations and help you find the perfect spot.
