A guide to the best restaurants in Sami

Wholesome food at Dolphins

Dolphins Restaurant offers wholesome Greek meals such as moussaka and Kefalonia pie served with fresh salad and warm bread. The dining area is simple, with rows of tables under a canopy with views out to harbour. It is a favourite spot for tour groups in the summer but they are always booked in so your own service won’t suffer.

Beachfront at Agia Paraskevi

You don’t just have sea views at Agia Paraskevi Beach Restaurant, you get to sit above a secluded spot of shingle beach enjoying food and drink with the sound of the waves gently lapping below. Cuisine is traditional Mediterranean fare and the best dishes are the most simple – try their homemade tzatziki to start.

Fine dining at Il Familia

Despite the cosy name, this restaurant has a very different feel to the local family-run tavernas. It offers fancy Mediterranean cuisine and the prices reflect this. It’s certainly not overpriced though, and a nice spot for a special occasion or treat meal on the last night of your holiday. Try the lobster risotto or crab tortellini finished off with a complimentary dessert and tandora digestive wine.

Fishy dishes at Mermaid

You won’t go short of seafood in Sami, that’s for sure, but Mermaid restaurant is a particularly good bet for home-cooked fish and seafood dishes. The owners are incredibly friendly and welcome regular customers with kisses as well as smiles. Food is well-priced for the harbour location, with plenty of choices for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.

Countryside views at Melissani Restaurant

Most restaurants in Sami want to show off their sea-harbour views. Melissani can’t offer that, but what they do have are forest views of the hills instead. Situated on the main road out of town, it’s further out than other eateries but worth the journey for the traditional Greek menu and affordable prices. If the owner is about he’ll happily show you his herb garden.

Draught beer at Fiasco

The drinks are the main selling-point of this place, more of a cafe-bar than a restaurant. It’s a really cool place with a cosy and cosmopolitan atmosphere unlike anything else in Sami. Enjoy a draught beer or zesty home-made lemonade with a veggie sandwich during the day, or come for late-night music and a dessert cocktail after your evening meal.

Romance at Kallithea

With extraordinary views over the mountains, tables at Kallithea are always decked out with candles or flowers to make the most of the romantic atmosphere. It’s a short drive out of town but there’s plenty of parking outside – or the staff will call you a taxi to get you home. As well as traditional Greek dishes they do fabulous pizza and are often open for breakfast – you can stop by for morning sustenance if you’re off out for the day.

Italian at Tereza

Who says you can’t have Italian in Greece? Sami doesn’t have a huge range of non-Greek restaurants so Tereza offers a welcome alternative to Kefalonian meat pie – however scrummy it may be. Enjoying a lovely marina location near the ferry port, Tereza’s large pizzas offer good value for money, especially with the amount of cheese you get.

Fast food at Taka Taka Mam

The locals eat here because it’s cheap and quick – a great place to stop for a burger and chips or Gyros, a pita wrap. Just because you get served quickly doesn’t mean you have to leave just as fast. You’re welcome to stay for the evening just like in any other restaurant and enjoy the harbour views over a glass of wine.

Savoury too at So Sweet

So Sweet is a cute crepe house and cafe in downtown Sami, easy to spot from the baby-pink exterior. They specialise in sweets of course – dangerously delicious crepes and ice-cream – but they also have an extensive savoury lunch and snack menu. In fact, you can have your crepe with just about anything – sausage, vegetables, turkey, cheese. Let your imagination run wild.