A guide to food and drink in Santorini

Exploring Santorini's delicacies

In Greece, where there’s wine, there’s food. Freshly-caught local seafood, grilled meats and fresh Greek salads feature on most menus, with each taverna incorporating their own so-called secret recipe.

Santorini is known for its beautiful, juicy and flavoursome tomatoes which benefit from the mineral-rich soil. Try tomato keftedes – deep-fried red tomatoes mixed with herbs, butter and onions. Another Santorini speciality is home-made melitinia, a delicious sweet cheese pastry not to be missed during your holidays to Greece.

An island favourite serving local dishes at Metaxy Mas, Thira

Search online for the best places to eat in Santorini and Metaxy Mas is always top of the results list.

Located off the beaten path just outside Thira, you can enjoy views across to Kamari beach from the open terrace while you feast on local dishes like fava and white aubergine. The decor inside is authentic yet quirky and colourful and along with the charming service it’ll make you feel at home. The lamb in yoghurt sauce served with bulgar wheat is a firm favourite and all dishes are made with fresh ingredients cultivated on the island.

Eat Greek and learn how to cook it at Selene, Pyrgos

Formerly located in Thira, this upmarket restaurant moved to Pyrgos village in 2010. Its white and wood interior with contemporary touches oozes class combined with Greek charm and gives an indication of the quality you can expect from the food.

Try the sea urchin and artichoke salad, and don’t miss the local wild capers. All the Greek favourites including Greek salad, octopus and lamb all find their way onto the beautifully executed menu. With the aim of promoting local products, Selene also offers cooking classes and food and wine tasting.

Roast lamb and caldera views at 1800, Oia

After two decades housed in an elegant two-century-old authentic captain’s house, 1800 is still the top spot in Oia for dinner. Offering exquisite gourmet Mediterranean dishes in a swanky yet relaxing environment, the classic roasted Greek lamb is cooked to perfection. With views of the Caldera and volcano from the rooftop garden, finish off your Santorini holiday evening under the stars with a nightcap of vin santo – a super sweet, locally produced dessert wine.

Delicious mezze offering at Ntomatini, Perissa

Dine in Ntomati’s cool courtyard in the heart of Perissa‘s beachfront for the ultimate mezze experience. Offering a selection of hot and cold traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, the menu is sophisticated and well presented. Try the dolmades – stuffed vine leaves – a traditional favourite no self-respecting mezze restaurant should be without. You can complement with locally produced wine, select ouzo or Cretan raki.

Lobster spaghetti and waterside tables at Sunset Taverna, Oia

At the foot of Oia, in the picturesque port of Ammoudi Bay, this hidden gem serves the freshest seafood, selected daily by the owner.

Sit on a table outside – so close to the water you could take a dip – with uninterrupted views of the coastline as you sample the most famous lobster spaghetti throughout the Aegean islands. Other specialities are the traditional fava, cherry tomato balls and zucchini balls, stuffed eggplants with cheese and the excellent Fisherman’s Salad.