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Santorini - the pinnacle of Greek food!
If the sun and blue skies is the biggest attraction of Greece, then the Greek food must come in a close second.
Greek cuisine is known throughout the world not for its experimental style, but for its simple and traditional dishes.
So, for all its fame, the Greek food and cuisine is really quite minimalistic. You simply do not mess with the natural flavor of the ingredients more than necessary. Of course, when Nature provides you with so much high-quality food as it does in Greece, why would you?
Santorini restaurants, even with all of their international visitors, may be your best bet for getting that authentic Greek flavor.
One of the reasons for the reputation of the Santorini resturants is that the island's local produce is some of the most flavorful of all of Greece.
Tips on eating out on Santorini
The Greeks enjoy eating out and do it often.
Going out for dinner at a restaurant is not considered a formal occasion. They bring their entire families and do not usually bother with such minor things as dressing up.
So, if you want to you can be casually dressed in most Santorini restaurants. Don't be surprised if you see men in suits rubbing shoulders with people in shorts and a t-shirt.
The Greeks eat later than what you may be used to. They usually have lunch around 2pm and dinner... well, in many areas of Greece it can be hard to find a restaurant that serve before 9.30 pm.
If they do serve you at that time, you may find yourself alone in there until at least 22-22.30, at which time the locals start dropping in.
But do not worry if you don't want to eat that late. Most Santorini restaurants start serving dinner much earlier, if they don't happen to serve all day, which is common in high season. Off season could be another thing.
You should never have to feel stressed in a Santorini restaurant. They will allow you to sit there all night if you would be so inclined.
Now, what should you do about tipping? Well, it may surprise you to hear that in many of the restaurants on Santorini you will not get a dirty look if you decide not to tip. They actually don't expect you to, but if you do they will be very pleased and actually sometimes genuinely surprised at your generosity.
If you want to leave a tip, rounding up generously usually works for us. About 10% of the total bill is more than enough.
Also keep in mind when deciding how much to tip that in most restaurants a small service charge, covering your seating and usually bread and water, is already included on your bill.
Some of our favorite Santorini restaurants
Here's a few of our favorite eateries we want to share with you.
You can't go wrong with these great restaurants, but remember, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that does not satisfy your palet. On Santorini, restaurant owners are dedicated to having the greatest food and hospitality.
Without a doubt the best food we've ever had was on Santorini. We wish you the same great experience!
Sphinx Restaurant (Fira)
Hands down the best food we ever had on Santorini, well, anywhere, was at Sphinx restaurant in Fira.
Perfectly located on the edge of the caldera you will have some amazing views, especially if you time your dinner with the setting sun.
Then combine the great food and views with the outstanding hospitality of the staff and you got yourself a great dining experience.
Yes, it is not the cheapest place in Fira, but if you want to treat yourself to something extra, we think you will find it worth the few extra euros.
We are particularly crazy about the oven roasted leg of lamb, the artichokes with feta in a lemon sauce and the cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice.
Their extensive wine list includes more than 150 wines!
Taverna Katina (Ammoudi Bay)
Ask any local where you should go for the best Santorini seafood and the answer should invariably come back Ammoudi Bay.
Ammoudi is a quaint little fishing harbor beautifully located below the city of Oia.
Here you take your seat right by the water's edge and watch the fishermen bring in the catch that can be on your plate a few minutes later.
Whatever type of seafood you like, you just can't go wrong here!
There are several restaurants crammed into this little bay. Each one of them serving spectacular seafood.
We would like to especially mention Taverna Katina. It is the first restaurant as you enter the bay. Here you have a wonderful view of the bay and the hospitality is superb.
A funny fact is that the owner Kostas is one of the fishermen that goes out every morning to bring in the catch that will be on the menu later that day.
We particularly enjoyed the octopus and squid, grilled to perfection, and the fried calamari. Enjoy it with some Mythos beer and perhaps some ouzo. Yummy!
Restaurant Poseidon (Fira)
Another favorite of ours that we have visited a few times is Poseidon.
It is easily found on the main road in Fira, right next to the square.
We can't really say what we like best here, the food or the friendly atmosphere. They're both fantastic. It is such a treat to come here.
Family run Poseidon really has the sweetest staff and they will go out of their way to make sure you have the best possible experience of your night out.
Here you should not miss out on some of the local specialities, such as fried tomato balls, fava, and fried eggplant. Both fish and meat is superb here too. Just try the swordfish or the stuffed bifteki.
Poseidon is open all year.
Restaurant Simos (Firostefani)
Simos is another great Santorini restaurant that is open all year round.
This is a place where you will find scattered off season travellers gathering for some great local food and company.
In winter, a big fireplace adds to the cozy atmosphere of this place.
Here we have enjoyed some amazing spicy feta, fried tomato balls, moussaka, and pastitsio (a greek pasta dish).
The house wine at Simos was also very good.
Now, which is your favorite Santorini restaurant?
There are about three hundred restaurants on Santorini. We certainly have not tried them all, and it is not likely we will be able to either (but, oh boy if we had the time and money...!).
So, this is your chance to be our guide!
Do you have a favorite Santorini restaurant you want to tell us about? Do you know where to get the best lamb or the best grilled octopus? Please tell us, we would really like to know.
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