Santorini Food Safari: Best Dishes, Taverns & Sunset Spots

Santorini is a feast for the senses, and not just because of its famous sunsets. With its volcanic soil, age-old culinary traditions, and a new generation of chefs making waves, the island has evolved into a leading food destination. You might be hunting down fresh street snacks or sipping local wine at sunset, or booking a seat at a fine-dining hotspot; there's no shortage of flavour-packed experiences to uncover. Either way, Santorini offers no shortage of flavour-packed experiences.

This Santorini food guide will take you through what to eat, where to find it, and how to make the most of your very own Santorini food safari.

Must-try local dishes in Santorini

Traditional Santorini fava topped with onions and olive oil, served as a meze dish in a local taverna

The flavours of Santorini come straight from the land. Thanks to the island’s unique volcanic soil and climate, its local produce is small but mighty. These are the traditional dishes every traveller should try:

Fava: Creamy yellow split pea puree, often served with caramelised onions and a drizzle of local olive oil. This dish has been a staple on the island for generations and is considered a symbol of Santorini's food heritage.
Domatokeftedes: Tomato fritters made from Santorini's famously sweet cherry tomatoes. These are often served as meze and are loved for their crisp exterior and rich, herby interior.
Chloro cheese: A soft, fresh goat or sheep cheese, usually served in salads or as a spread. It has a mild flavour and is often made in small batches by local families.
Kopania: Nutty barley and sesame snacks rolled into balls. Often enjoyed with coffee, they reflect the island’s love of rustic and simple flavours.
Melitinia: A local Easter sweet made from cheese, sugar and mastic. These delicate treats are beautifully aromatic and baked until golden brown.

Other noteworthy dishes include “brantada”, fried cod, sweet spoon desserts made with almonds and honey, and the seasonal pastry “zafristi tyropita,” flavoured with wild herbs. Each dish offers a glimpse into how islanders have made the most of limited resources, using preservation, fermentation and bold seasoning to stretch seasonal ingredients.

Don’t leave the island without trying these regional highlights. Many of them also appear on our list of 10 must-try foods in Greece.

Santorini street food and where to find it

Person holding two Greek souvlakia with grilled meat and salad filling, typical Greek street food

Craving a snack between sightseeing stops? The island’s street food scene is simple, satisfying and affordable:

Gyros and souvlaki: Found everywhere from Fira to Perissa. Look for grilled meats wrapped in pita with tomato, onion, chips and tzatziki. Try Lucky's Souvlakis in Fira or Pitogyros in Oia for a flavourful, budget-friendly meal.
Spanakopita and tiropita: These spinach or cheese-filled pastries are great for breakfast on the go. Bakeries like Svoronos in Fira serve fresh batches from early morning.
Tiganopsomo: A local fried bread snack, often filled with cheese or herbs. These are popular in smaller villages, often found at roadside stalls.

Street food in Santorini offers a practical way to experience the island’s Greek food culture without committing to a sit-down meal. For the best street food in Santorini, head to Fira’s main square or explore the alleys of Oia. These are ideal options if you're wondering where to eat in Santorini on a budget while still enjoying authentic flavours.

Traditional taverns to try in Santorini

Dining tables at Aktaion Taverna in Firostefani, a historic family-run restaurant serving Santorini cuisine

No Santorini food tour is complete without a few long, lazy meals in a traditional taverna. These spots are the soul of the island’s food culture and are the best places to explore true Santorini cuisine:

Aktaion Taverna (Firostefani): Family-run for over a century, this place serves old-school Santorini dishes like stuffed vine leaves, zucchini rolls, and caper-spiked pasta. The atmosphere is intimate and nostalgic.
Meze Meze (Finikia): A quiet, stone-walled courtyard with shared plates and local wine. Their tomato fritters and fava are customer favourites.
Roza’s (Vourvoulos): High-quality Greek fare with changing seasonal menus based on local produce. You’ll find specialties from across Greece, including lamb chops and regional pies.

Inland villages such as Pyrgos, Finikia and Exo Gonia are great places to discover hidden gems. These taverns are where local families gather, and the experience is more personal and authentic. Expect slower service, homemade wine, and recipes passed down through generations.

Where to enjoy Santorini’s best sunset dinners

Taverna-style Santorini dinner with wine, grilled seafood, and Cycladic views at sunset

The food’s important, but let’s be honest, everyone wants that view. These Santorini restaurants offer the best of both: exceptional cuisine paired with stunning sunset backdrops.

Lauda (Oia): Sophisticated tasting menus with strong Cycladic influences and world-class wine pairings. Located within the Andronis Boutique Hotel, this is one of the island’s most romantic dining spots.
Fly Away Creative Restaurant (Imerovigli): Ideal for a romantic dinner with uninterrupted sunset views. The menu features creative Mediterranean dishes, often presented with theatrical flair.
Lycabettus (Oia): Dine on a dramatic balcony perched on the Caldera edge, with dishes that match the setting. Expect lobster, Wagyu beef and intricate desserts.

Other notable mentions include Varoulko Santorini at the Grace Hotel and Elements at Canaves Oia Epitome. If you’re after the best sunset dinner spots in Santorini, you’ll find them in Oia and Imerovigli. Just make sure to book ahead, especially between June and September.

Santorini wineries and food pairings

Thanks to its volcanic soil, strong winds and arid climate, Santorini produces some of Greece’s most distinctive wines. The star of the show is Assyrtiko: a crisp, mineral-rich white that pairs beautifully with seafood and salads. Other varietals include Athiri, Aidani and the dessert wine Vinsanto.

Wine lovers should consider visiting:

SantoWines (Pyrgos): The island’s largest wine cooperative offers guided tastings of volcanic wines on a terrace overlooking the caldera, with options to pair local products.
Artemis Karamolegos Winery (Exo Gonia): Pair a glass of Santorini wine with local pork dishes or creamy fava. Their on-site restaurant, Aroma Avlis, serves excellent food and wine pairings.
Boutari Winery: Offers tours, tastings, and food pairings showcasing the region’s PDO products. One of the most established wineries on the island.
Estate Argyros (Episkopi Gonia): Known for its historic vineyards and elegant Assyrtiko. Tastings often include cheese and charcuterie pairings.

Many wineries also offer views over vineyards or the sea. A wine tour can easily become a highlight of your trip. If you're planning a day of tasting, consider booking a guided Santorini food tour that includes transport, tastings and local insights.

For more ideas beyond Santorini, check out our list of 10 Greek islands to visit. You can also explore all our Inspiring Vacations tours and start planning your next food-filled journey through Greece.

Healthy and vegetarian-friendly Santorini eats

Greek salad with feta, tomato fritters, tzatziki, and assorted meze on a table in a Santorini taverna

Santorini is a great destination for travellers seeking fresh, wholesome meals. Local cuisine leans heavily on vegetables, legumes and grilled seafood, making it ideal for those avoiding heavy or processed foods.

Healthy options to look for include:

Grilled white eggplant with garlic and olive oil
Greek salads with chloro cheese or fresh goat’s cheese
Stewed legumes like lentils or chickpeas with herbs
Grilled or baked fish served with capers, greens and lemon sauce

For a nourishing start, try a traditional Santorini breakfast of yoghurt, fruit, barley rusks and thyme honey. Health-conscious travellers can also find smoothie bowls, herbal teas and cold-pressed juices in trendy cafes around Fira and Kamari.

Looking for a relaxed, scenic spot for Santorini brunch? Try To Briki in Firostefani or Galini Café in Imerovigli, where you’ll get healthy dishes and sweeping views.

Build your own Santorini food safari

To create your perfect Santorini food safari, consider splitting your meals across regions. This way, you’ll experience the island’s diversity in both cuisine and setting:

Morning in Fira: Pick up a pastry or savoury pie from a bakery like Svoronos. Explore the market stalls and grab a fresh juice.
Afternoon in the vineyards: Head inland for lunch at a winery like Estate Argyros or Gavalas Winery. Enjoy a relaxed meal and learn about Santorini’s wine traditions.
Evening in Oia: Book a table at a cliffside restaurant. Enjoy seafood and local wines as the sun dips below the horizon.

A few golden Santorini food safari tips:

Don’t skip the local bakery. Many sell regional sweets like melitinia, koufeto and almond biscuits.
Lunchtime starts late. Greeks often eat lunch after 2 pm and dinner around 9 pm.
Share dishes. Meze-style dining allows you to sample more flavours and is how most locals eat.
Ask for recommendations. Locals love to share their favourite spots and they’ll often lead you to hidden gems.

Ready to taste your way through Greece?

Santorini is just one slice of Greece’s incredible culinary landscape. From the bold flavours of Crete to the seafood feasts of the Dodecanese, there’s a whole country of tastes waiting to be explored. You might be drawn to sun-drenched islands, mountain villages, or vibrant city markets—wherever your appetite leads, Greece offers something delicious at every turn.

Explore even more of the country’s rich culinary traditions with our full range of Greece tours, covering every corner from the mainland to the islands. You can also combine your island adventure with a visit to Turkey on the 18 Day Ancient Greece and Turkey Small Group Tour, or browse more immersive itineraries tailored to food and culture lovers.

Santorini food safari: where and what to eat