The summer allure of Santorini is unmatched, but the whole world knows it.
From breathtaking sunsets on Oia to the vibrant nightlife on Fira and all of the rugged beaches, donkey sightings, and olive groves in between, the island is truly brimming with beauty.
This means it’s also brimming with tourists and restaurants specifically designed to reel in said tourists.
My boyfriend and I loved Santorini so much that we visited twice in a row. The first time we fell headfirst into a series of tourist traps, but the second time around, we were wiser.
We found several local gems that were either off-the-beaten path or unassuming in appearance, but full of culinary know-how and captivating atmosphere.
Here are four authentic, fun, and local restaurants to try in Santorini Greece.
Taverna Lava
Perivolos
This was by far the best food I ate on Santorini and the tavern was never over crowded. It’s quite likely that this is because you have to arrive by car or, as we did, walk along Perivolos beach for a stretch until you reach the lonely restaurant perched right on its shore.
Lava Tavern was not only wildly romantic, but the food was divine. We ordered the house wine and the waiter, who was naturally also the owner, essentially ordered for us based on what we said we liked.
We sat there with the waves crashing to the right, drinking delicious wine, and dining on melt-in-your mouth tomatoes, stuffed grape leaves, fresh sardines and mussels, sea bream, and more.
The restaurant was very affordable, and so picture perfect that we felt like we were on our honeymoon. We came here twice during our week-long trip. It was that good.
Salt n’ Pepper
Fira
Salt n’ Pepper doesn’t look like much from the outside. This petite little tavern in Fira is easy to walk past without doing a double take, but the food is phenomenal.
They have an inexpensive menu of traditional Greek dishes and seafood, making it the perfect place to try a number of local specialties.
The eccentric and lovely Irene takes orders and her husband whips them up in the kitchen. They like to take a photo of all of their guests and post them on their Facebook page, which I find endlessly adorable.
After being the very last two people in the place, we ended up chatting with Irene for a bit.
I’d say she took a liking to us as well because she went and grabbed the jar full of candy next to the cash register, walked back to us and said to me like a drill sergeant “open your purse”.
Confused and laughing, I did and she dumped the contents of the candy jar straight into it.
Read also: What to Do in Santorini
Santorini Mou
Oia
My boyfriend and I were serenaded and sent into a culinary stupor at this delightful tavern on Oia.
For an evening of delicious Greek dishes accompanied by a cheeky side of entertainment, Santorini Mou is your best bet. After watching the sunset in Oia, you can walk to this musical tavern that’s just outside of the main drag for some traditional Greek fare in a semi outdoor setting.
It’s possible that this place is still a bit touristy, but we were both utterly charmed by it. Maybe because the owner and one of his friends made us sit in two plastic chairs in front of everyone while they sang us folk songs, at one point even chanting our names. That’s the kind of thing you don’t forget.
They also gave us a signed copy of their homemade CD. We walked away from this restaurant full, flushed, and laughing.
Kali Kardia
Arkotiri
This is the only restaurant on the list that I haven’t been to myself, but it’s high on my list for my next trip to the island.
Located away from the main tourist areas on the way to the old lighthouse, Kali Kardia, which means “good heart” is a family style tavern serving up traditional Greek fare. I read about it in this very convincing article by a regular visitor and I was upset I didn’t get around to try it out myself.
From what I understand, the food is all organically grown on the island and the tavern is run by a family. You can’t get more authentic than that.
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