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Friday, September 6, 2024

Get me to the Greek! Fantastic eats in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini

Kastros in Mykonos
Kastros in Mykonos

As with all our travels, scouring the city for the best eats is critical. We would really go out of our way to check out a place to eat. Here are the best ones we had in Greece:

In Athens, I had to eat at the place tracked down by both Anthony Bourdain and Jamie Oliver -their photos are on the walls! Fortunately, the Varvakios Market, was near our hotel and while signage was in Greek, we were able to make it to the end of the meat market and find Oinomageireio Epirus. This tavern is a very simple canteen with soups, casseroles and other daily specials ordered at the counter instead of a menu. 

Oinomageireio Epirus
Oinomageireio Epirus

I got the Giouvetsi which is beef stew with Orzo. It was very tasty and hearty, a wonderful comfort food.  

Giouvetsi @Oinomageireio Epirus
Giouvetsi @Oinomageireio Epirus

Hubby got their specialty, patsas, which is a tripe soup. It is not the most appetizing (nor photogenic) of dishes and I don’t like tripe very much but hubby said it was good. He added chilli flakes and skordostoubi (vinegar marinated with garlic cloves) which made it taste even better.

Patsas @ Oinomageireio Epirus
Patsas @ Oinomageireio Epirus

We also had to have seafood so we went to Atlantikos. The alley seating was plentiful but the place was packed. This was not a surprise as the food was great and affordable. We had fried calamari and grilled big shrimps. Food was fresh and very, very tasty. I can eat there every day!

Fried Calamari @Atlantikos
Fried Calamari @Atlantikos

Grilled Big Shrimps @Atlantikos
Grilled Big Shrimps @Atlantikos

In Mykonos, hubby booked weeks in advance for a table at Kastro’s. While it is first-come, first-served with minimum order requirements for the alley end table and private balconies for the best sunset views, we managed to get one of the tables at the alley for a beautiful sunset dinner.

Sunset Dining @Kastros
Sunset Dining @Kastros

I got the grilled sea bream which was cooked perfectly. The fillet flaked off the fork and was wonderful with the bouillabaisse sauce.

Grilled Sea Bream @Kastros
Grilled Sea Bream @Kastros

Hubby got the Lamb Rack with pistachio crust drizzled with rosemary and orange sauce. Delish.

Rack of Lamb @Kastros
Rack of Lamb @Kastros

Of course, the sunset was just beautiful. Many a couple took photos at the alley as we ate our dinner.

In Santorini, we had an amazing dinner at Alati, which was right in our hotel, Vedema. The ambience in this 400-year old winery cave turned restaurant was so romantic. The chandeliers were lit by real candles and the décor was modern and very elegant. The service was superb and the food was just divine. 

Alati in Megalochori
Alati in Megalochori


We had a delicious calamari for appetizers and they also served shrimp tartare complimentary.

Calamari @Alati
Calamari @Alati

Taking off from previous, proven winners, we again had sea bream and lamb. They were even better than the ones we had in Kastro’s. Now, that may be the wine (as we had quite a few glasses coming from a wine tasting in Canava next door) talking or it may be the ambience, but everything was just perfect. We also managed to catch the last live show of the season which provided beautiful music while we dined.

wine tasting @Canava
wine tasting @Canava


Sea Bream @Alati
Sea Bream @Alati

Lamb @Alati
Lamb @Alati

We also went to the best rated restaurant in Santorini, Metaxi Mas. It was a bit out of the way at Exo Gonia. It was tricky to get there on public transit. We practically had to climb a hill! However, the food, service and ambience were worth the trip. And it had a nice view!

This time I had the grilled octopus and hubby had chicken and rice. We started with a delicious white eggplant salad with feta cheese and cherry tomatoes (white eggplant and cherry tomatoes are a must try in Santorini!). Now, Grandma will be the first to say that I do not really eat eggplant. But boy, I have never eaten or enjoyed as much eggplant as I did in Greece. I loved this salad! It was so refreshing, especially with raki!

White Eggplant salad @Metaxi Mas
White Eggplant salad @Metaxi Mas

Well, I don’t think I have to say much about octopus. It was just beautifully grilled and well-seasoned.

Grilled Octopus @Metaxi Mas
Grilled Octopus @Metaxi Mas

Hubby got the chicken and rice. How can you go wrong with perfectly seasoned crispy chicken.

I totally see why this was the best-rated restaurant in Santorini. Well-deserved accolade.

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