On Skiathos, dinner is a sunset ritual. The island’s cliff-side tavernas and barefoot-smart bistros spill onto whitewashed terraces, the Aegean glittering like cut glass just beyond the tables. One night might mean grilled lavraki pulled from the bay that morning, drizzled with neon-green olive oil; the next, a candle-lit courtyard where Cycladic minimalism frames plates of citrus-cured tuna and garden herbs.
Whether you’re chasing the brine of a perfect taramosalata or the crunch of tempura zucchini blossoms, Skiathos serves it with an easy, insider hospitality—staff who remember your wine, music set to the murmur of the tide, and a breeze perfumed with wild thyme. In short: every appetite, every mood, one glittering island dining scene.
01
The Borzoi
This all-day café by the harbor pulls you in with its breezy charm and keeps you there with its laid-back vibe and unpretentious style. Sunlight and shade play through the pines while you sip cold beer or a well-built cocktail. Small plates are where the flavor lives: nduja-laced anchovies, silky fava, juicy tomato layered with mozzarella and basil, pizzetta with a whisper of chorizo. Everything feels fresh but familiar, easy to share and hard to forget. A place you think about even before you’ve left.
Papadiamadi Street, Chora
02
Kalo Pigadi
Behind the school, past the hum of town, you’ll find this tucked-away ouzeri where islanders come for a quiet bite and a full table. The décor leans maritime and modest—nets on the wall, a striped tent overhead—but the food tells stories of the sea. Cod with garlic mash, cuttlefish and zucchini in olive oil, shrimp fritters fried crisp and golden. Don’t skip the pickled octopus or grilled skipjack, and if you catch them on the right day, the cuttlefish eggs and stuffed island zucchini are a rare delight.
Karaiskaki 9, Chora
03
Exantas
A veranda with a view, a story rooted in family, and a kitchen that speaks in modern Greek. You’re close enough to hear the sea but far from anything flashy. The brothers behind it walked away from academia and into something warmer—serving dishes that are bold, thoughtful, and proudly local. You might find red porgy wrapped in onion textures or garden-fresh creations with a seasonal spin. The atmosphere is slow, sincere, and made for lingering. Come early, stay long, and taste how personal good cooking can be.
Megali Ammos House, Megali Ammos, Chora
04
Agnadio
Perched above Skiathos Town, Agnadio offers a serene dining experience with panoramic views of the island and sea. The menu features traditional Greek dishes with a modern twist, such as fried feta wrapped in filo with fig jam, lamb chops, and seafood risotto. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available, including mushroom pasta and fava dip. The elegant decor and attentive service create a welcoming atmosphere, making it a favorite for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable meal away from the bustling town center.
Vigles, Chora
05
Amfiliki
High above the bay, with a view that folds out across the Aegean, this tavern delivers not just scenery but deep island heritage. The menu is a quiet ode to Skiathos: slow-stewed grouper with melting tomato, sweet zucchini pairing with lobster, sea bream braised in onion, and smoked monkfish liver with a briny edge. Everything feels like it came from memory—passed down, not written out. The family behind it cooks with intention and roots, reminding you why this kind of food matters.
Akropolis Skiáthou
Acropolis (Behind the Health Center)
06
Marmita
Behind a bold red gate and beneath a canopy of bougainvillea, this courtyard hums with conversation and clinking glasses most nights of the week. A former townhouse garden now sets the stage for Greek cooking with a twist—vegan moussaka that’s anything but an afterthought, calamari tangled with capers and wild greens, and ceviche that zings with citrus and sea. It’s the kind of place that feels both relaxed and refined, where tradition meets a touch of surprise, and every dish carries a bit of sunshine.
Evangelistrias 30, Chora
07
Windmill
Set inside one of Skiathos’ oldest buildings—a restored 1880 windmill rising above the town—this spot pairs jaw-dropping views with a menu that shifts with the season. The cooking draws from both sides of the Atlantic: think seared salmon with lemon gremolata, slow-braised lamb with herbs from the hills, and house-made hummus brightened with local citrus. You’ll also find the occasional burger or classic dessert sneaking in. It’s romantic without being fussy, with wraparound views of the sea and scattered islands that make the climb worthwhile.
Kontroni, Above Skiathos Town
08
Diamanti
Only reachable by boat, this barefoot escape looks effortless but is built with care. You’ll eat on decks anchored to trees, surrounded by hammocks, sea air, and people who know how to disappear for a while. The food is humble in origin but plated with thought—stuffed zucchini blossoms with herbs and rice, fish grilled with wild greens, homemade stews with island vegetables. There’s always something off-menu from the owner’s mother’s kitchen, cooked low and slow. Somehow, even the salt tastes better here.
Koutsouri Beach, Diamanti
09
T’Akroyiali
Set directly above the water on a wooden deck, this taverna lives at the edge of town and the edge of the tide. The tables are rarely empty, the faces behind the counter familiar, and the hospitality unmistakable. Fish come straight from the sea—sometimes even from friends’ boats—and turn into grilled octopus, mussel pilaf, Alonnisos tuna, and a deeply satisfying baked cod in tomato. It’s not about reinvention here. It’s about trust, tradition, and knowing that what’s on your plate was swimming earlier.
Paraliakos Skiathou
10
Anatoli
High on a hilltop with views stretching to Skopelos and beyond, this family-run taverna serves food that tastes like your grandmother’s best Sunday. The kind of flavors that don’t follow trends—just time. Braised goat, cinnamon-scented soutzoukakia, stuffed courgette flowers, spiral pies, and vinegary anchovies with foraged greens. Everything here has roots: recipes passed from mother to daughter, memories folded into filo. You won’t find polished plates or a playlist—just honest food cooked with hands that remember.
Kalyvia
