Corfu Town is one of the most enchanting, historically important and architecturally fascinating locations in the Greek islands. It is where Western influences, prominently present throughout this gorgeous Ionian island, are more palpable than anywhere else. It is a place teeming with music, stately homes, elegance and sophistication that are on par with similarly admirable features in some of the most famous seaside resorts in neighbouring Italy.
In this cosmopolitan setting, all roads lead to an unparalleled all-day destination that looks out to the island’s crystal-clear waters from an elevated wooden deck, where the sounds and aura of summer gently permeate from all directions. Chances are that whoever you may ask in the main town will know how to direct you to the sun-drenched Imabari Corfu.
We arrive early in the morning to savour the first tranquil dip of the day in idyllic surroundings that look as though they have been replicated from the pages of a novel set in a dreamy place with a captivating Mediterranean backdrop. It goes without saying that we made sure to book our reservation in advance online – we wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
Relaxing sun loungers on the front deck await us. From there, several step-ladders lead into waters so glassy that they are completely transparent. As you swim, you can count every small and large stone on the seabed, and when you raise your eyes, you’ll see the fantastic Old Fortress “hanging” above your head, an inseparable, living piece of history on this incredible, multifaceted island.
After our first dip, it’s time for some sunbathing and the first coffee of the day, before the sun soars high in the sky. Along with a delectable cappuccino freddo, we order an invigorating breakfast bowl from the carefully crafted menu, which will keep us satisfied and full of energy for many hours. Alternatively, you can choose the protein-rich Egg Plt dish with sourdough bread, pastrami, and a fried egg, served with a refreshing salad. There are still plenty of choices on the lunch menu, from authentic Italian Pinsa to tasty burgers and club sandwiches.
We find ourselves in an alluring, distinctive spot in the centre of another magnificent reality. The summer experience of Imabari Corfu gleams and glows in the heart of the grand, radiant Corfiot summer. A summer within a summer. It is this irresistible sensation that has made Imabari Corfu a truly unique and hugely popular destination for locals and visitors alike over the past decade. Offering the feeling that from the moment you set foot on the deck and gaze at the sea, you have entered a world unto itself, completely detached from the pressures of daily life, a world where time flows at its own pace.
It’s this sensation that compels us to want to return to the sun-drenched sunbeds or tables of Imabari Corfu time and time again. And, of course, also the exceptional, imaginative signature cocktails prepared at the bar from morning to night, which arrive at our side perfectly chilled and utterly delectable, making our days and nights on Corfu more relaxing and even sweeter. The Mango Tango cocktail, a blend of gin, ginger, citrus sorbet and mango, certainly stands out, as does the Walking Dead, with rum, lime, passion fruit puree, and pineapple; not to mention the signature Ima Negroni, a mixture of gin, martini, and sweet spices.
As the sun gently moves towards its slumber, casting an orange-hued glow over the water, it’s probably time for a dinner overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea, from a menu carefully curated by the award-winning chef Yiannis Liokas. At the Imabari Corfu restaurant, from 19:00 onwards, we savour superbly presented dishes, imbued with a potent Mediterranean character. Seafood and fresh fish take centre stage, along with delectable pasta and splendidly cooked vegetables that arrive at our table directly from Corfiot soil. The sea bass ceviche, salmon fillet, beef tagliata and spicy rub chicken are all expertly crafted with Yiannis Liokas’s gastronomic flair and are certainly worth a try.
Life in summer is sweet. And it’s well worth spending it by the salinity of the sea. Let every moment unfurl in a serene, romantic, and luminous fashion at a spot in Corfu that has it all and feels much more like a summer destination than just another beach bar on a lovely Greek island. Purchase colourful beach towels, a hat, and a new swimsuit from the Imabari Boutique and embrace the joy of the loveliest season of the year with unadulterated ceremoniousness. It’s the place everyone wants to reach early on, but no one wants to leave until late into the night.
Faliraki, Corfu, 49100
Opening Hours: Daily 09:30 – 02:00
Reservations: +30-2661-100340
Online reservations via Website, Facebook or Instagram or via i-host: https://www.i-host.gr/reservations/new?restaurant=1207
