11 Best Restaurants in Corfu, Greece

Both local and international dishes are on the menu at this long-established and casually elegant restaurant on the Liston arcade. Start with a plate of steamed mussels or a salad, then move on to hearty Greek and Corfiot classics. Spicy bourdetto (fish stewed with hot red pepper) and braised lamb shanks in red wine are usually on the menu. Drinks and sweets are served from midnight to 2 am.

Everyone—not just sailors—will appreciate the spectacular location of this classy restaurant, tucked under the northern wall of the Venetian-era Old Fortress beside the yacht club harbor. The food is Greek but offers twists on traditional concepts, such as a cheese pie topped with honey, in a dish straight out of ancient times. Dishes from all over Greece include Santorini-style fava dip and a salad featuring local nouboulo ham (made from pork loin in a style similar to prosciutto) and the Greek version of ricotta.

The scene is as delicious as the food in this wonderfully romantic restaurant arranged around a 17th-century well on the most beautiful little square in the Old Town. Expect creative Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, with a menu that changes regularly according to the availability of the always fresh ingredients. You will encounter unusual pastas, imaginative salads, and standout dishes such as a tart with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and goat cheese; and slow-cooked veal cheeks with ginger, lemongrass, and honey. Accompany your meal with one of the single-estate Greek wines, or choose one of the selected global vintages. Kremasti Square is difficult to find, so be sure to get very specific directions from your hotel, or once in the Old Town ask directions from a local. Reservations are essential.

Choose from whatever fish is fresh that day—it could be sea bream, mullet, sole, squid, or snapper—or choose a steak or chicken filet. Sit on the waterfront terrace and watch the boats heading in and out of the marina. It's a bit difficult to find; pass the Kontokali Bay Hotel, then go left at every junction, keeping your eyes open for the signs for "Roula."

One of the island's longest-established and most famous fish restaurants, Gerekos pulls its catch daily from the family's own boats. The choice varies each day according to the season, but the friendly staff will show you what's available and guide your choice. For a light meze, opt for marinated anchovies and delicious clams, accompanied by a salad and a crisp white wine. Other local fish dishes to try are Christo's famous fish soup, bianco (fish stewed with oil, lemon and garlic), and lobster pastitsada. The location in the centre of a village where local residents live alongside tourists, makes for a fun, if sometimes noisy, experience.

To describe a restaurant's cuisine as "international" can imply that it is bland, but no one would ever say that about La Cucina. Renowned for its Italian cooking—and particularly handmade pasta—the menu also incorporates Thai curries, a raw fish bar, quirky takes on Corfiot staples, and even nods to British cuisine. Naturally, the establishment maintains its Italian roots in the classics of the country, like carpaccio and Florentine T-bone steak, while some dishes are more contemporary, such as linguine with goat cheese, cream, mushrooms, ham, zucchini, and saffron. Tuna fillet—an Italian favorite—comes with avocado, soy sauce, and lime, a hint of Asia that segues into full-fledged Thai with the curries. Pasta and pizza are made in-house in a glass-walled kitchen. On warm evenings, outdoor tables beckon, and the wide alleyways of the location are a delicious spot for people-watching. While waiting for a table, the Oenus Bar opposite, under the same ownership, is the place to sit and enjoy a drink accompanied by mood music.

This restaurant, hidden from the road on farmland belonging to the Polymeris family, is something of a surprise because the menu is not Greek but classically French. The owner/chef, born in Corfu, worked for many years in Paris restaurants and is particularly adept with steaks. Served with an exemplary sauce of your choice, your locally sourced, organic entrecôte can be preceded by frog's legs or escargot. Some typical Greek dishes are also on offer. An extensive wine list and efficient, discreet service add to the pleasure of dining on one of the elegant garden terraces.