7 Best Restaurants in Rhodes Town, Rhodes and the Dodecanese

Alexis 4 Seasons

$$ Fodor's choice

Though known for its seafood, the handsomely decorated old rooms, beautiful walled garden, and panoramic view from the roof terrace found here are equalling enchanting. Mussels in wine, scallops in vodka sauce, shrimp risotto in an ouzo sauce, as well as simply grilled fish fill the menu. A side dish might be sautéed squash with wild glistrida (purslane), grown in the restaurant's own gardens.

To Marouli

$ | Old Town Fodor's choice

Vegans and vegetarians aren't well catered for in Greece, where the "fish option" is typically your only alternative to a tombstone-sized slab of fried cheese. But this ingenious restaurant from chef Mara Martinotti is the antidote, and she has a recipe book to boot. Vegan soy-and-lentil moussaka as light and cheesy as anything you'll ever taste accompanies the likes of bang-bang cauliflower on an ever-changing menu of bites and larger dishes. The €16 tasting menu is as filling and satisfying as anything you'll find on the island. Look out too for its new bar, Ono by Marouli, in New Town, which is also good for a veggie snack.

Marco Polo Cafe

$$ | Old Town

One of the most enchanting places to dine is the garden of this small guesthouse, where you'll want to linger amid the foliage and flowers for an entire evening. The menu features a rich lamb souvlaki and a delectable sea bass fillet with trahanoto (Greek-style risotto). Desserts lean toward Italy—in honor of the largely Italian crowd here—including a masterful semifreddo.

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Mevlana

This traditional Turkish coffee house claims to be the oldest of its kind in Europe, and has belonged to the same family for over 200 years. If the 14th-century setting and authentic decor doesn't hook you, the coffee will. This is also a shisha bar.

Nireas

Considered by many to be the finest of the city's seafood restaurants, family-run Nireas comes with little fanfare or pushiness, just impeccable service and a peaceful, vine-draped setting apart from the hubbub of the center. Prices compare well with lesser spots in the city, especially for the quality of produce, and staff won't try to hustle you into spending big, as is the case with many seafood restaurants here where bills can suddenly rocket. Good service and quality food rule. Try the Symi shrimp or battered whitebait for a hit of pure local flavor.

Phournariko

$ | Old Town

This is a nice little Greek bakery filled with myriad honey-soaked and cheese-covered treats, ranging from baklava to bagel-style kalouri and pizza-like peinirli. It's perfect for a mid-morning snack or lunchtime treat.

To Steno

When Rhodians want a traditional meal, they head to this simple little taverna on a residential street south of the walled city. Dining is in a plain room and on a sparkling-white terrace in warmer months, where you can compose a meal of such delicious mezedes as bakaliaros (salted cod) in garlic sauce, pumpkin fritters, and zucchini flowers filled with feta cheese. It's a bit of a walk, but worth it for the quality of food and to escape the hordes of the Old Town.

Rhodes and the Dodecanese

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