13 Best Restaurants in Paros and Antiparos, The Cyclades

Dining here is on an elevated veranda right above the calm blue waters of Ayios Georgios Bay. The line of drying octopus may be out, evidence of Captain Pipinos's pride in serving the freshest seafood on the island. Marcos Pipinos's family boats come in each day with fresh seafood.

Chef George Mavridis is an expert at merging the flavors of traditional Greek dishes with contemporary tastes to offer an exciting menu that is beautifully presented. The dining space, a whitewashed indoor room and garden dining area shrouded by vines, is inviting. Menus change seasonally but expect Asian and Italian flavors to sit aside the best Greek produce. Attentive and unhurried service makes for the best dining on the island.

For many repeat visitors a trip to Paros is unthinkable without a visit to Siparos. This storied eatery is along the coast of Naousa Bay in the beach town of Santa Maria and well deserves its reputation as one of the island's finest. A stunning seaside location is enhanced by an elegant and modern design. Bold, contemporary tastes are teased from traditional recipes but it is in the fish dishes that the local Paros flavors sing loudest.

Good food is enhanced here by the pretty location, a few feet from the fishing boats on Naousa's harbor. The taverna specializes in fresh fish (from the fisherman a few feet away) and also fine cuisine. Such starters as tuna carpaccio with aromatic oil and smoked salt, and grilled octopus with bucovo and caper sauce segue to complex entrées like seafood pasta with diced asparagus and saffron, or fresh fresh fish baked in a salt crust (order this in advance). For dessert, try the traditional spoon sweets made by Mario's mother.

For a calming view of Naousa harbor and a taste of Greek seafood specialties done to perfection, head to Mediterraneo. Here's the place to try traditional Greek taverna appetizers, including fresh grilled octopus and marinated anchovies, and dips like taramosalata (fish roe dip) and fava dip topped with caramelized onion, before mains that add a bit of contemporary creativity. A favorite is the dark and delicious black risotto with cuttlefish. Also delightful is the seafood orzo as well as a marinated grilled squid, crisped to perfection with the right dash of Mediterranean spices.

Tradition counts for everything at this family-run taverna. Like his parents who ran Klarinos before him, Andreas Ragoussis only uses homegrown vegetables and local meat in his dishes. Up the stairs, on the square, it has been here for years and rightly so.