7 Best Restaurants in Zakynthos, Greece

Nestled a couple of kilometers up the coast in the quiet village of Akrotiri, where the breezes offer welcome respite from the humidity back in town, is the best-value dining experience on the island. The raised views here are spectacular, and best enjoyed as the sun melts over the sea. The service can be a little aloof, but the setting is exquisite and the seafood-heavy menu (sea bass, lobster pasta, steamed mussels) is well balanced by more homespun fare, such as the Zakynthian rabbit. Magical.

A leafy family-run taverna in the countryside of Vasilikos that hits every comfort-food sweet spot. You'll need a car to get there, though it's just a 15-minute walk from the peninsula's namesake village. Homemade tsipouro and organic produce from their own farm enlighten a menu thick with Greek classics, from rustic kreatopita pie to juicy slow-cooked lamb.

The entrance to this well-hidden fine-dining restaurant nestles discreetly between two bars, but it's worth finding. A courtyard terrace so hip you can taste it in the air is the setting for an adventurous Greek-fusion affair with a superb wine list and dazzling cocktails (from €12). Plump for the sous vide catch of the day or the unbelievably flavorsome Moroccan-inspired chicken. The menu draws on local, European and Middle Eastern influences for some of the most creative dishes on the island—albeit with prices to match. A bill for two rarely dips below €120.

This friendly family-run spot is named for the 2,000-year-old dopia olive tree that grows in the front yard. It's the perfect retreat for a cool drink or a home-cooked meal in a nicely shaded garden terrace. They also sell their own honey.

The best dining in the south is found around Kalamaki. Essence is the pick of the bunch, with a creative tapas menu that goes its own way, skipping from Gallicia-style octopus to goat's cheese pimped with chorizo. Look out for the lamb chops with tahini yogurt and rose harissa, which are a delight worth traveling for.

Zakynthos port might not look to be the most appealing setting at first, but you'd be surprised. Nestled in a corner of its own, lapped by sapphire waters, this small quayside eatery is a well-hidden delight. Ingredients are fresh and the quality always good, if a little pricier than elsewhere. From smoked eel to pickled lakerda, the selection of seafood is varied and accompanied by plenty of comforting greek standbys. The local wine selection is invariably excellent as well.

The slightly chintzy Cath Kidston-meets-seaside-beach-hut vibe belies a stylish menu filled with organic, gluten-free, and vegan goodies. Its popular brunch perhaps explains away the peppy decor, but in the evening it comes into its own with a delicious feta in an oat crust whetting the appetite for a wealth of excellent Greek pasta dishes and succulent chops.