The Best Restaurants in Zante

The sinewed bulk of Exohora’s millennial olive tree is living proof that the world's healthiest oil has been produced on Zante for centuries and most of the local specialties – including meltingly rich beef stew sofigadoura and garlic-laden aubergine dish skordostoubi – are doused in it. Other unique homegrown ingredients include sweet white Belousiotiko onions and the tiny wild strawberries which colour the hillsides in spring. Round off any meal with the island’s spicy sheep cheese ladotiri and sherry-like Verdea wine and you’ll agree that the gastronomy of this island, where Apollo once strolled, is fit for the gods.

For further Zante inspiration, see our guides to the isalnds's best hotels, nightlife and things to do.

Blink and you’ll probably miss this tavern whose half a dozen plastic-cloth-covered tables are plonked on a bamboo-covered strip of concrete which is almost on a level with the slopping water of Zante town’s kaiki boat-dotted port. Once a hangout for the local fishermen, today this is one of the town’s best (and most expensive) seafood restaurants where globetrotting owner Giannis has incorporated numerous culinary influences to create hearty, flavour-rich dishes based on local recipes. Highlights include the cuttlefish in a garlicky, tomatoey Verdea wine sauce and the pan-fried fried sardines covered with crunchy sesame seeds.

Contact: komis-tavern.gr
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: £££
Best table: There aren’t many and they all have feet-in-the-water port views

Set in the peaceful poolside garden of one of the island’s oldest hotels, this delightfully bucolic restaurant – named for the island’s oldest eucalyptus tree which still grows here – was one of the first on the island to source ingredients locally and only feature traditional local dishes and regional – mainly organic – wines on the menu. Enthusiastic owner Maria Lougari – whose parents opened the hotel back in the ‘Nineties - is on hand to chat (and chivvy the waiters) as you dine beneath silver-leaved olive trees on succulent lamb and pasta giouvetsi, veal, onion and tomato stew moscharistifado and other traditional dishes. 

Contact: castellihotel.com
Reservations: Advised
Prices: ££
Best table: In warm weather pick a table near the pool 

A common gift from a man to his lover in ancient Greece, the humble kouneli – rabbit – is a staple of Zante cuisine. Stathmos (meaning ‘stop’) in Zante’s old Chora bus station doesn’t look like much, but this cheap and cheerful sidewalk café is locally renowned for its kouneli stifado rabbit stew: the tender rabbit chunks are marinated overnight in red wine vinegar with spices, fried in olive oil then slow cooked in a garlic-rich tomato and wine sauce. Other specials chalked up on a board daily include their salted cod served with skordalia – run like a rabbit if you want a lunchtime seat. 

Contact: 00 30 26950 24040;
Reservations: Not required
Prices: £
Best table: Any that you’re lucky enough to get

Locals flock to this popular fish restaurant overlooking the warm shallow waters of Amboula beach, which is an easy drive from Zante town. Dishes (served to stocky tables topped with blue linen tablecloths and wild flowers in vases) are cooked over the charcoal grill, or baked in the oven and served in earthenware crocks. Try the shrimp saganaki sautéed in olive oil, deglazed with fragrant aniseed ouzo, then cooked in a spicy feta and tomato sauce, or the grilled red bream, whose smokily crisp crust – which splits to reveal the tender meat inside – is served with rough cut, lemon drizzled potatoes.

Contact: 00 30 26950 62655; facebook.com
Reservations: Not required
Prices: ££
Best table: On the beachside, especially when there’s a cooling sea breeze