As the largest island in the Greek Dodecanese chain, Rhodes has incredible experiences to offer visitors when it comes to history, culture and Mediterranean food. On a recent trip to Greece, we sampled the local cuisine at many excellent restaurants throughout Rhodes as part of our research for our upcoming Davidsbeenhere travel guide of the island. Delicious to say the least, the cuisine has been tied to the sea for thousands of years. Olive oil, tomatoes, fresh fish and fragrant herbs define the gastronomy. Top it all off with a pitcher of house white wine, and you’ve got an authentic Rhodian feast.
Check out our list of Top 5 Things to Do in Rhodes
We’ve compiled our top 5 restaurants in Rhodes. Some are fancier than others, but all do great justice to the long-standing culinary traditions of the island.
Few restaurants in Rhodes Old Town enjoy the reputation that Dinoris (Platia Mousiou) has built up over the last 20 years. Longtime owner, Stratos Dinoris, along with his daughter Dimitra, and grandson George, take great pride in preserving Dinoris’s legacy. The restaurant is situated inside an old horse stable used by the Knights of Saint John. The menu offers zesty salads, hand cut potato fries, grilled fish, mixed seafood platters, and homemade desserts. Dine outside on the shaded terrace or inside the elegant dining room adorned with photos of celebrities posing with Stratos throughout the years. €45 – €65 per person. Dinner reservations recommended.
Why we love it: Framed photos of international celebrities that have dined here, including actor Anthony Hopkins, adorn the walls.
Info: Platia Mousiou, Rhodes Old Town
Price range: € 45 – €65 per person
Mimakos (Kilometer 18 between on Rhodes-Lindos Highway, just before Lindos Golf Course) is a charming taverna in Afantou village that is best known for its lively Greek nights. Mimakos is perched high on a hill overlooking the town. Named after the owner, Mimakos serves up good old-fashioned meze and home cooked favorites such as moussaka and zucchini fritters. The honey glazed smoked sausage is a family recipe and a favorite among diners. Try to call ahead and reserve a table out on the terrace on a Greek night – when local dancers and musicians entertain you with traditional Greek dances (usually Tuesdays). €10 – €15 per person. Reservations recommended.
If you make it to Lindos, do not pass up the opportunity to dine at the award-winning Mavrikos Restaurant. You can’t miss it; Mavrikos is located in the main plateia (square) of Lindos town, next to the taxi station. The restaurant features a beautiful whitewashed courtyard and ocean views. Since 1912, the Mavrikos family has run the restaurant, which is known for its rustic gourmet, recipes such as bulgur with minced octopus and baked gigantes (butter beans). Michalis and Dimitri Mavrikos take great pride in using the freshest and highest quality ingredients from the island and from other parts of Greece. This is definitely one of the top restaurants in Rhodes, and arguably in the country as well. €13 – €26 per person.
Why we love it: Mavrikos is a great escape from the crowded streets of Lindos town, plus the bulgur with minced octopus dish is to die for!
Info: Main Square, Lindos town
Price range: €13 – €26 per person (main dishes)
Mimakos (Kilometer 18 between on Rhodes-Lindos Highway, just before Lindos Golf Course) is a charming taverna in Afantou village that is best known for its lively Greek nights. Mimakos is perched high on a hill overlooking the town. Named after the owner, Mimakos serves up good old-fashioned meze and home cooked favorites such as moussaka and zucchini fritters. The honey glazed smoked sausage is a family recipe and a favorite among diners. Try to call ahead and reserve a table out on the terrace on a Greek night – when local dancers and musicians entertain you with traditional Greek dances (usually Tuesdays). €10 – €15 per person. Reservations recommended.
Why we love it: Mimakos hosts Greek nights. Local dancers perform to traditional Greek songs. Call ahead to make sure you reserve a table on a show night. Oh, and the smoked sausage with honey sauce is delicious (pictured above.)
Info: Kilometer 18 Rhodes-Lindos Highway, just before the Lindos Golf Course
Price range: €10 – €15 per person
Master chef Mixalis Koubiatis shows off his creations at this upscale restaurant tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trap eateries in Rhodes Old Town. Traditional with a twist is the theme of the food. This isn’t a laid back taverna, instead it’s a gourmet journey through Greek cuisine. Chef Koubiatis is the recipient of many distinguished awards for his reinvention of Greek dishes, so be prepared for slightly higher than average prices. Good balance of seafood and meat dishes. Dinner reservations are recommended.
Why we love it: Guests can choose their food selections from a very tempting platter.
Info: Menekleous, 22 Rhodes Old Town
Price range: €25 – €50 per person
To Nissaki (at the end of the Old Port, Kolymbia Beach) is a family-owned fish tavern located at the end of the road to Kolymbia’s old port. To Nissaki, which means “little island,” proves that not every good restaurant is a fancy one. Open since 1954, To Nissaki serves up fresh-caught, no frills seafood like fried calamari, Symi shrimp, and grilled octopus. When the tide is low it is possible to eat right on the sand with the waves lapping inches from your feet. Guests can enjoy a laid-back lunch or a candlelit dinner. The docked fishing boats and surrounding rock formations give this place a certain charm that you can only find in the Greek islands. €8 – €15 per person, or €60 for a seafood platter for two.
The restaurants mentioned are by no means a complete list of places to eat in Rhodes. We recommend asking locals for their personal recommendations as a way to avoid tourist traps.
Why we love it: Traditional seafood meze like fried calamari and Symi shrimp, as well as a killer tzatziki sauce.
Info: Old port, Kolymbia
Price range: €8 – €15 per person, or €60 for a seafood platter for two
So there you have our top 5 restaurants in Rhodes, each with its own distinct charm and specialty dishes. Rhodes is a wonderful place for experiencing the gastronomic diversity of the iconic Greek islands. The ingredients haven’t changed much over the course of history, but it takes talented, dedicated people to bring the food culture to life. If you haven’t been to Rhodes yet, put it on your list. Your stomach will be glad you did.
Did you like our list of top 5 restaurants in Rhodes? Leave us a question or comment below!
To the best of our knowledge, all of the information provided in this post was accurate at the time of publishing. Davidsbeenhere.com, LLC. assumes no responsibility for changes or errors. Special thanks to the Kolymbia Bay Art Hotel.
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Rhodes: outstanding family destination that history nerds will love – Have Child Will Travel says:
[…] Yep, a warm welcome certainly awaits as you, and your family, set foot on this gem of an island. The inhabitants of Rhodes simply love kids. Well, most of the inhabitants we met, anyway. As we travelled, we began to feel like an entourage, hired minders for a tiny, demanding rock-star. Waiting staff and locals alike took one look at our curly blonde side-kick and proceeded to lavish him with sweets, chocolates, ice-creams and cakes. Towards the end of our stay, I had to employ a certain amount of ingenuity to ensure aforementioned child did not slide into obesity due to the sheer volume of sugary treats bestowed upon him. Be forewarned: food is plentiful on the island, and reasonably priced, so be prepared to eat. […]
irene legault says:
You have great photos and articles, I love you!
Makes you feel like you are there already!
Can I use your photos if I mention your credit somehow, I have a FB page Sailing With Irene
I am a very small concierge type service for Canadians 🙂
Thanks, and wishing yo the very best year ever 🙂