Dining in Mykonos is not just about eating delicious food; it is about the entire experience. Mykonos oozes style, energy, and charm, so of course, its restaurant scene is something to behold and savor. Choosing where to eat in Mykonos shouldn’t be an afterthought, as every meal is an opportunity to experience something incredible.
While there are restaurants of all kinds to savor, the seafood on Mykonos is a highlight. So here are five of our absolute favorite locations for a delicious seafood extravaganza.
#1: Buddha Bar
Few places exemplify the perfect Mykonos lifestyle like the trendy Buddha-Bar Beach at Santa Marina Resort & Villas. Out on the deck, soak in the expansive views of the private beach of Santa Marina as the chefs prepare out-of-this-world seafood to tantalize your taste buds.
It’s impossible to forget you’re in stunning Mykonos as you dine at the Buddha-Bar Beach. The decor is approachable yet elegant, with contemporary touches and a breezy feel. The natural textures blend perfectly with the stunning surrounds, bringing the beauty of the ocean into the restaurant.
By day, the sea appears dazzlingly blue, while it gradually shifts in hue as the sun drops in the evening. A cocktail from the mixologist behind the bar is perhaps the best accompaniment to a Mykonos sunset – although the beats of the world-class DJs are fabulous, too.
There are few better ways to enjoy a scrumptious seafood feast than surrounded by dazzling ocean views, the sea breeze carrying through the semi-open restaurant. The cuisine on offer here is Mediterranean and Greek fusion, featuring innovative new approaches and tastes from the east.
On the menu, you’ll find a tantalizing selection of dishes including scrumptious seafood platters. Featuring fresh and indulgent seafood options including lobster, octopus, oysters, and prawns, the menu at Buddha-Bar Beach is sure to delight any seafood lover. Of course, there are other mouthwatering options available should you prefer.
Once you’ve finished a delicious dinner (don’t forget to consult the indulgent dessert menu!), you can complete the experience by staying to soak in the beats of the word-class DJ, which continues on until the wee hours.
The Buddha Bar is open 1:00pm – 7:00pm, and 8:00pm – 1:00am every day.
#2: Koursaros
Following on from the success of their Athens establishment, Koursaros has brought their signature menu and style to Mykonos’ old town.
While Koursaros has a sleek modern style, its principles and approach to food is timeless. There’s an emphasis on fresh, delicious cuisine paired with warm and attentive Greek hospitality. It’s no wonder that Koursaros has quickly become a go-to for delectable seafood in Mykonos.
The sleek interior of the restaurant oozes style, with the polished concrete and light tones giving it a dramatic and ultra-modern feel, while plants and blue accents hint at the restaurant’s island setting. The carefully curated furnishings complete the lavish décor.
As well as the spacious restaurant, Koursaros also offers a cocktail bar with a dazzling cocktail menu featuring the classics, as well as some house specialties. It’s the perfect place to sip a drink as you wait for your table or make an excursion to enjoy the ambiance at the bar.
It would be a shame, however, to miss the innovative and delectable seafood menu. Koursaros is true to their roots, serving mainly Mediterranean dishes that allow the freshness and flavors of the seafood to speak for themselves. Yet, Koursaros is not afraid to borrow and blend; there’s also a brilliant sushi menu, too.
It’s impossible to go wrong with the menu, however, the Red Snapper, served by the kilo, is a true delight.
Koursaros is open 6:00 pm – 1:00 am every day.
NIM Architects (Architecture & Interior Design)
George Fakaros (photography)
George Fakaros (photography)
#3: Kuzina
Nothing says vacation like enjoying scrumptious flavors right on the beach, your toes in the sand and the sound of the waves in your ear.
This is the experience on offer at breezy Kuzina, which offers beach dining as well as seating on its spacious decked area. The light and airy restaurant is delightful in its simplicity, allowing its gorgeous surrounds to be the star of the show. And a star it is – the ocean views are magical.
Kuzina is unabashedly inspired by the humble kitchen; a room meant for preparing delicious meals to be shared with family and friends. This is the ethos behind the restaurant, which offers delectable cuisine in an airy and approachable setting.
It’s ideal for a long, lazy lunch, or for watching the sun drop below the Aegean Sea. Of course, the sunset is best enjoyed with a cocktail from the bar, or perhaps a wine from the extensive list, in-hand.
As the sun dims, the music becomes louder, creating a buzzing atmosphere on the shores of Ornos Beach. It truly is the ideal setting for a delectable dinner, followed by the sounds of the DJ and perhaps dancing into the early morning.
The world-renowned chefs at Kuzina have created a menu that fuses authentic Mediterranean traditions with innovative new approaches to food, and even flavors from the east. The flavors of delicious local seafood are complemented by flavors such as ginger, soy or sweet chili, while a delectable sushi menu is another highlight.
It’s then just a matter of watching the night turn into the morning, right on the beachfront in a little slice of paradise.
Kuzina is open 8:00 am – 1:00 am every day except Sunday when it closes at 12:00 am.
#4: Nammos
Nammos invites you to soak up the good life, and it’s not hard when you’re surrounded by the stunning beach and sampling a delicious menu.
The absolute beachfront beckons, calling you to dine on tables nestled into the sands of the shore. The décor is effortless and approachable, complementing the stunning setting and allowing the atmosphere of the beach to shining. In the distance, the sweeping views and aqua sun umbrellas ooze that magical Mykonos charm.
The setting has also inspired a menu that has been meticulously put together by the culinary team. Ultra-fresh seafood and innovative flavors are hallmarks of the menu; each dish designed to highlight the delectable tastes of the sea.
It’s impossible to go wrong with the delightful menu, however, the seafood spaghetti is a true treat. Featuring carefully prepared fresh sauces infused with mouthwateringly fresh local seafood, it’s a meal you won’t soon forget.
As well as the sumptuous restaurant, there’s also an electric bar to enjoy, perhaps as the sun sets over Mykonos and the party begins. Inspired by the breezy and luxurious yacht life, the bar at Nammos serves up a dazzling menu of summer-inspired cocktails and an expansive wine list. It’s the perfect place to venture over towards after a delectable meal at the restaurant.
That’s because, at Nammos, a stunning seafood dinner is just the beginning of an unforgettable night soaking in the sounds of Mykonos, the sights of the beach, and the feeling of dancing the night away on this enchanting island.
Nammos Restaurant is open from 1:00 pm – late every day.
#5: Tsaf
There are some places that are about the glitz and the glamour, and there are some that offer simple food and hospitality. Tsaf is the latter, and that’s what we love about it.
Enjoy the true Greek taverna experience with humble Tsaf, a hidden jewel tucked away in Ano Mera. Here, the dinnerware is modest, and the furnishings are rustic, giving you a sense of a home away from home. In many ways, it’s like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen.
The atmosphere is helped by the fact that this is a family-run business; it is indeed someone’s grandmother cooking away in the kitchen. The smiles here are genuine and the welcome is warm – plus, the setting in a quaint old village is a unique and memorable experience.
While the setting may be humble, the food is remarkable. On offer is honest, authentic dishes that allow the flavors and freshness of the seafood to speak loudly.
Simply choosing a banquet of options to enjoy as a group is a good approach, to allow you to try as many of the flavors as possible. Some particularly unmissable highlights include the baby softshell crab, traditional Greek stuffed tomatoes (with a seafood twist), and the urchin linguini. Make sure you come hungry, as you’ll want to try everything on offer at this humble hidden gem.
Tsaf is open from 2:00pm – 12:30 am every day.
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