Top Restaurants in Mykonos

Landing in Mykonos, one thing hits you fast: this island is not just about parties and beach clubs, it is a serious food destination. From Michelin-level tasting menus to tiny tavernas hidden in whitewashed lanes, the top restaurants in Mykonos cover every mood and budget.

Think of this guide as your foodie roadmap. You will see names come up again and again when people talk about the restaurants in Mykonos: places like Noema, Spilia, Buddha-Bar Beach, Nammos, Matsuhisa, Nikolas Taverna, Avra, and more. This article keeps things simple and practical so you can decide where to book for each night of your trip.

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Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Mykonos

Michelin-level gastronomy

If you want a “wow” dinner where plates look like art and every bite feels planned, Mykonos delivers. Some restaurants in Mykonos are run by or associated with Michelin-starred chefs, or have that same high-level gastronomy style even if the star belongs to the chef’s main restaurant elsewhere.

Top Michelin-level – style picks often mentioned for Mykonos include:

• Matsuhisa Mykonos (at Belvedere Hotel): Famous Nobu brand, Japanese–Peruvian fusion, excellent sushi, black cod and classy cocktail bar vibe.
• Noema: Modern Greek fine dining with a strong focus on local produce, fire cooking and elegant plating in a stylish courtyard setting.
• Buddha-Bar Beach (Santa Marina): Asian–Mediterranean fusion with sushi, seafood and DJ sets in a glamorous resort environment.

Expect tasting menus, creative sauces, and thoughtful wine or cocktail pairings. These places are perfect if you want to dress up, celebrate, and feel that “this is a special night” energy.

Typical budget (per person, without going crazy on bottles):

Prices shift each season, but be ready for higher checks than a normal taverna, especially in July–August.

Award-winning chefs & tasting menus

Some Mykonos fine-dining spots are known for their tasting menus and chef-driven concepts. These are ideal if you enjoy trusting the chef and letting them lead you through several courses.

Look out for:

• Chef’s tasting menus: Often 5–8 courses with optional wine pairing.
• Local ingredients used in modern ways: Think Mykonian cheese, fresh Aegean fish, herbs and wild greens reworked into creative dishes.
• Quiet, intimate spaces: Many fine dining restaurants in Mykonos use courtyards, gardens or terraces with soft lighting instead of noisy indoor rooms.

When booking, check whether there is a set degustation menu or à la carte, any dress code (usually “smart casual”), and if the restaurant has early or late sittings in high season.

Authentic Greek Cuisine in Mykonos

Traditional tavernas

If you want to feel like you are eating at a Greek family’s holiday table, you need at least one night in a classic taverna. These places may not be flashy, but they are often the soul of the island’s food scene.

Well-known traditional-style tavernas in and around Mykonos:

• Nikolas Taverna (Agia Anna, Paraga side): Family-run, very relaxed, right by the beach; known for grilled meats, fresh fish and simple, hearty Greek dishes.
• Kounelas Fish Tavern (Mykonos Town): One of the classic fish taverns with a straightforward, old-school feel and emphasis on grilled fish.
• Avra Restaurant (Mykonos Town): Not a basic taverna, but a charming garden restaurant serving very solid Greek cuisine with a romantic vibe.

Typical dishes to try in tavernas:

• Greek salad with local feta
• Grilled octopus
• Souvlaki or gyros plates
• Moussaka, pastitsio
• Fava, tzatziki, saganaki (fried cheese)
• Slow-cooked lamb or goat

You usually order several small plates to share, which makes tavernas perfect for groups or families.

Local island flavors & ingredients

Mykonos has its own local ingredients that you will see again and again on menus:

• Kopanisti: Spicy local cheese spread, great with bread and tomatoes.
• Louza: Cured pork, often sliced thin like charcuterie.
• Local fish: Sea bream, sea bass, red mullet and more, grilled whole.
• Tomato, capers, wild greens: Used in salads and cooked vegetable dishes.

Ask the staff what is fresh that day. On islands like Mykonos, “catch of the day” is not just marketing – when seas are calm, fish can go from boat to grill very quickly.

Top Beachfront Restaurants with Sea Views

Beach dining with fresh breeze

One of the best parts of restaurants in Mykonos is being able to have lunch or dinner with your feet almost in the sand. Many top restaurants in Mykonos sit right on famous beaches, combining food, music and sea views.

Popular beachfront dining:

• Nammos (Psarou Beach): Legendary for its combination of upscale restaurant, beach club and shopping. Expect stylish crowds, loud music later in the day and high prices.
• Scorpios (Paraga Beach area): More focused on sunset gatherings, music and a boho-luxury vibe, but with strong Mediterranean sharing plates and seafood.
• Spilia Seaside Restaurant (Agia Anna, near Kalafatis): Built into a rocky sea cave, specializing in seafood in a dramatic natural setting.

At beach restaurants, lunchtime is usually more relaxed and slightly cheaper; by late afternoon the party often starts, especially in peak season.

Seaside lunch spots

If you want something calmer for a long, lazy seaside lunch, look beyond the loudest beach clubs. Smaller beach tavernas and restaurants offer:

• Fresh fish grilled simply with lemon and olive oil.
• Meze plates and salads perfect for sharing.
• Sunbeds that you can use before or after lunch if you book through the restaurant.

When searching for top restaurants in Mykonos online, always check if the place turns into a full club in the afternoon. That way you can match the vibe with your mood, chill lunch vs party day.

Best Seafood Restaurants in Mykonos

Fresh catch of the day

On a Greek island, seafood is a must. Some restaurants in Mykonos are especially known for their fish and shellfish, where you often choose your fish from a display before it is cooked.

Look out for:

• Fresh whole fish, grilled or baked in salt.
• Octopus and calamari: Grilled, fried or marinated.
• Sea urchin, oysters and lobster pastas at higher-end spots like Spilia.

Seafood-heavy places tend to price by weight when it comes to whole fish. Always ask the price per kilo and estimate the size so you do not get surprised when the bill arrives.

Harbor-side seafood dining

Mykonos Town and the old harbor area are full of places facing the sea. Some are touristy, but a handful manage to serve good quality seafood with great views.

When picking a harbor restaurant:

• Read a couple of recent reviews, especially from the current season.
• Check if locals recommend it or if it appears only in “tourist-trap” lists.
• Look at the fish counter – it should look fresh, not tired or dried out.

If you want a quieter, more authentic feel, sometimes the tavernas slightly away from the busiest central harbor streets have better value and calmer service.

Luxury Dining for Special Occasions

Exclusive culinary experiences

If you are celebrating a honeymoon, proposal, birthday or just “we survived another year of work,” Mykonos gives you many luxury dining options. These often combine top-level gastronomy with designer interiors, high-end service and strong wine lists.

• Matsuhisa Mykonos: Iconic brand, cool crowd, strong sushi and signature dishes.
• Noema: Stylish but not stiff, excellent modern Greek menu.
• Upmarket hotel restaurants with limited tables and beautiful terraces, especially around Ornos, Psarou and Platis Gialos.

These places book out early in July–August. For special events, mention it while booking, many restaurants will arrange a nicer table, a simple dessert message or a small surprise.

Premium wine pairing spots

Many of the top restaurants in Mykonos have moved beyond basic house wine and now offer serious Greek and international labels. If you love wine:

• Look for a restaurant with a sommelier or at least a thoughtful wine list.
• Try Greek varieties like Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko.
• Ask staff to pair wines with your dishes instead of ordering randomly.

In luxury spots, a wine pairing can cost as much as the food, but for wine lovers it can turn dinner into a full experience instead of “just a meal.”

Romantic Restaurants in Mykonos

Candlelight dinner

Whitewashed walls, bougainvillea, candles on every table and soft music – Mykonos knows how to do romance. The most romantic restaurants are not always the most expensive, but they usually share a few things:

• Cosy courtyards or hidden gardens in Mykonos Town.
• Good lighting (soft and warm, not harsh).
• Slow pace where no one rushes you to leave.

Places like Avra and some hidden garden restaurants in Chora (Mykonos Town) are especially popular with couples. If you are celebrating an anniversary, ask for a quiet corner table.

Intimate settings for couples

For couples, here is a simple idea to plan one perfect romantic dinner:

1. Watch sunset at a bar or viewpoint (for example near the windmills, Little Venice or a viewpoint above town).
2. Walk through the lanes to your chosen restaurant after the crowds thin out a bit.
3. Book a later slot (around 21:00–22:00) when the island cools down and the light feels nicer.

Do not feel pressured to choose the “most famous” name. Sometimes a slightly less hyped spot gives you more privacy and a calmer atmosphere.

Restaurants with Sunset Dinner Views

Iconic sunset dining terraces

Watching the sun drop into the Aegean while your food arrives is a Mykonos classic. For sunset, you are mainly choosing between:

• Restaurants and bars in Little Venice and near the windmills: Super famous view, but crowded and often pricey.
• Cliff or hillside restaurants looking back at the town or over beaches.
• Beach clubs with western-facing views, where you can have a late lunch and stay into golden hour.

Understand that the absolute front-row sunset spots tend to be some of the most expensive seats on the island. You pay for the view as much as the food.

Popular spots near Little Venice

Little Venice is the postcard-perfect line of buildings over the water in Mykonos Town.

Many restaurants and bars offer:

• Cocktail-focused menus with simple food.
• Limited tables right on the edge of the sea.
• Strong winds some evenings – bring a light jacket.

For a better experience:

• Book well in advance if you want front-row sunset seats.
• Consider having just drinks here and then walking a few streets back for dinner where prices and crowds calm down.

Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants

Plant-based Mykonos cafés

Mykonos has become surprisingly friendly to vegans and vegetarians for such a small island. Many cafés and brunch spots now offer:

• Smoothie bowls, avocado toast, plant-based burgers.
• Oat/almond/soy milk for coffee.
• Salads and grain bowls with chickpeas, quinoa and roasted veggies.

Even if a place is not fully vegan, you can normally build a plant-based meal by combining side dishes, salads and mezze.

Vegan Greek fusion menus

Some restaurants have started doing vegan twists on Greek classics:

• Vegan moussaka using lentils or mushrooms.
• Plant-based souvlaki or gyros using marinated vegetables or meat substitutes.
• Dairy-free versions of dips like tzatziki and taramasalata.

When searching for top restaurants in Mykonos with vegan options, check menus online before you go. During high season, the best health-focused and vegan-friendly spots can also get busy at brunch and dinner time, so reservations still help.

Outdoor Seating Restaurants in Mykonos

Open-air patios & courtyards

Eating outside is part of the joy of being on Mykonos. Many restaurants in the town and villages have:

• Open courtyards hidden behind façades.
• Patios covered with vines and flowers.
• Small squares with a handful of tables and great people-watching.

This style works well for families and groups because noise is less of an issue outdoors, and kids can sometimes move a bit more freely.

Roof-top dining with views

Rooftop restaurants and bars give you a different angle on Mykonos Town – rooftops dotted with churches, the sea in the distance, and lights slowly turning on.

For rooftop meals:

• Aim for just before sunset or at blue hour for the best light.
• Bring a light layer because wind can be strong even in summer.
• Check in advance if the rooftop is more of a bar than a full restaurant.

If your priority is view over food, rooftops and bars can be enough. But if your focus is eating at the restaurants in Mykonos, use rooftops as a pre-dinner or post-dinner plan.

Private Dining Restaurants in Mykonos

VIP rooms & secluded tables

Mykonos also caters to guests who want privacy: celebrities, groups celebrating big occasions, or anyone who prefers a quieter corner away from the main crowd.

High-end hotels and some of the glitzier restaurants offer:

• Semi-private or fully private rooms.
• Sections of the terrace reserved for a group with a minimum spend.
• Security and separate entrances for VIP guests.

If this matters to you, always email or call the restaurant well in advance. Mention the size of your group, the date, and if it is for something like a wedding dinner, birthday or corporate event.

Personalized service experiences

With private or special bookings, restaurants in Mykonos can often arrange:

• Custom tasting menus (for example, all seafood, or all vegetarian).
• Special cakes or dessert plates with messages.
• Live music or DJ for a private group area, depending on the venue.

This is usually at the highest price level on the island, but if you split costs among a group, it can still be reasonable compared to renting a full event space elsewhere in Europe.

Top Restaurants in Mykonos

Where to Dine in Mykonos for Every Experience

Choosing the restaurants in Mykonos depends on the kind of trip you’re dreaming of.

• Want luxury? Head to Zuma, Bill & Coo, or Cavo Tagoo.
• Want authentic Greek flavor? Kiki’s and To Maereio will win your heart.
• Craving seafood with ocean views? Try Spilia or Kastro’s.
• Planning a romantic night? Book a sunset table at 180° Sunset Bar or Katrin.
• Prefer plant-based food? Mykonos has amazing vegan spots too.

The island is full of flavors waiting to be explored. No matter where you choose to dine, you’ll leave with a full heart – and an even fuller stomach.