A taverna on the main cobbled lane of Chora with a terrace that looks across the roofs of the village to the sea. A long menu of Greek dishes and small plates to share, with ouzo and tsipouro. One of the busiest on the island: in August, come early.
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Taverna
To Stenaki
Chora · Chora & the hills
A small, friendly taverna at the start of the cobbled street in Chora, cooking Greek dishes with local ingredients, a favourite of islanders and visitors alike for lunch or dinner.
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Kafeneio & ouzeri
Kesmes
Chora · Chora & the hills
A traditional kafeneio and ouzeri beside the village fountain that gives it its name. Sit with a coffee or an ouzo to the sound of the water and order a round of mezedes, some old island recipes and some new ideas.
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Fish taverna
To Limanaki
Kamariotissa · Kamariotissa & the west
The Charanas brothers' fish taverna next to the harbour of Kamariotissa. The fish comes from the family's own boats, so what goes on the grill depends on the night's catch.
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Fish taverna & grill
I Synantisi
Kamariotissa · Kamariotissa & the west
A fish taverna and grill on the seafront a few steps from the ferry, with fish and seafood from the island's waters, grilled meat and home-made mezedes. A good last meal while you wait for the evening boat.
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Taverna
Sta Kala Kathoumena
Kamariotissa · Kamariotissa & the west
A cosy taverna a street back from the waterfront of Kamariotissa, loved for its home cooking: Greek and Mediterranean dishes, generous portions and a relaxed table for families and friends.
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Family taverna
To Feggari
Therma · Therma & the forest
'The Moon', the Chailas family's taverna in the middle of Therma, open since 1981 and started by a mother from Chania, which is why there is a Cretan touch to the cooking. Breakfast in the morning, then mezedes, traditional dishes and fresh seafood with tsipouro and wine.
A taverna under tall plane, walnut and chestnut trees on the road up to the rock pools of Gria Vathra, cool and shady at the hottest hour. Greek and Mediterranean cooking, with choices for vegetarians and vegans.
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Fish taverna
O Psaras
Therma · Therma & the forest
'The Fisherman': tables in a yard under plane trees by the road to Therma harbour. There is no fish on the printed menu because it depends on the day's catch. Ask what came in; it is priced by weight and grilled with oregano and olive oil and lemon.
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Taverna
I Gefyra tou Fonia
Fonias bridge · Therma & the forest
The taverna at the Fonias bridge, where the walk to the waterfalls begins, with wooden tables in a yard full of flowers in the shade of the trees. The obvious place to eat before or after the gorge.
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Fish taverna
Delfinia
Paleopoli · Paleopoli & the north coast
A fish taverna on the shore road at Paleopoli, a few minutes from the Sanctuary and the museum, with tables looking straight out over the Aegean. Fresh fish, lobster pasta and home-made mezedes.
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Beach taverna
Vasilikos
Kato Kariotes · Paleopoli & the north coast
A taverna and ouzeri right on the beach at Kato Kariotes, between Paleopoli and Therma, with the sea in front and Mount Saos behind. Fish, seafood and mezedes after a swim.
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Goat taverna
O Vrachos
Profitis Ilias · The south-west
'The Rock', one of the tavernas behind Profitis Ilias's fame for goat. The speciality is kid roasted on the spit, served in a yard shaded by trees. Finish with a home-made spoon sweet, of praousti, the island's wild plum, or fig or sour cherry, sold in jars to take home.
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Mountain taverna
Paradeisos
Profitis Ilias · The south-west
A family-run taverna in the hill village of Profitis Ilias, with hearty mountain cooking, the village's goat, cool evening air and a wide view over the west of the island at sunset.
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Kafeneio & mezedes
Stavroula's
Lakoma · The south-west
A village kafeneio in Lakoma, much loved for its small plates. Order a round of mezedes with ouzo or tsipouro on the way back from Pachia Ammos, and come early for dinner in summer.
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Taverna
I Krimniotissa
Above Pachia Ammos · The south-west
The taverna beside the chapel of Panagia Krimniotissa, high on a rock above Pachia Ammos. It cooks dishes found only on Samothraki, like gorgovrasto, rice and goat slow-cooked over wood, and kid in the pan, and the sunsets from here are famous. It also sells jams and liqueurs from the island's women's association.
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Family taverna
Karydies
Ano Meria · Ano Meria & the east
A family taverna under old walnut and plane trees in the green hills of Ano Meria, in the east of the island, with goat, beans, home-made cheese and dishes from the wood oven. One of the most loved tavernas on Samothraki, and worth the drive.
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On the menu
Samothraki dishes to try
Order these and the taverna owner will know you came prepared.
01
Roast goat
The island's signature: kid roasted on the spit or slowly in the oven, best in the tavernas of Profitis Ilias.
02
Gorgovrasto
A Samothraki dish of goat and rice cooked slowly over wood, found almost nowhere else.
03
Haslamas
Goat stuffed with rice and baked in a wood oven, a festive dish of the island.
04
Praousti
The island's wild plum, made into a dark spoon sweet and sold in jars in the villages.
05
Fresh fish and tsipouro
The night's catch, grilled with oregano and olive oil and lemon in Kamariotissa and Therma, with a carafe of tsipouro.
