Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Santorini. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
Restaurants
Archipelagos
Sitting above the caldera, this restaurant has stunning sea views looking out to the surrounding islands. It is one of Fira’s best options, serving up tasty Greek/Mediterranean food (top tables: 1–6 have a sea view on the upper level; 1–3 on the lower).
Caldera cliffs, Fira town
(+30 22860 23673)
Vanilia
A Mr & Mrs Smith romantic favourite is this place, located opposite the old church high on the cliff in Firostefani. Choose a table downstairs for intimacy, and upstairs for a view of the ocean. Do try a local wine from the carefully put-together lists (Nikteri was our favourite).
Firostefani
(+30 22860 25631)
1800
A highly respected restaurant on the island, located in a traditional sea captain’s house on one of Oia’s quieter streets.
Oia
(+30 22860 71485)
Seaside Lounge
This excellent beachside restaurant in Perivolos sits at the very end of the right-hand side of the beach; it’s a great choice for lunch or dinner.
Perivolos
(+30 22860 82801)
Nikolas
This traditional, family-run restaurant is tucked down one of Fira’s back streets, just next to the Enigma nightclub. It serves fantastic home-cooked food, but be prepared to queue for the privilege of eating with the locals.
Just up from the main square in Fira
(+30 22860 24750)