Symi was the 20th Greek island I’ve visited. Although the town is easily one of the most beautiful Greek island towns/villages I’ve been to, the island as whole wasn’t that great for food. Half of the restaurants I visited were a miss rather than a hit and way too many were serving frozen chips. That said I did have a few good meals.
📝 The easiest way to get to Symi is via Rhodes which isn’t ideal as it’s my least favourite Greek island and you have to fly with easyJet. There are however loads of ferries going back and forth each day.
📝 During the day Symi is swarmed with tourists on day trips from Rhodes. It’s much quieter in the mornings and evenings.
1. Niki’s Cookhouse
Dinner last night at Niki’s Cookhouse, right near the top of Symi village. This was recommended by a few people as a must-visit on the island. It’s definitely one you should book ahead as they were turning people away by the end of our meal. Niki’s has a big daily specials menu which they talk you through in the kitchen. We went for the eggs and pastourma (dry-cured beef), soutzoukakia & fries, and a moussaka. The potions are big so you can only really have three dishes between two, although I would have loved to have ordered more. The eggs and pastourma and soutzoukakia were both winners for me. The moussaka was way too loaded with parsley which completely overpowered the other flavours in my opinion. Quick and friendly service and a great vibe. No dessert served.
2. Ο Λύρης (O Lyris)
Eating like this on Greek island in October feels like a cheat code. Lunch at Ο Λύρης (O Lyris) just a few minutes from Symi port. After dismissing two other recommendations nearby for serving frozen chips (a big red flag for me) this was definitely the right the call. Fava, shrimp saganaki, dolmades (they serve it with a garlic in this region), gigantes, feta in filo, portokalopita and ouzo to drink. No swimming after this one.
3. Kali Strata Restaurant
I liked this restaurant but I didn’t really love it. The horta, Symi shrimp and feta tempura dishes were really nice but I wasn’t a big fan of the shrimp orzo which had a very sweet sauce and rice cooked a little too al dente. They had a lamb orzo dish o would have gone for but I was put off my a precious white foam that came on top of it. Also be warned you have to go up a lot of steps to get here. Definitely don’t do it whilst carrying a two year old and a buggy at the same time – it will ruin your legs.
4. Dolphin Pizzeria
Dolphin Pizzeria bit of a cult-favourite on the island. It’s a family run business that has been going for thirty years. Pizzas start at €9 but I went for the Symi shrimp pizza for €15. It came with a tomato base, cheese, peppers, red onions and crispy Symi shrimp. They have a lovely sweet and salty flavour. It’s a weird combination but it worked. See reel here.
5. Tholos
Apparently this place used to be known as the best restaurant on the island but has gone down in recent years. Regardless of the food, the location is amazing. It’s right on the water with a beautiful view of the bay. We went for Horta, feta in filo, shrimp linguine and goat in lemon sauce with fries. The horta was overcooked so it had lost its texture and flavour. The shrimp linguine and goat were nice though. The meal was a little on the pricy-side (like most of the Island is).
6. Sweet Aigli
This little bakery serves great gelato and some the best chocolate cake I’ve had anywhere.
Places I was recommended but didn’t rate:
- Pantelis – We tried the shrimp linguine. The sauce didn’t have much flavour and was full of pieces of fish skin which made me feel a little sick.
- Ταβέρνα Νεράιδα – The food was quite average and they serve frozen chips.
- Kastaras – On Pedi beach. The dishes are quite overpriced.
- Ο Φούρνος Του Πανορμίτη Πρατήριο Γιαλού – A lot of people told me to go here for galaktouboreko. I went every day to try and get some but they never did and were quite rude when I asked. The pastries were quite average too.
Other recommendations I didn’t make it to:
- The Secret Garden – At the top of the hill. I couldn’t handle a third trip up there.
- Taverna Dafnes – A fish restaurant on a beach 25 minutes taxi from town.
- Taverna Zoe – Also at the top of hill.
- Tarsanas – A few people recommended this place but the google images didn’t look great and serving frozen chips is a bit of a red flag for me.
James Dimitri 