The Best Restaurants in Halkidiki, Greece

Operating for 25 years, Mouragio is a traditional taverna in the beachside town of Gerakini, between the first and second leg peninsulas of Halkidiki. Its specialities are seafood dishes, such as grilled or stuffed calamari as well as mussels saganaki served in a creamy white wine sauce. You’ll also find a range of meat dishes such as chicken with mushroom sauce, or pan-fried pork tigania with spicy sausage. This is a great spot to have lunch or dinner, after a day lazing on the beach.

By the sea in Sithonia – the second peninsula of the town of the same name – you’ll find this authentic taverna, that boasts over 100 different dishes on a vast menu that ranges from simple salads to eggplant dip and seafood risotto. All ingredients are locally sourced and they use a local fisherman for their seafood dishes. It’s very close to Porto Koufo beach, making it an excellent spot for lunch or dinner.

On the east coast of the Kassandra – the first peninsula of Halkidiki – in the seaside town of Pefkochori, is the family taverna of Bakalis. It’s a favourite at any time of the year, not just a summer destination, for mouthwatering dishes such as stifado (beef stew with baby shallots), squid pasta and fried skate with green peppers. Vegetarian options of fasolakia (green beans in red sauce) or gigantes (white beans in tomato sauce) keep the locals returning time and again – as will you.

The seaside village of Stavros is the place to go and relax on blue-flag beaches surrounded by mountains. Here, on the road that leads to Mount Athos, you’ll find Kalamantianos – with a beautiful beachside location. The restaurant produces traditional Greek dishes, with homespun variations of Greek classics, such as zucchini flowers stuffed with feta cheese, octopus in wine sauce with couscous and chicken breast with curry sauce. For dessert, try their popular profiteroles – all in a romantic garden setting with beach views.

Melia is a fine-dining restaurant in the forest-backed location of Karidi beach in Vourvourou, on the east coast of Sithonia. It’s run by celebrity chef Yannis Baxevanis and most of the produce is local (or their own), such as the feta made from local goats’ milk, olives, olive oil and oranges. You’ll love delicious appetizers such as halloumi cheese with homemade fig marmalade and mint, or meat dishes such as marinated chicken gyros with tomato, onion and handmade pita. Or come for breakfast and enjoy a simple tomato, feta, pepper and onion omelette.

One block from the seafront of Ouranoupoli, on the west coast of Athos, Kritikos is a family-owned restaurant that’s been operating for over 40 years. Whether you choose avocado or crab salad with citrus dressing, the moussaka or the seafood grill, you won’t leave disappointed by the quality. After your meal, browse their shop selling local food products and also the clothing and jewellery boutique. If you’re visiting the area in the cooler winter months, sit inside by the fireplace for added ambiance.

An authentic family welcome awaits you at Strouboulis, in the traditional hilltop village and cobbled streets of Afitos on the Kassandra peninsula. Relax on the beach during the daytime, then come up to Stouboulis to enjoy chicken souvlaki, fried zucchini or the meatballs with homemade fries. All this, enjoyed with a view of the 19th-century Agios Dimitrios church, that dominates the town square. There’s an outside table or terrace dining as well as an inside space to enjoy during cooler weather.

Nea Fokea, on Kassandra’s east coast, is a port town with several nightclubs and a selection of restaurants and tavernas. Among them you’ll find Massalia near the church square which offers simple yet delicious Greek fare of homemade beef hamburgers and imaginative creations like talagani (Greek soft cheese) with peach, peanuts and fennel. Fun fact: the name of the restaurant actually means Marseille, named because Fokkea’s people travelled to the south of France in 600 BCE.