Where to Go for Great Local Cuisine on Zakynthos, Greece

This stylish fish tavern serves up a delicious menu of homegrown Zakynthian specialties, including lamb kleftiko, braised beef with smoked eggplant purée, lobster spaghetti and fresh grilled fish drizzled in local olive oil. The setting on Ampoula Beach is close to the quaint village of Tragaki and offers clear views of the blue-green Ionian Sea. Enjoy with a chilled Greek white wine or cold beer. The restaurant is open from May to October and only cooks with local, seasonal produce.

In the low-lit courtyard here, with red and white checked tablecloths, colourful blooms and crawling vines, local families spanning generations enjoy weekend meals. Set back slightly from the tranquil beachfront of Agios Sostis, Scloubou’s is as authentic as it gets. Look out for blackboards chalked with specials from mixed grills and lamb kleftiko to stuffed chicken and eggs saganaki. The friendly staff will buzz around while making you feel right at home. There’s a decent menu for kids and a vibrant fun atmosphere.

Set in a peaceful garden covered in vines and twinkly lights, Zakanthi is the perfect spot for a romantic Greek dining experience. The friendly owner Nico and his family will look after you from the moment you sit down. Dishes are made using locally sourced ingredients and fresh fish. Enjoy small plates such as grilled sardines, garlicky calamari and stuffed tomatoes as well as hearty mixed grills and impressive seafood platters. Live music gently infiltrates the sea air. Don’t leave without a drink at the adjoining 111 Cocktail bar.

This taverna is in a special spot. Down a narrow road lined with olive trees in Marathias, it’s close to Keri Lake and the area’s sandy beaches. This restaurant offers spectacular views over the bay and on to Marathonisi island, a haven for loggerhead sea turtles just off the south of the island. The menu is simple: grilled sardines with a wedge of lemon, shrimp fishcakes, lobster linguine and freshly baked breads, for example. The service is spot on.

In keeping with the eco-friendly living on Zakynthos, this stylish and homely restaurant offers modern organic dishes with plenty of choice for veggie and gluten-free diners. The owner, Giota, has curated a nourishing menu based on her experience as a personal trainer that stays true to authentic Greek cuisine. Try feta in oat crust, a vibrant Greek salad and the forest orzotto. The roast lamb, grilled seafood and steaks will keep all the carnivores happy.

Sitting on an unspoilt stretch of coast in Zakynthos town, the kitchen takes influences from other parts of Greece and adapts them to Zakynthian recipes. The results are dishes such as rabbit cooked in one pot with olive oil, oregano and traditional olive cheese and beef sofrito, a Zakynthian version of a famous Corfu dish. The fresh fish of the day is served with thick-cut potatoes. The interiors are homely with tablecloths, vintage adverts and mandolins hanging on the walls. A highlight comes in the form of the live and authentic Zakynthian songs (kantades).

The wooden sign outside declares that Ole Ole is a family taverna serving traditional Greek cuisine. The restaurant’s owners, father Andreas and son Roberto, take a no-nonsense approach to serving you the best local specialities from a beautiful location on Agios Sostis beach. Expect stuffed peppers and tomatoes, moussaka and oven-baked fish. The restaurant is filled with family and local friends who are always ready to welcome new faces. If you want to take things up a notch, they also offer cooking classes using traditional Greek recipes.