Zakynthos has some amazing restaurants where you can try traditional Greek food. There’s lots of choice of restaurants around the island. So here are my choice of the best Greek food and restaurants in Zakynthos.
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Zakynthos has some excellent restaurants, serving traditional Greek food. Nearly all of the restaurants in Zakynthos cater to tourists, with the friendly waiters speaking excellent English. In Zakynthos, it’s easy to find Greek classics on the menu, and there’s some great quality food. Here are the top 21 best Greek foods you must try when you’re in Zakynthos, with the best Greek food and best restaurants for Greek food in Zakynthos.
If you want an amazing foodie experience in Zakynthos, you should definitely check out this amazing cooking class with lunch in Zakynthos (affiliate). You’ll be able to learn more about the amazing food. Or, you can check out the food yourself at the best restaurants.
1. Moussaka
One of most famous Greek classic dishes is Moussaka. When you’re in Zakynthos, you have to try Moussaka at least once. It’s a delicious meal. Moussaka is made from layers of aubergine, minced meat, and potato. There’s a layer of cheese on top. You can find Moussaka at most of the Greek restaurants around Zakynthos. But for my favourite Moussaka in Zakynthos, head to the Olive Tree restaurant in Kalamaki. This restaurant has a lovely setting, where you can sit outside surrounded by lots of plants, and enjoy great food.
2. Sea Bass
As you might expect from a Mediterranean island, Zakynthos has some great fish and seafood restaurants. You can get some amazing, fresh fish and seafood on the island. One of the best fish dishes to try in Zakynthos is sea bass. This fresh fish is caught locally, and you can easily get it filleted and cooked. For the best sea bass in Zakynthos, head to the Orizontes Restaurant and Skybar in North Zakynthos. This restaurant has amazing sea views, which just makes the fresh fish taste even better.
3. Feta Saganaki
My absolute favourite starter in Greece can be found in most Greek restaurants in Zakynthos. If you like cheese, you have to try the Feta Saganaki. It’s a whole block of feta cheese, wrapped in filo pastry and baked, and then drizzled with honey. It’s absolutely amazing. You can find amazing Feta Saganaki at so many restaurants – this one is from the restaurant called Greek Stories in Kalamaki. This is one of the best Greek restaurants in Zakynthos with amazing Greek food.
4. Baklava
If you’re looking for something sweet, you have to try Baklava. This is definitely another of the best Greek foods in Zakynthos. Baklava is made from layers of filo pastry, with nuts and lots of local honey. You can find this dessert in most Greek restaurants in Zakynthos. This one is from Galaxy Restaurant in the cute mountain village called Anafonitria village.
5. Halloumi Gyros wrap
Gyros is another famous Greek food that you have to try in Zakynthos. You can find chicken or pork gyros in a lot of restaurants and also take away shops. But, even better than this, is halloumi gyros. The halloumi gyros was my favourite way to have gyros. It’s made from grilled halloumi, served in a massive pita bread wrap, with lots of tzatziki, chips, and salad inside. It’s amazing comfort food. To find the best halloumi gyros in Zakynthos, head to Artigiano restaurant in Kalamaki. Artigiano restaurant in Kalamaki was my favourite restaurant in Zakynthos. The waiter was so friendly, and the food was so delicious. You can choose from a small or large halloumi gyros, depending how hungry you are.
6. Lamb Kleftiko
For a lighter dinner, and another delicious class Greek food, try Lamb Kleftiko. Lamb Kleftiko is a Greek dish, made with stewed lamb and vegetables. It’s all cooked together, and served with cheese on top. It’s a great option if you want to eat some vegetables during your stay in Zakynthos! You can find delicious Lamb Kleftiko at the Zakynthos restaurant called Greek Stories in Kalamaki.
7. Pita bread with Hummus and local olive oil
Almost every Greek restaurant in Zakynthos will have the option of pita bread, served with hummus and local olive oil. It’s really popular as a starter, or as an appetiser with a drink. The pita bread in Zakynthos is so fresh, and the hummus is so smooth and flavoursome. You definitely need to try the local olive oil as well. Olive oil is produced on the island of Zakynthos, so it’s so fresh. You can find amazing pita bread with hummus at the restaurant Olive Garden in Kalamaki.
8. Chicken Gyros plate
In Zakynthos, you can get the famous chicken gyros in a wrap, or alternatively served on a plate. Both options are good, but I preferred the plate option. It’s a lot easier to eat, and means you can focus on the different flavours of the food. The portions of chicken gyros on a plate can be huge, so you won’t be feeling hungry after eating this! You can get a great, huge plate of chicken gyros from the restaurant called Greek Stories in Kalamaki. The portion is huge, with a really generous amount of meat. It’s great comfort food after a long day exploring Zakynthos.
9. Pita bread with Tzatziki
More of the fantastic Greek food in Zakynthos has to include pita bread with tzatziki. The Tzatziki was one of my favourite foods in Greece. It’s made with Greek yoghurt, with mint and other herbs. The tzatziki in Zakythos is so thick and luxurious. It’s so much better than the version you get in the supermarket back home! Most Greek restaurants in Zakynthos will have this option as a starter on the menu. This one is from the restaurant called Olive Garden in Kalamaki.
10. Spanakopita
Another great option for a starter at a Greek restaurant in Zakynthos is Spanakopita. This is a Greek pie made of crispy layers of filo pastry and filling of spinach and feta cheese. It’s really nice, with the feta and local olive oil the highlights of the dish. You can find a great Spanakopita at the Magnolia Restaurant at Marelen Hotel in Kalamaki.
11. Melitzanes Papoutsakia
Another of my favourite foods in Zakynthos is the Papoutsakia. It’s aubergine, that’s filled with minced meat and cheese and baked. It’s so delicious. I think this was my favourite meal that I had in Greece. For the best version, head to Artigiano restaurant in Kalamaki. The Papoutsaki here is just amazing, with rich and cheesey meat and aubergine. It’s served with chips and pita bread as well, making it a great meal.
12. Greek Coffee
While you’re in Zakynthos, and coffee lovers have to try Greek coffee. It’s a really strong, black coffee. You can find Greek coffee served at lots of cafes around the island. I recommend the cafe that’s just above the Xigia Sulphur Beach. The coffee here is great, and the views are even better. It’s really nice to sit at the cafe on a table that looks out over the beautiful view of the sulphur beach in Zakynthos.
13. Chicken Gyros wrap
For a Greek classic, you have to try the chicken gyros wrap. It’s chicken meat, in a huge pita wrap with chips, tzatziki and salad. It’s such a great comfort food. You can find great gyros wraps at lots of the restaurants in Zakynthos main town. It’s definitely a popular food to eat here. I recommend the restaurant called Piatsa Grill in Zakynthos main town for a great chicken gyros wrap.
14. Orange Cake
Another great Greek dessert in Zakynthos is orange cake. It’s a sponge cake that has orange syrup soaked throughout the cake. It’s so nice. For some great orange cake, head to the Galaxy Restaurant in the cute Anafonitria village, set high in the mountains in the centre of Zakynthos.
15. Mythos beer
The local beer in Zakynthos is called Mythos Beer. Almost every restaurant and cafe will have Mythos beer on tap. You can get a small or a large draught beer. It’s the perfect drink on a hot afternoon. I recommend any of the cafes and restaurants in Zakynthos main town if you want to try Mythos beer. There are so many restaurants with outdoor seating. You can sit outside with a cool beer, and enjoy watching the people roam the streets and browse the shops around you.
16. Chicken Souvlaki
Another Greek classic meal that you can find in Zakynthos is Chicken Souvlaki. The Souvlaki in Greece means skewers of meat, cooked on a barbeque grill. I really liked the Chicken Souvlaki, although a lot of restaurants offer Pork Souvlaki as well. It’s a simple meal, but really delicious. And it’s served with chips, and of course more pita bread and tzatziki. You can get great Chicken Souvlaki at the Galaxy Restaurant in the cute Anafonitria mountain village, where you can eat great food with lovely views of the surrounding mountains.
17. Sea bream
For more great fish and sea food, try the sea bream fish as well. It’s another delicious white fish, that is so fresh on Zakynthos. You can get great sea bream fish at the Magnolia restaurant in Kalamaki. You can really tell that the fish is so fresh. It’s just simply grilled, served with Mediterranean vegetables and, of course, plenty of local olive oil as well.
18. Greek yoghurt with local honey
When you’re in Zakynthos, you have to try the Greek Yoghurt. It’s so much better than the Greek yoghurt you get in supermarkets at home. The Greek yoghurt in Zakynthos is amazingly thick and creamy. The restaurant called Artigiano in Kalamaki serves great Greek yoghurt as a dessert. It’s a huge portion of thick and creamy yoghurt, served with walnuts and local honey. It’s just amazing.
19. Feta bruschetta
Feta is the most popular cheese to eat in Greece. And another way you can eat this delicious Greek cheese is on bruschetta. Feta bruschetta is really simple, with just feta, tomatoes and olive oil served on toasted bread. The simplicity of the ingredients means the fresh flavours really stand out. You can try bruschetta as a light lunch option at the Magnolia Restaurant in Kalamaki.
20. Greek rose wine
As well as producing local olive oil, Zakynthos island also has vineyards so it produces some of its own wines. Wine in Zakynthos is really good value. At a restaurant, you can often get a large glass of wine for cheaper than a coca cola. And the wine is great. I really enjoyed the local rose wines on Zakynthos. Chilled rose wine is really refreshing on a hot summer’s evening after exploring the island.
21. Cocktails in Laganas cocktail bar
The last of my best Greek food and restaurants in Zakynthos isn’t a food again – but it’s still something that you’ve got to try. No visit to Zakynthos is complete without drinking some delicious cocktails. It just has to be done on holiday. You won’t struggle to find cocktail bars in all of Zakynthos’ towns. Some of the best towns to find cocktails bars in Zakynthos are Laganas, Kalamaki and Zakynthos main town. Relax with a pina colada at a beach bar in the afternoon, or in a cocktail bar in the evening. It’s definitely the perfect way to celebrate a great holiday in Zakynthos.
Hope you enjoyed my guide to the best Greek food and best restaurants in Zakynthos! Make sure you also check out my ultimate itinerary for one week in Zakynthos, and also the top things to do in Zakynthos. If you’re looking for more adventures on beautiful Mediterranean islands, why not check out my guide to visiting Malta without a car, or my itinerary for one week in Sicily.
