Diverse and enchanting, with excellent gourmet menus as well as grounded, traditional cuisine-inspired ones, it’s by no coincidence that Halkidiki has emerged as a top global tourist destination, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets. Its growing international reputation as a premier holiday destination is well-deserved, and its fascinating gastronomy is a key aspect of its wide-ranging charm.

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For the best fish, go to the villages of Pontiada, Neos Marmaras, Vourvourou, Ormos Panagias, Sykia, Pyrgadikia, Ammouliani, and Ierissos for exceptional fish dishes. When in Ierissos, be sure to request “orkini,” a type of small tuna. A visit to Halkidiki isn’t complete without a trip to Olympiada, situated 35 kilometres from Ierissos, where you can try the region’s renowned mussels.

El Puerto

Savour the flavours of Spain with a contemporary twist, using the finest local ingredients at El Puerto, located within the recently refurbished Porto Sani hotel, which owns a total of 27 restaurants. The lavish gastronomic venture, led by Michelin-starred chef David Ibarboure, is brought to you by the Sani/Ikos Group. All this is from the comfort of a fabulously atmospheric veranda that looks out to the sea.

Address: Sani Resort, Kassandra, Phone: +30 2374099400, Website: sani-resort.com

Trizoni

Indulge in expertly prepared seafood dishes in a charming courtyard beneath a stately mulberry tree at Trizoni. Start at the Raw Bar (for up to 8 people) or try the handmade ravioli filled with dusky grouper in a shrimp broth, charcoal-grilled golden grouper, Sithonia’s tamarisk greens, and exquisite cheeses crafted exclusively by two local cheesemakers. Stergios delights guests with delectable daily fish specials.

Address: Kryopigi, Phone: +30 2374051945/+30 6984240347, Website: trizoniexclusive.com

Boukadoura

Dine at Boukadoura, where the dedicated cook Yiota has been delighting diners since 2002 with creative Greek dishes grounded in the area’s agricultural and fishing heritage. The restaurant, situated in a garden near Porto Koufo Beach, serves up cuisine that is both homestyle and innovative, featuring popular dishes such as monkfish meatball soup, stuffed vine leaves with chard and shrimp, and tuna patties. The cook also makes her own cheese ‘log’ that she serves as a side dish, a great array of homemade jams and liqueurs.

Address: Porto Koufo, Phone: + 30 23750 51012, Website: www.boukadoura.gr

Treehouse

Chef Dimitris Pamporis presents a captivating culinary experience in an intimate setting, accommodating just ten diners, with breathtaking views of Vourvourou Bay. Just looking at the menu, with dishes like tzatziki macaron with black garlic, yoghurt, cucumber meringue, tartlet with yuzu-flavoured gigantes beans, bottarga and mackerel, and mini burgers with oxtail, it’s apparent that the cuisine offered here is exceptional. The menu is filled with intriguing dishes, including an exceptional Athonite-style salted cod and a top-notch smoked foie gras on pine needles with a “soumada”-style white almond sauce, duck pita, and cranberry sorbet.

Address: Ekies, All Senses Resort, Vourvourou, Phone: +30 23750 91000, Website: ekies.gr/food-drink/

Marigoula

A traditional dining establishment with an 80-year history, tucked away in Polygyros, this restaurant has a menu that bursts with flavour and prides itself on utilising the freshest seasonal ingredients, particularly high-quality meats. Diners can expect to find classic Greek favourites alongside an array of regional dishes influenced by various culinary traditions, such as Messinian pork with bergamot jam, smoked eel paired with bulgur wheat and apple, or carrots stuffed with trahana and beef mince.

Address: Polygyros, Phone: +30 23710 23171, Website: www.facebook.com

Arsanas

Found at the end of the pedestrianised beachfront, this restaurant offers a mouthwatering Greek and Mediterranean cuisine experience. While many patrons primarily opt for the seafood pasta dishes, expertly prepared by the owner himself, Michalis Delithanasis, who often tailors his cooking to the day’s catch, we recommend trying his other bespoke creations as well. Delithanasis crafts dishes “sur mesure” for his customers, utilising fresh ingredients from his garden, seafood from the local region, and native meats.

Address: Nikiti, Phone: +30 2375023787, Website: www.arsanas.gr

Platanorema

A down-to-earth yet delicious menu in a picturesque setting, paired with excellent local wines. The charming restaurant, in an outdoor area enveloped in lush greenery, is part of a farm with accommodations, where the owners grow their own produce. Try traditional dishes made from hand-picked ingredients, including delicious homemade cheeses. Paired with the renowned wines of Halkidiki and Mount Athos, this is a tranquil and tasteful experience.

Address: 10km provincial road M. Panagia – Ierissos, Agios Georgios, Phone: +30 6944526416, Website: platanorema.com

Read also:

Eastern Halkidiki, Greece: an alternative destination for amazing routes in nature and history

Mount Athos, Greece: A tour of the most important and most impressive monasteries

The Many Faces of Halkidiki – A Destination for Every Season