Hydra has minimal natural resources, and so, historically, nearly all edible products (and not only) have come from the neighbouring Peloponnese. The locals engaged in fishing and commerce, and their extensive maritime culture gave rise to the legendary Hydriot war fleet that greatly contributed to the revolution of 1821.
Today, the island’s traditional cuisine is characterized chiefly by fish and seafood. A distinctive dish is red mullets on toast; wine-braised octopus, stuffed squid, cuttlefish with pilaf made using their ink, and fish soup are equally central. Additionally, gogges, short handmade pasta of the Arvanitiko cuisine, hortopita pie with greens, and snail stew are commonly served.
On the local meat menu, the most popular dishes are arnaki kapamas (lamb with cinnamon and cloves) and roast lamb or beef with quinces during winter. The Hydriot almond sweets scented with flower water, shaped like small pears, are well known. Lesser known but still popular are the lalaggites, fried dough served with honey and, in the old days, grape molasses.
In more recent years, the traditional tavernas, some of them opened many decades ago and still beloved by loyal return customers and new visitors alike, have been joined by more modern restaurants. Whatever you decide to opt for, at the places in this article you are sure to find the freshest ingredients, prepared by skilled cooks and chefs with love, creativity and traditional authenticity.
01
Téchnē
Set inside a restored nineteenth-century boat factory above Avlaki, this restaurant combines indoor seating with a sea-facing terrace a short walk from the harbor. The kitchen works seasonally, drawing from Greek and Mediterranean traditions with technical training visible in plating and balance. Dishes often include “seafood pasta, lamb dishes, vegetable-led starters, and composed mains that rely on strong raw materials rather than heavy sauces arancini moussaka, crispy calamari with sweet chilli dressing, lamb rump and black Angus striploin. The cocktail list references Hydra’s literary past, and the wine selection favors Greek producers. Service is structured and paced for dinner reservations.
Avlaki Beach
02
Plakostroto
A courtyard restaurant just off the harbor, operating from breakfast through late evening. Morning service includes egg dishes, yogurt, pastries, and coffee, while later hours shift to Mediterranean plates, salads, grilled fish, pizza, pasta and vegan options. Tables are arranged beneath greenery in a stone-paved yard that buffers harbor traffic. The kitchen handles a wide menu efficiently, making it practical for mixed groups and extended daytime stays.
Miaouli Street
03
Omilos
Positioned on the rocks at the harbor’s entrance, this former industrial site functions today as a waterfront restaurant with continuous sea exposure. Lunch and dinner menus reflect modern Mediterranean cooking with Greek sourcing: raw fish preparations, structured salads, seafood pasta, grilled fillets, and composed meat dishes. The deconstructed Greek salad remains a reference point. In summer, the dining service transitions into late-night bar activity. Reservations are advisable in high season.
Spilia
04
Oraia Hydra
Located directly on the harbor promenade, this long-running dining room maintains a broad Greek and Mediterranean menu. The chef prepares cooked classics such as beef stews and baked dishes alongside fresh fish, ceviche-style plates, and seasonal salads. Seating runs parallel to the harbor traffic, with closely arranged tables and consistent service flow. The wine list includes Greek labels suited to seafood.
Hydra Harbor
05
Douskos Xeri Elia
Famous for being one of Leonard Cohen’s dining spots, this place goes back generations, always located in the central square above the harbor. The historic taverna continues to serve traditional Greek cooking beneath old trees, with a sumptuous menu centered on moussaka, kleftiko baked in paper, grilled meats, daily casseroles, and fresh fish when available. Wine is offered in carafes and goes down easy. The room expands into the square during peak months, with high table turnover and steady local and visitor presence.
Hydra Town
06
Psaropoula
Now situated on an elevated terrace above the port, this restaurant serves a full dinner format built around seafood and home-style Greek cooking. Expect risotto with fresh squid, grilled fish, moussaka, pastitsio with thick béchamel, and structured salads. Meals often conclude with fruit or a house dessert. The layout resembles a private veranda, with white walls and compact table spacing.
Hydra Town
07
Kodylenia’s
Overlooking Kamini harbor, this waterfront taverna operates as both lunch stop and evening dining address. The chefs focus on seafood: grilled squid, shrimp in tomato sauce, whole fish by weight, and composed salads, alongside standard Greek meat dishes. A shaded terrace wraps around the building, facing fishing boats and anchored water taxis. Evening service carries a slower pace than midday traffic.
Kamini Harbor
08
To Pefkaki
Situated on the road toward Kamini, this scenically shaded taverna facing out to the glittering water is the ideal stop after swimming or coastal walks. The menu remains within traditional Greek range: grilled fish, fried items, salads, and cooked dishes suitable for shared tables. Seating benefits from tree cover and partial sea views, with an informal, midday rhythm.
Kamini Road
09
Lefterakis
Located at Mandraki Bay near organized beach facilities and the Mandraki Beach Hotel, this friendly taverna inspires an all-day plan of swimming, drinks, and flavorsome traditional dishes. The kitchen prepares grilled meats, fish, salads, and traditional cooked dishes suitable for families and groups arriving by boat taxi. Seating is simple and oriented toward the shoreline.
Mandraki Bay
10
To Piato
A harbor-facing restaurant designed for continuous service, covering lunch through dinner with a broad, multi-category menu. Seafood, grilled meats, pasta dishes, salads, and traditional Greek mains coexist, making it suitable for mixed groups with varied preferences. The kitchen is structured to handle steady volume, and tables along the promenade turn over quickly during peak hours.
Hydra Harbor
11
Il Casta
An Italian-owned restaurant on Tombazi Street with a sheltered courtyard layout. Pasta is made in-house, including filled ravioli and gnocchetti paired with seasonal vegetables and seafood. The menu reflects southern Italian technique while incorporating Greek ingredients. Seating capacity is moderate, and peak-season evenings require advance booking.
Tombatzi Street, Hydra Town
12
Marina Traditional Tavern
A Vlychos institution operating since the early 1960s, positioned above the cove where sea taxis dock. The menu centers on grilled and fried fish, octopus, seasonal greens, salads, and house-made desserts such as orange pie and walnut cake. Lunchtime sees the highest turnover, particularly from swimmers arriving by boat.
Vlychos
13
Mikra Agglia
A terrace and interior dining room near the central square, offering plated Mediterranean dishes that reinterpret familiar Greek ingredients in a more structured restaurant format. The menu includes sea bream with greens, octopus-based pasta, and composed starters. The wine list is Greek-focused and service is paced for dinner.
Hydra Town
14
Tassia’s Tavern
Located at Plakes Vlychos beach under the Four Seasons Bellevalia property, this seaside taverna integrates restaurant seating with beach service. The kitchen starts with breakfast and goes on to prepare lunch and dinner of baked vegetables, grilled seafood, fried fish, and daily cooked dishes rooted in traditional Greek recipes, presented with structured plating. Access is via footpath or hotel shuttle boat, and lunch reservations are common during high season.
Vlychos, Bellevalia
15
Sunset
Positioned along the ramparts near the harbor entrance, this waterfront restaurant is oriented toward late-day dining. The kitchen focuses primarily on seafood: fish soup, oysters, shellfish platters, carpaccio, and grilled whole fish sold by weight. Tables closest to the water offer direct sunset views, though wind conditions can affect seating comfort on certain evenings.
Spilia
16
Kryfo Limani ‘Kapetan Andreas’
A small seasonal courtyard taverna with limited seating capacity. Tables are arranged beneath citrus trees in an enclosed garden space, creating a peaceful dining area away from the harbor’s action. The kitchen focuses on traditional Greek island cooking: grilled fish by weight, octopus, fish soup depending on the catch, and slow-cooked seafood dishes. Due to its size, reservations are strongly advised in July and August.
Tombatzi 8, Hydra Town
17
Caprice
An established Italian restaurant operating near the harbor in a quieter side street, with consistent summer presence over several decades. The menu centers on thin-crust pizza baked to order, cuttlefish risotto, fish cevice, beef carpaccio and classic antipasti, accompanied by a quality mixed Italian-Greek wine list. It remains one of the island’s most reliable Italian dining options.
Hydra Town
