The island’s locals are renowned for going about things at a slow, laid-back pace, their absence of stress and haste, as well as longevity. Ikaria, situated in the southeast Aegean, has unique character. Its renowned traditional festivals, impressive beaches and many villages are attracting a growing number of visitors by the year.

14

The local food on offer is one of the many factors luring people. Fish and seafood meals at seaside spots, the use of local meat, as well as vegetables picked from village gardens in the hinterland, all contribute to the island’s overall quality. Ikaria is almost self-sufficient, while most of the island’s tavernas serve well-prepared dishes at fair prices.

Filoti

Diners who have tried the pizza at Filoti, a tiny restaurant that can go by unnoticed in Agios Kyrikos, typically describe it as the best they’ve ever had. Prepared on a rich base, with delicious sauce and many ingredients, the pizzas here are big and fluffy. Also try the oven spaghetti and chef’s salad.

Info: Filoti, Agios Kyrikos, Ikaria, tel. +30 22750 23088

Anna

This is a top spot for fresh fish and seafood. Amazing lobster spaghetti, prepared with fresh lobster, as well as soft octopus and delicious prawn spaghetti are all served here. Also try the eggplant salad and grilled calamari. The taverna is situated close to Nas beach and is terrific to visit for sunset. The service is swift and friendly.

Info: Anna, Nas beach, Ikaria, tel. +30 6932 149155

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Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Anna”s Taverna/Facebook

Sto Kabi

Situated at a charming cobbled square with trees at the village Agios Dimitrios, the restaurant Sto Kabi is a hangout for locals who like their food. Greek flavours, slightly tweaked, and fresh ingredients, kept local to the greatest possible degree, are the factors here. Trahanoto (made with trahana, a type of Greek rustic pasta) with chicken and mushrooms is one of the eatery’s most popular dishes. The grilled sardines are very good, as are the local pies with greens, and the meat balls.

Info: Sto Kabi, Agios Dimitrios, Ikaria, tel. +30 22750 41641

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Photo: Marketing Greece/ Mary Retsina
Photo: Marketing Greece/Mary Retsina

Kialaris (a.k.a. Kelaris)

Located on the shoreline at a quiet spot in Gialiskari with fishing boats moored out front, this fish taverna is an ideal setting to enjoy fish and seafood. In business since 1960, its fresh fish, from the island, is grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside without being dried out. Seabream, saddled seabream, blackspot seabream, and any other fish in the day’s catch, as well as fried calamari, potato chips cut manually, homemade eggplant salad, and delicious pumpkin pie are all served here.

Info: Kialaris, Gialiskari, Ikaria, tel. +30 22750 71227

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Photo: Marketing Greece/Mary Retsina

Platanos

The olive oil, vegetables, goat meat and cheese are all local at Platanos, preparing dishes with local products and ingredients, the emphasis placed on traditional recipes. The eatery’s menu is changed according to the season and availability of supplies. Zucchini fritters, local kathoura cheese (soft and made with goat’s milk), veal cooked in a clay pot, Ikaria goat in lemon sauce, and the local soufiko (casserole recipe with mixed summer vegetables) are menu standards.

Info: Platanos, Agios Dimitrios, Ikaria, tel. +30 22750 41151

Sotiris

Diners at this family taverna feel the hospitality of an Ikarian home. The vegetables are grown in the family garden, the meat is from the island, and everything served at the taverna is handmade. Try the kokoretsi (grilled intestine-wrapped seasoned offal), chops, stuffed bifteki (mince patty), rooster in wine sauce, and the stuffed courgette flowers.

Info: Agios Polykarpos, Ikaria, tel. +30 22750 40033