Kos is having a moment at the table. On this long, sun-kissed slip of the Dodecanese, dinner can still mean a blue-and-white taverna where the octopus dries on a line and the wine is poured from tin pitchers. But just down the beach, you’ll now find white-clothed rooms where chefs riff on local oregano, salt-scattered capers and the island’s peerless olive oil with cosmopolitan swagger.
Whether you crave just-hauled red mullet charred over vine wood or a deconstructed moussaka laced with cinnamon foam, the ingredients remain the island’s quiet stars – seafood pulled from the Aegean at dawn, tomatoes that taste of August, goat cheeses with a lemony snap. Prices stay disarmingly gentle, the views are reliably cinematic, and the emerging cadre of young chefs is giving tradition a sleek, sun-drenched reboot. In short: on Kos, dinner is both the oldest story in the book and the newest reservation worth chasing.
01
Barbouni Kos
In an idyllic seaside island setting you’ll find one of Kos’ very best seafood restaurants. Taste dishes such as crayfish with tagliolini and sushi or mullet carpaccio. The freshest fish, friendly service and reviving vibes. To drink, choose among an excellent selection of wines, sparkling wines, champagne and cocktails.
Georgiou Averoff 26
02
The Gelsomino Restaurant
A magnificent building from the period of Italian rule, all-day cosmopolitan mood, and fine comfort cuisine with quality Greek products in an elegant and inspiring environment. Try the beef tartare with mushroom cream, pickled beetroot and gruyere, and the cod with artichoke and shellfish. Or the fresh pasta with minced shrimp, red mullet tartare and bergamot bisque. The wine list includes eclectic labels.
Hotel “Albergo Gelsomino”, Vas. Georgiou 1
03
Cuvee
A fine dining restaurant with an elegant terrace and a lovely sea view. Dishes are influenced by a modern gastronomic concept and contemporary techniques. Try the fresh crab with celery cream and peach, or the lamb with cream of red beans and roasted celery root. A sophisticated wine cellar with labels from Greek and international vineyards.
Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel+Spa, Lambi
04
Lambros Steakhouse
A grill shop since 1935, which continues its tradition with the best souvlaki on the island. A wide variety of meats, fresh or aged, stand out. Go for the braised beef cheeks with celeriac puree and baby carrots or try any of the prime meats wonderfully cooked on the grill. The fave with pork sausage and mini kebabs also stand out.
Psarron 21 & Ierou Iochou
05
Oromedon
With gorgeous sea and mountain views from its lush terrace, this place vows to serve up an unforgettable sunset with its tasty dishes. Try their comfortingly delectable and traditional Kos foods, like stewed meat and vegetables, salads with the freshest seasonal veggies and pies, and don’t miss out on the roasted beetroot salad with orange and pistachio. Here you get to try authentic Dodecanese flavors and top-quality local cuisine.
On the road Zipari-Asfendi, Lagoudi Zia
06
Broadway
Modern Greek cooking rooted in seasonal ingredients and reimagined through a local lens. The menu walks the line between comfort and refinement, with bold, thoughtful flavors throughout. We keep coming back for the Broadway burger when time is tight, the lamb with smoked eggplant for something deeper, the fricassee sea bass for freshness, and the shrimp with orzo and beurre blanc for pure indulgence. The wine list is sharp, generous, and perfectly tuned to the kitchen’s rhythm.
Megalou Alexandrou 36
07
Arap
Located in the Turkish district of Kos Town, known as Platani or Kermentes. The Restaurant with a beautiful verdurous courtyard serves special dishes inspired by Turkish cuisine, made with authentic flair and recipes passed on through the generations. Try their famous kebab, the meticulously handmade stuffed zucchini flowers, pasa makarouna (a type of Bolognese pie) and ajem pilaf.
Platani, Turkish district
08
Da Toto
This modern trattoria brings a slice of Naples to the heart of Kos Town, with a focus on honest, regional technique, and good timing. The wood-fired pizzas are textbook Neapolitan—charred, blistered crusts topped with tomato, fior di latte, and fine Italian cured meats. Wines are mostly Italian—bold Tuscans, coastal whites, natural-leaning Campanians—and service is smooth, informed, and in no rush.
Averof 17, Kos Town
09
Seawaves
A new favorite on Kos Town’s harborfront, Seawaves delivers exactly what you want from a Greek island seafood place: clean, satisfying flavors and the sea within arm’s reach. The menu leans on simple and pure dishes like grilled calamari, seabass, shrimp —all market-fresh and flame-kissed with restraint. A few steak options anchor the meat side, but this is a place that knows its way around the day’s catch. The wines are modest but decent. Expect tables by the water, ferry views, and a team that serves with warmth, not fuss.
Kos Town (waterfront, near ferry terminal)
10
Thea Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Set atop the revamped Kos Divine Hotel, an open-air lounge with marina views and a relaxed, deck-like layout. Glass balustrades frame the seafront panorama from the Turkish shore to the town port, best appreciated at golden hour when the light stretches low across the sea. The setup is minimal and clever—barely enclosed, it lets the sky and water set the tone. The cocktail list is compact but well-made, with seasonal signatures and classic pours served without fuss.
Kos Divine Hotel & Suites, Kos Town
