Food lovers who appreciate authentic culinary experiences need never leave Pyrgos.
Few places in Santorini can boast so many great places to eat. Conde Naste agrees – four out of their top ten places in Santorini are located in Pyrgos. Here are our favourite places which we happily recommend to friends and family; and most within minutes away from Demeter Cave House.
Cava Alta | Something Unique in Pyrgos
A fusion of Spanish and Cycladic/Cretan flavours meet happily here at Cava Alta. As a welcome, friendly staff conjure up complimentary raki, olives, crunchy rusk and tomato tapenade dip.
Starters can be shared and include classics like Santorinian fritters, sautéed mushrooms with Iberian ham and creative fresh salads. For main, try the Cretan smoked pork (apaki), chicken stir fry with peppers, chorizo and ouzo perfumed tomato sauce or the tasty seafood paella. If you can manage a dessert, try the chocolate mousse with orange zest and crunchy almond flakes.
The open-air roof terrace is ideal for balmy summer evenings with views over the pretty village of Pyrgos. On cooler nights you can take a table in the cosy, vaulted cave-like interior.
Address: up a stair-lane from main square, Pýrgos
Contact: 00 30 22860 33932, cavaalta.gr
Opening times: March-Nov, daily, 1-10.30pm
Price: allow €16 for two starter plates, or €19-30 for one starter and one main course. €11 for a litre of local wine, €6-18 for a small/large bottle of local ‘Donkey’ beer
Reservations: suggested in busy months
Rosemary’s | Sunset Views & Creative Menu
Rosemary’s has the perfect Santorinian ingredients for a lovely meal. Come here to wine, dine and take in the most stunning Santorinian sunsets.
The restaurant spans 2 levels. The lower level is a cosy protected courtyard (ideal when the meltemi winds pick up strength) and the upper level boasts panoramic island views (note it can be a bit breezy at times).
The menu will satisfy meat and fish lovers and vegetarians equally.
The fresh garden to plate salads and interesting starters are perfect sharing plates. For main course, there’s a good selection of meat, fish and vegeterian dishes. Sterling choices are Rosemary’s slow cooked lamb with rosemary of course, served with bulgar wheat, tomatoes, onions and egg plant. And the fresh mussels cooked in wine followed by grilled seabass with vegetables.
Metaksi Mas | Where the Locals Go
Hearty, delicious Greek food with a Cretan twist, a super relaxed vibe and grandstand views from the terrace attract locals and visitors alike to this friendly traditional taverna. Seating is either inside in the small vaulted converted house or on the terrace with views towards the island of Anafi.
The salads are huge (easily enough for 2) and filled with garden-fresh vegetables tossed in a perfect zingy dressing. Local dishes like fava, white aubergines oven roasted to perfection and feta in filo pastry with with sesame and honey are stellar choices. Order a selection of starters and put them in the middle and share it like the Greeks do.
For main, try the chickpea stew with lime, dill and smoked trout, orzo hotpot with shrimp, mussels and saffron or the BBQ grilled fillet steak sautéed with local Vin Santo wine. There’s plenty of choice for vegetarians too; broccoli soufflé, grilled mushrooms and vegetable risotto are just some of the options available.
You’ll love the food, the friendly warm welcome and will most definitely want to return.
Metaksi Mas is located in Exo Gonia (2 km from Pyrgos).
Address: Éxo Goniá, 100m down stair-lane from top church (ample parking next to it)
Contact: 00 30 22860 31323; santorini-metaximas.gr
Opening times: 1pm until late, most of the year (closes for two months in winter, usually Dec-Jan)
Reservations: always recommended even in low season
Price: allow €24–29 per person for a starter, mains and some very good local house wine at around €12 per litre; beers €3.50-5.50
Selene | Award-Winning Fine Dining
The award-winning fine dining restaurant used to be located in a traditional arcaded house in the pretty village of Pyrgos. It has recently located to the Katikies Gardens Hotel in Firostefani.
As for the food, you’re in for something special here. The team of chefs select the best ingredients from Santorini and the surrounding Cycladic islands and showcase them in a modern and innovative way. Try the sautéed squid with Santorinian Fava, lemon confit and mussel broth or local lamb with eggplant, chick pea purée and lamb reduction.
An extensive and selected wine list completes the scene. You can expect friendly attentive service and guaranteed taste bud tantalisation.
Address: Katikies Gardens Hotel, Firostefani www.selene.gr
Contact: 00 30 22860 24395 (bistro) 22860 22249 (main restaurant)
Opening Times: 7-11pm
Price: 75-100 Euros (per person for 3 courses) without drinks.
Read more about Pyrgos Village, Santorini
