Gastronomy

In Fira, as in the rest of Santorini, food is at the very heart of the experience. Step into a traditional taverna and you’ll be welcomed by the scents of olive oil, fresh herbs, and grilled fish blending with the salty sea breeze. The island’s cuisine tells the story of its volcanic soil, which has given rise to unique flavors and products.

One of the signature dishes is Santorini fava, a creamy purée of yellow peas cultivated here for over three thousand years, served simply with a drizzle of olive oil, raw onions, and capers. Another specialty not to miss is tomatokeftedes, fritters made with the island’s sweet, aromatic cherry tomatoes, best enjoyed hot as a starter.

You’ll also find moussaka, often made with Santorini’s famous white eggplants, which are gentler and less bitter than the usual variety. In the tavernas, tables quickly fill with mezze—small plates meant for sharing. These might include Santorini salad with capers and chloro cheese, melitzanosalata made from smoky grilled eggplants, and of course the classic tzatziki, cool and refreshing. And the sea is never far from your plate. Down at the old port of Fira, or in the little harbor of Amoudi, tavernas serve freshly caught squid, octopus, and sea bass, grilled simply over a wood fire.

When it comes to cheese, don’t miss chlorotyri, made only here in small quantities, or saganaki, fried until golden and crisp on the outside and soft within, often drizzled with a touch of local honey. To go with your meal, Santorini’s wines are an experience in themselves.

The island’s star grape, Assyrtiko, produces dry whites with a distinct mineral edge, while vinsanto, a sweet amber-colored wine, is the perfect companion to desserts like melitinia pastries or honey-drenched baklava with walnuts. In the tavernas of Fira, the atmosphere is just as important as the food: wooden tables painted blue, checkered tablecloths, carafes of local wine, and the Aegean shimmering in the background. It’s here, in this warmth and simplicity, that you truly taste the soul of Santorini.