A day trip from Athens or the perfect destination for a laidback Greek holiday, Hydra captivates visitors with its unexpected juxtaposition of a modern outlook within a vintage setting. With its no-car policy, famous art galleries, quaint pebble beaches, and gorgeous architecture, the island exudes a seductively alluring yet modest persona. The best restaurants in Hydra reflect this very ethos, offering visitors a selection of both old-style and fashionable dining options.
To reach Hydra is quite honestly a piece of cake. Less than a two-hour boat ride from Piraeus, visitors can easily book their ferry tickets online via Ferryscanner. Upon arriving, the island offers plentiful excursions, a vibrant culinary scene, comfortable places to stay, and the opportunity to plunge into the many joys of the traditional Greek lifestyle.
Téchnē Restaurant
Address: Epar.Od. Mandrakiou-Molou, Hydra 180 40, Greece
It didn’t take long for Téchnē to become one of the best restaurants in Hydra since opening its doors in 2016. Conceptualized by Jason Barios and Yannis Michalopoulos, it continues to wow epicures through decadent modern renditions of Mediterranean and Greek classics.
Téchnē, derived from the Greek word τέχνη, is a place that passionately encapsulates the essence of its name, which means “combining skills, systemic knowledge, and inspiration to create something.” Further accentuating the restaurant’s charm is its location. A white-washed historic building with stone walls and wooden beams, it overlooks the Aegean Sea from atop a hill. Looking for a place to pop the question, you just found it!
Téchnē’s open kitchen might prove to be a distraction if you are hoping for a tête-à-tête with a loved one. But the food coming out of it will undoubtedly leave you in culinary bliss.
For first-timers, the lamb baklava, risotto with grilled octopus, crispy calamari, and homemade ice cream are but a few preparations worth a try.
Pirofani Taverna
Address: Kamini, Kriezi, Hydra 180 40, Greece
Tourists wishing to dine in an authentic Greek taverna will find the arcadian ambiance of Pirofani very much to their liking. Started by Theo Triantafillou in 1994, the family-run seasonal restaurant is a 10-minute walk from Kimani harbor. Its clientele thus consists of primarily locals or tourists in the know.
Today, Pirofani offers a limited menu featuring a mix of Greek and international dishes. Their sea bass in roasted almonds and butter sauce, house salad, and Indian chicken curry makes for a supremely palatable meal. Another dish worth tasting is the gigandes – butter beans cooked in tomato sauce with onions and garlic.
Pirofani Restaurant hosts live music and poetry reading events during summers, creating a romantic atmosphere. When booking a table, opt to sit in the courtyard for a pleasant meal under the stars.
Kryfo Limani
Address: Tompazi 8, Hydra 180 40, Greece
Kryfo Limani means the hidden port. True to its name, this old-school taverna is one of the hidden gem restaurants in Hydra. A favorite with locals, Kryfo Limani guarantees an unmatched home-cooked epicurean affair featuring a range of local treats.
On the one hand, the menu features minced meat stuffed in vine leaves, fish soup, octopus salad, souvlaki, and smoked aubergines, the classics of Greek cuisine. At the same time, Kryfo Limani’s lamb stew, snails in garlic and tomato sauce, squid in rice pilaf, and fried Saganaki cheese showcase the diversity of the regional fare.
But before planning on an indulgent dinner, it is vital to make a reservation at Kryfo Limani. The restaurant with an idyllic lemon tree courtyard has only 14 tables. This grossly limits the number of guests it can accommodate in one go. Once seated, though, diners find themselves in an enchanting space where the nautical décor and enticing aromas serve as precursors to a memorable gastronomic experience.
Giasemi
Address: Gk. Kouloura, Hydra 18040 Greece
The best restaurants in Hydra have certain common trademarks that give them an edge. Their friendly service, authentic cooking, and picturesque backgrounds make them unique, resulting in admiration among locals and tourists alike.
Giasemi, translating to Jasmine, is one such eatery that captures the essence of the island’s welcoming nature. At the heart of this beguilingly rustic-looking taverna are George Saitis and Martina, passionate locals who started the restaurant in 2019.
Located in a pretty little neighborhood, away from the port, Giasemi entices diners with its open seating plan, large food portions, and a predominantly meat-centric menu. George is a master in the kitchen, creating juicy recipes that range from sausages to skewered chicken, lamb, and pork chops.
Moderately priced, Giasemi is open all year round and is the perfect spot for a magical albeit carnivorous romantic date.
Castello Hydra
Address: Kamini Beach, Hydra 180 40, Greece
Kamini’s proximity to Hydra Town makes it a convenient place to stay, sightsee, and eat. As a result, the village has its fair share of eateries, among which are some of the best restaurants in Hydra. However, not many can replicate the rustic grandeur of Castello. After all, the seaside establishment with the tagline “magic on the beach,” occupies an 18th-century fort-like structure.
Open from morning till night, Castello Hydra serves a mélange of European and Mediterranean recipes plated in a visually appealing contemporary fashion. The vibe at the restaurant follows suit, inviting diners to relish a relaxed meal with a promise of spectacular sea and sunset views.
Under the watchful eyes of chefs Spyros and Giannis Gavathas, the kitchen at Castello Hydra is particularly known for its fresh seafood and meaty preparations. The roasted scallops with smoked celery root and lobster cream, gnocchi with shrimps, and rooster with sour pasta pearls, Metsovone cheese, and thyme sauce are among the must-try items on their menu.
Guests visiting Castello Hydra can also reserve sunbeds on the beach. The restaurant is more than happy to serve you snacks while you lounge. Furthermore, the club’s beach bar acts as an all-day café offering drinks, fresh juices, and various snacks.
Tsagaris
Address: Ikonomou, Hydra Town 180 40, Greece
Any culinary list of Hydra remains incomplete without mentioning its most iconic dessert shop. Popular since its inception in 1930, Tsagaris is the ultimate place in town where tourists and locals go to satiate their sweet cravings.
While the family-owned store offers a variety of sugary delights, its biggest seller is the homemade almond cookies known as amygdalota. The cookies are made using almonds, sugar powder, rose water, and semolina. A marzipan-like confectionary, it pleasures the tastebuds with its distinctively nutty and sweet flavor.
The shop is a much-loved gastronomic hallmark of Hydra. Anna Tsagaris, the 90-year-old matriarch of the establishment, still works in the kitchen on some days with her grandson Dimitris. The macaroons and sweets from Tsagaris also make for excellent souvenirs to gift or take home for later consumption.