The best restaurants in Samos are primarily family-run eateries, beachside restaurants, or a combination of both. A homegrown affair, as a result, the culinary zeitgeist of the entire island focuses on using sustainable and seasonal ingredients to make traditional dishes. Although one can find international cuisine on the island, gourmands should not miss out on the local seafood, served fresh and always cooked to perfection.
Samos is easily reachable from Mainland Greece and other islands via ferries booked through Ferryscanner. The island has, in fact, seen a steady stream of travelers over the past decade. Due to this rise in popularity amongst international and local vacationers, you’ll mostly find the best restaurants in Samos in its touristy villages and seaside resorts.
Casual in their disposition, these restaurants also showcase an unexpectedly quirky side of the island, evident through their playful and curiosity-inducing names.
The Ballad of Bill and Salome
Address: Kampos Marathokampou 831 02, Greece
Situated on the southwest coastline of the island, The Ballad of Bill and Salome gets its unusual name from a poem written by the owner’s friend. Printed on the menu, the said poem is a testament to Bill and Salome’s love for Samos and its culinary heritage. A warm and friendly establishment, it’s pertinent to note that Ballad is a proper estiatorios (restaurant), not a taverna, which offers more casual food.
Open from April to October, The Ballad of Bill and Salome spreads on both sides of a road, allowing plenty of seating space. They also offer sunbeds at €5 and are happy to provide their patrons with food and beverage beachside service.
As one of the best restaurants in Samos, The Ballad of Bill and Salome has quite an extensive menu. However, since the food is always fresh and based on the day’s catch, not all items are available daily. At the same time, the owners are kind enough to go off the menu should you require something special.
The must-try dishes at The Ballad of Bill and Salome include swordfish, seafood marinara, beef in cognac sauce, Bill’s spit roast chicken, and kleftiko, a traditional lamb and potatoes recipe.
Hippy’s Restaurant Beach Bar
Address: Potami Beach, Karlovasi 832 00, Greece
Hippy’s is among the most famous restaurants in Samos. A favorite with tourists, its location on a quiet corner of Potami Beach is simply perfect.
Perpetually busy, the ambiance at Hippy’s comprises all-white tables and chairs with selected decorations adding a hint of color. The restaurant, known for its friendly and quick service, also has live or DJ music on most days. And they offer free Wi-Fi to all their patrons.
Furthermore, Hippy’s rents out sunbeds at the beach, free if you order drinks or food from them. The food, though, tilts towards comfort bites such as burgers and sandwiches with a significant Greek influence.
When dining at Hippy’s, try their fried feta with honey, beef burger, pork chops, grilled sardines, and pasta al pesto. To wash all the tasty food down, opt for a cocktail, fresh juice, or a hot cup of coffee.
Knife and Fork
Address: Pythagoreio Port, Pythagoreio 831 03, Greece
The best restaurants in Samos are typically eateries that showcase the island’s gastronomic individuality. Knife and Fork in Pythagoreio is one such charming and cozy restaurant that livens up as diners pour in during meal times.
Housed in a vintage residence by the Old Harbor, Knife and Fork operates only from April to October. It does offer indoor and al-fresco seating options. The latter is ideal for people-watching while consuming mouthfuls of delectable preparations.
Much-loved by travelers, the restaurant serves large portions of Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Greek recipes. Moreover, attention to presentation borders fine-dining, without the prices associated with it.
The traditional handmade sausage, steaks, and carbonara cooked in wine are the top sellers at Knife and Fork.
Two Spoons
Address: Pythagoreio 831 03, Greece
Two Spoons is unlike other best restaurants in Samos. It is a specialty dessert eatery that is very popular and stays incredibly busy when open during the tourist-heavy summer season.
Located close to the water in Pythagoreio, Two Spoons is a true-blue hidden gem that is the perfect spot for an afternoon respite. Offering open-air seating, the menu here consists of enticing sweet treats made with a lot of love and care.
But before you order, remember that the portion sizes are pretty significant. You probably need “two spoons” to finish the restaurant’s signature concoctions.
Food lovers looking for social-media-ripe creations from Two Spoons should order coffee with roasted marshmallows, pavlova, or one of their sinfully tempting freak-shakes.
Blue Bucket Restaurant
Address: Kampos Marathokampou 831 02, Greece
The family-run Blue Bucket is one of the best restaurants in Samos to visit with the family. Nestled in the foothills of Kerkis mountain, in the town of Marathokampou, the eatery is in the southwest of Samos, 44km from the capital.
The biggest advantage of planning a meal at Blue Bucket is its ambiance and location on the beach. A playground next to the restaurant is perfect for children to play while adults enjoy their meal leisurely.
The open plan design of the establishment and its pocket-friendliness add to Blue Bucket’s appeal. The same is also true about the pleasant nature of the owner, Castas, and his family. Ever-present, to take good care of their guests, the owners often go out of their way to accommodate every dietary preference.
The food at Blue Bucket is traditional, homemade, and full of appetizing flavors. These are reasons that help make it one of the best restaurants in Samos. The top picks worth trying at the restaurant are their meatballs, fresh fish, lemon chicken, souvlaki, lamb kleftiko, and gyros.
Pizza di Piazza
Address: 79 Sofouli Themistokli, Samos Town 831 00, Greece
Pizza di Piazza is a well-known roadside Italian restaurant with distant views of Samos Bay. It is definitely the best place in Samos Town, and possibly the whole island, to grab a pizza.
Satiating those cravings for comfort food, Pizza di Piazza serves thin-crust, large-sized pizzas (enough for two people) with a range of toppings. Cooked in a woodfire oven, the pies have a rustic aroma and taste that makes every bite oh-so-delicious.
Furthermore, thanks to the welcoming staff and quick service, you don’t have to wait too long for your order to arrive at the table. And once you finish, if there are leftovers, the staff will happily pack them for you to take home.
When visiting Pizza di Piazza for the first time, order the fisherman’s pizza with shrimps, tuna, capers, or the carbonara with sour cream, ham, mushrooms, and bacon. The restaurant’s menu has several vegetarian options as well as pasta and side dishes too.