Meet Mykonos, except, not really. Most travellers have already fawned over the high-calibre Mykonos villas to rent and sunset-drenched beach clubs. The modest-sized island is sociable and indulgent, a reputation that precedes itself. However, its windmilled shorelines and Cycladic-style streets shelter more than just bars and beaches. The island has delicious cuisine and beautiful restaurant settings; between the beaches and ouzo, the best itineraries incorporate the tastiest foods to try in Mykonos. So, what are the best restaurants in Mykonos with a view?
Squeeze into a tiny white table and chair to overlook the grey-tiled streets of Little Venice. Or perhaps peer out at Paralia Choras Mikonou from a breezy window. Mykonos has a wealth of fantastic restaurants with beautiful views; it’s just a question of choosing wisely. Brush up on the best venues on the island, but educate yourself on Myconian food culture too — there’s lots to learn (and taste).
Introduction to Mykonos’ Scenic Dining Experience
Mykonos has an inherently traditional approach to dining experiences despite its international influences and modern appeal. In other words, you’re in for a treat.
There are some key points of consideration, though. Firstly, learn to respect the rules of reservations, especially when travelling in the peak summer season. Many of the best Mykonos restaurants sit on heaving thoroughfares; spots fill up fast.
Apart from advance reservations, here are some bonus takeaways to keep in mind:
- The standard tip is 10%, although 20% indicates recognition of high-level service.
- Tap water is not safe for tourist consumption in Mykonos. While most restaurants automatically utilize bottled water, it’s worth checking and staying wary of unidentifiable jugs and ice cubes.
- Remember hats and sunscreen — al fresco dining makes for dreamy photographs, but heat stroke and sunburn are much less enjoyable.
Best Restaurants in Mykonos Town with a View
With over 80 km of coastline, visitors to Mykonos are overwhelmed with sea-view venues. Yet whittling the focus down to Mykonos Town, the island’s capital, reveals a particularly high-calibre selection. Also known as Chora, this town stuns with Cycladic white-washed houses and blue-painted shutters. A hive of action still bristling with traditional culture and heritage, it’s one of the most sought-after dining areas on the island. A place to arrive and depart, socialize and sleep, Mykonos Town is a great starting point for foodies on the island.
Amidst its concentrated selection of venues, here are the best restaurants in Mykonos Town with a view.
1. 180° Sunset Bar
Location: Mykonos Town, 846 00, Greece
Prices: €50+ for a substantial dish or €15+ for nibbles.
Perhaps the most revered venue in Mykonos Town, 180° Sunset Bar, is deceptively named. While it undoubtedly thrives in the alcohol section (its classic rotation of cocktails is enthusiastically hailed online), the bar-restaurant also provides mains, platters, and snacks. Is it the spot for the hungriest of visitors? That’s a gentle no. Food is limited and primarily tailored to peckish cocktail sippers. But it definitely straddles the restaurant category, and here’s where it comes into its own.
The stone rooftop terrace overlooks Mykonos Town, the Aegean Sea and the island’s famed windmills. The landmark views are coupled with a gradually energized atmosphere; stay long enough after dark, and you’ll catch the DJs shifting into gear. For a light evening meal and drinks, 180° Sunset Bar is ideal; the caviar starters and aesthetic Greek seafood mezze platter are an ode to its luxurious offerings.
2. Kastro’s Restaurant
Location: Little Venice, 846 00, Greece
Prices: €30+ per main
While technically situated just north of Mykonos Town, it’s impossible to skip over Kastro’s Restaurant. Located in the old fishing neighbourhood of Little Venice, the headland suburb with rickety balconies jutting out over the ocean, this venue has ambience down to fine art.
The laidback restaurant has a fresh-focused Mediterranean menu and sits directly on the seafront. The real winners snag a seat on its overwater balconies, gazing out to the horizon from Little Venice’s traditional architectural vantage points. Equally sought-after are the tables on the waterside terrace. Diners sit at ground level, admiring the sunset as the tide draws in and laps against the rocks just meters away.
On the menu? A fine selection of mains such as pan-fried sea bass fillet, grilled lobster, or seafood linguine. It’s not just one of the leading restaurants in Mykonos with a view; Kastro’s Restaurant is hailed for its dishes — there’s a particularly generous wine list, too.
3. Karavaki Restaurant
Location: Mykonos Town, 846 00, Greece
Prices: €25+ per main
Set back on the curling road of Epar. Od. Mikonou, Karavaki Restaurant sits outside the centre of Mykonos Town. Don’t be deceived, though; that distance and elevation gain create a gorgeous viewpoint.
Guests dine outdoors on a large stone terrace with views of Mykonos Town and Aegean Sea — at night, it’s magical, with the town’s lights below glittering. Karavaki Restaurant easily qualifies as one of the best restaurants in Mykonos with a view. It avoids the worst of the crowds, too.
Main dishes include manestra (orzo pasta) and fresh sea urchin spaghetti. For an extra splash of luxury, the restaurant offers a seven-course traditional tasting menu for €80 per person.
4. Nice n Easy
Location: Little Venice, 846 00, Greece
Prices: €30+ per main
Casting attention back to the seafront, Nice n Easy is located in the beautiful Square of Alefkandra. This means aesthetic seating on scattered al fresco tables, surrounded by traditional grey flagstones with views of the iconic windmills and meandering boats at sunset. It’s popular; be on your best reservation game and, even then, arrive early to guarantee waterfront tables. Heavily touristy — but it’s easy to see why — Nice n Easy is the restaurant for savvy diners wanting an emphasis on views.
While admiring the ocean and surrounding architecture, this venue offers a considerably sized menu with a range of ultra-traditional Greek dishes. Think moussaka (available vegan), gyros, spanakopita, and Mykonian chicken spaghetti.
5. Zuma Mykonos
Location: 846 00, Greece
Prices: €40+ per signature dish
Zuma Mykonos straddles the border between Tourlos and Mykonos Town. But, while it’s a rather sly addition to this ‘best in Mykonos Town’ list, at a mere 30-minute walk from Chora centre, it’s just too close not to add. Zuma is not just a restaurant. The venue has a pool club setting: a large infinity pool, a resident DJ, daybeds, and an adjoining lounge and bar. The views are stunning, stretching out to sea and best enjoyed at sunset. It’s the type of place you’d spend an entire afternoon.
The Japanese cuisine is tasty enough to justify a spot in any ultimate foodie’s guide to Mykonos. Opt for formal tables or curl up on a sunset pool bed for more casual dining. Pick from a selection of dishes like nigiri sushi, wagyu, and maki rolls. For a bonus dose of extravagance, spoil yourself with caviar platters.
One thing to note: season matters for this venue; it routinely closes for winter and only reopens in summer. Book in advance and check opening times beforehand.
What to Expect When Dining in Mykonos
Not everyone is partial to a surprise; what should you expect from a Mykonos dining experience? For a start, the Mediterranean diet shines through — think minimally processed foods and the classic Greek emphasis on whole foods, fruit, and vegetables. However, as a Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos also finds strength in its seafood. Calamari, octopus, and Aegean sea bass are amongst its popular catches.
Temperature-wise, with its mild winters and breezy summers, al fresco dining is manageable year-round for the bravest visitors to Mykonos. Just factor in frequent wintry rain showers (especially in December and January).
Despite its middle-of-the-road climate, from a social stance, the Mykonos seasons play a huge role in tourist dining experiences. Seasonal opening hours vary massively; some restaurants close completely through winter, and others reduce their hours. It’s wise to clarify whether or not venues are actually operating ahead of time.
Preparing yourself for peak season and the subsequent boom in tourist numbers is equally vital. It’s not just a question of advance bookings — although definitely plan that too — but considering the impact on ambience.
Take Kastro’s Restaurant, for instance: this stunning venue is located in Little Venice, with beautiful views of the ocean. However, in summer, reviewers have complained of other tourists blocking views and interrupting meals to request that diners take photos for them. While hardly a total catastrophe (Kastro’s is undoubtedly one of Mykonos’s best restaurants), it shows how foot traffic transforms dining experiences.
Be picky about where to dine in Mykonos. The island is blessed with beautiful views and talented kitchens; why not plan the most enjoyable scenic dining experience possible?
How to Choose the Best Restaurant with a View in Mykonos
Establishing the proper protocol for picking the best restaurants in Mykonos is important. The island is brimming with gourmet restaurants and gorgeous views, but it’s not without its difficulties. Seasonal crowds and closures create the biggest barriers. It’s helpful to have a framework from which to plan.
Type A travellers have spent their lives rehearsing for perfect bookings — preparing for every eventuality. While Type B travellers? It’s not gone unnoticed that you’re here. Here are five steps to aid any Mykonos visitor in finding their dreamiest reservation.
1. Take Research Seriously
Research is ultimately what harvests the most impressive results. Google Maps, blogs, word-of-mouth recommendations, and reviewers like Michelin are all effective information sources. Information and dining tip-offs don’t always fall into your lap. Get proactive.
Find out which restaurants people prefer and why. And yes, reading this guide counts.
2. Factor in Seasons
Always check whether the restaurant is even open during the season of your visit. Some, like Zuma, only operate through summer. Nobody wants to arrive dolled up to an empty, boarded-up venue.
Equally, other restaurants thrive on an off-season atmosphere. Nice N Easy and Kastro’s Restaurant are more impressive with fewer crowds, less competition for waterfront seats, and more relaxed table turnovers. The most discerning travellers utilize seasonal considerations to pick the best venues (or at least inform their approach to booking).
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Head Inland
Speaking of foot traffic, venturing inland is often a recipe for success. While seafront restaurants gain immense thoroughfare from the floods of pedestrians exploring Mykonos Town, the venues located further inland are less ‘stumbled upon.’ Unobstructed views and a quieter appeal are benefits worth detouring for.
The elevation gain is also beneficial; those higher vantage points provide expansive views of the ocean and Mykonos Town. After sunset, sea views become anticlimactic — pitch black with the peaceful sound of lapping waters (if you’re lucky to be close enough.) Incorporating town views lengthens your experience, providing a glittery backdrop after dark.
4. Reserve Specific Tables
Every seasoned restaurant reserver knows the importance of reserving specific tables. Staff are not mind readers, and the best places are taken quickly. If you want something, ask. When booking tables, first-row, outdoor, or sea-view seating are good buzzwords.
On that note, though, always arrive early or on the dot. Last-comers risk losing their table-specific reservation.
5. Never Sacrifice Food Quality
Lastly, don’t fall into the trap of overlooking food quality in favour of views. There are some truly delicious Mykonos gourmet restaurants; why not pick a winning combination of stunning views and high-calibre cuisine. Reviews don’t lie, so pay attention to this balance when conducting initial research.
Discover the best restaurants in Mykonos with breathtaking views. From seaside dining to sunset terraces, explore top spots for an unforgettable meal.