Clubs and crowds might take a backseat in Antiparos, but one thing that thrives? The culinary scene. Debating what to do in Antiparos is a discussion that typically revolves around beaches and boat trips to neighboring islands. But while carving out reasons to visit Antiparos, don’t overlook its fine dining opportunities.
Unpretentious tavern and cafe venues house fresh and flavorsome produce — impressively plated for authentic yet high-caliber dining. Locally-caught seafood features at the heart of many traditional Antiparos dishes. There’s also a goat trend to unpack (promising news for cow-alternative cheese lovers). For such a small island, who knew Antiparos could keep foodies so well-occupied?
This guide will introduce the best restaurants Antiparos has to offer. Romance, family-friendly atmospheres, and cultural authenticity; Antiparos has it all.
Best Restaurants in Antiparos for Every Foodie
Antiparos has an unshakeably down-to-earth quality that makes for incredibly immersive dining. To experience the best of Cycladic culinary culture? You’re already on to a winner.
That said, foodies should do their due research; there is a select rotation of excellent restaurants, cafes, and taverns. These are the highest flyers on the island — the restaurants Antiparos visitors should prioritize reserving a table at.
1. Taverna Yorgis
Location: Unnamed Road, Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €12 to €20 for most main dishes.
Taverna Yorgis encapsulates the unpretentious theme that makes dining in Antiparos so special. The family-owned venue is on the corner of an unnamed flagged street in the town center. Don’t risk blinking and missing it; it’s easily found on Google Maps. Dine outside under the shadow of a shrub-covered veranda (parents: the nearby playground is a welcome reprieve for younger customers).
The menu contains classics, including tzatziki, fava beans, and stuffed vine leaves. There are heartier options for hungrier guests, too; indulge in traditional gouna or grilled veal steak. Alternatively, keep it stereotypically Grecian with a moussaka or ratatouille.
2. Klimataria Tavern
Location: Unnamed Road, Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €9 to €15 for most main dishes.
Klimataria Tavern is nothing short of stunning. It’s one of the prettiest venues to admire the most famous flora on Antiparos: bright pink Bougainvillea. These flowers sprout from late spring until autumn, and wrap around wooden beams of this outdoor terrace for beautiful al fresco dining. Grabbing an outdoor seat gets a little competitive in summer, and it’s easy to see why. The traditional mosaic-style flooring and wooden chairs create a dreamy aesthetic. At night, everything is illuminated by lanterns.
Amidst all the beauty of this tavern’s setting, don’t overlook the actual menu. Klimataria Tavern offers excellent value for money, with moussaka and chicken souvlaki for just €11. There are ample grilled barbecue dishes, cold appetizers like a tzatziki dip, and generous vegetarian options. Treat yourself to a cold Grecian beer (there’s Mythos, Alpha, and Mamos in stock) and embrace a magical Antiparos setting.
3. Kalokeri
Location: Main Road, Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €15 to €25 for most mains.
Location-wise, it doesn’t get more central than Kalokeri. This restaurant sits right on the main road in Antiparos, with tables spilling out onto a private patio area with overhead ceiling fans. Surrounded by flowers with a traditional white exterior, it’s a pleasant setting to enjoy high-caliber cuisine in the most convenient location possible.
With that said, the food is where it comes into its own. Kalokeri utilizes local, seasonal produce to create eye-catching takes on classics like moussaka and ravioli. It is extremely mindful of presentation, using bright, bold colors with ornately placed ingredients.
One thing: remember a reservation. Kalokeri has its hands tied as far as walk-ins are concerned; the restaurant is somewhat a victim of its own success.
4. The Rooster
Location: Livadia Bay, Antiparos, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €50 deposit taken upon reservation.
The Rooster is a farm-to-table concept restaurant huddled on the stone terraces of a same-named 5-star hotel. The property proudly stocks its kitchen with meat and vegetables from its own farm on-site, creating an immersive and environmentally friendly dining experience. While it draws international inspiration, the menu is inherently Cycladic as a result — expect a fresh-tasting insight into the Antiparos food scene.
Due to its seasonal focus, the menu is ever-changing. Keep an open mind and embrace dining at The Rooster as an explorative eco-luxury experience.
5. Yam
Location: Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €10 to €30
Yam is a sought-after restaurant in a semi-rural setting: essentially everything you’d expect from a venue in Antiparos. It’s just a stone’s throw from the main street of Antiparos Town but sits in the middle of a landscaped field.
Convenient yet remote-feeling, Yam serves a hot rotation of international and Grecian dishes. Pick from mushroom gyro tacos and ribeye tagliatta (or just opt for comfort food like a classic cheeseburger). There’s a large kids’ meal, too, a plus for parents.
Types of Cuisine in Antiparos
Not quite starry-eyed at the prospect of a complete surprise? Expect classic Mediterranean cuisine from Antiparos, with a typical ‘island slant’ towards seafood over grass-fed meat due to the limited grazing land available. Originally, Antiparos would have been self-sufficient. However, nowadays, the island largely focuses on tourism — waving a solemn goodbye to many traditional culinary practices. Spotting lingering traces of these traditionals is a question of knowing where to look.
As explained, seafood understandably plays a major role in this Aegean island’s cuisine. The fishing industry keeps a high-quality seafood rotation on its menus, while the 60 km coastline is dotted with ocean-view dining experiences. Many restaurants (like The Rooster) still partner with local fishermen to provide diners with ‘catch of the day’ type dishes. Expect fresh bream, gouna, mackerel, and more.
Much like its neighboring Paros, Antiparos still has forageable herbs. Thyme, sage, and wild garlic are naturally found amongst the shrubbery of the island’s low-lying hills. Interestingly, there’s also a trend towards keeping goats over cows, resulting in more goat milk-based cheeses like kefalotyri.
Best Places for a Romantic Dinner
Antiparos certainly ticks off privacy for couples. But what about romantic dining experiences? It’s understandably tempting to huddle away on a daybed in luxury Antiparos villas. Just emerge out for at least a date night or two.
Of the restaurants covered so far, Klimataria Tavern definitely deserves our recommendation. However, there are a few other restaurants to surprise your significant other. These are the sweetly inspiring venues that are worth your precious quality time.
1. Vassilenas Blue Antiparos
Location: Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €20 to €40
It doesn’t get more magical than a terrace with a sea view. Vassilenas Blue Antiparos has an elegant array of ornately presented dishes, from beef cheek orzo to crave-worthy macaroni. Treat your partner to dessert and cocktails — timing your visit with sunset for extra brownie points.
2. Sifneiko Cafe
Location: Antiparos Town, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €12 to €20
Another glorious sunset spot, a reservation at Sifneiko Cafe, is how to stay one step ahead of the beachgoers plotting romantic picnics. Think casual comfort food over pristine plates, like pizza or penne. But the excellent cocktails and beautiful sea and sand views bring all the elegance needed.
3. Beach House Antiparos
Location: Soros, 840 07, Greece
Prices: €100+ for loungers and refreshments.
Set on Paralia Apantima, the Beach House Antiparos restaurant is worth your indulgence. Dine al fresco at tables overlooking the ocean or embark on a full-day affair — reserving day beds to soak up the sun together. Dining so close to the waterfront is a peaceful date activity.
Fine Dining in Antiparos on a Budget
The truth is, this island isn’t drastically difficult to dine on a budget. The Antiparos menu prices are nowhere near the sky-high rates of Mykonos or Santorini, its glossier Cycladic neighbors. It ultimately depends on your definition of ‘fine dining’: are you content with high-quality dishes in scenic settings? Or are you envisioning multi-course tasting affairs?
The Rooster sits at the upper end of Antiparos dining prices, while Kalokeri offers presentation-focused dishes for under €25. For a more formal experience, Vassilenas offers eight-course tasting menus for €60 per person. It all depends on your vision and preferences.
How to Book the Best Restaurants in Antiparos
Securing tables at the best Antiparos restaurants is not without its difficulties. The island has an underrated culinary culture, with generationally-perfected taverna recipes, surviving foraging and farm-to-table practices, and scenically located venues. Yet there are a few points worth considering:
- Season matters. Nearly all of the restaurants in Antiparos close seasonally, so foodies should carefully weigh up the timing of their trips.
- Small venues fill fast. On the flip side, smaller venues become quickly crowded. To combat this, many restaurants operate a reservation system despite looking like stereotypical walk-in venues. It’s always worth ringing ahead to check.
- Get recommendations on the ground. As valuable as pre-departure recommendations are, striking up conversations with hotel staff and Antiparos residents is an effective way to broaden your search with the most up-to-date details.
- Steel yourself for heavy reliance on Google Maps. Download offline maps before setting off to the restaurant (or invest in a high-quality SIM), even when dining in Antiparos Town. Since a large proportion of restaurants are situated on unnamed roads, it’s important to stay sharp with navigation.