Restaurants in Kea invest a lot in fresh and high-quality raw materials. Even though the island doesn’t provide fine-dining experiences to the extent other Cycladic islands like Santorini or Mykonos do, meals are confected from the finest commodities.
Local produce, meat, fish, and seafood turn into palatable dishes for guests to enjoy.
Table of content:
• Best Restaurants • Best locations • Best by type • What to order? • General information
BEST RESTAURANTS IN KEA
We have hand-picked the best 9 restaurants in Kea and marked our favorite ones with a ❤.
I Strofi tou Mimi
Mediterranean
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On the far side of Vourkari Bay, this is one of Kea's most celebrated seafood restaurants. The bay laps at the tables, which are positioned as close to the sea as possible without actually being in the water.
Aigis
Cocktails Mediterranean
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Sun-kissed mornings with scrumptious breakfast prepared with the finest ingredients from Kea's land. The day unfolds relishing Mediterranean dishes with the sea breeze.
Seirios
Mediterranean
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Seirios restaurant is located in one of the most beautiful spots in Kea, the cosmopolitan Vourkari. In an atmospheric setting by the sea with a discreet decoration and overlooking the marina, guests can enjoy fresh and creative proposals based on fish and local products.
To Spiti sti Hora
Mediterranean
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To Spiti Sti Hora offers delicious traditional dishes featuring the Chef's creative touches by using only the freshest ingredients from regional farms. Salads, meat-based plates, desserts, and drinks are available for guests to enjoy while gazing at the deep-blue sea and the mainland.
Zerât
Mediterranean Cocktails
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Zerât is situated in the region of Koundouros, Kea. It is a well-tended restaurant boasting modern premises on the shore of Koundouros beach. The venue pertains to the 4-star Anamar Kea Boutique Hotel establishment.
Magazes
Greek
Traditional
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Magazes is a restaurant in Korissia of Kea and its menu consists of tasteful dishes of the original Cycladic cuisine. Fresh and pure ingredients only from the island's land, perfectly cooked, in the recently renovated traditional restaurant, also available as the venue of any private event.
Vourkarion
Greek
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Located along the promenade in Vourkari, Vourkarion serves Greek cuisine with a twist and offers amazing setting views at the same time. Mainly known for its seafood dishes and desserts, the restaurant comprises the ideal option for a romantic dinner.
To Steki
Greek
Traditional
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A chef with 35 years of experience invites the visitors of Kea to savor unique Greek and Mediterranean dishes. All plates are prepared with home-grown and locally-sourced produce, in one of Kea's most beautiful locations.
Kylix
Mediterranean
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Kylix food & wine opened in 2017 as a place on Kea to enjoy fine wines and craft beers from around Greece, accompanied by dishes that showcase the best ingredients from Kea and the Cyclades with light, modern flavours.
BEST RESTAURANT LOCATIONS
Most eating establishments in Kea lie in Korissia, Vourkari, and Ioulida and serve Cycladic and Mediterranean cuisine.
Vourkari is a fishing village and provides travelers with plenty of options regarding dining. It is well-known for its fish and seafood dishes served in restaurants along the promenade.
Korissia is a seafront area, too, but also boasts taverns known for the delicious meat-based plates.
In Ioulida lie both traditional and more modern restaurants, many offering exceptional views of the Aegean and the mainland.
Taverns are strewn across the island, so you can enjoy a meal in other regions, like Koundouros or Otzias.
BEST RESTAURANTS BY TYPE
• Where to eat the best fresh fish and seafood in Kea?
Vourkarion, I Strofi tou Mimi, Seirios
• Where to eat the best meat on the island?
O Filippas, To Steki tou Stroggyli
• Where to enjoy a romantic dinner?
• Where to eat like a local?
• Where to eat gourmet?
• Where to eat modern Greek cuisine?
Seirios, Kylix, To Spiti sti Chora
• Where to eat vegan and vegetarian?
WHAT TO ORDER?
Being on a Cycladic island, restaurants in areas near the sea serve fresh fish and seafood that many times constitute the fisherman's catch of the day.
Some of the most flavorful dishes include kalamari gemisto (stuffed squid), atherina (a tiny type of fish), and garidomakaronada (shrimp pasta).
In Kea, one can taste dense-flavored meat, too.
Some restaurant owners breed their own animals to assure that their clients are provided with the best meat quality.
Gourounopoulo (pork), paidakia (lamb chops), and steaks are some of the most popular dishes, but you may also come across the traditional kokoretsi (grilled intestines from lamb or goat wrapped around offal) and kontosouvli (grilled pieces of pork cut from bone) on a taverna’s menu.
Of course, classic appetizers such as tzatziki, kolokithokeftedes (fried zucchini balls), choriatiki (traditional Greek salad), and saganaki (fried or grilled cheese) are part of almost every restaurant's menu.
Loza (the local prosciutto) is a local pork meze of the island, while Ksinotiri and Kopanisti constitute tasty local types of cheese that are usually served as accompaniments.
Paspalas (pork cooked with eggs and tomatoes) and Tsigaropita (a pie made with pork fat) comprise traditional dishes of the island. We recommend capitalizing on the opportunity to taste them if they are available at the restaurant!
GENERAL INFORMATION
The dishes served in Kea's restaurants owe their tastiness to the high quality of the materials that create them. Virgin produce, freshly caught fish and seafood (including lobsters, octopus, and squids), and locally bred animals are the protagonists of the plates offered in Kea.
Meat and fish taverns constitute the main categories of eating establishments; however, restaurants that serve Mediterranean cuisine with a twist also lie on the island.
In terms of scenery, seafront establishments offer wonderful views of the cerulean Aegean waters, while many restaurants and tavernas in Ioulida allow you to gaze at the mainland, too.
Korissia, Vourkari, and Ioulida boast the most options regarding dining. Nonetheless, additional regions including Otzias and Koundouros, are home to limited yet decent restaurants.
Meal times
Lunch time: 12:00 -17:00 / Dinner time: 18:00 - 24:00.
In Greece, especially during the high season when days are prolonged, people tend to eat late.
The average time for lunch is around 14.00, while for dinner around 21.00. Chances are that the kitchen will still be able to serve you, even if you arrive at the restaurant as late as 23.00.
Tipping
Tipping in Greece does not work by percentage. An average tip depending on how satisfied you are with the service is around 2-5 euros.
Not leaving a tip at all is considered impolite.
Water
Restaurants serve bottled water.
Communication
Most restaurants and tavernas have a menu in English, and the majority of the staff can communicate via the language.
