Santorini, Greece is essentially what’s left after a volcanic eruption. Unfortunately, their first settlements were destroyed by a volcano 3,600 years ago.
Today Santorini is a growing tourist area which makes for a wonderful summer vacation. From the food to the beaches to the scenery, there is plenty to do and see here. This growth in tourism is directly due to a boost in both the population and the economy. It is estimated that 2 million tourists visit Santorini every year.
Major settlements here include Fira, Emporio, Oia, Perissa, Kamari, Imerovigli, Therasia, and finally Pyrgos. The island of Santorini is the one that benefits the most from the tourism industry. In addition, it has been named the best island in the world to visit. Santorini is a unique area in that it does not rain much from spring to fall. Therefore, the local fauna and flora are highly dependent on mist and morning dew.
Thanks to the volcanic eruption, its soil is ideal for growing a wide variety of products. This makes for good eating for both residents and tourists. Notably, they grow some world-class tomatoes unlike anything you’ll taste elsewhere.
Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea and is still on an active volcano. However, the volcano only erupts once every 20,000 years, so you don’t have to worry if you decide to plan a visit.
As a direct result of the volcano, a huge part of the island was excavated. This originated what is known as the current Caldera. It is approximately 400m below sea level and offers some stunning beaches. Again, thanks to the volcano, many of the beaches here feature amazing rock formations and different colored rocks or volcanic sand. It is really a unique experience.
Discovering your palate in Santorini, Greece
As I mentioned earlier, there are many amazing places to visit if you are looking for a truly amazing dining experience. And while you might expect plenty of seafood—and you’d be right to assume so—there are plenty of delicacies to be found in Santorini. Even dishes found in other parts of the world are also found here; even chinese!
Tavern Metaxy More
Taberna Metaxy Mas has a wide variety of original dishes. The best part is that they cater to those looking for Greek, Mediterranean or vegetarian food, so no one is left out. Beyond food, Metaxy Mas has a lot to offer tourists in the scenic setting. The restaurant itself is quite beautiful and features a porch for those who enjoy dining al fresco. Overall it is an extremely hospitable and warm and welcoming place.
Packed with the treasures of the Aegean Sea, Metaxy Mas has aromas and flavors that you cannot miss. Some of their most popular dishes include fava and eggplant white, a filet in Vinsanto sauce, and last but not least, pork chops in orange sauce with baked potatoes. When you visit Metaxy Mas you are guaranteed a good time and a full belly.
Melitini Greek Tapas Restaurant
Melitini Greek Tapas Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Santorini, and for good reason. With tapas, vegan, vegetarian and other options, this restaurant welcomes everyone regardless of diet. There is something here for everyone.
Located in the beautiful Greek town known as Oia, this restaurant was opened by Pantelis and his childhood friend Takis. Together they began their culinary journey after leaving their homes in Athens and moving to Santorini.
Upon arrival, they decided that they would open the first traditional tapas restaurant, serving only native Greek food products. From traditional Greek cuisine to comforting local produce and curated delicacies, the only difficult moment you’ll face will be deciding what to eat. They even have a rooftop terrace that allows visitors to gaze at the caldera volcano and sea while enjoying local cuisine.
Traditional Grill PitaGyros
It’s hard to imagine Greek cuisine without seeing the infamous gyro. Once again, this restaurant has vegetarian and vegan food, as well as a large number of meats. Located right in Oia, Santorini, this is one of the best places in all of Greece to grab a delicious gyro. Also, you can see the beautiful beaches and the caldera due to the picturesque location.
Visit PitaGyros and choose from your choice of charcoal grilled meats, pita gyros, kebab, souvlaki and even handmade sausages that will blow your mind. You can even order whole plates with a mix of grilled items, kebabs, sausages and pita. This homemade pita will also blow your mind. You can even order a mixed grill full of vegetarian items! No matter what your diet is, there’s something here for just about everyone. In fact, it’s so good that even if you’re not planning a visit to Oia, you now have a good reason to.
