These are the restaurants, tavernas and bars where we eat ourselves when we are on Rhodes. From the taverna around the corner in Pastida to hidden courtyards in Rhodes Town and fish restaurants by the sea. No paid listings, only places we recommend to the guests of Villa Pastida with confidence.
Pastida is an authentic Greek village without mass tourism. Around the village square you will find tavernas, a gyros shop, a patisserie and a bakery – all a few minutes' walk from Villa Pastida.
Our regular haunt. Owner Savvas runs the taverna with his family and over the years has become a true family friend. This is Greek meze the way it should be: small dishes to share, just like tapas.
Small but special: an authentic kafeneio with a charming little courtyard, real meze and Greek village prices. Order half a litre of wine or another drink and three meze dishes are included – fresh every day and different every day.
There are two gyros shops in Pastida – for the best one, go to the one with the white chairs. Generous portions and honest, delicious food, a short walk to the village square.
A place with a modern boho feel that is open from morning to night: breakfast, lunch, coffee, burgers and a good cocktail in the evening. Popular with locals and guests.
A charming patisserie with homemade cakes and ice-cream cakes, plenty of choice and, in our opinion, the best ice cream in Pastida.
An authentic Greek bakery for fresh bread rolls, savoury pies and traditional treats. From the villa: turn left, then left again at the end of the street. Please note: closed on Sundays.
Looking for a modern bakery? Pane di Capo has exceptional croissants, fresh bread and specialty coffee. Truly next-level pastries.
Rhodes Town is about a 20-minute drive from Villa Pastida. Combine dinner with an evening stroll through the medieval Old Town or along the harbour.
A true hidden gem, tucked away in a courtyard garden full of greenery and fairy lights. The Greek and Mediterranean dishes here are just that little bit different. Perfect for a special evening on holiday.
A convivial meze restaurant in a quiet, green courtyard garden – an oasis in the middle of town. Honest food, made with care from fresh, local ingredients. The kind of place where you lose track of time.
Authentic Greek food on a terrace under jasmine, surrounded by orange, olive and grape trees. This is where the locals eat – always a good sign. Don't come too early: Greeks don't sit down until around half past seven.
In the heart of the Old Town, with a unique atmosphere of Greek tradition and hospitality. For us the best place for fish and meze in the old city centre.
For those looking for a gastronomic experience. A beautiful setting, exceptional service and a culinary journey you will remember.
Relaxed yet stylish, and a little different from the classic Greek addresses. Booking is really necessary in the evening; parking is available nearby.
Fancy something other than Greek? At this Italian pasta and pizza bar the pasta is served from a whole wheel of Parmesan. There is also a second branch in the new town.
Japanese flavours in a historic setting, diagonally opposite Il Borgo. A nice change when you feel like a break from Greek cuisine.
Recommended for families: there is a playground, so the children can play while the adults enjoy their meal in peace.
A beach day by day, an atmospheric dinner with the sound of the sea in the background by night. Much more than a beach bar: refined dishes and good wines.
In the villages around Pastida – Kremasti, Ialyssos and Soroni – you will find some of our personal favourites, usually a 10 to 20-minute drive away.
A warm, slightly hidden place that feels like a local secret. Everything is prepared with care and beautifully presented. Not too busy, not too formal – just right. Perfect for an evening for two.
A cosy, authentic taverna that feels like one big family. Meze to share, grilled meat and fresh salads, all made with love. A little further to drive, but perfect to combine with a trip along the west coast.
A little tucked away, but easy to find with Google Maps. This is the place to order a table full of real Greek meze. Also a lovely spot when the weather is less kind.
A charming taverna with traditional Greek dishes, from grilled fish to meat and vegetarian options. Warm hospitality and friendly prices.
Italian on the roof terrace and sushi on the ground floor, in a location with beautiful views. A real photo hotspot.
Combine a beach day with a long lunch or dinner by the water. These places are close to the beaches in our beach guide.
For us one of the best meze restaurants on Rhodes, with a beautiful view over the sea. The grounds are enclosed and have a play area for children, so the adults can take their time at the table.
Greek cuisine with a modern twist, in a beautiful garden. Manolis has been a family business since 1972: founded by Manolis Papanikolaou and continued by his family, with chef Lazaros Papanikolaou in the kitchen. He works with local produce and combines authentic recipes with his own creations.
Right on the water in Stegna, with the most beautiful view. The perfect end to a beach day. We even tasted fresh sea urchins here.
A charming restaurant right on the water with a breathtaking sea view, specialising in fresh fish dishes.
Traditional Greek flavours with a modern, gastronomic twist, in a stylish interior with friendly service.
In the heart of Lindos, with Greek hospitality and a modern twist. Sit inside or on the terrace, with views of the bay of Lindos and the Acropolis.
From a quiet wine bar in the Old Town to a lounge by the sea: this is how to end the evening well.
Cocktail and wine bar in the Old Town with a unique wine cellar. You can also join wine tastings with changing themes here.
An intimate, relaxed lounge overlooking the sea. Perfect for a romantic evening and for enjoying Rhodes nightlife in style.
A beautiful outdoor space in the middle of the medieval town, with good cocktails and a party every night in high season. Check their programme on their website.
Want to really let loose? Then the bar street in Rhodes Town is the place, with even a Dutch bar (open in high season only). Mainly aimed at a younger crowd and noticeably pricier than elsewhere on the island.
We can have pita gyros, burgers or pizza delivered to Villa Pastida. You can also order yourself through the e-food.gr app. And with the villa's fully equipped kitchen and barbecue, cooking yourself is a pleasure too.
Pastida has a few small supermarkets, a traditional butcher and a patisserie within walking distance. For bigger shopping trips, Lidl and Sklavenitis are about a 15-minute drive away.
Our favourite is Taverna Skalakia for Greek meze. For real meze at village prices, go to To Kafeneio Tis Ariadnis. For gyros, go to Gourounakia; for breakfast and cocktails, Epavlis Café; and for ice cream and cake, Mela Karamela. Everything is within walking distance of Villa Pastida.
For a special evening we recommend Marco Polo and 4 Rodies, both in an atmospheric courtyard garden. For authentic Greek food where the locals go: Drosoulites Rakadiko. For fish in the Old Town: Ta Petaladika.
Greeks eat late, usually from 7:30 pm or later. If you sit down at 6 pm, you will often be the only guest.
At popular places such as Marco Polo, Mesostrati, To Posperi, Ta Petaladika and Sergio's, booking is strongly recommended, especially in high season. Note that some restaurants close on Tuesdays and opening hours vary in spring and autumn.
Meze are small Greek dishes to share, similar to tapas. You order several different dishes, such as saganaki, tzatziki, grilled fish and salads, and taste a bit of everything.
From Villa Pastida you can walk to the village tavernas and drive to Rhodes Town in 20 minutes. Boutique luxury, with a private pool and rooftop jacuzzi, at the heart of real Greek life.
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