Mykonos has evolved far beyond its reputation as a party island to become one of Greece’s most sophisticated culinary destinations. From intimate tavernas hidden in narrow alleys to glamorous beachside venues, the island offers dining experiences that celebrate both traditional Cycladic flavors and innovative contemporary cuisine. Here are 10 exceptional restaurants that showcase the very best of Mykonos’ gastronomic scene.
1. Nōema – Cultural Dining Revolution
Location: Panachra, Hora
Housed in a beautifully converted former cinema, Nōema represents the new wave of Greek dining that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Chef Athinagoras Kostakos has created something truly special here—a sleek cultural and culinary venue that transforms throughout the evening from refined dinner spot to vibrant nightlife destination.
The space itself is a masterpiece of contemporary design, featuring raw concrete, charcoal tones, and tropical greenery arranged around a stunning central courtyard. What sets Nōema apart is its approach to sharing plates rooted in Cycladic tradition. The crispy octopus with oxymel is a revelation, while the smoked taramasalata served with carob rusk elevates a classic dip to fine-dining status. The cinnamon-spiced pork chops showcase the kitchen’s ability to make familiar flavors feel extraordinary.
The bar program is equally impressive, highlighting biodynamic wines and cocktails crafted with foraged herbs that capture the essence of the Aegean landscape. As the evening progresses, live music and DJ sets transform the space, making Nōema a singular experience that merges gastronomy, nightlife, and design into something uniquely Mykonian.
2. Yēvo – Seasonal Storytelling
Location: Megali Ammos
At Yēvo, dining becomes a form of storytelling, with each course drawing inspiration from both the land and the surrounding Aegean Sea. Chef Aggelos Bakopoulos doesn’t simply reference traditional recipes—he builds upon them with remarkable care and precision, creating dishes that honor the past while embracing modern culinary techniques.
The restaurant’s pared-back aesthetic mirrors its culinary philosophy: clean lines, elemental materials, and breathtaking sea-sky horizons that allow the food to take center stage. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring that every visit offers new discoveries. Standout dishes include shrimp kissed with pistachio and bitter greens, and slow-cooked beef enriched with Cycladic herbs and potatoes.
What makes Yēvo truly special is the thoughtful pacing of the meal. The restaurant offers two seasonal tasting menus that leave room for contemplation between courses. The staff moves with fluid precision, allowing each dish to speak in its full voice while creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to the island’s natural rhythms.
3. Scorpios – Bohemian Beach Elegance
Location: Paraga
Now part of the prestigious Soho House family, Scorpios has become synonymous with Mykonos’ sophisticated beach culture. Set on a sun-soaked peninsula with panoramic Aegean views, this bohemian paradise seamlessly blends natural materials like wood and linen with cosmopolitan flair.
The culinary program at Scorpios is both precise and elevated, offering dishes that feel effortless despite their technical sophistication. The seared tuna Niçoise captures the essence of Mediterranean coastal dining, while the featherlight shrimp demonstrates the kitchen’s mastery of seafood preparation. The silky taramasalata has achieved legendary status among regulars, but it’s the lobster risotto with citrus, ouzo, and shellfish broth that truly showcases the restaurant’s ability to marry Greek flavors with international techniques.
As the sun sets, Scorpios transforms into something magical. The famous Sunset Rituals feature live music and carefully curated DJ sets, creating a celebration that continues well into the night. The service is polished throughout, and the wine list has been thoughtfully assembled to complement both the cuisine and the spectacular setting.
4. Cabbanes – Symphony of Seasons
Location: Elia Beach
Perched on an elegant terrace that seems to float above the azure waters below, Cabbanes offers one of Mykonos’ most refined dining experiences. Chef Filippos Stampoulis orchestrates tasting menus that read like composed symphonies, with each dish carefully positioned within a larger culinary narrative.
The restaurant offers three distinct tasting menu experiences: Voyage, Chef’s Signature, and Chef’s Signature Vegetarian. Each menu represents a deliberate progression through flavors and textures that capture the essence of the season. The watermelon with fennel and mastic arrives chilled and herbaceous, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of dishes like silky foie gras paired with miso and hazelnut.
The setting enhances every aspect of the dining experience. Tables dressed in pristine linen are bathed in flickering candlelight, while the endless blue of the Aegean provides a constantly changing backdrop. Nothing here feels superfluous—every element, from the precisely chosen wines to the intuitive service, contributes to an experience that feels both exclusive and deeply satisfying.
5. Rizes – Farm-to-Table Authenticity
Location: Ano Meria
Far from the bustling party scene of Mykonos Town, Rizes offers a soulful return to the island’s agricultural roots. Set on a working farm complete with gardens, stables, and folklore exhibits, this rustic retreat provides an authentic taste of traditional Cycladic life.
The dining experience takes place under a charming pergola, where the air is scented with wood smoke and sea breezes. The menu celebrates the bounty of the farm’s own gardens: zucchini blossoms prepared with delicate care, thyme-scented sausages that capture the essence of the island’s wild herbs, golden pies that showcase traditional techniques, and slow-braised lamb that melts off the bone.
What makes Rizes truly special is its commitment to the complete farm experience. Guests can participate in bread-kneading workshops, take cooking classes to learn traditional techniques, or explore the countryside on horseback. As evening approaches, live music often transforms dinner into a joyful gathering that feels like a celebration of everything that makes Greek hospitality legendary. The pairing of house-baked bread with local wine or tsipouro completes this immersive journey into authentic Mykonian culture.
6. Nero Nero – Ultimate Romantic Dining
Location: Kivotos Hotel & Villas, Ornos Bay
For those seeking the pinnacle of romantic dining experiences, Nero Nero offers something truly extraordinary. This exclusive restaurant features just one table, set either on a private deck suspended above the sea or aboard a luxury yacht, creating an intimate atmosphere that’s impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Access to this culinary sanctuary is an experience in itself—guests arrive either by following a candle-lit path or by boat, building anticipation for what’s to come. The menu represents a showcase of global luxury ingredients prepared with meticulous attention to detail. Gillardeau oysters arrive enhanced with rum syrup and citrus pearls, while blue crab tartar is elevated with passion fruit and black garlic.
The progression of courses reads like a love letter to fine dining: charcoal-grilled yellowfin tuna with an umami-rich crust, perfectly prepared lobster, delicate foie gras scallops, pristine turbot, and exceptional Wagyu beef. Each dish is exquisitely crafted and presented with theatrical flair. The combination of candlelight, crashing waves below, and flawless service creates an unforgettable evening that defines ultra-romantic dining.
7. Meraki – Fire and Sea
Location: Cavo Tagoo
Meraki’s stunning terrace appears to float above the Aegean coastline like something from a dream. The restaurant’s philosophy centers around the primal elements of fire and sea, with a menu that showcases grilled meats and ember-charred seafood designed for sharing.
The lobster giouvetsi represents the perfect marriage of luxury and comfort—tender lobster swimming in rich orzo and briny broth that captures the essence of the sea. The slow-cooked lamb neck demonstrates the kitchen’s mastery of time and temperature, cooked until it barely remembers the bone and infused with aromatic herbs.
The setting epitomizes golden hour dining, with brushed brass accents, pristine white stone, and sea views that command attention throughout the meal. The staff strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth—trained but never stiff, swift but never rushed. Meraki succeeds in delivering luxury through a familiar Mediterranean dialect, creating an atmosphere that feels both confident and quintessentially Mykonian.
8. Baos – Serious Seafood Artistry
Location: Mykonos Town
In the heart of Mykonos Town, Baos brings a serious, almost reverential approach to seafood preparation. Chef Panagiotis Tsoukatos leads the kitchen with quiet authority, allowing technique to show without ever overwhelming the natural flavors of the sea.
The menu reflects a deep understanding of how to honor the Aegean’s bounty without sentimentality. Octopus arrives glossed with wild herbs and citrus, creating a dish that feels both familiar and revelatory. The ceviche of bass, steeped in tomato essence, demonstrates the kitchen’s ability to balance acidity and sweetness with precision. Perhaps most impressive is the restaurant’s interpretation of tarama, transformed into something soft, smoky, and completely unexpected.
The interior design emphasizes light and space, with white stone and soft fabrics creating an atmosphere of calm sophistication. The chef’s counter offers front-row seats to the culinary performance, while the main dining room provides a more intimate setting. Service is knowledgeable without being pretentious, and the wine list efficiently complements the seafood-focused menu. This is Aegean cooking with both technical prowess and genuine soul.
9. M-Eating – Modern Cycladic Cuisine
Location: 10 Kalogera Str., Chora
Tucked away in a beautifully restored townhouse in Mykonos Town, M-eating represents the thoughtful evolution of Greek cuisine. The restaurant’s exposed beams and serene courtyard create an intimate setting that feels both historic and contemporary, providing the perfect backdrop for a menu that centers on Cycladic ingredients prepared with modern finesse.
The kitchen’s approach to traditional dishes shows remarkable creativity without losing respect for their origins. Octopus with fava purée transforms two Greek classics into something greater than the sum of their parts. The sous-vide lamb with mashed onions and zucchini demonstrates technical skill while honoring rustic flavors. The slow-cooked cockerel with pastitsada showcases how traditional techniques can be refined without losing their essential character.
Sea bass appears in several preparations throughout the menu, each highlighting different aspects of this prized Mediterranean fish. Seasonal touches like fragrant tomato soup and innovative dishes such as onion swirl pie with tyrovolia cheese add contemporary flair. Desserts continue the theme of respectful innovation, with Myconian honey pie and bright lemon tart providing satisfying conclusions to meals. The Greek-focused wine list has been thoughtfully assembled to enhance the bright, local flavors that define the restaurant’s approach.
10. Kiki’s Tavern – Authentic Island Soul
Location: Agios Sostis
No culinary tour of Mykonos would be complete without experiencing Kiki’s Tavern, a rustic gem that represents the authentic soul of Greek island dining. Set above the pristine Agios Sostis beach, this off-the-grid establishment operates without electricity or reservations, creating an experience that feels delightfully removed from the modern world.
The charm of Kiki’s lies in its unwavering commitment to simplicity and authenticity. All cooking is done over an outdoor wood-fired barbecue, imparting a distinctive smoky flavor to everything from fresh fish to perfectly grilled meats. The menu is refreshingly straightforward: tangy salads dressed with excellent olive oil, baked feta that bubbles with Mediterranean warmth, and smoky eggplant that showcases the magic of open-fire cooking.
The setting could hardly be more picturesque—diners sit at rustic tables shaded by trees, with sweeping views of the sea below. Despite its hidden location and deliberately low-tech approach, Kiki’s buzzes with energy throughout the day. The atmosphere feels like an extended family gathering: unpretentious, warm, and deeply Greek. This is back-to-basics dining where food and hospitality take center stage, reminding visitors why the simplest pleasures are often the most memorable.
Conclusion: A Culinary Island Paradise
These ten restaurants represent just a fraction of Mykonos’ incredible dining landscape, but they showcase the remarkable diversity and quality that have made the island a world-class culinary destination. From the innovative artistry of Nōema and Yēvo to the rustic authenticity of Kiki’s Tavern, each venue offers its own interpretation of what it means to dine well in the Cyclades.
Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening above the waves, a sophisticated beach club experience, or an authentic taste of traditional Greek hospitality, Mykonos delivers experiences that linger long after the last sunset. The island’s chefs and restaurateurs have succeeded in creating something remarkable: a dining scene that honors its Greek heritage while embracing international influences, all set against one of the world’s most beautiful backdrops.
As you plan your culinary journey through Mykonos, remember that each restaurant represents not just a meal, but a window into the soul of this enchanting island. The flavors, settings, and warm hospitality you’ll encounter here exemplify everything that makes Greek dining culture so special—generous, inventive, and utterly unforgettable.
