Santorini, a small island just 9 hours away from Athens by an unforgettable ferry ride, is definitely on our top list of wonderful places in the world. It’s breathtaking. And the food is a bonus – an extremely big bonus.

One of the things we will never forget about this beautiful island is dining on the cliff with the view of the Caldera. Despite the prices, which are ultimately much higher than that in other parts of Greece, the food is incredible, and with a little research, you are sure to find some tasty Greek dishes for a value that is more than reasonable.

Different regions in Santorini offer different dining atmosphere. There is Oia, the typical lovers paradise; quiet, romantic, and it boasts the best views of the caldera. Dining on the cliff in ‘Ochre’, a Mediterranean restaurant tucked away on the edge of an alley, whilst watching the sunset was a truly an unforgettable experience in Oia. The options were diverse and the food cannot be faulted.

Then there is Fira, equally beautiful views but with more crowd presence. Good for friends, families, and couples that want a more affordable holiday. Near the main bus stop you can find arrays of fast food stalls. We took this chance to buy the popular $2 Gyro and Souvlaki, a classic Greek fast food to balance out the expensive meal the night before. We were so impressed that this eventually became our staple food during our visit.

Other parts of Santorini such as Perissa, Kamiri (by the beach), Pyrgos, and others have taverna’s serving high quality home made food. With careful exploration and an eye for road signs, you can easily travel to these places in style by ATV, a four-wheeled motorbike drive - the most entertaining mode of transport in Santorini.

Tranquilo, an establishment we visited on Perissa beach, was a nice beach side lounge café that offers a fantastic choice of vegetarian food. Their mango wrap and salads were among our favorites! Tomatokeftedes, the Santorini classic, fried tomato balls, although overflowing with oil, is also worth a try. Diva Eats World has an authentic recipe by Chef Dimitris Lazarou from Santorini, here. 

Not having explored enough food revelations, I was reluctant to say good-bye to my newly found favorite island. Our last food stop was at a Taverna called Santorini-Mou, a popular family owned eatery that brags that it’s a superstar favorite by displaying celebrity visit photos all over its walls. Tucked away from the masses of people; this was a lovely restaurant with a very homey, lively, and friendly feel. White aubergines, fava beans, and olives are among standard dishes of Santorini that taste delightful at Santorini-Mou.

Next stop: Athens, another exciting food adventure.

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Images: Leoks, Tequilab, Karl Allgaeuer/Shutterstock; Santorini Mou; Omar Niode Foundation