Traveling and vacation are not complete unless we indulge in local cuisine. It is said that we should go to the restaurants that locals frequent. But how to discover such restaurants? Based on our long stay in Halkidiki and recommendations from our friends in Kassandra, we have made a selection of restaurants that you cannot go wrong with.

Keep in mind that tastes differ and sometimes even the chefs in restaurants change, but the quality of food and dishes served by these restaurants has been maintained for years. Enjoy and let us know your impressions.
And, of course, if you want to check out our rich offer for accommodation in Kassandra, you can do so by clicking here

What to try or buy from local products in Kassandra

Kassandra in Halkidiki produces excellent honey, olive oil, and cipuro (grape rakija).

The most famous honey is produced in Agia Paraskevi and you can buy it on the spot from the producers or in local stores. Quality honey can also be bought in Paliouri, but producers in Agia Paraskevi have the advantage.

In Kassandra, excellent fruit jam from local plantations, homemade pasta, and cakes are also produced.

Excellent wine from local indigenous varieties and French grape varieties ranks the wines of Halkidiki among the most famous wines in Greece. But if you want to try the best wines and cipuro that Halkidiki offers, then you need to visit northern Halkidiki and places like Metaggitsi (Sithonia), Arnaia, Megali Panagia.

When it comes to olive oil, only cold-pressed, olive oil is produced in Kassandra, so whichever you buy, if it has a label indicating that it was produced in Kassandra and that it says Extra virgin olive oil, you can’t go wrong. We suggest asking for advice and recommendations from the owners of the accommodation where you are staying. They will either offer you their own or recommend where to buy it and the producer from whom they themselves buy.

The owners of the Smile supermarket in Pefkohori, on the highway, have their own homemade oil that they sell in the market, so if you are in Pefkohori, you can buy from them.

Where to try Greek traditional cooked dishes on Kassandra?

The most famous local traditional specialties are spinach pies, dolmades in vine leaves, various dishes made from homemade pasta called trahana (stuffed chicken or trahana pie). What is more often eaten in the taverns of Kassandra than in other summer destinations are specialties made from sea urchins. When it comes to local cuisine, there are no dishes that are characteristic specifically for this peninsula in Kassandra, in restaurants and households, classic dishes from Greek cuisine are prepared such as moussaka, pastitsio, papoutsakia, fricassée, stifado, and so on.

If you like to cook or learn how to prepare some of the local dishes, you can visit cooking classes at the Sea of Tastes restaurant in Porto Valitsa. It is necessary to sign up in advance. This restaurant and café in the bay of Porto Valitsa is a place you should visit for coffee or a drink, as it is located in a very beautiful and picturesque place. Porto Valitsa is one of the best bars in Kassandra.

Although we all love it, unfortunately, not all restaurants and tavernas offer homemade, Greek, cooked dishes. Here and there, occasionally. Too bad. In Kassandra, some cooked dishes can be tasted at the Sintrivani restaurant in Pefkohori, moussaka, papoutsakia, stifado, homemade soup… There is also the Makis restaurant in the old square in Pefkohori, which also offers two to three cooked dishes on a daily basis. The offer is slightly different every day. In the Mnemes restaurant in Pefkohori, there is usually one or more cooked dishes, as a daily menu.

What is important, when it comes to cooked dishes, is to choose those restaurants that always make fresh dishes and do not store food for the next day to serve it again to their guests. Makis and Sintrivani always offer freshly prepared dishes on the same day they are served, and for that reason, they should be chosen if you decide to try a dish from Greek, traditional cuisine. It is important to visit Sintrivani by 2 p.m., as they only cook for lunch, so very often there is nothing left for dinner. This tavern also offers some more favorable packages for two, three, or four people. It is located at the central intersection in Pefkohori, the ambiance is simple and modest and usually does not attract tourists, but locals recommend this tavern precisely because of the freshly cooked dishes. It is important to know that it is neither a fancy nor an attractive tavern, it is one of the more affordable ones. Within the restaurant, there is also a fast food restaurant where you can buy a large gyro for 3.5€.

The best taverns and fish restaurants in Kassandra recommended by locals

Taverna Makis, Pefkohori. A small, family-owned tavern in the old square in Pefkohori that has been around for 30 years, run by one family and the mother cooks the food. A favorite place not only for the locals of Pefkohori but also for tourists. Their moussaka is excellent, as well as their homemade tzatziki and oven-baked chicken (gastra). Try their kolokithokeftedes (zucchini meatballs), a Greek version of meatballs. Prices in this tavern are more affordable. A portion of meat is around 7€, appetizers between 3.5 and 4.5€, a portion of small fish (grilled sardines or fried with French fries and anchovies in sauce) is 7€, while calamari, shrimp, and cod range between 8 and 10€. The portions are medium-sized to small.

Mnemes restaurant, Pefkohori. This is a modern restaurant with an interesting concept located between Hanioti and Pefkohori. The restaurant has a large and beautifully landscaped garden in an olive grove. On the edges of the garden, there are vegetable plantations (zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, cherry tomatoes, eggplants), and in large planters, there is aromatic and herbaceous plants (oregano, thyme, basil…). The daily menu usually includes moussaka and another cooked dish and appetizer, while the standard menu offers excellently grilled meat, appetizers, and salads. Prices range from moderate to higher. Salads are from 7 to 9€, moussaka 10€, other cooked dishes from 10 to 13€, appetizers from 5€ to 7€, grilled meat from 10 to 18€. The restaurant is an excellent choice for those who want to try something different, enjoy a specific and very pleasant atmosphere, as well as delicious food. Grilled chicken skewer (kontosouvli) is our absolute favorite, and you won’t regret ordering it. The clientele is mostly Greeks as the restaurant is located above the main road and is not easy to notice. The restaurant has parking for visitors, and at the entrance, there are two large boxes with geese, ducks, chickens, and roosters, which is an attraction for children. There are also flowers in the garden, and if you like this concept, we are sure you will like it. We recommend trying the chicken kontosouvli, grandmother’s meatballs, and dakos with ground meat. If you are a fan, you can also try the famous Greek specialty Kokoretsi (grilled offal) as well as lamb in the Cretan way. Since there is a garden with vegetables within the restaurant, choose one of the seasonal salads with vegetables from the garden. One of our favorites is the salad with fresh zucchini. If you are a meat lover, you can try veal tongue as an appetizer.

Zahos restaurant, Kassandrino. A hidden family restaurant in the heart of Kassandra, opened in 1962. Their specialty is lamb and some other meats on the spit, as well as kokoretsi (offal on the spit). There is a beautiful summer terrace next to an old house. This restaurant is exclusively for lovers of spit-roasted meat. Kassandrino is a small traditional place in the inland part of Kassandra. To reach the tavern and the village, you need to take a forest road (from Polychrono towards Furka). If you like a slightly different atmosphere, visit this place to experience authentic Greece. The restaurant is new and nicely decorated, but if you walk the streets of the village, you will see how people live in remote villages in Greece that do not rely solely on tourism. Small, very modest houses in a very beautiful environment will remain in your memory. If you have time, take a short walk through them. The village is surrounded by hills and pine forests. The restaurant is nicely decorated, and the service is very fast. The spit-roasted meat is tasty, but we have tried much tastier on Halkidiki (Mnemes in Kassandra and Klimataria in Sithonia). At Zahos, we recommend the bacon on the spit. The chicken is seasoned, so it might not be to everyone’s liking, and the pork is a bit dry for our taste, so the bacon is our favorite. They also have good salads, refreshing and citrusy are our favorites. If you like to enjoy lunch in a different environment, then it is worth visiting this village. You can also use the visit to buy homemade olive oil from the villagers in the town center. You will see a sign opposite the church.

Ouzeri Mpalatsos, Kriopigi. This tavern is a favorite place for locals all year round. The tavern’s garden is in deep shade, and the service is very fast. The tavern is not oriented towards tourists but towards locals who know what they want to order and do not need any special explanations or smiles. The waiter goes around the tables taking orders and serving dishes without much conversation, so sometimes tourists may conclude that there is a lack of friendliness, but it is not the case. The tavern is not fancy, but family-owned, in the courtyard of a family house, in the shade of mulberry trees. We have tried almost everything in this tavern, and everything was excellent: anchovies in lemon sauce, grilled squid, grilled vegetables, grilled sardines, sea bream, and sea bass on the grill, fried calamari, homemade cheese croquettes, cod, fava (a spread made from a legume similar to beans), and many other specialties! The tavern is most famous for its croquettes and sardines. If you love fried seafood, they are excellent. It is located beyond the main road and is not visible from the road. It is best to park your car on the main road and then walk about 50 meters to the tavern. They also have excellent homemade wine that is extremely affordable. One glass is 1.5€. Prices for appetizers range from 4 to 6€, salads from 6 to 9€, seafood around 8€ except for shrimp and octopus which are 14€, smaller fish 8€, larger grilled fish from 10 to 17€, various grilled meats mostly 8€, some 9€, and some special dishes or larger portions from 10 onwards, risottos and pasta with seafood from 8.5€ onwards, half a liter of homemade wine 4€, a glass 1.5€.

Taverna o Lemonis, Paliouri. Another family restaurant that mainly serves seafood. Their most famous specialty is sardines in red wine sauce. If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy a delicious meal in a peaceful environment, this tavern can be a good choice. The tavern is located in the center of the village of Paliouri, which is quite charming and less commercial, making it even more appealing. The tavern has a lovely terrace. The service is fast, and the food is tasty. The bougatsa is made in a completely different way, in a tomato sauce, but it is delicious. We also tried their homemade taramasalata (fish roe spread), which we liked, and grilled sardines are one of their specialties. When you visit this tavern, you can also take a short walk through the charming village center.

Mamalouka restaurant, Pefkohori. This is an upscale place with slightly higher prices, but perhaps with the best atmosphere on the entire peninsula. Located right on the beach, it serves as a restaurant and beach bar. In our opinion, the most beautiful restaurant and beach bar in Pefkohori. The atmosphere is lovely, especially in the evening when a fire is lit on the beach, good music is playing, and lanterns are lit. If you plan to visit the restaurant in the evening, we recommend making a reservation in advance. The concept is such that they do not have a wide selection of dishes, only a few appetizers like Spanish tapas, but all are part of Greek culinary culture, such as Htipiti (a salad with feta cheese, hot pepper, and olive oil) that they prepare in front of you. One of the best dishes is anchovies in sauce, and you can also try branzino carpaccio and sea urchin soup, which are not available all summer, as well as lentil salad.

This place has an excellent atmosphere and good music and is popular with both locals and tourists. We recommend it only to those who want to try something different, unusual, different tastes, for a special evening with a loved one. We do not recommend it to those who do not like to experiment with flavors.

If you want to take your loved one to an exceptionally beautiful and romantic place, Mamaluka restaurant can be an excellent choice. What we also tried and really liked are small grilled squids (trapsala), beetroot carpaccio with eel, cod, taramasalata mousse (fish roe salad), fresh green seasonal salads, grilled sardines and anchovies in lemon sauce, salmon. Everything was more than delicious.

Faros fish tavern, Hanioti Faros is one of those taverns where the portions are really large, you could say even double the standard size, while the prices are slightly higher, but certainly not double. The food is good, average, and typical for a tavern, but what sets it apart from others are the truly large portions. The tavern is always full of visitors, mostly Greeks. It is an excellent choice if you are in a large group and want to order a larger quantity of food or if you can eat a larger quantity yourself, but also if you want to save money by ordering one portion for two, Faros is a good choice. Portions of seafood are around 10-12€, and meat around 9€. The food is mostly fried.

Klimataria tavern, Pefkohori. If you have been to Pefkohori, you have surely passed by this lovely tavern. The owner is a true artist, as can be seen from the interior. During the winter, he likes to collect driftwood on the beach and make various things that he displays in the tavern. The tables are placed under vines, the ambiance is truly Greek, and you will feel good here. The food in the tavern is traditional Greek, you can have a quality lunch at a reasonable price, and there is no overcrowding. They serve seafood, fish, and meat, so you can have a tasty and quality meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

Tsaparis tavern, Pefkohori. Tsaparis is one of the best fish taverns in Pefkohori. They always have fresh fish and seafood and good service. Located above the main road, in the old part of Pefkohori, across from the church. The locals and tourists love it. Everything here is good, from shellfish stew to meat, but we recommend that you try the fish and seafood.

Masalia tavern, Nea Fokea. One of the best taverns for fish in all of Kassandra. This is where the people of Thessaloniki used to come for fresh and delicious fish and seafood.

Tomata restaurant, Sani resort. The best restaurant in Sani is Tomata. However, all restaurants in Sani belong to the luxury Sani Resort, so they have slightly higher prices. Nevertheless, if you want to enjoy this part of Kassandra, we recommend choosing Tomata for your lunch or dinner.

Arhontiko tavern, Agia Paraskevi. The tavern is most famous for lamb ribs (paidakia). It is located near the town center, and after 6 p.m. you can eat lamb and other meats on the spit here. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are quite large, the staff is friendly. The place is interesting because it is not on the coast.

Captain fish restaurant (tavern), Lutra. Captain is the most famous fish restaurant in the town of Lutra (Agia Paraskevi). They always have fresh fish and seafood. Their most famous specialty is karavides (similar to shrimp, just a slightly different type). It is best to ask for the fish of the day, as the offer is not always the same.

Villa Stasa, Lutra. This restaurant has been mentioned as recommended by tourists. It is located in a very beautiful place, nestled in pine trees (some fell during the last storm) and has a fantastic view of the sea. If you decide to have lunch or dinner in Lutra, the food is slightly better at Captain, but the view is better at Villa Stasa. The choice is yours, you can’t go wrong in either case.

Vouka tavern, Afitos. One of the better restaurants in Afitos is Vouka. It is a small restaurant in the heart of the town, but with a slightly different menu compared to others. The restaurant serves dishes from modern Greek cuisine combined with traditional flavors. Here you can try an interesting salad with beets and seeds, original carbonara, but also tarama spread with fish roe if you want to try different tastes from the usual.

Las pas restaurant, Pefkohori. This restaurant sometimes shines, sometimes is average. What is always good here are anchovies in sauce, so you can’t go wrong with that. It is located across from the old church.

Grigoris Tavern, Afitos. This tavern has been recommended by many locals as a place where you can eat meat specialties at a reasonable price. The locals really love it. It is located by the road, not in a particularly attractive place, but there are trees in front of the tavern and a very small playground for children, making the stay pleasant. Since Greek “barbecue” is not entirely to our liking, we weren’t thrilled with their famous souvlaki, but it’s not bad. What we really liked were the meatballs (sucukakia), which we ordered twice. Salads cost €5 to €7, appetizers around €5, pork souvlaki for a 4-piece portion is €8.8, 5 meatballs €8 and other meats cost €8 to €10.
In any case, we stopped by here later, when we wanted something simple to eat, and on the way.
Poseidon Taverna, Possidi This is a tavern that we never get to visit, but according to a few of our friends from Kassandra, it is one of the best taverns in Kassandra. If you have been there, write us your impressions, and if not, we will definitely visit it next summer and write about it.

The best fast food restaurants and bakeries (bugatsa) in Kassandra

When it comes to fast food, the gyros that locals love the most is Garrys in Hanioti. The place is known for its excellent hygiene and friendly staff, quality ingredients and large portions. The restaurant is popular, so in the high season, in the evenings you can see a line of guests waiting for a table to become available. They also do delivery and you can order to have it brought to your accommodation address.

Paratinalos in Pefkohori also has very tasty gyros, but it is usually a bit more expensive than in other places and it often happens that you have to wait a little longer to be served.
If you are craving good bugatsa (Greek burek) then visit Bugatsa Kostas in Pefkohori for pies, burek and bugatsa or Bugatsa Dramis in Hanioti where you can try excellent bugatsa with sweet vanilla cream or cheese and a large selection of cakes.
In both bakeries, the owners roll out the crusts themselves, so the bugatsa is 100% homemade.

Best bars in Kassandra

Villa Stasa in Possidi. A cafe with a fantastic view is located in a very interesting and picturesque place. Although the pine trees you can see in our photos were knocked down due to the recent storm, this bar is still one of the best places for a quick snack or lunch.

Porto Valitsa, we mentioned it above. We would only add here that during the summer there are also theater performances and mini concerts organized here. A beautiful and picturesque bay, great as a backdrop for beautiful photos.

Kudu Bar in Mola Kaliva is run by our compatriot and is the perfect place for a drink or a dessert in the peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings of this cafe.

Mamalouka Bar in Pefkohori is also an exceptionally beautiful bar. We mentioned it when we talked about the Mamalouka restaurant.

We must also mention the best pastry shops in Kassandra.

There are many of them and they are mostly good. The Greeks are known for their excellent cakes and pies. The best pastry shops are those where the owners make their own cakes and ice cream in the traditional way. This is exactly the kind of homemade ice cream that is made in Nea Skioni at the Anemoni pastry shop, and this ice cream is considered the best homemade ice cream in Kassandra.

For lovers of sweet Greek bread (tsureki), there is the famous pastry shop from the Terkenlis chain. It is located on the Kallithea - Kassandra road. If you want to try homemade tsureki, then stop by the Mandanis pastry shop in Afitos. You can also try other pastries at Mandanis.

The Lemonis bakery and pastry shop are famous in Kassandra and are certainly on the list of favorite bakeries of our tourists. Among the large ice cream chains, there are Kayak, Freggio, Alfa, Mars. Our absolute favorite is Freggio and here, in addition to excellent ice cream, you can also try waffles and other pastries.

The Dramis pastry shop and bakery in Hanioti, in addition to the bougainvillea, has very nice and varied pastries.

You can try the best lukumadesa at the Sorbello pastry shop in Hanioti, and if you like homemade ice cream, they also make it here and it’s good.

The best taverns and restaurants in Kassandra according to tourists

Some of the best taverns in Kassandra according to tourists are:
Bakalis in Pefkohori,
Thea Thalassa in Afitos,
Aelia in Nea Skioni,
Villa Stasa in Agia Paraskevi (Loutra),
Flegra in Polychrono,
Vassilas and Sidera in Possidi,
Zattero in Fourka,
Diamantis in Siviri,
Marina in Nea Potidea
Dias, Colibri and Faros in Kallithea.
Within the Elani Bay Resort on Elani Beach there is a restaurant with a beautiful view, as well as a cafe.
One of the taverns (pizzerias) that our and foreign tourists love very much is Capari in Hanioti. We visited it and the food is OK, but nothing more than that. What is nice here and why we would come back is the shaded garden and a very pleasant atmosphere.

At the end of the text, we would like to say that, of course, you should keep in mind that tastes are different, but also that every chef can change the menu at some point or the restaurant can change the chef.
The text was written solely to convey our sincere recommendations to you, without the intention of advertising any restaurant.

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