Is food expensive in Santorini?

On the caldera, yes — expect €60–€120 per person. Inland villages such as Pyrgos, Megalochori and Emporio serve similar or better food for €18–€28 per person.

Where do locals eat in Santorini?

In the inland villages away from the caldera rim, and at the southern harbours such as Vlychada and Akrotiri for fish.

Do I need to book restaurants in Santorini?

For any caldera-view table in summer, yes, several days in advance. Inland tavernas are easier, though a booking still helps at weekends.

What food is Santorini known for?

Fava, tomatokeftedes made from the island's small tomatoes, white aubergine, capers, chloro cheese, fresh fish, and Assyrtiko wine.

Is Ammoudi Bay worth it?

Once. The setting beneath Oia's cliffs is spectacular and the fish is fresh, but it is busy and priced accordingly. Vlychada and Akrotiri offer the same freshness with fewer crowds.

Greece · Diners

Best Tavernas in Santorini Without the Tourist-Trap Prices

Name: Woltaro
Address: EE
Price range: $$$

Published 15 September 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer

To eat well in Santorini without caldera prices, eat inland: Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, Exo Gonia and Vothonas have traditional tavernas at roughly half the cost of Oia or Fira. Save one caldera-view dinner for sunset and book it days ahead. For fish, go to the harbours — Ammoudi, Vlychada or Akrotiri — and buy the day's catch by the kilo. Inland dinner runs €18–€28 per person; a caldera-view dinner €60–€120.

Key takeaways

A caldera view can double or triple the same meal's price.
Inland villages are 10–20 minutes away and vastly better value.
Book sunset tables several days ahead in summer — this is not exaggerated.
Santorini's own produce is excellent: tomatoes, fava, capers, white aubergine.
Fish is priced by the kilo; always confirm the weight and price first.

The inland villages — where the value is

Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, Exo Gonia, Vothonas and Finikia are all within a short drive of the caldera towns and feel like a different island: quiet squares, stone lanes, and tavernas cooking for people who live there.

You lose the sunset and keep the food. For most travellers this is the right trade on most nights.

Typical price: €18–€28 per person with wine.

The caldera — buy the view deliberately

One sunset dinner on the caldera edge in Oia, Imerovigli or Fira is a legitimate reason to spend the money. Treat it as an event, book it well ahead, and choose somewhere with a short, confident menu.

Expect €60–€120 per person at a caldera-view restaurant.
Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset for the table and the light.

Fish at the harbours

Ammoudi, below Oia, is the famous one — tables at the water's edge below the red cliffs, and worth doing once despite the crowds. Vlychada and Akrotiri on the south coast are quieter, cheaper and just as fresh.

Fish is sold by the kilo; a shared whole fish usually works out at €30–€50 per person.

What to order that is actually from Santorini

Fava — yellow split-pea purée with olive oil and onion, a protected Santorini product.
Tomatokeftedes — fritters made from the island's small, intense tomatoes.
White aubergine — sweeter and less bitter than the usual variety.
Capers and caper leaves, used generously in salads.
Chloro cheese, fresh and slightly sour, from neighbouring Santorini dairies.
Assyrtiko wine — bone-dry, volcanic, and the best-value luxury on the island.

Timing, booking and getting around

Sunset tables in Oia sell out days ahead from June to September.
Buses connect the main villages, but a car or scooter makes inland eating far easier.
Lunch in the villages is quiet, cheap and often the best meal of the day.
Book anywhere with a caldera view; walk-ins are rarely successful in summer.

Build a Santorini itinerary

Woltaro is free for restaurants — no subscription, no commission — and free for diners to browse menus, book tables and buy event tickets.

Plan my trip How Woltaro works

Frequently asked questions

Is food expensive in Santorini?: On the caldera, yes — expect €60–€120 per person. Inland villages such as Pyrgos, Megalochori and Emporio serve similar or better food for €18–€28 per person.
Where do locals eat in Santorini?: In the inland villages away from the caldera rim, and at the southern harbours such as Vlychada and Akrotiri for fish.
Do I need to book restaurants in Santorini?: For any caldera-view table in summer, yes, several days in advance. Inland tavernas are easier, though a booking still helps at weekends.
What food is Santorini known for?: Fava, tomatokeftedes made from the island's small tomatoes, white aubergine, capers, chloro cheese, fresh fish, and Assyrtiko wine.
Is Ammoudi Bay worth it?: Once. The setting beneath Oia's cliffs is spectacular and the fish is fresh, but it is busy and priced accordingly. Vlychada and Akrotiri offer the same freshness with fewer crowds.