Where to eat in Corfu
Get an insider’s guide to the best places to eat in Corfu, with an emphasis on secluded spots, stunning views and fresh local cuisine. These are our recommendations for sampling the local wine, fresh fish and seafood, and much-loved Greek taverna classics.
Cuisine on the island is simple, fresh ingredients locally sourced, and made possible by the wonderful climate. That said, while menus won’t vary wildly from taverna to taverna, the quality can. Stick to our tried and tested recommendations to sample the best local ingredients cooked the traditional way.
Bear in mind, that while Corfu is overall excellent for fish, you will generally find that seabass and seabream is from the fish farm rather than fresh. When you order fish always make sure to ask whether it’s fresh and not from the farm, or better yet ask what’s come in fresh to the taverna, and take your pick from that.
The best places for lunch in Corfu
Agni is the ideal location for lunch, with beautiful surroundings and great atmosphere. Local spots Taverna Agni or Toulas next door come particularly recommended. Make sure you try the ‘Toulas Garlic Prawns’ at Toulas, and always ask what fish is fresh.
Meanwhile, the harbour village and fishing hot spot St Stephano is also definitely worth a look. We recommend Eucalyptus, although the food unfortunately varies in quality from year to year – apparently two brothers inherited it and have it on an annual rota! It’s a wonderful place whatever. Otherwise Taverna Galini is one of the original old favourites with Nico the owner being particularly good at making you over order.
Should you find yourself in St Stephano in the evening, make sure to pay Damianos Bar and their fresh strawberry daiquiris a visit.
Elsewhere on the island, there’s Avlacki beach where you can take the children to learn to sail at the local school, then get lunch at either Calvo Barbra or Taverna Koulora, which is a really beautiful spot, having once been part of an old Venetian fort.
Between St Stephano and Kouloura, there’s Kerasia which has some great tavernas but it can’t beat the aforementioned spots.
On the other hand, if you want to dress up for lunch you could always head to Barbati beach to the restaurant/bar Piedra del Mar. You can get a typical taverna lunch, albeit with better furniture, but you can also while away the afternoon drinking on the comfy sofas, and taking in the sea view.
All these restaurants are accessible by boat although Piedra Del Mer does not have a jetty so the captain will have to drop anchor and swim. If you do have access to a boat, then you should head south of Corfu Town to Boukari. Probably the best fresh fish on the island. It’s extremely reasonable and you can even choose your own lobster from the lobster pond.
The best restaurants for dinner in Corfu
If you’re feeling adventurous, you should make the trip up into the mountains from Kassiopi into Old Perithia. The old deserted village is about half an hour’s drive, totally secluded and very beautiful.
When you get there, you’ll find a few different restaurants, but Taverna Old Perithia is the one you want. You can walk down through the village and it’s at the end on the left. This is Corfiut cuisine at its best, and certainly the best place to sample it in the North East of the island. You’re spoilt for choice, with local delicacy stiffado, huge pork chops, gigantes beans, grilled feta, horta, Greek sausages and courgette balls all worthy of your time, with plenty of Greek yogurt to finish it off. This is basic Greek taverna food that is typical of the island - it’s simple but delicious.
It does get very hot in the mountains during the day, but if you do head up for lunch rather than dinner, make sure you pay the beekeeper a visit to buy some fresh local honey.
Closer to Kassiopi is Taverna Imerolia. A good spot for dinner, and like most of the tavernas we’ve mentioned, it’s great for fresh fish. If you want a more varied menu, La Trilogia is well worth the trip in the evening.
Kassiopi itself meanwhile isn't the best, it’s busy and probably best avoided if you have the time to head elsewhere. If you do just want something quick and easy, you can find great Italian food there - head for Little Italy by the square.
It’s worth mentioning that all of the tavernas mentioned are open for lunch or dinner, but this is when we’ve found they’re at their best.
Culture in Corfu
Corfu Town is a hidden gem, with the centre around the main square one of the most beautiful towns in the Meditarranean. This might surprise you if you went through the suburbs on the way from the airport, the best parts are elsewhere and definitely worth seeing.
We recommend you head down in the evening, when it’s a little cooler but the sun hasn’t yet set. Explore the streets and earn that first cocktail at the roof terrace at the Cavalieri Hotel. The cocktails aren’t always the best but the views certainly are.
Stick around for something to eat, and you’ll find La Cucina right in the centre, or the Corfu Sailing Club just ten minutes walk further afield.
For more adventurous day time activities, you can take a car to the top of Mount Pantorcrator. The views are breathtaking and there is a beautiful Greek Orthodox monastery at the top, as well as somewhere for an afternoon drink.
If you have time, head down to the west coast, and make a trip to the Glyfada beach and grab a bite nearby. The beach is sandy and secluded. You might also consider neighbouring Paliokastritsa, but it lacks something of Glyfada’s untouched beauty.
As a final suggestion, consider leaving the island for a day to take in Butrint in Albania. The ancient archeological digs are fascinating even if you aren’t a hardened culture vulture. You can take the ferry from Corfu Town and have an explore.
Whatever you decide to do, with our recommendations you’ll get a real taste of what the island has to offer.
