Sitting down to dine, particularly with family, is a stalwart tradition across Greece. Food here is more than just fuel; it’s about love, thought, and pausing to savour a moment, whether curbside souvlaki or a decadent spread. And so it stands to reason that on this Greek island, there are lots of wonderful Paros restaurants, with its unrivalled Byzantine footpaths, traditional fishing villages and windmill-peppered hillsides. From those tucked into mountainside hotels to the more extrovert options, sprawled out across the honey-hued sands. Look out for locally-loved dishes of Kalfas with garlic, baked chickpeas in a clay pot, artichokes with broad beans, rice with sweet zucchini and string beans with garlic, though all the best restaurants on this Cycladic island offer much more besides.
Soso
A hidden gem whispered online within Paros’ inner circles and food-loving travellers in the know, Soso’s refined take on homely food makes it a must-visit for those far from their own. Tucked away down a quiet, bougainvillaea-clad alley, tables are limited. They must be booked ahead, as the reasonable prices and down-to-earth, bona fide atmosphere mean that loyal customers return here again and again. The menu is small but perfectly formed, with various meat, fish and cheese-based dishes, each offering an authentic flavour of the island and its heritage. Soso is so, so grass-roots that instead of a website, it has only a Facebook page, where the owners share menus, photos of their own travels and merry greetings to a loyal clientele.
Address: Soso, Naousa 844 01, Greece
Website: facebook.com
Mr E at Parilio
Housed in one of Paros’ most luxurious hotels, Parilio, light-filled restaurant Mr E is the handiwork of celebrated chef Alexandros Tsiotinis. Spilling out from the side of the lobby and into a covered outdoor area, the airy eatery serves locally inspired Mediterranean fare in a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere, where large, statement windows frame the undulating hillside beyond. Resident cats (who have likely tried the menu five times over) weave around the legs of receptive diners; a gentle breeze meanders through the greenery that envelops the patio and the low hum of relaxed chatter and the sound of the satisfied scraping of plates winds long into the night.
Address: Mr E at Parilio, Kolympithres, Naousa 844 01, Greece
Website: pariliohotelparos.com
Sigi Ikthios
In prime position on the cobblestone promenade of Nauosa, this harbourside restaurant brings the abundant delights of Paros and beyond to the table with an extensive menu of classic and modern dishes. The fish here is, unsurprisingly, served fresh from the net of the fishing boats that bob just yards away from diners, though tender meats, such as beef fillet cooked in the local Mavrodafni wine, give the seafood a worthy run for its money. Buzzy and authentic inside and out, guests are invited to walk through the kitchen to watch their food being prepared using traditional and innovative techniques.
Address: Sigi Ikthios, Limanaki Naousa, Naousa 844 01, Greece
Website: paros-restaurants.gr
Taverna Mouragio
In prime position beside the cerulean waters of the Aegean, Tavern Mouragio is nestled in the peaceful village of Paroikia, where the family-run restaurant has been a much-loved feature for over thirty years. The menu here has been refined over time and mixes traditional comfort food with light, uplifting dishes, including tomato croquettes (which those in the know are willing to travel for) and ray fish spaghetti, all served under the low glow of street lights on the cobblestoned pathway of the harbour. The restaurant’s location is a sunset hotspot, so expect to down tools with the rest of the diners to make the most of your front-row view.
Address: Taverna Mouragio, Main Seaside Road, Parikia 844 00 Greece
Website: instagram.com
Parostià Restaurant at Cosme
The culinary offering here is curated by celebrated Greek chef Yiannis Kiorohlou, who well-travelled foodies might recognise as the brains, and brilliance, behind Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, including La Guérite Restaurant, La Petite Maison in Cannes, establishing them as a culinary destination along with sister La Guerite restaurants in Saint Barts, the West Indies and across the globe. His ‘Medite-Grecian’ approach is distilled across both restaurants here. Parostiá (taking its name from the stone oven of traditional Parian houses), one of two restaurants here, is sandwiched between the pool area and the beach and benefits from breathtaking views across the Bay of Nausoa, ever-changing as the sun dips and the lights of the nearby towns dance differently across the waters.
Address: Parostià Restaurant, Cosme, Naousa 844 01, Greece
Website: cosmehotelparos.com
Cabana Bar
Shaded from the breeze that whips off the sea but still nestled right beside it in the protected bay of Parikia, Cabana Bar is where time lethargically unfurls itself, stretching the day out between those fresh, early morning dips to cool evenings under swaying palm trees and tealights. Service here is prompt and friendly, with various food and beverage options catering for the cross-section of visitors here, from those just popping in for a paddle, laid-back lunch, or candlelit dinner to those keen to root down for the entire day. Often dubbed the ‘best beach club in Paros’, the atmosphere is undoubtedly livelier than elsewhere as the sunsets. So those searching for a quiet, low-key meal might prefer to try some of the tavernas tucked between the whitewashed houses and boutiques nearby.
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Address: Cabana Bar, Parikia Paros, 844 00 Greece
Website: cabana-paros.com
Zazala Beach Bar and Restaurant
Tucked into the arms of the Bay of Paros, just a short distance from where the ferry docks, Zazala Beach Bar and Restaurant stretches the length of the beach by the same name, peppered with tamarisk trees and flanked by natural rock formations. By day, guests can dine in the shade of the restaurant or just a toe-stretch distance from the sea, where healthy, Mediterranean dishes with a Cycladic twist can be brought directly to you for dining at leisure. By night, as the sun cools, the atmosphere heats up, as visitors relax in rings of slouchy wicker chairs, dance barefoot on the sands and generally soak up the unique feeling of freedom that is to be found on the island of Paros.
Address: Zazala Beach Bar and Restaurant, Parasporos Beach, 844 00 Greece
Website: zazala.gr