By Mandy Walker, owner of Wlms Yacht Charters and CYBA charter broker · Updated October 2026
One of the joys of a crewed yacht charter in Greece is that your chef looks after most meals on board, so the nights you do go ashore can be the special ones. A long lunch in a harbor taverna, grilled fish with your feet almost in the water, or dinner with a view of the windmills in Mykonos.
This isn’t a list of every restaurant. It’s a short selection for the places most of our Greece clients visit: Athens before or after the charter, the Saronic islands of Poros and Hydra, the old Peloponnese town of Nafplio, and Mykonos in the Cyclades. Tell your captain which ones you’d like to try, and the crew can book ahead and plan your route around them.
Meals ashore are paid separately from your APA, and many restaurants on the islands are seasonal, so it’s always worth checking opening dates before you go.
Athens
Most Greek charters start or end in Athens, so it’s worth planning a great meal before you board or after you step off.
- Pelagos, Vouliagmeni. Refined seafood at the Four Seasons Astir Palace on the Athens Riviera, Michelin-starred in the 2024 guide. Close to the southern marinas, so it’s easy the night before an Athens Riviera departure.
- Tudor Hall, Syntagma. On the rooftop of the King George hotel, with views of the Acropolis and a Michelin star in the 2024 guide. A beautiful first night in the city.
- Varoulko Seaside, Mikrolimano. One of Athens’ best-known seafood restaurants, right on the small yacht harbor at Mikrolimano in Piraeus.
Poros
Poros town climbs a hill above a narrow channel, with the Peloponnese just across the water. Yachts tie up along the waterfront, a few steps from the tavernas.
- Dimitris Family Butcher Shop Taverna, Poros town. My pick on Poros. The island’s famous meat taverna, run by a butcher family whose shop is right across the street. Steaks and chops grilled over charcoal, homemade barrel wine and views over the port. It sits at the top of town near the Church of Agios Georgios, so just walk up the steps and ask for it.
- Karavolos, Poros town. A local favorite tucked behind the old Diana cinema, open year-round. Traditional Greek cooking, and a good place to try slow-cooked dishes.
- White Cat (Aspri Gata), Poros town. A traditional taverna that has been serving since 1909, with a cozy, romantic feel.
- Askeli, Askeli Bay. Modern Greek cooking with high-quality ingredients, set on the bay east of town. A good dinner stop if you anchor at Askeli.
Hydra
Hydra has no cars, so you walk, ride a donkey or take a water taxi. Some of the best meals are a short stroll or boat ride from the harbor.
- Taverna Marina, Vlychos. My personal favorite. We walked here for lunch in 2024, about an hour’s walk from Hydra’s marina along the old coastal trail heading west, to a white building set on the cliff above the sea near the small village of Vlychos. It was lovely. Everything was homemade and wonderful, and the prices were very good. Order the imam bayildi! The family has run it since the early 1960s, and it’s also easy to reach by water taxi if you’d rather not walk.
- Omilos, Spilia. Modern Mediterranean cooking on the rocks at the harbor entrance, with views straight out to sea. A good choice for a dressed-up dinner.
- Kodylenia’s, Kamini. A seafood taverna on a terrace above Kamini’s little fishing harbor, a short walk from town. Grilled squid and whole fish by weight.
- Douskos (Xeri Elia), Hydra town. One of the island’s oldest tavernas, with tables under the trees in a quiet square. Classic Greek dishes like moussaka and kleftiko.
- Sunset, Spilia. Fish soup, oysters and grilled fish on the old ramparts. Book a table for sunset, as the name suggests.
- Tassia’s Tavern, Vlychos. Home-style Greek cooking on a shaded terrace above Plakes Beach, about a 30-minute walk west of town or a quick water taxi ride.
Nafplio
Greece’s first capital sits on the Peloponnese coast, with Venetian streets, a fortress above town and a harbor where yachts moor right below the old town.
- Vasilis, Old Town. My pick in Nafplio. A family-run taverna in the Old Town, a short walk from Syntagma Square, with handwritten menus and wonderful local food. Generous portions and good house wine.
- Arapakos, waterfront. Seafood on Bouboulina Street by the marina. Drunken mussels, shrimp orzotto and grilled octopus.
- Noulis, edge of the Old Town. A meze taverna known for flaming cheese, fried anchovies with skordalia and lamb shank.
- To Omorfo Tavernaki, Old Town. Traditional Greek cooking in a courtyard with an olive tree, on Staikopoulou Street.
- 3Sixty, Old Town. A grill and wine bar with premium cuts and one of the best lists of Peloponnese wines in town.
Mykonos
Mykonos has some of the most famous restaurants in the Aegean, and summer tables book up fast. Ask your captain to reserve early, especially for sunset.
- M-Eating, Mykonos town. Creative Greek cooking with a changing menu and good advice on Greek wines. Leave room for the honey pie.
- Kastro’s, Little Venice. Balconies over the water facing the windmills. Book before sunset.
- Kounelas, Mykonos town. A small, simple fish taverna in a lane near the waterfront, with fresh grilled fish and a garden.
- Spilia, Kalafatis. Seafood in a setting built into the rocks by the water, on the island’s quieter east coast. A natural lunch stop if you anchor nearby.
- Nikolas Taverna, Agia Anna. A family taverna with tables almost on the sand. Grilled fish and dishes to share.
Tips for Dining Ashore on a Greek Charter
- Let your crew book for you. Captains know the owners, the best tables and which places fill up first.
- Plan your route around the meals you want. A long harbor lunch works best on a short sailing day.
- Check opening dates early and late in the season. Many island restaurants open around May and close in October.
- Bring some cash. Most places take cards, but small tavernas and water taxis sometimes prefer cash.
- Mix it up. Your chef can cook a Greek feast on board one night and leave the next night for a taverna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are meals ashore included in the APA?
No. Your APA covers provisions on board, fuel and port fees. Meals in restaurants are paid separately, so most guests pay for them directly.
Do we need reservations on the Greek islands?
In July and August, yes, especially in Mykonos and Hydra and for sunset tables. Your captain can book ahead.
Can the yacht anchor near beach restaurants?
Often, yes. Many beach tavernas are easy to reach by tender, and your captain will choose an anchorage that works for the weather.
Plan Your Greek Island Charter
Tell us where you’d like to go and how you love to eat, and we’ll match you with a yacht, crew and route that fit your group.