From the historic Old Port to Dapia and Kounoupitsa, we discovered the culinary stops that deserve a visit the next time you find yourself in Spetses.
A close-to-Athens destination for every season, Spetses is a stately island that stands out not only for its history and beauty, but also for its gastronomy. Fresh fish takes center stage at tables by the waves, while traditional recipes meet Mediterranean creativity. From the restaurants of the Old Harbor to sweet indulgences in Dapia with sea views, every culinary stop in Spetses has its own story to tell. We tasted the island’s food and gathered 8 spots we singled out for food, brunch and dessert.
Food
Liotrivi
Housed in one of the Old Harbor’s most historic buildings, an olive press from the 1800s, Liotrivi has been operating for about 30 years under the direction of Giorgos Kiouzis. It blends tradition and genuine hospitality with Greek and Mediterranean flavors, and the dishes are based on fresh local ingredients. The restaurant’s tables are set gracefully along a lovely jetty, with the mansions of Spetses as a backdrop and views of the endless blue. Try smoked eggplant salad, feta with a cereal crust, sesame and thyme honey, crab salad, and fresh fish of the day Spetses-style. Beyond seafood, the menu also features fine meats such as aRib eye steak and a mutton burger.
Tarsanas
Set against the island’s traditional boatyards, Tarsanas serves flavors from the sea. For over 25 years, the Kaloskamis family’s fishing boats and other local fishermen have supplied the restaurant daily. You’ll find the family’s stall in the island’s famed fish market at the harbor. Seafood takes center stage in dishes served by the water, in the indoor space above the cellar, and on the small private balcony overlooking the picturesque harbor. Standouts include traditional taramosalata, fisherman’s spaghetti with shrimp, mussels, langoustine meat, calamari and octopus, shrimp spaghetti with a shrimp sauce scented with Kozani saffron, kakavia and local fish Spetses-style.
Kapelogiannis
The Kapelogiannis restaurant is a balcony over the sea that has been operating since 1945. In a wonderful location overlooking the Old Harbor, this meze-ouzeri is famed for meze crafted with care from fresh fish and Greek ingredients, guided by seasonality. It may ring a bell, as it was a setting for the Greek comedy film «Tzeni Tzeni» shot on Spetses. The little tables on the deck with views of the boats fill in the afternoons with locals and visitors who want to savor its flavors. These include crisp salads, cuttlefish stifado, steamed mussels, shrimp saganaki and langoustine kritharoto, which pair perfectly with ouzo.
NTA (Water of Love)
On the quiet side of Spetses, in the Kounoupitsa area, NTA (Water of Love) serves seafood in an idyllic location. It opened its doors in 2007, keeping the name of the traditional Spetsiot café that once operated at its current site. The refined restaurant sources its fish mainly from the family’s fishing boat and offers a wide variety of Mediterranean dishes with vegetables from local gardens, as well as Spetsiot honey and savory. Choose the fish you prefer, ask for it to be prepared for you, and pair it with dishes such as pappardelle with fish fillet and hollandaise sauce, fisherman’s spaghetti with fresh shellfish, sashimi, ceviche or tartare from fresh fish, and shrimp with ouzo sauce.
Brunch and dessert
Klimis
Housed in the renovated Klimis Hotel building between the port of Spetses and Agios Mamas beach, the renowned namesake café-patisserie has a long history that began with pastry chef Klimis Kalevrosoglou in 1930. The business has passed to the family’s third generation, his grandchildren, who have managed to marry tradition with contemporary trends. On their terrace and in their courtyard, with views of Spetses’ mansions and the sea, you’ll enjoy breakfast and brunch with choices from eggs, yogurt, and savory and sweet pancakes. Stealing the show are the desserts based on old authentic recipes, such as chocolate torte, almond pastry, galaktoboureko, kataifi and kunefe. Don’t forget to tuck the famous Spetses Almond Cookies into your luggage.
Roumani
In a prime position at the most central point of Dapia, Roumani Café is housed in the building of the namesake hotel where the historic Hotel Athinai once stood. The family business, operating uninterrupted since 1964, keeps the café open from morning till night. It’s next to all of Spetses’ attractions and museums, as well as boutiques and shops. Start your day with many breakfast options, omelets, juices and coffees, and continue with light snacks, sweets and drinks with views of the little boats coming and going and the island’s promenade.
Spētses All Day Wine & Deli
In an idyllic spot in Dapia, at the busiest point on Spetses, Spētses All Day Wine & Deli offers wonderful views. The day begins beside the harbor cannons opposite the famed water taxis with coffee, breakfast and brunch served into the afternoon, with salads, sandwiches and omelets. On the menu you’ll find sweets such as their distinctive millefeuille and in the evening you’ll eat pinsa. What makes this delicatessen stand out is its large cellar, with more than 130 wine labels from all over Greece, as well as from abroad.
Tiramisù
For about a decade, Tiramisù Sweets & Coffee has been the ideal spot on Spetses for sweet lovers. In the Kounoupitsa area, in front of a small beach with azure waters, the family-run café sets out its tables. At Tiramisù you’ll enjoy coffee and brunch by the waves with choices of fresh croissants, pies of the day, Croque Madame, as well as the original Cloud Eggs, their famous fluffy eggs, while there are also vegan options such as omelet and crepes. The star of the shop is the velvety Italian tiramisu, classic as well as in variations, from which it also took its name, along with other desserts such as cheesecake and profiterole.
