Is food expensive in Ios?

Compared to Santorini or Mykonos, no — but more expensive than less-touristed islands. Expect approximately €15–€25 per main course at a decent restaurant, with full meals including wine running €30–€50 per person. Budget options exist around the port and in the Chora backstreets. The tourist-facing strip in the Chora charges predictably more.

Where is the best place to eat in Ios away from the tourist strip?

The quieter streets of the upper Chora (above the main bar area) have several family-run tavernas that cater to both locals and longer-stay visitors. The port area also has more affordable options than the Chora centre. Mylopotas has a predictable range of beach café food; the one or two proper restaurants here are better for lunch than the snack bars.

Can I find vegetarian or vegan food in Ios?

Greek cuisine is naturally suited to vegetarians — fava, tzatziki, salads, spanakopita, roasted vegetables, and various cheese dishes are on every menu. Vegans need to be more specific but most kitchens can accommodate with advance notice. The larger bars and restaurants in the main Chora increasingly label vegetarian options.

Ios Restaurants Guide | The Greece Guides

Ios’s food scene has improved significantly from its backpacker-taverna origins. The island now has a range from good traditional Greek cooking in the quieter Chora streets to more polished restaurants that take the food seriously. The challenge is navigating the tourist strip — the main square area in the Chora is ringed by places that prioritise turnover over quality. The better eating, as on most Greek islands, is a street or two off the main flow.

What to Eat in Ios

Fava: The Cyclades’ yellow split pea purée is excellent here — creamy, earthy, served with raw onion, capers, and olive oil. The best version of a dish that appears across Greece.

Grilled octopus: Dried in the sun and then grilled over charcoal — a standard Greek taverna item that varies enormously in quality depending on the age of the octopus and the skill of the cook. On Ios, the best versions come from the port-area tavernas that work with local boats.

Fresh fish: Line-caught locally and served simply — sea bream (tsipoura), red mullet (barpouni), and white grouper (rofos) appear regularly. Priced by weight (approximately €60–€90/kg for whole fish as of 2026, serving one to two people).

Souvlaki: Ios has a good range of souvlaki spots, particularly around the port and at the lower end of the Chora, providing a cheap (€3–€5), satisfying meal or snack.

Local honey: Ios produces thyme honey from hives on the hillsides. Buy from small shops in the Chora rather than from tourist-facing gift shops for better quality and price.

Restaurants in Ios Chora

Lord Byron

A long-established restaurant in the upper Chora with a terrace and a menu that goes beyond standard taverna offerings — well-prepared lamb chops, fresh pasta dishes alongside the Greek classics, good salads. The name is a reference to the Romantic poets who visited the Greek islands; the atmosphere is genuinely warm without being overly romantic-tourist. Booking ahead is advisable in August. Expect approximately €20–€30 per main.

Ios Club

Better known as a sunset bar, Ios Club also serves food — mezedes and sharing plates — and the view from the hilltop terrace is one of the best on the island. More of a drinks-first, food-second experience, but the shared meze plates are well-executed and the setting justifies the slightly higher prices. Good for a sunset aperitivo with something to eat.

The Nest

A small café-restaurant in the quieter upper streets of the Chora serving good coffee, breakfast items, and lighter lunch options. Frequented by longer-stay visitors who have found it beyond the main square. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the tourist strip. For daytime eating rather than a full evening dinner.

Taberna Ios (local backstreet taverna)

The Chora has several unmarked or simply-signed family tavernas in the streets above the main square. These vary in consistency but at their best offer home-cooking-quality moussaka, stuffed tomatoes, and roast chicken at very reasonable prices (€10–€15 for a main). Ask at your accommodation for whichever one is currently well-regarded — staff always know the local favourites.

Restaurants at the Port (Ormos)

The port area (Ormos) has a different atmosphere from the Chora — more local, less nocturnal. The tavernas facing the water here are generally good value and popular with Greeks arriving or departing by ferry.

Octopus Tree

Named for the octopus traditionally dried on a line outside — a genuine fixture at the port with good seafood, competitive prices, and a view across the harbour. The grilled octopus is the thing to order. Lunch is particularly good value; the kitchen moves fast at lunchtime when ferries are in. Mains approximately €14–€20.

Waves Bar and Restaurant

On the port waterfront, serves all day from breakfast through dinner. Stronger on breakfast and lunch than on dinner — good for a coffee and pastry when you arrive, or a quick lunch before a ferry departure. The evening menu is fine but less interesting than the Chora alternatives.

Mylopotas Beach Restaurants

Mylopotas has a predictable range of beach-café food — burgers, wraps, salads, and some Greek dishes aimed at the beach crowd. Quality varies. The best approach for proper eating at Mylopotas is:

Harmony: One of the more established restaurants at the far eastern end of Mylopotas, serving Greek dishes and fresh fish. Not as good as the best Chora restaurants but considerably better than the beach snack bars. Good for a sit-down lunch rather than a beach-side order. Approximately €15–€25 per main.

Beach bars (snacks only): For the western and central Mylopotas area, the beach bar food (wraps, club sandwiches, fries) is convenient for between swims. Treat it as fuel rather than a dining experience.

Practical Dining Notes

Hours: Breakfast spots in the Chora open from 08:00–09:00. The taverna kitchens typically open for lunch from 12:30–15:00 and dinner from 19:00–19:30. Note that Ios runs late — the kitchens that serve the post-midnight crowd can stay open until 02:00–03:00 in August, but these are the snack bar and pizza operations, not the better restaurants.

Booking: For the best Chora restaurants in August, a same-day call or walk-in inquiry is advisable. Most places do not take formal advance reservations more than a day ahead, but calling ahead the morning of the day you want to eat is common practice.

Budget meals: The cheapest eating in Ios is souvlaki (€3–€5 for a pita wrap) from the spots near the port and at the bottom of the Chora steps. For a full budget meal (under €12 per person), the port tavernas and the backstreet Chora places are the best options.

Local grocery shopping: The main supermarkets are in the Chora and near the port. For self-catering and beach picnics, good olive oil, local cheeses, bread, olives, and produce are all available. The local honey is a worthwhile purchase to take home.

For the complete Ios island overview including where to stay and ferry connections, see our Ios travel guide. For beaches from Mylopotas to the quiet east coast coves, see best beaches in Ios. For things to do including Homer’s tomb and the Ios Chora, see things to do in Ios. Is Ios the right island for you? See our Mykonos vs Ios comparison. Planning a Cyclades circuit? See the Greek island hopping itinerary.

Where to Eat in Ios: Best Restaurants and Tavernas on the Island