A foodie guide to Santorini — oops, we mean Ios
Get your Greek island yums on in this island that is more than a place to party
Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are hands down the best Greek islands for food lovers, and not necessarily in that order. Well, Crete might be #1. But don’t limit yourself. Explore other islands like an insider fave of ours, Ios. Here are some Ios-specific foodie notes to whet your Cycladic archipelago appetite:
1. Local Flavors & Immersive Experiences
Ios may have changed with tourism, but it still preserves its culinary heart—offering exquisite local produce such as olives, figs, honey, capers, herbs, and celebrated cheeses . The cycling group Ios Adventure–Ios Paths invites visitors to savor these tastes via guided rides rich with oral history and scenic views .
2. Diaseli Creamery & Artisanal Cheeses
On the island’s northern side, Diaseli, a family-run creamery, blends traditional cheesemaking with modern methods. Their standout cheeses include ksino (tangy and creamy mountain-milk cheese), skotyri (velvety spread with pepper and wild savory), and goat-sheep myzithra—ideal with fruit or as dessert.
3. Desserts & Sweet Traditions
Ios’s version of watermelon pie, karpouzopita—called mosenta—is a seasonal delight baked with sesame and flour, then cut into diamond or square pieces . Traditional treats like myzithropites (cheese‑and‑honey pastries), pastelia (sesame‑honey bars wrapped in lemon leaves), and oven-roasted figs stuffed with sesame and almonds add character and sweetness .
4. Unique Island Cuisine
Tavernas across Ios offer specialties like tsimetia (zucchini blossoms stuffed with rice and kefalotyri), handmade noodles (matsi), and orzo dishes (mermitzeli). Signature pies include ladenia (olive‑oil flatbread with tomato and onion) and kalasouna (open-faced onion pie with sour myzithra) .
5. Dining & Cultural Highlights in Hora
Hora, Ios’s main town, dazzles with narrow alleys and sunset views at Panagia Gremniotissa. Notable eateries include:
Kambouris: Traditional home-style dishes such as soutzoukakia and kleftiko.
Katoi: Modern meze and cocktails with local ingredients.
La Buca: Wood‑fired pizzas and local wines.
Agora Café Bar: Savory tarts, carefully brewed coffee, and occasional rebetiko music under the stars .
6. Beach Life & Upscale Dining
With 35 beaches from car-accessible to boat-only, highlights include Manganari, Aghia Theodoti, and Mylopotas. Notably, Salt—a chic all-day beach bar—serves inventive dishes like wood‑oven flatbread with grilled peaches, strawberry‑risotto with sour cheese, and ceviche with wild greens .
Evening dining stands out at:
Grandma’s (in Liostasi Hotel): Elevated traditional fare like slow-roasted kid goat and sweet cheese tart with local goat cheese.
Doors: Stylish port-side bar offering inventive cocktails and comfort food (don’t miss the meatballs).
Akrogiali: Classic meze and fresh fish overlooking the port—try salatouri (skate with spring onions and lemon‑olive dressing) with ouzo or tsipouro.
Alma Sunset Bar: Ideal for cocktails with panoramic sea views .
7. Diaseli as a Food‑Tourism Pioneer
Diaseli isn’t just a cheese producer—it’s a trailblazer in “cheese tourism.” Established as such in 2020, it combines a museum, tasting space, and cooking experiences with tours and hands-on cooking classes in a restored farm setting.
Ios = Yum
Ios as more than just a beach destination—it’s a place where slow travel meets culinary tradition. Through cheese, sweets, village eateries, and immersive tours like those offered at Diaseli, it showcases how food connects you deeply to place, memory, and local culture with international flair.