Restaurants

An integral part of the fun of traveling in Greece in general, and Epirus in particular, is the food unique to this region. People here strongly emphasize using high quality products found locally in the Greek mountains. And that freshness is integrated into their restaurant menus, giving you an opportunity to taste renowned dishes such as Spanakopia, a cheese bake on spinach leaves; a variety of foods using aubergine, such as moussaka; wonderfully prepared fresh meats from pork or sheep raised locally; fresh salads that include locally grown carrots, potatoes and tomatoes, together with plenty of green herbs considered among the most flavorful that Greece can offer. Don’t forget to really enjoy the unique cheeses for which the Epirus region is renowned and which are exported to top international markets.

TZOUMERKA

Horizondes
The Horizondes hotel restaurant is definitely worth having lunch or dinner if you are in the area or if you have chosen to stay at this hotel, the restaurant with a spectacular view offers a variety of excellent dishes and especially their vegetarian dishes are recommended; a variety of vegetable dishes from Epirus, delicately and excellently seasoned with a lot of kindness and local olive oil. Find the directions here

Petrino
Here you can find excellent grilled lamb chops, a Greek kebab that is considered one of the best in the region, all accompanied by a coarse Greek salad with local olive oil. This is not a tavern with many dishes, but those that come out, especially those from the grill, are excellent,. Settled behind a church, with Greek music in the background and a lot of birds, it is worth spending at least one evening here. Find the directions here

Tavern Tzoumerka
In the village of Ktistades there is one of the best taverns in the area! The stuffed cabbage, lamb in the oven, eggplant salad, and many other very good dishes are highly recommended! Enjoy the shaded sitting area outside and give Dimitris our best regards, Yassou! Find the directions here 

Lavros or Verys in the village of Paramenta is also a typical and excellent Greek tavern. From the outside it looks a bit like the cafe where the locals come to watch football, but it's not exactly like that. The landlady and the owner are excellent cooks and prepare meticulous and excellent local Greek food. The adjacent butcher shop belongs to the owner of the restaurant, so he gets the freshest cuts. The tavern is right on the bend near the small parking lot in front of the sculptured wall of the village. Find the directions here

Papas
Papas restaurant in the village of Melissourgoi is a place to eat real traditional homemade food in a magical atmosphere on the terrace overlooking the village and the magnificent ridge that rises opposite. Definitely recommended place for a nice time spent! Find the directions here

Stou Takeli
In the village of Elliniko, there is a restaurant and cafe Stou Takeli. Highly recommended and suitable for those who finish rafting on the Arachtos River at the Politsa Bridge, or for those traveling from Tzoumerka towards Ioannina and the villages of Zagoria. The restaurant is right next to the village square. It offers a variety of fresh dishes, including classic Greek salads, meats on the grill, and dishes that children will love, such as pizza, pasta, etc. Opposite the restaurant is Theodoris Papagioannis Museum, which is also recommended. Papagioannis is a great Greek sculptor, and already at the entrance to the village you will be greeted by the environmental sculptures of the esteemed artist. The museum courtyard is open to the public, and whether you are with children or not, you can enjoy the sculptures while eating a good meal at Stou Takeli. Open between 09:30 am and midnight every day, off-season closed on Mondays. Find the directions here


ZAGORI

Aristi Mountain Resort - Salvia Restaurant
The restaurant Salvia, awarded three times with 1 star in the category of "Contemporary Greek Cuisine". Emphasis is laid on local products, which form the basis of all recipes, joining tradition with innovation to create dishes and flavors that excite the senses. The name of the restaurant is taken from an indigenous herb of the Zagori area, Salvia, which is known for its medicinal and aromatic properties. Find the directions here

En Aristi
Traditional homemade local cousine, coocked by the owner of the place. Fresh grown vegetables, quality clean meats served in generous portions. Our favorite dishes include the eggplants and the oven baked lamb. The indoor setting is simple yet stylish (in the local traditional design) with picturesque views from the windows. Outside you will fins shaded tables under a big oak tree.
The restaurant is located at the main square of Aristi village in Tzoumerka. Find the directions here

Kanella & Garifallo
In translation from greek this restaurants name is - Cinnamon and cloves - some of the known spices in the greek kitchen.
Kanella & Garifallo is one of the most famous restaurants in northern Greece. The main specialty of this restaurant is mushrooms, of all kinds and all species that the owner of the place, Vassilis, grows himself and he has become a household name and one of the biggest experts in Greece on the topic of mushrooms, so those who love mushrooms will find a real paradise in this restaurant, but not only mushrooms, Vasilis is a first-class chef in other dishes as well and the food that comes out of his kitchen is simply great, in addition he has an impressive collection of wines, a large part of which is produced in the Epirus region. In short a place that is a culinary experience, located in the village of Vitsa in the villages of Zagoria. Find the directions here

Sta Riza
Sta Riza is a tavern of the old type and with such a design, it can be your first tavern in the villages of Zagoria since it is located in the village of Elati, the first village among the villages of Zagoria for those who come to the area from the direction of Ioannina. The restaurant is located at the entrance to the village and the great food here can be defined as traditional mountain food of the district of Epirus, including meat baked in the oven for hours, excellent eggplants, excellent salads, lamb and other delicates. All the dishes are very generous and the owner who does not really speak English, only Greek, only adds to the atmosphere here, in addition, from the restaurant's balcony you can watch the peaks of the Vikos Canyon on the horizon. Find the directions here

Mikro papigo 1700
The restaurant of the Mikro Papigo 1700 Hotel is also considered one of the best and most special restaurants in the villages of Zagoria. Its location in the northernmost part of the charming village of Mikro Papigo adds to its extraordinary atmosphere. You will visit Mikro Papigo in any case, so it is worth coming here, regardless because the hotel itself is beautifully set, and you can also come just for the delicous sweets, a nice cup o tea or coffee of your favorite drink and enjoy the spectacular view! If you do stay for a meal, highly recommended dishes: pork in plums, lamb in the oven with baked potatoes, goat cheese in sesame and for dessert one of the most exciting cakes in Zagoria, semolina cake in honey with walnuts, true delight! Find the directions here

Machalas
Right in the center of the village of Kipi there is a tavern called Machalas with a large square full of tables and chairs as befits a spacious Greek tavern that serves regional cuisine including a large variety of excellent salads from independent production, excellent pie and excellent grill dishes. Near the tavern there is also a cafe open from the early hours of the morning until the small hours of the night, quite rare in the villages of Zagoria. The tavern is adjacent to a hotel called Machalas of the same owner, a charming and warm-hearted man, highly recommended! Find the directions here

Sotiria
Sorita is considered one of the best taverns in the villages of Zagoria and is visited even by locals from Ioannina and the surrounding area. Authentic Greek food from one of the most respected cooks in the area. The tavern is right at the entrance to the village of Ano Padina on the left before going up towards the square and the hotels. Find the directions here

Zissis restaurant - Aristi
The charming restaurant of Zissis Hotel with the lovely cook Georgia is a great place to come and taste the local cuisine of Zagoria. Georgia "The Mama" also prepares the pie that is considered the best in Zagoria, a local Greek-style pastry stuffed with cheese or chicken, very very delicious, and they have soups, chicken in lemon, very good salads and also souffle, definitely recommended. Yassou! Find the directions here 


IOANNINA

Dryoino
Atmospheric wine bar in Ioannina. Located in a traditional building with a courtyard in the old Jewish quarter of Ioannina. The bar advocates the support of Greek wines alongside good food prepared from local ingredients and you will also find spices there. Visitors will be able to taste wines from a wide variety of Greek wineries. The bar's wine menu includes over 100 wines at a good price, most of which you can order by the glass. The bar also hosts wine tastings and if you like a certain wine you can purchase it at a 20% discount. Days and hours of operation of the bar: Tuesday to Sunday 20:00-02:00, closed on Mondays. Find the directions here 

Syrios
Great fusion restaurant in the heart of the city of Ioannina, just a couple of steps away form the lake. Find your sitting in a cozy indoor environment or in the spacious outdoor area, both beautifully decorated! Enjoy veriety of dishes, great salads and starters, a glass of local wine and all with kind and proffesional service! Find the directions here