Food

Santorini, a gastronomic destination

Santorini, though small in size, is considered to be a gastronomic destination with some of the finest restaurants and wineries throughout the country.

Santorini a gastronomic destination
Photo by Eleni Konstantinidou

Santorini, an island of mostly rural economy in the 1960s, had not yet recovered from the big earthquake of 1956 and saw tourism as a gift for economic growth. Gradually taverns started to offer visitors what was everyday food for the locals; tomato fritters,  fava beans, and wine.

A few years later, the rapid growth of tourism inspired many locals and attracted many entrepreneurs from all over Greece who came to Santorini and opened new restaurants on the island.

This is when the gastronomic identity of the island began to form, with local taverns serving traditional recipes and restaurants serving Greek cuisine.

Over the years, a new category of restaurants was also formed and established. Those restaurants made local cuisine go a step further, combining the unique products of the island with modern trends in gastronomy. The pioneers were followed by many more and today the island is capable of satisfying every culinary desire for those who love good food and good wine.

Local food products are the main ingredients of wonderful traditional and more up to date recipes. Look for the tasteful enjoyment provided by both restaurants and tavernas of the island, accompanied always with a glass of Santorini’s wine. You will be thrilled by the experience!

Santorini's local food products and gastronomic creations
© Eleni Konstantinidou
Cherry tomato and fava, Santorini local agricultural products
© Konstantina Sidiropoulou

The unique environmental and climatological characteristics of Santorini impose an almost anhydrous cultivation that results in very distinct and special products.

Nourished by the volcanic soil, the sea breeze and the sunlight of the Aegean Sea, Santorini’s local agricultural products have a unique taste. However, local production comes in fairly small quantities due to the low yield of anhydrous cultivation as well as to the small number of producers among the local population.

The cuisine of Santorini is mainly based on these local products; fava, cherry tomatoes, capers and white aubergine (eggplant), just to name the most famous.

Santorini’s ambassador products

Tourism development in Santorini has offered opportunities that have driven the local population away from farming activities. Still, the past two decades, a shift has been observed and the production of traditional food products has been revived. Nowadays, a variety of products are available to the local market. Apart from grapes production, which is extensive due to wine making, a notable variety of other local agricultural products is available but in small quantities. Here below, you may find information on the most prominent local products of Santorini.

And some more…

White aubergine (eggplant): A local variety that differs in its colour as this eggplant’s skin is white. Santorini’s white aubergine is usually sweeter and juicier than other eggplants. This is due to the particular features of the local volcanic soil where the plants grow. Katsouni: It is a type of a very tasty cucumber. Watermelon: It is small, dark, with many seeds. Santorini’s watermelon stands out because of its taste. Farmers of the recent past cultivated this fruit as a delicacy for their household and family. Courgette (zucchini): Santorini’s local variation of the well know zucchini is sweet and tasty, with its round shape being its main feature.

Products for traditional and modern recipes

Santorini’s local food products are the main ingredients of wonderful traditional and more up to date recipes. Look for the tasteful enjoyment provided by both restaurants and tavernas of the island, accompanied always with a glass of Santorini’s wine. You will be thrilled by the experience!

The vineyards of Santorini

By Angeliki Georgantopoulou

The History

The cultivation of vine in Santorini goes back 3.500 years ago. Findings from the excavations of the prehistoric town of Akrotiri show… Read the full article

The vineyards of Santorini

By Angeliki Georgantopoulou

The History

The cultivation of vine in Santorini goes back 3.500 years ago. Findings from the excavations of the prehistoric town of Akrotiri show… Read the full article

Santorini E-shop

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