With summer now in full swing, thousands, if not millions, of Brits will flock to the Mediterranean in search of a well-deserved holiday. The most popular destinations within a 2-4 hour flight will be the favourite choices for many British families and other Europeans, such as Germans (they’re everywhere), making most places crowded and busy. This is why I never take holidays during the high season. Not being a parent allows me to plan holidays off-season and enjoy what London has to offer or retreat to the south of Germany to connect with nature. However, if you’re among those who must take vacations during the peak season, you’ll face several challenges, including high costs and the difficulty of finding a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy sunny days by the beach. Unless you’re wealthy enough or have generous friends who can invite you to their private villas, you’ll need to plan your summer holiday well in advance.
A Holiday Without Great Food is a Partial Holiday
Food is a priority for me on a holiday. With only a few days to indulge in local flavours, finding the right eateries and restaurants becomes one of my biggest priorities. With high demand during the peak season, finding fabulous restaurants that provide delightful lunch or dinner experiences will be the biggest challenge for any foodie. And sadly, the usual assumption that you can find delicious eateries everywhere in countries like Italy or Spain won’t do the trick; you’ll either have to queue for ages or book well in advance if the restaurant allows it.
For years now, taking holidays with my partner in late summer or early autumn is always one of the absolute highlights of the year. It is the ultimate reward after enduring the soggy and mild London summer. But, several factors need to come together to guarantee the ultimate satisfaction of that late summer escape:
Avoid the high season crowds: This is a no-brainer, good for your pocket and sanity.
Reasonable flight journey: A 2-4 hour flight is ideal because a long journey for just a week of holidays is not worth it.
Guaranteed sun: A warm destination around the Mediterranean that allows us to soak in the sun in late September or early October.
Boutique accommodation: Stay at a quaint little house or a boutique hotel for relaxation and warm hospitality. An all-inclusive resort would be the ultimate nightmare.
The summer combo: A destination offering a mix of relaxation (secluded beaches), culture, and good food.
However, these points and introduction serve as a preamble to share my favourite restaurants and local eateries in famous destinations that combine great summer vibes with delightful food. Eating during holidays and researching where to find local eateries to eat classic dishes and find elevated version of them, has become a priority for me because with so many options in a particular destination, each meal counts.
While my wife scouts and researches beaches, my focus is always on finding a mix of local eateries and upscale restaurants that offer classic flavours of a country or region, as well as modern interpretations that take the experience to another level. I’ve always believed that you get to learn and understand a culture through its food.
Cooking and savouring local cuisine is the second most important cultural expression after language.
Favourite summer restaurants I could see myself right now
Over the past decade, I’ve visited several Mediterranean destinations and tried many summer restaurants. However, only a few have really stood out and left lasting impressions due to their unique flavours, settings, and overall experience. As I was writing this blog post, I found myself smiling and thinking back on what made those summer holidays so special.
Here are some of my top recommendations which I’d love to revisit right now!
Menorca
El Romero | Mahon
This beautiful Balearic island provides visitors a more tranquil and unspoiled experience than its neighbouring ones, Ibiza and Mallorca. Here holiday makers can enjoy a mix of history, delicious food and gorgeous beaches.
One restaurant that stood out for me was El Romero and it's pure joy when you have the chance to experience seafood in its best state and essence. What they do is what many other restaurants claim to be: sustainable, locally sourced, and fresh ingredients, etc. However, Romero takes this to its core by serving daily specials that truly live up to their name, as they come fresh from the market.
Sicily
A Giara | Portopalo
Sicily, one of the most significant biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean, offers visitors an unrivalled experience. This historic island, linked to notable mafias and Mount Etna, is a fantastic destination to enjoy culture, wine (Nero Di Avola), and delicious food. Although the beaches on the south and east parts of the island are not as great as those in other parts of Italy, Sicily still delivers a great package for tourists.
My partner and I spent a week there as a mini honeymoon, mingling with the locals, going for various wine and olive tastings, attending a private cooking session, and eating their delicious food.
In the southern part of the Syracuse region, you can find Portopalo, a small fishing town where you can eat the most delicious seafood, particularly tuna. In this little village, you can find A Giara, a no-frills eatery where I had the best seafood pasta of my life, period.
Sardinia
Trattoria da Gianni |Pula
This island is magical and boasts one amazing beach after another. Whether you choose to visit the northern or southern part of Sardinia, you’re going to have a fantastic time. Like many other Italian regions, Sardinia is culturally rich, offering visitors a variety of experiences. We stayed south of Cagliari before the high season began and had an absolutely wonderful time. Coincidentally, our visit coincided with local celebrations, so every little town was filled with colours, traditions, and happy people.
Even though I visited this island about eight years ago, I still remember a little remote, no-frills restaurant where I had spaghetti alla bottarga for the first time. Trattoria da Gianni introduced a new flavour that I treasure to this day.
Corsica
A Cuncaredda | Figari
This island, rich in Italian heritage, has some of the most incredible beaches I've seen in Europe. Despite the appealing blend of French and Italian influences, our week of dining there was quite underwhelming. Even though we visited highly recommended places and those I found through blogs, none offered a memorable culinary experience, and most were pretty pricey. Sadly, the best meal we had was when we cooked at home, thanks to the great selection of seafood, meat cuts, and excellent wine you can buy from local shops and supermarkets. However, one place worth mentioning is a pizza spot near the town of Figari called A Cuncaredda.
Montenegro
Konoba Punta | Budva
During a solo trip last year that took me to eight countries, Montenegro was one of the highlights. One town that stands out is Budva. Located near famous sights like Sveti Stefan (Google it), this historic town has changed significantly over the past decade and is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. Despite this, the beaches, landscape, and food are still impressive. I was lucky to visit during the off-season, enjoying great weather and, most notably, a wonderful meal at Konoba Punta. Dining there on the last night of their opening year added a special touch to the experience.
Greece
As mentioned in a previous post about Greece, I don’t need to go on about its appeal - it’s just my favourite summer destination.
Gramvousa | Crete
We visited this restaurant after a great day at Balos Beach, one of Crete’s most beautiful spots. We were lucky to visit this restaurant during the harvest season celebration, which added a special touch. There was traditional grape stomping, long tables with tasty dishes, live music, and a lively atmosphere. Here you can find traditional food cooked perfectly and all served with big smiles.
Mon Es | Chania, Crete
From the excellent service to the beautiful setting, this restaurant will leave a lasting impression during your visit to Chania. Located in a stylish hotel that sits atop ancient ruins, it seamlessly blends the old with the new, delivering amazing flavours and interpretations of classic dishes.
To Balcony you Aki | Paros
This restaurant, situated 'over' the water in the harbour of the charming village of Aliki, was a place we returned to because its food, service, and atmosphere were unmatched.
Thalassamou | Paros
Perhaps one of the most picturesque and relaxing seaside lunch experiences, this place offers delicious food in a unique setting.
Fish Market | Athens
If you find yourself traveling to one of my favourite capitals because you have to take a ferry to your final destination, a visit to the Fish Market in Athens will undoubtedly make your stay memorable. After spending a week on an island in the Aegean Sea, I went to Athens in search of the best seafood restaurant and this place turned out to be the right spot!
As I was writing this post, I couldn't help but smile and feel the urge to book tickets and return at the end of the summer. I hope this serves as inspiration for your next Mediterranean holiday. Happy summer holidays 🏖️😎🍻
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