Must-see restaurants in Mediterranean Europe

  • Colle del Telegrafo

    Riomaggiore

    Perched on a ridge south of Riomaggiore, where the old telegraph line used to be strung, the views from the Colle del Telegrafo are spectacular. But they…

  • Sa Capella

    West Ibiza

    Occupying an 18th-century chapel, this upmarket, highly atmospheric and romantic restaurant proves equally popular with Ibiza's old-money elite and the DJ…

  • Restaurante Casa Pon

    Fuerteventura

    This remote beachside restaurant in Los Molinos serves up superb seafood: fish soup, fideuà (a Catalan paella-style dish using noodles instead of rice;…

  • Alma Cheli

    Madrid

    A Chamberí mainstay for decades, Alma Cheli has mastered the art of reinvention – try its salmorejo de almendras y chipotle (cold tomato soup with almonds…

  • El Bacaro

    Ibiza

    A reliable, welcoming and theatrically styled Italian restaurant in Santa Eulària's marina, plating up the best pizza and calzone in town, plus good…

  • Pizzeria Trattoria Vecchio Mulino

    Abruzzo

    This old-school eatery is a good bet for a classic wood-fired pizza, lentil soups, pastas (perhaps ravioli with mushroom and ricotta) and roasted salsicce…

  • Japo Sushi Bar

    Palma de Mallorca

    Locals in the know reckon this is the best Japanese restaurant around. All the standards are here, including fresh sushi, maki, sashimi and nigiri, plus a…

  • Dedalo

    Matera

    Dedalo's motto sensi sommersi (submerged senses) will either hint at pretension, or indicate the lengths this classy fine diner goes to to wow its…

  • VolaTerrA

    Volterra

    Owner Jonni is a fifth-generation member of the Guarguaglini family, owners of the Frantoio dei Colli Toscani olive estate. His casual bistro and wine bar…

  • Cherche la Femme

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Leafy wallpaper, a twinkling chandelier and Parisian brasserie-style furniture and bar set the chic tone for this all-day cafe. The atmosphere may scream…

  • L'Osservatorio

    Stromboli

    Sure, you could eat a pizza in town, but come on – you're on Stromboli! On clear evenings, nothing compares to the full-on views of the volcano's…

  • Çınar Balık

    Western Anatolia

    Meze and fresh grilled fish on the seafront are the name of the game at this simple blue-and-white place owned by a super-friendly couple. Have the levrek…

  • Mibarra

    Alicante Province

    With big windows, outdoor seating and a long bar, this modern bar-restaurant is a comfortable space with notably cordial service. Though the house…

  • Café 4 Gatos

    Granada

    A buzzy box-sized cafe, with terrace tables and old black-and-white Granada photos, 4 Gatos has a friendly neighbourhood vibe and terrific Granada-style…

  • Con Gracia

    Barcelona

    This teeny hideaway (seating about 20 in total) is a hive of originality, producing delicately balanced, seasonally inspired Mediterranean cuisine with…

  • Finikkas

    Cyprus

    Located just off the crossroad in the centre of town, this is the village’s most popular taverna, with a traditional dining room and a typical menu of…

  • Le Cave di Maiano

    Florence

    Florentines flock to this family-run restaurant in Maiano, a village 8km north of Florence near Fiesole, at weekends to indulge in long and lazy, wine…

  • Matbah

    Sultanahmet

    One of a growing number of İstanbul restaurants specialising in so-called Ottoman palace cuisine, Matbah offers dishes that were devised centuries ago in…

  • La Soldrería

    Picos de Europa

    Lively, tavern-like La Soldrería is blessed with several diverse spaces: the back patio is a brilliant place to kick back on a sunny day, sipping local…

  • La Fiasca

    Sirmione

    In this small authentic trattoria, tucked away in a backstreet just off the main square, the atmosphere is warm and bustling, and the dishes are packed…

  • Christos Steak House

    Pafos

    This no-frills, long-established place has bright lights, fake flowers and a menu illustrated with faded pics, but it is still well worth visiting for the…

  • Pizzeria Savô

    Genoa

    Gourmet pizza in Italy seems a little, well, ironic, with the rest of the world so keen to do authentic Italian pizza. While the pizzas here are…

  • Ristorante Solferino

    Milan

    Salivary glands have worked overtime here for a century, thanks to hearty classics such as osso buco swathed in risotto, unexpected delights such as fish…

  • Angelo's Bistrot

    Milan

    Presided over by a large pink poster of circus queen Moira Orfei, this tiny '50s bistro on Via Savona is famous for its indulgent brunches and fusion…

  • Fanari

    Fira

    On the steps down to the Old Port, Fanari offers a mix of traditional Greek dishes, plus pastas and pizzas, with a free helping of superlative views of…

  • Christostomos

    Hania

    A taverna tucked away from the crowds behind the harbour, Christostomos is popular with tourists and locals for its classic Cretan cuisine. Start with…

  • Tassia's Cooking

    Alonnisos

    Arguably the most popular of Steni Vala's portside tavernas, this long-established warehouse-like restaurant has tables on a flowery terrace and a small…

  • Alhambra

    Milan

    This homey locale is brimming with all the ‘good’ stuff (ie food that is cruelty-free, healthy and honestly delicious). Run by a husband-and-wife team, it…

  • Restaurant el Cafetí

    El Raval

    This diminutive and atmospheric little place is filled with antique furniture and offers traditional local cooking, with one or two unorthodox variations…

  • Taverna Kastro

    Rethymno Province

    The flower-festooned courtyard is a great place to sit, but it’s what’s on the plate that will truly wow you. Classic Cretan recipes get a modern makeover…

  • Ristorante Acqua Marina

    Costa Smeralda

    Freshly caught seafood makes the short journey from the Gulf of Cannigione to your plate at this atmospheric floating restaurant on a boat moored in…

  • Caffè Propaganda

    San Giovanni & Testaccio

    One of the few decent eateries near the Colosseum, this modish Parisian-inspired bistro features a striking zinc bar, 5m-high ceilings, marble-topped…

  • Tokyo Grill

    Milan

    The elegant proportions of this 17th-century palazzo (mansion) fit this discreet teppanyaki restaurant close to the Brera art gallery. Downstairs, chef…

  • Cañadío

    Santander

    A tasteful spot with white-cloth tables, Cañadío offers top-notch creative cooking with local inspiration. Hake is prepared in a variety of styles, the…

  • Sefa Restaurant

    Sultanahmet

    Located between Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar, this clean and popular place offers hazır yemek (ready-made dishes) at reasonable prices. You can order…

  • Officina 34

    Genoa

    Genoa is a long way from Manhattan or Berlin, but that urban aesthetic is in full force at Officina 34. It's a beautifully fitted-out space in a pretty…

  • Rincón de Juan

    Andalucía

    It’s standing room only at this wood-beamed, stone-walled corner bar, indisputably Aracena's favourite local hangout for traditional tapas. Iberian ham is…

  • Il Giardino delle Esperidi

    Lake Garda

    Holidaying gourmets should head for this intimate little osteria, where sourcing local delicacies is a labour of love for its sommelier-owner. The…

  • Restaurante Lis

    Salamanca

    This classy restaurant a couple of doors up from the Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó specialises in set menus with a choice of five starters for sharing,…

  • Cafe Oregano

    Cyprus

    This cafe's shaded outdoor terrace, decked out in geraniums and gerberas, is one of our favourite places to put our feet up after wandering Bellapais'…

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