Kythnos Restaurants: Where to Eat
Kythnos serves its food in the harbour tavernas of Merichas, the cafes and shops of the hilltop Chora, and the seafront eateries of the spa village of Loutra. Kythnos is a quiet island that is not specialised in tourism, so the eating is simple and local rather than a long list of named restaurants. This guide points you to the areas where you will find tavernas and cafes, so you can pick a base and walk to dinner. Hire a car to explore Kythnos at your own pace, covered in our Kythnos car hire guide.
- Group
- Cyclades
- Best for the harbour
- Merichas
- Best for cafes
- Chora
- Seafront eating
- Loutra
Where to eat on Kythnos
Kythnos concentrates its eating in the port of Merichas and around the two main villages inland. Merichas holds the tavernas and cafes along the quay, the Chora keeps cafes and tourist shops on its main lane, and Loutra has seafront eateries beside its thermal springs. Because the island is not built for mass tourism, most places are family-run tavernas serving Greek staples and fresh fish, so it is best to choose an area to stay and eat locally rather than travel far for a meal.
Merichas harbour
Merichas is the best base for eating on Kythnos, as the tavernas, cafes and a few shops line the quay behind the town beach, a short walk from the ferry and from most of the island's rooms. This is where fresh fish comes off the boats and where you can sit by the water in the evening. Staying by the harbour means you can walk to dinner, and the port's studios are set out in the Kythnos hotels & villas guide.
The Chora
The Chora, the hilltop capital, keeps a few cafes and tourist shops along the main road that runs through the village. It has no hotels of its own, so it suits a coffee, a snack or a simple meal while you walk its narrow lanes and see the old white houses, the windmills and the churches. The village itself is covered on the Kythnos island guide.
Loutra
Loutra, the spa and fishing village on the north coast, has seafront eateries beside its beach and thermal springs. It is a quiet spot to eat by the water after a swim or a soak in the hot springs, and the hotels here put you within a short walk of dinner. The springs and the village are described in the Kythnos sights guide.
Dryopida & the villages
Dryopida, the traditional village in a fertile valley, is a quieter stop with the odd taverna or cafe among its red-roofed houses, close to the Katafiki Cave. Elsewhere the island is bare and thinly settled, so away from Merichas, the Chora and Loutra you should not count on finding a restaurant. Plan meals around those three centres and you will eat well and simply on Kythnos.
