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Toques d’Or 2016: here are the best restaurants in Greece
The “Toques d’Or”, the most authoritative gastronomic awards in Greece with the hallmark of “Athinorama” and “AlphaGuide”, were presented also this year to the best restaurants in the country. Whether you are traveling to
Athens or to some other destination in Greece, keep this list to be prepared.
ETRUSCO 16.5/20 (2 toques)
Corfu
Strong flavors and unexpected combinations in a kitchen that improvises creatively on taste landmarks of Corfu, taking tradition to the next level. Kato Korakiana, Corfu
FUNKY GOURMET 16.5/20 (2 toques) Athens
Another excellent year for Georgianna Hiliadakis, Nikos Roussos and their team at the restaurant of Kerameikos, which has a sense of secret rendezvous or some kind of initiation, since you have to ring the bell of a closed door to enter. No. 13, Paramythias Str. & Salaminos Str., Keramikos
BOTRINI’S 16/20 (one toque) Athens
Hector Botrini keeps developing his ability to reconstruct taste memories in the form of new signature dishes, with sophisticated techniques, unexpected combinations and a personal seal. No. 24Β, Vasileos Georgiou II, Halandri
Spondi 16/20 (one toque) Athens
Chef Angel Lantos keeps the bar very high this year too, with a modern French cuisine infused with Mediterranean elements, which rests firmly on the principles of the classic one. No. 5, Pyrronos Str., Pangrati
Varoulko Seaside 16/20 (one toque) Athens
Subtle, imaginative combinations of modern aesthetics set the pace in a cuisine that is typical of the Greek scene and pays tribute to the altar of the sea, being awarded a Toque d’Or for twenty-three consecutive years. No. 52, Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano
Bill & Coo 15.5/20 (one toque)
Mykonos
Chef Athenagoras Kostakos this year too delivers a fascinating creative Greek cuisine, consistently making the most of new raw materials from Mykonos, tweaking old recipes and playing with new ideas on textures and flavors. “Bill & Coo” Hotel, Megali Ammos, Mykonos
CTC 15.5/20 (one toque) Athens
Three times winner of the Toque d’Or award at the "Calypso" restaurant of "Elounda Peninsula", Alexandros Tsiotinis is undoubtedly talented and his restaurant more than confirms it. No. 14 Ublianis str. & 27 Dioharous str., Ilisia, Athens
F+W by OLIVIER CAMPANHA 15.5/20 (one toque) Athens
Complex, vivid and delicate, the cuisine of Olivier Campanha loves alternations and evolves every year at the restaurant in Kolonaki. No. 49, Xenokratous Str., Kolonaki
MATSUHISA ATHENS 15.5/20 (one toque) Athens
The athenian branch of the fusion approach to cooking of the famous Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, with a Japanese basis and gastronomic elements from Peru and Europe. “Astir Palace” Hotel, No. 40, Apollonos Str., Vouliagmeni
SQUIRREL 15.5/20 (one toque)
Halkidiki
Vasilis Mouratidis successfully keeps up the tradition of "Squirrel". Assimilating the gastronomic logic of the past, he experiments and presents ideas of his own. “Danai Beach Resort” Hotel, Nikiti, Halkidiki
TUDOR HALL 15.5/20 (one toque) Athens
At the top floor of "King George" Hotel, executive chef Sotiris Evangelou and head chef Alexandros Koskinas lead -with their culinary idiom- the Greek cuisine to new heights of harmony and refinement. King George” Hotel, No. 3, Vasileos Georgiou Str., Syntagma
ABOVO 15/20 (one toque) Athens
A restaurant with a "high-revving" temperament and international perceptions. It left its post in Kefalari this year for the sake of the most central Kolonaki district, with the talented Michalis Nournoglou always in charge of the open-plan kitchen. No. 18 Tsakalof str., Kolonaki
ALFREDO’S GRAND DINING 15/20 (one toque)
Thessaloniki
Premium quality ingredients, technical precision, and creative imagination are the tools that enable Apostolos Altanis to propose dishes characterized by superb harmony and taste. Regency Casino Thessaloniki, Airport, Thessaloniki
APOCALYPSIS 15/20 (one toque)
Patmos
For the skilled chef Dimitris Pamporis, the elegant, pure white environment of the restaurant on Grikos Beach turns into a canvas for expressing his vivid imagination, his experiences from his travels abroad, the sophisticated cooking techniques that he loves to use and the creative showing off of Greek products and flavors. “Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa” Hotel, Grikos, Patmos
CALYPSO 15/20 (one toque)
Crete
A terrace that looks out on the sea and a chef with imagination and creativity make a whole that turns dinner into a unique pleasure. «Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel», Elounda
DIONYSOS 15/20 (one toque) Crete
In the iconic "Elounda Beach", in a lovely inner courtyard, next to an all-white chapel, "Dionysos" is a timeless, top-class gastronomic spot. «Εlounda Beach Hotel &Villas», Elounda
HYTRA 15/20 (one toque) Athens
In his second year at the modish restaurant of the Onassis Foundation, Tasos Mantis develops a charmingly refined culinary model. Onassis Cultural Centre, No. 107-109, Syngrou Ave., Neos Kosmos
KOUKOUMAVLOS 15/20 (one toque)
Santorini
Experienced and acclaimed, Chef Nikos Pouliassis is one of the few iconic figures in the gastronomic landscape of Santorini. Fira, Santorini
LYCABETTUS RESTAURANT 15/20 (one toque) Santorini
Already a winner of the Toque d’Or award, Chef Stefanos Kolimadis presents, in the luxurious restaurant of "Andronis" hotel in Oia, a very own contemporary cuisine with strong French bases, which, however, stretch to complex, sophisticated compositions. «Andronis Luxury Suites» Hotel, Oia, Santorini
MATSUHISA MYKONOS 15/20 (one toque) Mykonos
The trademark of Mykonos’s gastronomy, "Matsuhisa Mykonos" creates new style dishes with Japanese foundations and Latin American influences. “Βelvedere” Hotel, Hora of Mykonos
DOMATA 15/20 (one toque) Halkidiki
On the lovely terrace of "Domata" that looks out on the marina, Chef Chrysanthos Karamolegos each time redefines the Greek character of his cuisine, creating elegant "jigsaw puzzles" of flavors, with dishes that draw from the local cuisines and ingredients from other countries, which are married to our culinary tradition and the international trends of the culinary scene. “Sani Resort”, Sani, Halkidiki
OLD MILL 15/20 (one toque) Crete
Iconic and with a long tradition, the restaurant of the "Elounda Mare" Hotel has traced a successful long course and has won multiple awards. “Elounda Mare” Hotel, Elounda, Crete
PREMIERE 15/20 (one toque) Athens
Sophisticated and playful, the cuisine of the Frenchman Jean-Charles Metayer, who chose Greece as his second homeland, is revving up creatively this year too. Intercontinental” Hotel, No. 89-93, Syngrou Ave., Neos Kosmos
WATER RESTAURANT 15/20 (one toque) Halkidiki
Perfect technique, finesse and attention to detail make up the gastronomic proposal of chef Yiannis Parikos, which is characterized by elegance, interesting combinations of flavors and carefully selected ingredients. Sani Resort”, Sani, Halkidiki
Toques d’Or 2016: Greek Cuisine Awards
Together with the Toques d’Or, the Greek Cuisine Awards went to restaurants and tavernas that serve modern and traditional Greek Cuisine. Whether you are traveling to Athens or to some other destination in Greece, keep this list to be prepared.
ALERIA 14.5/20
In this very stylish restaurant, Gikas Xenakis approaches Greek specialties with friendly creativity and a mood that sometimes inclines towards exuberance and sometimes towards sophistication, focusing on taste. No. 57, Megalou Alexandrou Str., Metaxourghio, Athens
VASILAINAS 14.5/20
he young and talented Adam Kontovas took over the reins in the kitchen of the historic restaurant of Piraeus, which has traced a remarkable course in the field of contemporary Greek cuisine, and made an impression with his performance. No. 72, Etolikou Str.,
Piraeus
FERRYMAN 14.5/20
Yiannis Baxevanis is its soul, and Alexandros Kiousabas is the resident chef. The "Ferryman" proposes a Cretan cuisine that at times deviates towards other parts of the Hellenic territory. Elounda
GRACE 14.5/20
A new talent, Chef Spyros Ayous shows his technical competence and imagination, developing a modern cuisine with Greek colors and aromas, creative touches and an increasingly higher performance. “Grace” Hotel, Imerovigli, Santorini
KONTOSOROS 14.5/20
Nikos Kontosoros tirelessly continues to present unique dishes that combine select ingredients, imagination and mastery of technique. Xino Nero of
Florina
MAVRIKOS 14.5/20
Chef Dimitris Mavrikos expresses the culinary idiom of the Dodecanese, escaping from its classic version, and incorporates in his creations the developments in the culinary scene in an imaginative and harmonious way. Lindos,
Rhodes
MILOS ESTIATORIO 14.5/20
A famous worldwide ambassador of the essence of the Greek taste that actually deifies raw materials -from beetroot leaves and spiny chicory to the extensive collection of exceptionally fresh fish and seafood. “Hilton Athens” Hotel, No. 46, Vasilisis Sofias Ave., Athens
PAPAIOANNOU 14.5/20
At the forefront of Greek seafood gastronomy, the cuisine of Yiorgos Papaioannou takes a picture of the sea with a wide angle lens and manages to surprise you again and again with an actual performance, starring ingredients of impeccable quality, the result of an exclusive collaboration with spear fishermen and fishing boats. No. 42, Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano
SELINI 14.5/20
A constant search for quality Greek and, mostly, Cycladic products; a modern culinary conception that evolves tradition. Pyrgos, Santorini
TELEMACHOS BARBEQUE CLUB 14.5/20
In the restaurant of Kato Kifissia, Yiorgos Tsiligiris has been waving the flag of Greek meat eating for years now. No. 22, Fragopoulou Str. & M. Botsari Str., Kato Kifissia, Athens
XASTERIA 14.5/20
In a peaceful backyard in the impressive "Amirandes" hotel by Grecotel, the duo Yiannis Kounalakis and Konstantinos Karapanayiotis proposes a modern Cretan cuisine that celebrates and showcases tradition. “Amirandes”Hotel, Gouves,
Heraklion
ATHIRI 14/20
Pursuit, respect to raw materials and a creative flair characterize the cuisine of Alexandros Kardasis, in whose dishes the Greek tradition meets modern conception. No. 15, Plateon Str., Keramikos, Athens
ALEXIS 14/20
Good taste and the charm of simplicity act as a trademark in this simple, unpretentious restaurant with tables set beneath the plane trees, at the marina of the "Sani Resort" hotel complex, which stands for its nice mezes and the fish that is fried with mastery and grilled with precision. Sani Resort”, Sani, Halkidiki
ALFREDO’S GARDEN 14/20
Apostolos Altanis shows his alter ego. He "plays" with excellent raw materials, applies modern techniques, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the Greek tradition and presents dishes with a clear Greek sign. Regency Casino Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki
ARK 14/20
A Greek character nourished by the tradition of many parts of Greece and combined with the talent and in-depth knowledge of Yiannis Baxevanis, who does his best once again and proposes delectable dishes. 2 Grigoriou Labraki str., Asteria Glyfada, Athens
GASTRODROMIO EN OLYMPO 14/20
Andreas Gavris consistently insists on a cuisine that combines modern trends with tradition. The dishes that he proposes are characterized by a purely Greek character and also by a modern approach to execution.
Litohoro
CLOCHARD 14/20
The setting reproduces the charm of the good old bourgeois Thessaloniki and, of course, the cuisine is corresponding. The list proposes a plethora of classic recipes that were on the agenda a couple of generations ago. No. 4, Proxenou Koromila, Thessaloniki
ELIA’S RESTAURANT 14/20
With Nikos Stavrakakis in charge, the "Elia’s" puts Skiathos on the gastronomic map of Greece.
“Mandraki Village” Hotel, Skiathos
SIX KEYS 14/20
For yet another year, Dionysis Zacharopoulos confirms the creative vein that characterizes him. In cooperation with Yiannis Baxevanis, he develops his cuisine, which is steadily gaining pace, and suggests dishes that combine modern techniques and a profoundly Greek character. “Six Keys” Hotel, Afissos,
Pelion
ΕRIMITIS 14/20
The young Miltos Armenis prepares dishes with a prominent Greek character and also with techniques that give extremely flavourful results. Magazia,
Paxi
THOMAS 14/20
With tradition as his guide, Chef Nikos Paspalis presents dishes that showcase the local cuisine but also respect the modern culinary perception. 18th km. of the Amyntaio-Kastoria Road, Sklithro of Florina
IODIO 14/20
A unique modern "seafood trattoria" with original dishes dominated by absolute freshness, the locality of raw materials and typical Greek products. No. 119Β, Achilleos Ave., Paleo Faliro, Athens
KΑSTRI BISTRO 14/20
In the modern, minimal environment of the "Kastri Bistro," the young chef Alexandros Charalambopoulos lets his talent unfold and proposes dishes with a distinct Greek character and also dishes that focus on meat. "Domotel Kastri" Hotel, 154 Eleftheriou Venizelou str. & Romylias, Nea Erythraia, Athens
KOKKINO PODILATO 14/20
The new list of the gorgeous restaurant bears the signature of Chef Gikas Xenakis and expresses Greek and Mediterranean gastronomic neologisms based on iconic local products of Santorini. Oia, Santorini
KRITIKOS 14/20
"Kritikos" is an all-time classic thanks to the excellent quality of its meats -veal from Komotini and small farms around Attica and lamb from Vonitsa and Mytilene- and the incomparable grilling skills of Nikos Dogiakis. No. 49, Eolou Str., Kantza (Pallini), Athens
MARIGOULA 14/20
An unexpected culinary experience in a taverna with an eighty-year long history in Polygyros, in central Hhalkidiki. Greek cuisine that keeps the tradition alive but also has original ideas. Potidaia, Halkidiki
MYLOS 14.5/20
The cuisine of Yiannis Kioroglou expresses an essential modernism while being strongly rooted in tradition. Firostefani, Santorini
NAOUMIDIS 14/20
The "Naoumidis" restaurant, located on the banks of Lake Vegoritida and affording magnificent views, excels not only thanks to the name it made for itself thanks to the well-known Florina pepper products. The cuisine is mostly inspired by the goodies of the lake but also deviates towards other, equally Greek directions. Aminteo, Florina
ON THE VERANDAH 14/20
The debut season of the rising chef Stamatis Marmarinos at "Poseidonion Grand" renewed the gastronomic proposal of the iconic grand hotel of Spetses, with a Greek cuisine that is modern in style, personal and multidimensional, and with a strong element of locality and a mood for updating. "Poseidonion Grand" Hotel,
Spetses
PLATIA TIS ANTHOULAS 14/20
The Kritos family creates dishes based on local gastronomy and premium raw materials from the region and from all over Greece (producers are mentioned by name on the list). Kryopigi, Halkidiki
TASOS 14/20
Ms. Kyriaki Toptzi is not just in the kitchen. Some say that she is inside the fish when it gets caressed by the fire: it's the only way to explain the perfect grilling, which, coupled with the perfect handling of the frying pan, turn fish-eating at "Tassos" into a unique pleasure. No. 6, Phaethonos Str., Thessaloniki
TAVERNA/COSTA NAVARINO 14/20
Under the watchful eye of the hotel’s executive chef Dimitris Melemenis and thanks to premium quality ingredients from estates belonging to the compound, the "Taverna" is a particular eating place. “Costa Navarino” Resort Complex, Pilos,
Messinia
TELEMACHOS ART GRILL 14/20
Exquisite meats, proper tenderisation and an excellent grilling technique make "Tilemachos Art Grill" -a restaurant in urban-style, decorated with motley elements- a sophisticated rotisserie. No. 19, Fragopoulou Str., Kato Kifissia, Athens