Home › Food tours › Ikaria
Food tours in Ikaria: what to eat and which tour to book
Ikaria is a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean, best known abroad as one of the world's 'Blue Zones', where an unusually high share of people live into their 90s. Day-to-day food is simple island cooking: vegetables and pulses from home gardens, wild greens, goat, local cheese, honey, fish in the harbour villages, herbal teas and the island's own wine. The real event is the summer panigyri, an all-night village festival with long tables of food, wine and traditional Ikarian dancing. Life runs late and slowly; shops and tavernas keep their own hours, and in the Raches villages it is normal to shop at night.
Use this page to know what to eat and how the island works before you go. The dishes and areas below say what each part of Ikaria does well. Any tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; prices and times change, so confirm on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Ikaria
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soufiko σουφικό (soufiko) | Ikaria's best-known home dish: summer vegetables such as courgette, aubergine, peppers, potato, tomato and onion, slowly cooked in plenty of olive oil until soft. Recipes vary from house to house. | Village tavernas, especially in summer when the vegetables are in season. | roughly €8–11 a plate |
| Boiled goat or meat at a panigyri βραστό κατσικίσιο (vrasto katsikisio) | The standard panigyri meal is usually goat or other meat, often boiled or stewed, served with bread, a simple salad and plenty of local wine, eaten at long shared tables. | Village panigyria, mostly in July and August; the menu varies by village. | usually a fixed price per plate, roughly €8–15; wine is cheap by the jug |
| Ikarian wine ικαριώτικο κρασί | Wine made by small producers and many households, traditionally from local grape varieties such as Fokiano. House wine in tavernas is often from a nearby family; it varies a lot in style. | Tavernas and panigyria everywhere; a few small wineries welcome visitors — ask ahead. | roughly €6–10 for a half-litre or litre carafe in a taverna |
| Wild greens χόρτα (horta) | Boiled wild and cultivated greens dressed with olive oil and lemon. Eaten with most meals, and part of the diet often linked to Ikarian longevity. | Any taverna; the greens change with the season. | roughly €4–7 a plate |
| Fresh fish φρέσκο ψάρι | Small local fish grilled or fried, plus octopus and sometimes lobster. What is available depends on the day's catch and the weather. | Harbour tavernas in Evdilos, Agios Kirykos, Armenistis and the small coastal villages. | small fried fish roughly €9–14 a portion; larger fish sold by the kilo, often €45–80/kg |
| Local honey ικαριώτικο μέλι | Honey from small island producers, often from thyme, heather or pine depending on where the hives are. Sold in jars from homes, shops and small producers. | Village shops, producers' stands and shops in the main villages. | roughly €10–18 a jar, depending on size and type |
| Mountain herb teas τσάι του βουνού, φασκόμηλο (mountain tea, sage) | Teas made from dried mountain herbs such as sage, oregano, mint and Greek mountain tea, drunk daily on the island and sold dried by the bunch or bag. | Cafés (kafeneia) and village shops. | about €2–3 a cup; €3–6 a bag of dried herbs |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Christos Raches and the Raches villages
Hill villages above Armenistis where life runs late: the main village of Christos Raches is known for shops and cafés that open in the evening and stay open past midnight. Good for kafeneia, local products and a slow evening walk.
Armenistis and Nas
The north-west beach area, the most visited part of the island in summer, with tavernas looking over the sea and the beaches of Livadi and Messakti nearby.
Evdilos
Harbour village on the north coast and one of the two ferry ports, with fish tavernas and cafés on the waterfront.
Agios Kirykos and Therma
The island's capital and main southern port, with tavernas, bakeries and the most shops, and the hot-spring spa village of Therma just next to it.
Village panigyria
Not a place but an event: all-night festivals for a village's saint's day, with long tables of food and wine and Ikarian dancing. Money raised usually goes to the village or church. The best way to see how the island eats and celebrates.
Food tours in Ikaria compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanic Wine Tour: Heritage Vineyards & Tasting | 1.5 hours | from €29 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Hike to Alama falls | 8.5 hours | from €80 per person | max 8 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Ikaria Highlights West Side Tour | 8 hours | from €200 per person | max 8 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Visit Family wineries of Ikaria | 8.5 hours | from €185 per person | max 8 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Ikaria Wellness | 8.5 hours | from €180 per person | max 8 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Volcanic Wine Tour: Heritage Vineyards & Tasting
On GetYourGuide · run by Timonfaya Travel Lanzarote
- Length
- 1.5 hours
- Price
- from €29 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 2 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Winery tour and vineyard visit Tasting of 3 wines with local snacks
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- *
Hike to Alama falls
On GetYourGuide · run by Days of Ikaria L.P.
- Length
- 8.5 hours
- Price
- from €80 per person
- Group size
- max 8
- Included
- Guide: An experienced, English-speaking guide to lead you on the hikes and provide insights into the island’s history and nature. Transportation: Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation to all locations, including…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Ikaria Highlights West Side Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Days of Ikaria L.P.
- Length
- 8 hours
- Price
- from €200 per person
- Group size
- max 8
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Visit Family wineries of Ikaria
On GetYourGuide · run by Days of Ikaria L.P.
- Length
- 8.5 hours
- Price
- from €185 per person
- Group size
- max 8
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Ikaria Wellness
On GetYourGuide · run by Days of Ikaria L.P.
- Length
- 8.5 hours
- Price
- from €180 per person
- Group size
- max 8
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
There is no street-food scene on Ikaria. The nearest thing is a pie or sweet from a bakery in Agios Kirykos or Evdilos, or a plate at a panigyri.
Sit-down meals
Eating out means family tavernas with a short menu of home-cooked dishes, grilled meat and fish, and house wine. Many cook what is in season and what they have that day. Outside July and August a lot of places close or keep reduced hours, especially in Armenistis.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes and food experiences on Ikaria tend to be small and home-based, focused on vegetables, pulses, wild greens and herbs. Supply is limited and seasonal, so check dates and what is actually included before planning around one.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | €20–30 (bakery breakfast, simple taverna lunch, picnic or panigyri plate) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | €40–60 (two taverna meals with house wine) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | €80+ (a fish dinner by the sea with wine) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Easy: much of everyday Ikarian cooking is vegetables, pulses, greens and olive oil, such as soufiko, horta, beans and chickpeas. Panigyria are meat-heavy, but there is usually bread, salad and cheese.
Halal: No halal-certified food on the island. Goat and lamb are common, but not halal-slaughtered. Fish, vegetable dishes and pulses are the practical choice.
Gluten-free: Many traditional dishes (soufiko, horta, grilled fish and meat, beans) are naturally gluten-free, but awareness of coeliac disease in small tavernas is limited. Pies, bread, rusks and fried fish in flour contain gluten. Ask clearly ('choris glouteni') and bring snacks.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Fish priced by the kilo, then a large fish cooked without the total being mentioned. Ask to see the fish weighed and confirm the total price before it is cooked.
- Overpriced 'Blue Zone' or 'longevity' branded products and experiences aimed at visitors. Ordinary local honey, herbs and wine bought in village shops are the same thing for less. Check what a paid 'longevity' experience actually includes.
- Planning meals around places that turn out to be closed: outside high summer, and at midday in the Raches villages, many shops and tavernas are shut. Ask your accommodation what is open, keep basic supplies, and plan for longer drives on winding roads between villages.
Top tours & activities in Ikaria
Rent a car in Ikaria
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in IkariaPlan the rest of your Ikaria trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
What is a panigyri and how does it work?
A panigyri is a village festival for a local saint's day. Ikarian ones are famous: long tables, local wine, food and live music, with dancing (including the Ikariotikos dance) going on all night. You usually pay a fixed price per plate at a counter, and the money goes to the village or church. Anyone can come; just turn up, sit where there is space and join in.
When are the panigyria?
Most are in summer, especially July and August, with 15 August (the Dormition of the Virgin) among the biggest dates; there are smaller ones at other times of year too. Dates and villages change, and schedules are announced locally, often on posters and social media. Ask your accommodation, and expect them to start late in the evening and run until morning.
Is Ikaria really a Blue Zone, and does the food explain it?
Ikaria is one of the regions identified by longevity researchers as a 'Blue Zone', with many residents living into their 90s. Researchers point to a mix of factors: a diet rich in vegetables, pulses, olive oil, greens and herbal teas, plus daily walking in hilly terrain, strong community ties and a relaxed pace of life. Food is part of it, not the whole story.
Are tavernas open all year?
In Agios Kirykos and Evdilos, some tavernas and cafés stay open year-round. In Armenistis and other summer resorts, many close from autumn to spring, and those that open often keep shorter hours. In high summer almost everything is open, but busy. If you visit outside June to September, ask your accommodation which places are open.
Why are shops open at night in Christos Raches?
The Raches villages are known for keeping late hours: in summer many shops and cafés in Christos Raches open in the evening and stay open past midnight, while mornings are quiet. It is one of the things the island is known for. Visit in the evening for a walk, a coffee or local products, rather than at midday.
Do I need a car to eat around Ikaria?
Practically, yes. Buses are limited and the island is mountainous, with long, winding drives between villages such as Agios Kirykos, Evdilos and Armenistis. To reach panigyria in hill villages, a car or taxi is the realistic option; agree taxi prices in advance and arrange the return trip, as festivals end in the early hours.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.