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Food tours in Mykonos: what to eat and which tour to book
Behind the beach clubs, Mykonos has a small, distinct farm cuisine from a dry, windy island of barley, vines and pigs. The best-known product is kopanisti, a peppery fermented PDO cheese spread on barley rusks. Families still cure louza (spiced pork loin) and make sausages after the winter pig slaughter, bake onion pie (kremmydopita) with fresh tyrovolia cheese, and offer amygdalota, small almond sweets, at weddings and in bakeries. You will find this food in Chora's bakeries and in the tavernas of Ano Mera and the quieter beaches more than on the Little Venice waterfront.
Use this page to know what to order and where you pay for food rather than for the scene. Mykonos is the most expensive island in Greece, so the dishes and areas below come with rough 2026 prices and the traps to watch for. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the price and meeting point on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Mykonos
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kopanisti cheese κοπανιστή (kopanisti) | A soft, salty, spicy cheese with a peppery bite, made by repeatedly kneading and maturing fresh cheese for weeks. PDO-protected and made on several Cycladic islands, with Mykonos the best known. | Tavernas as a meze with rusks, and delis and bakeries in Chora that sell it in small tubs to take home. | roughly €7–10 a portion; roughly €25–35 per kilo in shops |
| Mostra (Mykonian rusk salad) μόστρα (mostra) | A barley rusk softened with grated tomato and olive oil and topped with kopanisti, close to Cretan dakos but sharper because of the cheese. | Tavernas in Chora, Ano Mera and at beach tavernas that cook local food. | roughly €9–14 |
| Louza λούζα (louza) | Pork loin cured with salt and spices (pepper and herbs such as savory), then air-dried and thinly sliced. Traditionally made in winter after the family pig slaughter (choirosfagia), along with Mykonian sausages. | Tavernas as part of a cold plate, and delis and butchers in Chora. | roughly €10–16 a plate; sold by weight in shops |
| Onion pie κρεμμυδόπιτα (kremmydopita) | A pie of onions cooked down with fresh local cheese (tyrovolia or similar), dill and eggs, usually in a thin pastry or as an open tart. | Bakeries in Chora and tavernas that cook local dishes, especially in Ano Mera. | roughly €3–5 a slice in a bakery; €8–12 as a taverna portion |
| Almond sweets αμυγδαλωτά (amygdalota) | Small soft sweets of ground almonds, sugar and rosewater, often dusted with icing sugar; given at weddings and baptisms and sold year-round. | Traditional bakeries and pastry shops in Chora; also packed as a gift to take home. | roughly €1–1.50 a piece, or about €20–30 per kilo |
| Grilled fish and seafood ψάρι σχάρας, αστακομακαρονάδα, καλαμάρι | Grilled whole fish sold by weight, grilled octopus, squid, and lobster spaghetti (astakomakaronada), the classic summer seafood splurge. | Fish tavernas on beaches such as Agios Ioannis, Ornos and the quieter north coast, and around the harbour in Chora. | octopus or squid roughly €18–28 a plate; whole fish roughly €80–130 per kilo; lobster spaghetti roughly €45–70 per person or priced by weight |
| Gyros and souvlaki in pita πίτα γύρος / καλαμάκι | Pork or chicken in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki. The cheapest proper meal on the island and the standard late-night food after the bars. | Souvlaki shops in the lanes of Chora (around Matoyianni and the bus stations), many open until the early hours in summer. | roughly €5–7 a pita, noticeably more than in Athens |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Chora and Matoyianni Street
The old town's lanes hold the traditional bakeries, delis with kopanisti and louza, souvlaki shops and many restaurants. Prices vary a lot from one lane to the next, so read menus outside.
Little Venice
Houses and bars built over the water facing the windmills. Popular for sunset drinks, but this is where the highest prices and most bill complaints are; treat it as a place for one drink, not dinner.
Ano Mera
The island's inland village, around the Panagia Tourliani monastery, with tavernas on the square serving local dishes, louza and kremmydopita at lower prices than Chora.
Old Port and harbour front
The waterfront in Chora by the old port has cafés and tavernas, and is where fishing boats tie up. Useful for breakfast or coffee and for seeing the town's daily life outside party hours.
Beach tavernas (Agios Ioannis, Ornos, Agios Sostis, Fokos)
Away from the big beach clubs, several beaches have family-style tavernas serving grilled fish, salads and local meze. The north-coast beaches are less built up; access is by car or scooter.
Food tours in Mykonos 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos: Cooking Class with Food and Wine | 5 hours | from €150 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Mykonos: Winery Vineyard Experience with Food & Wine Tasting | 2 hours | from €68 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Mykonos: Wine Tasting at a Mykonian Farm | 3 hours | from €75 per person | max 15 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Mykonos: Cooking Class with Food and Wine
On GetYourGuide · run by Mykonian Spiti
- Length
- 5 hours
- Price
- from €150 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 294 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Exclusive cooking class (day and evening options) (most areas of Mykonos are covered, save for some remote places like Elia, Kalafatis, Agrari, Panormos, Super Paradise, Paradise, Kanalia, or from remote villas, apar…
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Mykonos: Winery Vineyard Experience with Food & Wine Tasting
On GetYourGuide · run by Tour in Mykonian Land
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €68 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 548 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Mykonos: Wine Tasting at a Mykonian Farm
On GetYourGuide · run by Cretan Spiti
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €75 per person
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ from 107 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 15
- Included
- Tasting of 4 varieties of wine Hotel/cruise terminal pickup/drop-off. Transfers are included from/to all hotels and most areas of Mykonos, however for some remote places (eg Elia, Kalafatis, Agrari, Panormos, Super Pa…
- 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
Street food on Mykonos is pita gyros and souvlaki, bakery pies and sweets in Chora. It is the only way to eat cheaply in July and August and is the usual late-night meal. There are no food markets for visitors.
Sit-down meals
Sit-down meals range from simple tavernas in Ano Mera and on quieter beaches to high-end restaurants and beach clubs where the bill reflects the scene, not the food. Order the local items (kopanisti, mostra, louza, kremmydopita) and check prices per kilo for fish. Reserve ahead for dinner in July and August.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes on Mykonos are usually held at farms or country houses outside Chora and combine cooking a few local dishes with tasting cheese, wine or raki. Transfers are often included; check what is cooked and whether there is a farm visit.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | €40–55 (bakery breakfast, pita gyros lunch, simple taverna dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | €90–130 (two sit-down meals with wine) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | €250+ (seafood or fine-dining dinner, beach club lunch) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Possible but less varied than on other islands. Kopanisti, mostra, kremmydopita, salads, fava and vegetable dishes are meat-free. Vegan choices are mainly salads, fava and vegetables cooked in oil; many high-end restaurants list vegan dishes.
Halal: Halal-certified food is very limited. Pork is the default in gyros, souvlaki, louza and sausages, so ask for chicken (kotopoulo) and choose seafood or vegetable dishes.
Gluten-free: Grilled fish and meat, salads without rusk and most dips are naturally gluten-free. Mostra (barley rusk), pies, pita and fried squid are not. Upmarket restaurants are used to gluten-free requests; village tavernas less so. Say 'choris glouteni' (without gluten).
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Seafood priced per kilo (fish, squid, lobster) in Little Venice and beach restaurants, ending in bills of hundreds of euros for a few plates. Several such cases have been reported in Greek and international press. Ask the price per kilo and the weight before ordering, and agree the total before it is cooked. If a price is not on the menu, ask for it in writing or order something else.
- Beach-club sunbeds at Psarou, Paradise, Super Paradise and other organised beaches costing from about €50 to several hundred euros a day for front rows, sometimes with a minimum spend. Ask the price and minimum spend before you sit. Most beaches also have free public sections where you can lay a towel.
- Unpriced champagne, 'special' cocktails or bottles brought to the table, and sparklers or show bottles added to the bill. Order only from the printed menu, refuse anything you didn't order, and check the bill line by line.
- Being told the card machine is broken and asked for cash, or getting no receipt. Card payment must be accepted in Greece and you are entitled to a receipt (apodeixi). Ask for both; the Ministry of Development and the tourist police take complaints.
Top tours & activities in Mykonos
Rent a car in Mykonos
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in MykonosPlan the rest of your Mykonos trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
What is local food on Mykonos?
Kopanisti, the peppery fermented cheese; mostra, a barley rusk with tomato and kopanisti; louza, cured spiced pork loin; Mykonian sausages; kremmydopita, onion pie with fresh cheese; and amygdalota, almond sweets. Ask for these by name. Tavernas in Ano Mera and bakeries in Chora are the most reliable places to find them.
How do I avoid a huge restaurant bill?
Read the menu and prices before sitting down, ask the price per kilo and the weight for fish, squid and lobster, and agree the total before it is cooked. Refuse anything brought without ordering. Check the bill and ask for a receipt. Most problems happen in a few places on the waterfront and at beach clubs.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Mykonos is the most expensive island in Greece. A tight day with bakery breakfast, a pita and a simple taverna dinner is roughly €40–55. Two sit-down meals with wine run roughly €90–130. A seafood dinner or beach club lunch can easily pass €150–300 per person.
Do I need to book restaurants?
In July and August, for dinner in Chora and lunch at popular beach restaurants, yes, often several days ahead. Ano Mera tavernas and souvlaki shops usually take walk-ins. In May, June and September it is much easier, though weekends stay busy.
Do I need to tip on Mykonos?
Service is usually not included in taverna bills. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good service is normal; some upmarket places add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping again. Tips by card often don't reach staff, so leave cash if you can.
Is the island open in winter?
Mostly not for visitors. From about November to April most restaurants, beach tavernas and clubs close. Chora keeps some bakeries, cafés and tavernas for residents, and Ano Mera has a few. Check current hours before you go.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.