Here are a few of the restaurants on the island of Tinos. Mind you: they are personal experiences. Sometimes things change, a new cook arrives or a new owner and than the verdicts that are just personal are also no longer up to date.
One of the best restaurants in Tinos town is the adorable Epinion Restaurant that is situated in the harbour. The specialty of this restaurant is a dish with several different sorts of fried balls, amongst which are tomatoes and courgettes. The genius that came up with the idea for this mixed dish was Anna herself, so they have called it Anna's Balls. But also all the other food that is prepared in Epinion is quite tasty, and the service is really friendly. The restaurant is pretty large with tables inside as well as outside on the terrace overlooking the sea.
Our verdict: worth a visit while in Tinos Town, 8,5 out of 10.
Stylishly decorated restaurant with the possibility to sit outside on one of the terraces and have a glass of wine or eat something really nice. The Symposium Restaurant is situated on the left side of the narrow, busy shopping street that leads from the boulevard to the church, a bit in the beginning on the left side. It is 2 stories high and paralel to the first floor you can find the photoshop, of which Yorgos Vidalis is also the owner. On the first floor there is also the option for internetting with a some smooth music in the background. Quality is important to Yorgos and his prices are reasonable and not expensive.
Our verdict: reasonable to good, 7,5 out of 10.
In the beautiful bay of Isternia there are two small restaurants directly at the sea. The second restaurant which is nearest to the sea is really super, and it has lots of original and well taken care of dishes on the menu, like beetroots with creme fraiche dressing and all sorts of special salads. Besides that the food looks realy spectacular, like pictures from an expensive cooking book. Yet this restaurant is absolutely inexpensive. You can always tell if the person in the kitchen likes to please the guests. If they would serve capuchinos it would finish the restaurant off, but unfortunately they have only a smurf-sized espresso or nescafe.
Our verdict: close to perfection, 9,5 out of 10.
Our favorite restaurant on Tinos Island so far. It's situated on the beach of Kardiani Bay (the one on the right as you drive down - there are two beaches next to eachother), so a spectaculair view is the first garantee that you get. All the dishes that are served look like they should be framed and hang on the wall, instead of being eaten. There are many apetizers, different kinds of cheeses, salads, pastas and lots of fish. The tyrokroketes, tzaziki, tuna salad with fresh dille and the baked bread with tomato and feta are to die for. Fresh herbs with everything: super!! The best on the island, and with clean toilets as well....
Our verdict: worth a detour!! 10 our of 10.
This restaurant situated on the harbourfront of Tinos Town belongs to the hotel above it. Variety of small dishes for apatizers, including artichokes, tzaziki, cheeses and differents salads, plenty of choice for the main courses, and a nice breakfast including good coffee (served all day long if you like). Friendly service.
Our verdict: reasonably good, 7,5 out of 10.
Drakonisi Snackbar can be found at the beach of Kolymbithra. They have a small menu with salads, omelettes, great tzaziki, and several small dishes with fried vegetables, souvlaki and meatballs. They serve Lavazza coffee and the bread is fresh. Nice view of the beach.
Our verdict: reasonable to good, 7,5 out of 10.
Here in the Fuego Restaurant, close to the busstation in Pyrgos - just above the childrens playground - we only had a coffee and drinks, but the coffee was the best coffee we had in all the Cyclades, made from freshly grinded beans and served hot in an enormous cup in the company of a big glass of cold water. The service was very friendly and the seats really original, made of slices of trees and branches. The toilets were clean and they are worth a visit because they are funny.
Our verdict: if you like coffee you go to Fuego.
Zambia Restaurant can be found at the beginning of the beach of Kionia, in a small street 50 meters off the main road that runs along the beach. They serve a great red housewine, and have a traditional and professional kitchen. This restaurant is populair with the Greeks and many people of Tinos are regulars. Good meatdishes, many apetizers and a friendly service.
Our verdict: good, a 8,5 out of 10.