12 Best Rhodes Old Town Restaurants (2026) – Local Guide

🍴 The 12 Best Rhodes Old Town Restaurants (Local Ranking & Honest Guide)

By Looneytravels – Your local Rhodes buddy

Rhodes Old Town is one of the most atmospheric places on earth to enjoy a meal: stone arches, lantern-lit alleys, medieval walls, hidden courtyards, and the smell of fresh Greek cooking drifting through the streets.

If you want to explore beyond the restaurants, check out my full Rhodes Old Town Guide 2026 — What to See, Eat & Explore for an easy walking route and the best photo spots inside the medieval walls.

But let’s be honest…
👉 Old Town is FULL of tourist-trap restaurants.

After living here and personally trying almost every restaurant inside the medieval walls, here’s my official ranking of the best Rhodes Old Town restaurants — honest, local, and 100% tourist-trap-free.

To understand why the area around these restaurants feels so magical, read the UNESCO report on the Medieval City of Rhodes.

🥇 1. Taverna Kostas – Best Traditional Greek Food in Old Town

If you want real homemade Greek food with fair prices inside the Old Town walls, this is the place. No big signs, no pushers outside, no fuss — just excellent traditional cooking.

⭐ Why It’s #1

• Family-run, warm, and welcoming

• Proper Greek recipes

• Fantastic value inside Old Town

• Locals actually eat here

• Consistent quality over the years

🍽 Best Dishes

• Slow-cooked lamb

• Beef stifado

• Stuffed peppers

• Tzatziki & warm pita

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–10

• Mains: €12–18

🥈 2. Mama Sofia – Classic Old Town Favourite

A Rhodes institution. It’s busy, lively, and run with heart. Service is personal, and the menu is huge — but they manage to cook everything well.

⭐ Why It’s #2

• Legendary reputation

• Generous portions

• Fantastic service

• Ideal for families & groups

🍽 Best Dishes

• Seafood pasta

• Mixed grill

• Lamb kleftiko

• Saganaki cheese

💶 Prices

• Starters: €7–12

• Mains: €15–22

🥉 3. To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine – Beautiful Courtyard Dining

One of the most charming courtyards in Old Town. Warm, peaceful, and deeply traditional with a Mediterranean twist.

⭐ Why It’s #3

• Stunning courtyard away from the crowds

• Homemade dishes

• Perfect for a romantic or slow meal

• Exceptional flavours

🍽 Must-Try

• Lemon-roasted chicken

• Stuffed vegetables

• Homemade desserts

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–10

• Mains: €14–20

Planning your day around a great meal? My list of the Best Things to Do in Rhodes 2026 includes all the top sights you can combine with lunch or dinner in Old Town.

⭐ 4. Yiannis Home Cooking – Real Greek Home Food

If you want dishes that taste like they came from a Greek grandmother’s kitchen — this is where you go.

⭐ Why It’s #4

• Authentic homemade recipes

• Big portions

• Friendly service

• Less touristy

🍽 Best Dishes

• Beef kokkinisto

• Mousaka

• Baked beans (gigantes)

💶 Prices

• Starters: €5–8

• Mains: €12–18

⭐ 5. Marco Polo Mansion – Most Romantic Restaurant in Old Town

A candlelit courtyard in a restored medieval mansion — one of the most romantic dining atmospheres on the island.

⭐ Why It’s #5

• Elegant Mediterranean dishes

• Beautiful romance-heavy setting

• Fine dining without the snobbery

• Perfect for anniversaries

🍽 Must-Try

• Seafood mains

• Slow-cooked meat dishes

• Signature starters

💶 Prices

• Starters: €8–12

• Mains: €18–25

⭐ 6. Hermes Greek Grill House – Best Souvlaki in Old Town

Fast, delicious, and very Greek. Hermes is your go-to for souvlaki, gyros, and grilled meats inside the walls.

⭐ Why It’s #6

• Great souvlaki & gyros

• Quick service

• Budget-friendly

• Consistent quality

🍽 Best Dishes

• Pork souvlaki

• Chicken gyros plate

• Homemade tzatziki

💶 Prices

• Mains: €8–14

⭐ 7. Romeo Restaurant – Food + Greek Night Experience

Food meets entertainment. Romeo offers Greek dancing, live music, and very solid traditional dishes.

⭐ Why It’s #7

• Great atmosphere

• Popular Greek nights

• Friendly staff

• Good portions

🍽 Best Dishes

• Moussaka

• Souvlaki

• Giouvetsi

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–10

• Mains: €14–20

⭐ 8. MELI Restaurant – Authentic Flavours & Warm Hospitality

A beloved spot for genuinely authentic Greek cooking.

⭐ Why It’s #8

• Traditional dishes done well

• Local ingredients

• Relaxed courtyard

• Great for quiet evenings

🍽 Must-Try

• Fava

• Lamb in the oven

• Local salads

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–9

• Mains: €12–18

⭐ 9. Rogmi tou Chronou – Historic, Artsy & Atmospheric

A super atmospheric restaurant-bar in a restored medieval building. Food, drinks, and vibes.

⭐ Why It’s #9

• Unique artistic style

• Beautiful courtyard

• Great for couples & chill nights

• Excellent mezze

🍽 Best Dishes

• Meatballs

• Chillies stuffed with cheese

• Meat platters

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–10

• Mains: €14–18

⭐ 10. Ouzokafenes – Best Meze in Old Town

A lovely courtyard filled with shareable meze plates, fairy lights, and a warm atmosphere.

⭐ Why It’s #10

• Great meze variety

• Traditional recipes

• Fair prices

• Lovely outdoor seating

🍽 Must-Try

• Zucchini balls

• Meatballs in tomato sauce

• Grilled halloumi

💶 Prices

• Meze: €5–9

• Mains: €12–18

⭐ 11. Pizanias “The Sea Star” – Old-School Seafood

A long-standing fish taverna inside the walls.

⭐ Why It’s #11

• Fresh seafood

• Honest, old-school cooking

• Friendly staff

🍽 Best Dishes

• Grilled sea bream

• Calamari

• Shrimp saganaki

💶 Prices

• Starters: €6–10

• Mains: €15–22

⭐ 12. Socratous Garden – The Best Shaded Break in Old Town

This peaceful garden is perfect for drinks, smoothies, and light food.

⭐ Why It’s #12

• Beautiful shaded courtyard

• Ideal for refreshments

• Great stop during sightseeing

🍽 Best Picks

• Fresh juices

• Smoothies

• Light salads

💶 Prices

• Drinks: €4–7

• Light meals: €10–15

⭐ Best Budget Restaurants in Rhodes Old Town

If you want to eat well inside the walls without spending a lot, these are your best choices:

• Hermes Greek Grill House – gyros, souvlaki, fast, clean, cheap (€8–14)

• Yiannis Home Cooking – massive portions, homemade food (€12–18 mains)

• Ouzokafenes – meze dishes great for sharing (€5–9 each)

• MELI Restaurant – great value for traditional dishes (€12–18 mains)

• Taverna Kostas – best value traditional taverna (€12–18 mains)

🌿 Best Romantic Restaurants in Rhodes Old Town

If you're planning a romantic night:

• Marco Polo Mansion – candlelit courtyard, elegant food, magical vibes

• To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine – beautiful quiet courtyard

• Rogmi tou Chronou – artsy, moody courtyard for couples

• Mama Sofia – warm atmosphere & great service

🍷 Best Greek Meze Restaurants in Rhodes Old Town

Your top meze experiences inside the walls:

• Ouzokafenes – huge variety, traditional recipes

• Rogmi tou Chronou – meze with atmosphere

• MELI Restaurant – authentic local flavours

• Hermes Grill House – grilled meze plates

🐟 Best Seafood Restaurants in Rhodes Old Town

There is only one truly reliable seafood place inside the walls:

• Pizanias “The Sea Star” – old-school Greek fish taverna

🌞 Best Restaurants for Lunch in Rhodes Old Town

• Socratous Garden – shaded, light meals

• Hermes Grill House – quick and delicious

• Yiannis Home Cooking – filling Greek plates

• Taverna Kostas – local favourite

🌙 Best Restaurants for Dinner in Rhodes Old Town

For the atmosphere, quality and experience:

• Taverna Kostas

• To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine

• Mama Sofia

• Romeo Restaurant (especially on Greek night)

• Rogmi tou Chronou

If dinner is just the start of your night, don’t miss my Nightlife in Rhodes: Insider Picks for the best bars, sunset spots, and live Greek music.

🚫 Tourist Traps to Avoid in Rhodes Old Town

Here’s how you spot them:

• Huge laminated menus in 10 languages

• Photos of every dish & no prices

• Overly enthusiastic staff begging you to eat or sit down

• “Best seafood in town!!!” signs

• Empty restaurants in July–August

• Big beer boots and 3l cocktails on signs or tables

• Easy to spot on google maps- reviews( under 3 stars, do not go)

Stick to the list above and you won’t go wrong.

For more local tips on avoiding tourist traps across the island, read my guide on Rhodes Travel Mistakes to Avoid.

🕒 Best Time to Eat in Rhodes Old Town

• Locals eat after 20:30.

• Restaurants are busiest 19:30–21:00.

• If you want quiet:

  • lunch before 13:00

  • dinner after 21:00

🍽️ What to Eat in Rhodes Old Town (Local Dishes Explained)

Real Greek flavours you shouldn’t leave the medieval walls without trying.

🥙 Pitaroudia (Rhodes Chickpea Fritters)

A Rhodes speciality! These are delicious chickpea-and-herb fritters mixed with onions, tomatoes, mint, and local spices, then lightly fried until crispy outside and soft inside.
They’re like Greek “meze nuggets” — vegan-friendly and perfect with tzatziki or lemon.

🍝 Hilopites (Traditional Greek Pasta)

Hilopites are small square egg pasta pieces, traditionally made by Greek grandmothers, dried in the sun on trays.
In Rhodes Old Town, you’ll often find them cooked in a tomato sauce or baked with chicken or beef — hearty, comforting, homemade goodness.

🍲 Giouvetsi (Beef or Lamb with Orzo Pasta)

One of Greece’s most loved oven dishes. Tender beef or lamb is slow-cooked in a tomato-wine sauce with kritharaki (orzo pasta) until everything becomes soft, rich, and flavourful.
It’s a “Sunday at grandma’s house” kind of dish — you’ll smell it before you see it.

🍖 Lamb Kleftiko (Slow-Cooked Lamb)

A classic Greek comfort dish. Lamb is cooked slowly in parchment with potatoes, garlic, herbs, lemon, and sometimes cheese.
The meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft — the name “kleftiko” comes from old mountain bandits who used to cook lamb hidden in the ground so no smoke would show!

🐙 Fresh Calamari (Grilled or Fried Squid)

You’ll see calamari on almost every menu in the Old Town.

• Grilled: tender, smoky, slightly charred — healthier

• Fried: golden, crispy, perfect with lemon

If it’s fresh (not frozen), you’ll taste the difference immediately.

🍤 Shrimp Saganaki (Shrimp in Tomato & Feta Sauce)

A classic Greek meze dish. Shrimp are cooked in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and topped with creamy feta cheese.
Dip bread in the sauce — it’s the best part.

🌱 Fava with Onions (Yellow Split Pea Puree)

Not to be confused with broad beans — Greek fava is a silky puree made from yellow split peas cooked slowly until creamy.
Served warm or at room temperature with caramelised onions, olive oil, and lemon.
It’s simple, healthy, and incredibly flavourful — one of the best vegan dishes in Greece.

Learn more about Rhodes cuisine from the official tourism board on the Visit Greece – Rhodes page

💳 Prices: How Much Does It Cost to Eat in Rhodes Old Town?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Gyros / souvlaki: €4–5

• Starters: €5–10

• Mains at tavernas: €12–18

• Seafood mains: €15–22

• Fine dining mains: €18–26

You can eat very well at fair prices if you choose correctly.

⭐ FAQ: Rhodes Old Town Restaurants (Local Answers for 2026)

❓ Is Rhodes Old Town expensive for food?

It can be — especially in the busy tourist lanes where menus are laminated, portions are small, and prices jump simply because of location. But Rhodes Old Town is not automatically expensive. If you choose the right restaurants, you can eat extremely well at fair, honest prices. Places like Taverna Kostas, Yiannis Home Cooking, Hermes Greek Grill House, MELI Restaurant and Ouzokafenes offer excellent value even inside the medieval walls.

If you're planning meals on a budget or choosing an area to stay that gives you better food access, Rhodes on a Budget and Where to Stay in Rhodes – Full Area Guide are both helpful resources.

❓ Where do locals actually eat inside the Old Town walls?

Locals avoid the tourist-heavy streets and head to small side alleys where the food is real. Inside Old Town, local favourites include Taverna Kostas (traditional Greek recipes), Yiannis Home Cooking (massive homemade plates), Hermes Greek Grill House (fast Greek grill), MELI Restaurant (authentic flavours) and To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine (beautiful courtyard dining). These are the places where the food tastes like home — not like a tourist display.

If you want more genuinely local spots around the island, the Rhodes Food Guide has a full list of traditional tavernas and hidden gems.

❓ Is seafood fresh inside Rhodes Old Town?

Yes — but only in a few places. The most reliable seafood inside the walls is at Pizanias “The Sea Star”, which has long-standing relationships with local fishermen and receives fresh fish daily. Many touristy restaurants use frozen seafood mixed with artificially glossy photos on huge menus, but a good taverna will always tell you honestly what’s fresh.

If fresh seafood is a priority during your trip, the Best Seafood Taverns in Rhodes guide is the perfect companion.

❓ Do Rhodes Old Town restaurants accept reservations?

Many do, but not all. You should book ahead for the courtyard-style or romantic restaurants such as Marco Polo Mansion, To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine, Mama Sofia (in high season), and Romeo Restaurant on Greek-night evenings. These places fill quickly, especially between 20:00–21:30.

Casual places like Yiannis Home Cooking, Taverna Kostas, Hermes Grill House, MELI Restaurant and Ouzokafenes usually accept walk-ins, even in summer.
If you're visiting in July or August, bookings for popular places are highly recommended.

For planning around dinner times, Nightlife in Rhodes is a great guide for combining meals with evening drinks or live music.

❓ Is it safe to walk around Rhodes Old Town at night?

Yes — Rhodes Old Town is extremely safe, even late at night. The medieval streets stay lively with families, couples and travellers, and locals walk comfortably around the alleys at all hours. The atmosphere after dark is warm, relaxed and beautifully lit. It’s one of the safest and most magical nighttime walks you can take on the island.

If you need help figuring out how to get to/from Old Town from your hotel, the Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes covers buses, taxis and walking paths around the area.

❓ Which restaurants in Rhodes Old Town are best for couples?

Couples looking for romance will love Marco Polo Mansion (candlelit courtyard), To Rodi Mediterranean Cuisine (intimate, quiet atmosphere) and Rogmi tou Chronou (moody, artistic vibes). These places feel cosy and special without being pretentious. Mama Sofia is also a great option for warm service and lively, joyful energy.

For a full romantic trip plan, Rhodes for Couples has beautiful sunset spots, date-night ideas and scenic dining recommendations across the island.

❓ Which restaurants are best for travellers on a budget?

The most reliable budget-friendly restaurants inside the medieval walls are Hermes Greek Grill House, Yiannis Home Cooking, MELI Restaurant, Ouzokafenes and Taverna Kostas. These spots offer excellent food, generous portions and honest pricing — something rare in many European old towns.

If you want to stretch your budget across your whole holiday, Rhodes on a Budget is a great money-saving guide.

❓ What are the best dishes to try in Rhodes Old Town?

Some must-try traditional dishes include pitaroudia (Rhodes chickpea fritters), lamb kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb), giouvetsi (orzo with lamb or beef), hilopites (traditional egg pasta), shrimp saganaki, grilled fresh calamari, and fava topped with caramelised onions. These are the dishes that represent real Greek and Rhodian cooking — simple, warm, and full of flavour.

To dive deeper into local cuisine, the Rhodes Food Guide explains the island’s signature dishes and where to find them.

❓ Are there tourist traps in Rhodes Old Town?

Unfortunately, yes — many. The signs are obvious: laminated menus in dozens of languages, giant food photos, aggressive staff trying to pull you inside, no locals eating there, and extremely low Google ratings. These places usually serve low-quality, overpriced dishes made for volume, not for taste.

To avoid disappointments during your holiday, the Rhodes Travel Mistakes to Avoid guide includes tips on spotting tourist traps across the island.

❓ What time do locals eat in Rhodes Old Town?

Locals typically eat dinner after 20:30, and the busiest window is 19:30–21:00. For quieter experiences, arrive for lunch before 13:00 or enjoy dinner after 21:00. In summer, evenings in Old Town stay warm and lively well past midnight.

If you want to pair your dinner with a nighttime walk, check Rhodes Old Town – What to See, Eat & Explore for easy routes and viewpoints.

🎯 Final Word: Where to Eat Inside Rhodes Old Town Walls

Old Town is stunning — but full of tourist traps. Stick to this ranking and you’ll eat well, fairly, and authentically.