Zakanthi Restaurant & Bar — Kalamaki’s Garden Table Since 1979

Before Kalamaki was a resort, Zakanthi was already here. The restaurant opened in 1979 when the area was still a small fishing village, and it has outlasted every trend and every competing operation that opened and closed around it over four decades. That’s not luck — it’s a kitchen that keeps improving and a setting that was simply well-chosen from the start.

The garden is the reason people come. Old trees and palms grow up through the space, strings of warm lights are woven through the branches, and the iron chairs and candlelit tables are arranged with enough room between them that the place feels intimate even when it’s full. There is a word for restaurants like this — romantic — and it fits, though Zakanthi works equally well for groups, family celebrations, or anyone who wants to eat well without the beach-bar soundtrack that trails you elsewhere in Kalamaki.

The Food

The kitchen leans modern Greek — traditional flavours and ingredients, but with more thought about presentation and technique than you’d find in a standard taverna.

Sea bass is the standout fish dish. Pan-seared, properly rested, served with seasonal vegetables and a sauce that might involve olive oil and lemon one night and a herb butter the next. The fish itself is the important thing, and Zakanthi doesn’t overcook it.

Beef fillet is the anchor of the meat menu. The grilling is done over charcoal, and they know how to handle the temperature — you get what you ask for, which is rarer than it should be on the island. The portion is generous.

Greek mezedes here come with a little more presentation than you’d expect. The taramasalata has good texture. The feta is local and high quality. The dolmades are made in-house.

Desserts get taken seriously. The banoffee pie has genuine fans — not the kind of dessert you expect to be the highlight of a meal, but it turns out to be exactly that. Order it with the meal so the kitchen has time to prepare it.

The Bar

Adjacent to the main garden is Bar 111, Zakanthi’s cocktail bar. It operates separately from the restaurant with a more upbeat atmosphere, music, and a cocktail list that actually reflects skill. The mixology is genuinely good — not tourist-resort good, but properly constructed drinks. If you’re not hungry, coming just for cocktails is entirely valid.

The house wine is reliable and well-priced. They have a decent selection of Greek wines if you want to go further.

The Atmosphere at Night

Zakanthi is specifically a night-time restaurant — it doesn’t open until 18:00, and the magic of the garden really lands after dark when the lighting comes into its own. Plan to arrive at 19:30, eat slowly, and stay for drinks.

On evenings with live music, the atmosphere in the garden gets genuinely special. It’s not every night — check when you book.

Practical Info

Best time to go: Arrive at 19:30, request a garden table, eat slowly. Don’t rush.
Typical spend: €20–35 per person with wine. Cocktails run €8–12.
Location: On Kalamakiou Street, the main road through Kalamaki. Central, easy to find, parking nearby.
Book ahead: In July and August, 1–2 days’ notice for a decent table. Specify that you want to sit in the garden.