Food · Rhodes · Greece
What to eat in Rhodes
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Rhodes, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Thomas Berwing, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Pitaroudia, Symi shrimp and Melekouni. Drive up to the mountain village of Embonas, below Mount Attavyros, to taste Athiri whites and Mandilaria reds at family wineries, then continue to Siana for souma and honey. Greeks eat dinner late, from around 9pm; tavernas are quieter and staff more relaxed if you arrive at 7–8pm.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Pitaroudia
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 6
- Tipping
- Service is not usually added.
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Snack · Vegetarian
1.Pitaroudia
Rhodes's signature fritters, made with mashed chickpeas or with tomato, onion and mint, fried until crisp outside and soft within. They are served as a meze with tzatziki or a squeeze of lemon.
Where: Village tavernas and traditional mezedopoleia in the Old Town; ask for them by name if they are not on the menu.
Dish
2.Symi shrimp (Symiako garidaki)
Tiny red shrimp from the waters around neighbouring Symi, deep-fried and eaten whole, shell and all, with lemon. They are sweet, crunchy and usually ordered as a shared plate.
Where: Seafood tavernas in Rhodes Town and on Symi itself, where they are a point of local pride.
Dessert · Vegetarian
3.Melekouni
A chewy bar of toasted sesame seeds and almonds bound with thyme honey and flavoured with orange and spices. It is traditionally handed out at Rhodian weddings and christenings and has protected status.
Where: Bakeries and sweet shops in Rhodes Town and the villages; it keeps well and travels home easily.
Drink · Vegetarian
4.Souma
Rhodes's clear grape spirit, distilled from pomace after the wine harvest, similar to tsipouro. The mountain village of Siana is famous for it, along with thyme honey.
Where: Shops and cafés in Siana on the road to Monolithos, and village tavernas, where it is served chilled in small glasses.
Drink · Vegetarian
5.Rhodes wine
The island's PDO wines are made mainly from the white Athiri grape and the red Mandilaria, known locally as Amorgiano. The mountain village of Embonas, below Mount Attavyros, is the centre of winemaking.
Where: Wineries in and around Embonas offer tastings; tavernas everywhere serve local house wine by the carafe.
Dish
6.Grilled octopus (Chtapodi sti schara)
Octopus sun-dried on lines, then grilled over charcoal and dressed with olive oil, vinegar and oregano. It is the classic ouzo or souma meze by the sea.
Where: Harbour tavernas at Kamiros Skala, Stegna and Haraki, and seafood places in Rhodes Town.
Street food
7.Pita gyros and souvlaki
Pork or chicken, either shaved from a vertical spit (gyros) or grilled on skewers (souvlaki), wrapped in a warm pita with tomato, onion, chips and tzatziki. It is the quick, low-cost lunch of every Greek island.
Where: Grill counters at the New Market (Nea Agora) by Mandraki Harbour and in every resort.
Dish
8.Moussaka
Layers of fried aubergine, potato and spiced minced meat under a thick béchamel crust, baked in large trays. Good tavernas make it in the morning and sell it until it runs out.
Where: Traditional tavernas where the day's dishes are shown in trays at the counter.
Dish · Vegetarian
9.Village salad (Horiatiki)
Tomato, cucumber, green pepper, red onion and olives under a slab of feta, dressed with olive oil and oregano. In summer, island tomatoes make it a meal in itself.
Where: Every taverna on the island; add a portion of pitaroudia for a simple vegetarian lunch.
Dessert · Vegetarian
10.Loukoumades
Small puffs of fried dough drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon or sesame, served hot. They are a favourite evening treat with coffee.
Where: Dessert shops in Rhodes New Town and the resort strips of Faliraki and Lindos.
Food experiences
Wine tasting in Embonas
Drive up to the mountain village of Embonas, below Mount Attavyros, to taste Athiri whites and Mandilaria reds at family wineries, then continue to Siana for souma and honey.
Fish lunch at Kamiros Skala
The small west-coast harbour of Kamiros Skala has fish tavernas by the water, where boats leave for Halki; combine lunch with ancient Kamiros and Kritinia Castle.
Meze in the Old Town
Order a spread of small plates — pitaroudia, Symi shrimp, grilled octopus and dips — in a courtyard taverna inside the walls, away from the touts on Sokratous Street.
Village taverna in the south
Inland villages such as Laerma, Profilia and Apolakkia have simple tavernas serving goat stews, local cheese and wine from the barrel, far from resort prices.
Quick bites and street food
- Pitaroudia — Village tavernas and traditional mezedopoleia in the Old Town; ask for them by name if they are not on the menu.
- Pita gyros and souvlaki — Grill counters at the New Market (Nea Agora) by Mandraki Harbour and in every resort.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 6 are usually vegetarian: Pitaroudia, Melekouni, Souma, Rhodes wine, Village salad and Loukoumades. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Greeks eat dinner late, from around 9pm; tavernas are quieter and staff more relaxed if you arrive at 7–8pm.
- Avoid restaurants with touts on Sokratous Street and the main Old Town squares; walk one or two lanes back for better food at fairer prices.
- Bread and a small charge for it are often added automatically; it is normal to accept it.
- Fresh fish is priced by the kilo, so ask for the fish to be weighed and confirm the price before it is cooked.
- Tap water in Rhodes Town is treated, but many tavernas serve bottled water by default; ask for a jug if you prefer.
Tipping
Service is not usually added. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good taverna service is appreciated, and a euro or two for hotel cleaners and porters is customary.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kaliméra | Good morning |
| Kalispéra | Good evening |
| Efcharistó | Thank you |
| Parakaló | Please / you're welcome |
| To logariasmó, parakaló | The bill, please |
| Yamas | Cheers |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Rhodes famous for?
Pitaroudia, Symi shrimp, Melekouni and Souma. Rhodes's signature fritters, made with mashed chickpeas or with tomato, onion and mint, fried until crisp outside and soft within.
+Is Rhodes good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Pitaroudia, Melekouni and Souma.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Rhodes?
Service is not usually added. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good taverna service is appreciated, and a euro or two for hotel cleaners and porters is customary.