Candouni
A charming, family-owned Oia gem in a historic sea captain's house, Candouni offers romantic candlelit dining with live Greek music and heartfelt hosp...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Candouni
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming, family-owned Oia gem in a historic sea captain's house, Candouni offers romantic candlelit dining with live Greek music and heartfelt hospitality.
"The best meal - start to finish - that we had on our trip to Santorini!"
Book Ahead
Secure your table by making reservations in advance due to high demand.
Meze Selection
Order from the meze selection for a delightful variety of traditional dishes.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Greek
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Romantic Ambiance
Experience a cozy and romantic ambiance with candlelit settings and live Greek music in a centuries-old sea captain's house.
Exceptional Homemade Food
Savor authentic, homemade Greek cuisine crafted with fresh, local ingredients, praised as the best meal on Santorini.
Warm Hospitality
Feel like family with the warm, friendly, and attentive service from owner Spiros and his passionate team.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Secure your table by making reservations in advance due to high demand.
Meze Selection
Order from the meze selection for a delightful variety of traditional dishes.
Evening Music
Visit in the early evening to enjoy lively yet gentle live Greek music.
Ask for Recommendations
Engage with the staff for personalized recommendations on food and drinks.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Secure your table by making reservations in advance due to high demand.
Meze Selection
Order from the meze selection for a delightful variety of traditional dishes.
Evening Music
Visit in the early evening to enjoy lively yet gentle live Greek music.
Ask for Recommendations
Engage with the staff for personalized recommendations on food and drinks.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Candouni is celebrated for its exceptionally homemade Greek food, often described as the best on Santorini, and its incredibly warm, family-like hospitality. Diners rave about the romantic ambiance, complete with candlelit settings and live Greek music, making it a magical experience. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a rare complaint mentioned tough lamb and rudeness from the owner, though others defend the owner's passion.
"My friend suggested this restaurant because the owners are so nice. What she failed to tell us was how good the food is! The food was maybe the best we have had in Santorini. It’s all homemade and local. But we really wanted to give Candouni five stars because the staff went above and beyond to help us with a travel issue that required urgent attention. They are so kind and their food is top quality."
Erika Huffman
"What an absolute gem! We had this place on our list of Santorini restaurants but admittedly didn’t make a reservation. We decided to go our first night and showed up around 7:15-7:30. Luckily, we were able to be seated without a reservation.
This place is the best meal - start to finish- that we had on our trip. The ambiance is perfect with lively but gentle live music in the background. The staff is attentive and kind. They also have their own wine which was perfect. The food, oh my goodness the food. We ate it all before we could take pictures but, you will not be disappointed. It is freshly made by the owner’s mother. These recipes have so much love in them.
This place was so incredible, we made a reservation for another meal before we leave. I also recommended it to my friends who will be on the island in a few weeks. If you can, put this on your list."
Anushri Desai
"The live music, the ambiance, the food, the service, all absolutely magical! We said multiple times throughout our experience here we wished we could bottle it up and take it home with us! Wonderful last meal of our two weeks in Greece"
Allyson Cook
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table, especially during peak times.
Candouni offers a cozy and romantic ambiance with candlelit settings, often featuring live Greek music, creating an intimate and memorable dining experience.
Diners frequently praise the homemade Greek food, with specific mentions of lamb, fish, and meze selections like fava and eggplant dip.
Yes, Candouni is known to be accommodating and offers delicious vegan meze options.
Yes, Candouni often features live Greek music, particularly in the early evening, adding to the restaurant's lively yet gentle atmosphere.
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A jasmine-shaded front garden, candlelit at night, and an antiques-filled salon are the charming settings in a centuries-old sea captain's house for this traditional family taverna. All the classics are there, but perhaps the best approach is to order from the sizeable meze selection, wash it down with the very palatable house white, and soak in the cozy atmosphere.
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Restaurant, Greek Only the breeze interrupts a balmy evening at Candouni, where live Greek music fills the candlelit patio, decked with bougainvillaea blooms. Family-owned, this low-key eatery is warm and intimate to those that seek it out. Food cooked by the mother and son team is traditional and comforting.
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Is a charming family-owned and operated jewel of a restaurant tucked into the interior of Oia. Stepping off a busy pedestrian alleyway filled with small shops, you’ll find this romantic candlelit patio under bougainvillea-filled arbors, with live traditional Greek music most nights. Inside are two intimate interior dining rooms, one adjacent to the bar and the other just outside the kitchen, with waitstaff delivering dishes cooked by mother and son.
Vegan Santorini, Greece| Vegan Travel
After our obligatory sunset viewing, we headed to Candouni Restaurant, which Kim had raved about, and with good reason. As promised, they offered a range of delicious vegan meze. I had planned to order both the fava (mashed yellow split peas, a Santorini specialty) and the melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), but the waiter informed me that if we ordered bread we would receive complimentary servings of these in any case.
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Cantouniin Oia, Santorini, is a charming restaurant offering authentic Greek cuisine in a cozy, rustic setting. Known for its traditional dishes and fresh, local ingredients, it provides a relaxed dining experience with stunning views. The friendly atmosphere and high-quality food make it a must-visit spot for visitors to Oia.
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With a blend of modern styling, our restaurant still maintains many aspects of its original flair, harking back to a time when the pirates roamed the streets outside the high walls that surround the restaurant.
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Come to this restaurant if you’re looking to taste the authentic flavors of Greek Food. This restaurant is very accommodating but it’s best to secure a table in advance.
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