This locally run, cozy tavern is perfectly located above the beach at Agios Sostis. Food is grilled outdoors on a charcoal barbecue because there is no electricity, so you can’t phone ahead and book a table. The restaurant also relies on the memory of its owner, who sees that everybody is served in the order they arrive. Tucked away above the bay there are also no signposts meaning the most fail-safe way to discover this little establishment is to rely on your nose. The aroma of the charcoal barbecue carries all the way to the beach and the menu offers a range of grilled local fish and traditional meat dishes, well-priced and served in healthy portions. Guests can enjoy the calm and secluded atmosphere of this little eatery from the small, shaded patio which directly overlooks the sea. Location: Kikis Tavern Agios Sotis Beach

M-eating offers some of the best food in Mykonos, served in a small local house that is typical of traditional Mykonian architecture. The interior is elegantly decorated in white with wooden detail. As well as the intimacy of the indoor restaurant there is also an outdoor veranda and a garden for guests to enjoy dinner al fresco in summer. The chef and owner of M-eating acquired his experience working in five-star hotels and he has here created a restaurant of five-star quality famed for its good service and its excellent food. The menu offers exceptional Greek fare, from soutzoukakia and octopus to Myconian honey pie. M-eating, 10 Kalogera street, Mykonos Town, Greece +30 22890 78550

Katerina’s Bar and Restaurant is ideally located in the area of Mykonos known as Little Venice. Here the medieval houses of two of three stories are brightly painted with colorful wooden balconies that jut out over the ocean, giving Mykonos the feel of one of the most famous of all Italy’s cities. Katerina’s has just such a balcony, which affords stunning views over the water and the historic windmills. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century the windmills have been popular ever since and are one of the most iconic sites in all Mykonos. There are 16 of them in total on the island, also known as the ‘Island of the Winds’, and Katerina’s offers the chance to experience them while enjoying a fantastic evening meal. There are only three tables on the outdoor patio so it is worthwhile booking ahead if you want sunset views. Katerina’s Bar, Agion Anargiron 8, Mykonos Town, Greece +30 2289 023084

Mykonos is one of the most visited of the Grecian islands and a number of its restaurants are designed to catch the large numbers of tourists that flock here every year. Madoupas, despite its location facing the old port where it is surrounded by a number of tourist-friendly establishments, is frequented by locals and is locally run. They serve all the traditional Greek specialties from souvlaki to moussaka with fantastic views over the ocean and the old port. Inside there are also a number of black and white photographs of old Mykonos that provide an overview of the history of the island and add greatly to the local atmosphere. Madoupas Café, Mykonos Beach, Mykonos Town, Greece +30 2289022224

Located on Agios Ioannis beach, dinner at Hippie Fish is an opportunity to escape the bustle of Mykonos Town. Agios Ioannis is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach that the island has to offer and this restaurant sits right on the sand. Designed in the manner of an outdoor beach-bar set against the beautiful backdrop of the Aegean, Hippie Fish, as the name suggests, specializes in local fish dishes from crab and lobster by the kilo to sea-urchin spaghetti. It is also notable as the setting for the movie Shirley Valentine, which was filmed at this location before the current restaurant was erected. . Hippie Fish, Agios Ioannis, Mikonos 846 00, Greece, +30 2289 023547

At Fokos Beach this secluded and beautiful restaurant is set against panoramic views of the Aegean and the rolling countryside beyond. Described as a ‘jewel of Cycladic architecture’, Fokos Tavern has been constructed with simple elegance from stone and wood, with wicker or canvas roofing and spaces between supporting columns which function as large windows. The unique architecture gives this restaurant an open-air feel, while providing shade and shelter. The climbing vines are a splash of sudden green. This restaurant returns guests to an age when Mykonos was quieter and more isolated, allowing you to appreciate the absolute beauty of this island while enjoying delectable food. Fokos Taverna, Fokos Beach, 84600 Mykonos, Greece, +30 6945828561

Run by Joanna herself this taverna sits directly on the beach and is only a five minute walk from the center of Mykonos Town. This is good food at good prices, with the chance to take in the sunset and listen to the surf wash the shore. All the food is typically Greek, from the meze to the mixed grill, and the staff are friendly and accommodating. In summer it is the perfect spot for outdoor dining, but in cooler months be sure to take a scarf as the sea breeze can get chilly. Joanna’s Nikos Place, Notio Aigaio, 84600, Greece, +30 22890 24251

The main settlement on Mykonos is Mykonos Town on the western coast. Stray further inland and you come to Ano Mera where you find this charming coffee bar and restaurant. This is a more modern idea of Greece reflected by the modern interior design. They offer a superb breakfast, from the freshly squeezed orange juice to the pancakes, but there is also a more local feel with the moustokouloura, Greek cookies made from grape must. Ntekotosimultaneously functions as a delicatessen, selling local delicacies over the counter so that you can take away the memory of Ano Mera. Ntekoto, Ano Mera, 84600 Mykonos, Greece, +30 2289 072110

Tucked away in the heart of Mykonos Town is this wonderful restaurant serving quality local fare. Here you can find all the Greek specialties, from spanikopita(spinach pie) to tzatziki and grilled fresh bream. The atmosphere in Eva’s Garden is intimate and romantic, with guests seated on a small outdoor patio shaded by hanging vines. Although a little trickier to find than some of the larger restaurants, it is worth the effort of discovery as an evening here is guaranteed to be delightful. Eva’s Garden, Goumenio Square, N. Kalogera 2, Mykonos Town 84600, Greece, +30 22890 22160

Avra is another restaurant that is tucked away from the busy center of Mykonos down a winding street. Offering traditional Greek cuisine, such as shrimp saganaki or stuffed vine leaves, or a more eclectic European menu, Avra is beautifully located in a small courtyard surrounded by buildings designed in the old Mykonian style. The outdoor patio is candlelit and covered in greenery and creepers, making it a spectacular place to enjoy a romantic meal for two. Avra, Kalogera Street 27, Mikonos 846 00, Greece, +30 2289 022298