Corfu (Kerkyra) is the greenest of the Ionian Islands, lying off the northwest coast of Greece a short crossing from Albania. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, shaped by Venetian, French, and British rulers, sits beside olive-covered hills, a mountainous north, and beaches ranging from the cliffs of Paleokastritsa to the sandy shores of the south. The island also has a distinct cuisine, with dishes such as pastitsada, sofrito, and bourdeto found nowhere else in Greece.
Corfiot cuisine blends Greek island cooking with centuries of Venetian influence. Signature dishes include pastitsada (beef or rooster in spiced tomato sauce over pasta), sofrito (veal in white wine, garlic and parsley), bourdeto (fish in a peppery red sauce), and savoro (fried fish in a sweet-sour sauce). Local products include kumquat liqueur, ginger beer (tsitsibira), olive oil and noumboulo cured pork.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Corfu.
Pastitsada
Beef or rooster stewed in spicy tomato sauce with cinnamon and cloves, served over thick pasta
Where to try: Rex / traditional Corfu Town tavernas
Price: €10-16 (approx USD 12-18)
Sofrito
Thin veal slices sauteed in white wine, garlic and parsley
Where to try: Rex / Corfu Town tavernas
Price: €10-16 (approx USD 12-18)
Bourdeto
Fish, usually scorpion fish, in a peppery red sauce
Where to try: Coastal tavernas / Agni Bay
Price: €12-20 (approx USD 14-23)
Lamb Kleftiko
Slow-cooked lamb baked in a sealed pot
Where to try: Gallini's Taverna / hill and village tavernas
Price: €12-20 (approx USD 14-23)
Corfiot Donuts
Local fried sweet dough pastries
Where to try: Stazei Meli, Corfu Town
Price: €3-6 (approx USD 3-7)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Greek
Food tours & tastings in Corfu
Eat your way through Corfu with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Souvlaki
Grilled skewers wrapped or served with pitta, salad and potatoes
Find it at: Pane e Souvlaki / Old Town
Corfiot Donuts
Fried sweet pastry
Find it at: Corfu Old Town cafes
Gelato and Ice Cream
Cones from Old Town shops
Find it at: Around the Liston
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Corfu Town grocers and delis
Old Town grocers and delis stocking noumboulo, cheeses and kumquat products, visited on Corfu Town food tours
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Greek lunch runs from about 1 PM and dinner often starts after 8 PM
Waterfront tavernas in Agni, Kalami and Kassiopi fill up in July and August, so booking ahead helps
Pastitsada, sofrito and bourdeto are the island's own dishes
Menus often charge a small cover for bread
- Vegetarian
- Widely available through meze, gigantes, salads and local vegetable dishes
- Gluten free
- Possible with grilled meat and fish; confirm with the kitchen
- Halal
- Limited; seafood and vegetable options are widely available
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €6-15 per meal (approx USD 7-17) | Souvlaki, pastries and casual tavernas |
| Mid-range | €20-40 per meal (approx USD 23-46) | Seaside and village tavernas serving Corfiot dishes |
| Upscale | €45-80 per meal (approx USD 52-92) | Corfu Town gourmet dining and waterfront restaurants |