Platanos Taverna, Fiskardo

Platanos Taverna sits in the shaded heart of Fiskardo village on the northern tip of Kefalonia, its tables spreading beneath the enormous plane tree (platanos) that gives the restaurant its name and has dominated the village square for centuries. Fiskardo is the only settlement on Kefalonia that survived the catastrophic 1953 earthquake, and its intact Venetian-era architecture creates one of the most characterful village atmospheres in the Ionian Islands. The taverna takes full advantage of the location, delivering a relaxed dining experience that pairs honest traditional Greek food with one of the most atmospheric outdoor settings imaginable. The menu centres on freshly grilled seafood — octopus dried on the line and char-grilled, calamari, and a rotating selection of whole fish from the morning catch — alongside mezedes including tzatziki, taramosalata, and grilled halloumi. A classic village salad with local tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta from Kefalonia rounds out most tables. Pork and chicken souvlaki serve the meat-oriented diner. The cooking makes no pretension to creativity — it aims for freshness, generous portions, and fair pricing. House wine from the carafe is the expected accompaniment. The setting is what elevates Platanos above its culinary peers: dining under the plane tree, surrounded by the village's Venetian facades, with yachts visible at anchor in the bay, is an experience that surpasses the sum of what is on the plate.