Food & Drink · Local Flavours

What to Eat in Rhodes: A Foodie’s Guide to Local Flavours

Rhodian cooking is its own delicious dialect of Greek cuisine — shaped by Italian rule, Ottoman spice and an island’s worth of sun-soaked produce. Skip the tourist menus and these are the dishes worth crossing the island for.

Pitaroudia

The island’s signature street snack: deep-fried chickpea fritters seasoned with onion, mint and herbs. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, and utterly addictive with a squeeze of lemon.

Melekouni

A sesame-and-honey bar traditionally served at Rhodian weddings, scented with orange and cinnamon. Buy a block to take home — it keeps for weeks and makes a perfect edible souvenir.

Fresh seafood

In harbour villages like Kamiros Skala, Haraki and Fanes, the catch goes from boat to grill the same day. Look for grilled octopus, fried calamari and whatever whole fish the taverna recommends that morning.

Souma

A potent local spirit distilled from grapes, similar to tsipouro and traditionally made in the island’s villages each autumn. It’s often served chilled as a welcome or digestif — sip, don’t gulp.

Embonas: the wine village

High on the slopes of Mount Attavyros, Embonas is the heart of Rhodian winemaking. Its wineries produce crisp whites and bold reds from local grapes, and most offer tastings. It’s a brilliant half-day pairing with a hearty mountain lunch — and because you won’t want to drive after a tasting, see our guide to getting around Rhodes.

The best meal in Rhodes is rarely on the seafront — it’s up a mountain road, in a village you’d never find by accident.