Qatar Begins Direct Flights from Doha to Santorini 

Qatar Airways has launched its new direct service from Doha to Santorini, and the resumption of flights to Mykonos island. 

As the holiday season gets underway, Qatar Airways is making it easier for travellers to visit the Greek islands with the launch of its new service to Santorini (JTR), and the resumption of flights to Mykonos (JMK).

The first flight from Doha to Santorini took place on Tuesday 7 June and was operated by an A320 aircraft and was welcomed by Senior Executives from Fraport Greece as the aircraft landed at Santorini International Airport for the first time.

The airline marked the occasion by creating a bespoke in-flight food menu, designed to embrace traditional Greek cuisine, with specially decorated cutlery bands for all passengers, and an illustrated menu card for Business Class customers. Passengers were also gifted celebratory cupcakes to mark the occasion.

The island destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third Greek gateway to be served by the national carrier of the State of Qatar.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Greek Isles are a leading tourist destination and an important market for Qatar Airways. There is high interest from across our network for flights to Santorini, specifically in the leisure segment. We are committed to offering our passengers as many seamless one-stop connection choices as possible. I am sure visitors from the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Americas will be pleased to have Santorini served by our airline.”

Seasonal flights to Mykonos resumed on the 3rd of June, with four weekly flights, and flights to Athens have increased to a double daily service, offering greater choice for business and leisure passengers alike. 

A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 

Born and raised in Santorini, George Sigalas, owner of Above Blue Suites and Amber Light Villas welcomes thousands of guests from around the world each year to his island home. Here he shares his favourite places to eat and drink in Santorini- where visitors can experience great hospitality and taste fresh produce from all around the island! 

Your favourite places to eat out?

There are many good spots but I would recommend Kira Katina in Ammoudi for seafood, Anogi in Imerovigli for traditional island dishes, and also Metaxi Mas in Pyrgos, for the famous Rakomelo. 

Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Metaxi Mas
Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Ammoudi Bay

Best brunch spots?

In the morning I like to head to TERA NERA in Perivolos as well as Galini Cafe Restaurant. 

Finest gelato on the island?

For ice cream- Chill Box in Fira and Lolita’s Gelato in Oia.

Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Lolita’s Gelato
Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Terra Nera
Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Galini Cafe

For an aperitif or a cocktail? 

In Fira, you will find the famous Enigma and Mamounia bars, where you can enjoy a drink and music, as well as PK and Tango Bar. 

Coolest beach bars in Santorini?

Wet Stories and Yalos– you can’t go wrong at either! 

Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Yalos
Insights Greece - A Local’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Santorini 
Wet Stories

Finally, must-try local dishes/delicacies?

Santorini Fava, Domatokeftedes, a traditional Santorini salad (with local wild capers), and fried white eggplant. Tip: don’t leave the island without having a glass of Ouzo, while enjoying fresh, local seafood by the sea.

Athens’ Michelin Star Restaurant Heads to Santorini 

In what’s said to be one of Greece’s biggest restaurant openings for 2022- Grace Hotel on Santorini is set to welcome Michelin star chef Lefteris Lazarou and his iconic Varoulko dishes to this world-famous Greek island. 

Grace Hotel, a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection, has just announced the overhaul of their restaurant, appointing Greece’s Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou to head up Varoulko Santorini. 

The innovative, yet traditional Greek restaurant will offer guests ingredients of the finest quality, genuine respect for tradition, and a creative edge- creating the ultimate dining experience on the island and will open its doors on Saturday 15th April 2022. 

Insights Greece - Athens’ Michelin Star Restaurant Heads to Santorini 
Insights Greece - Athens’ Michelin Star Restaurant Heads to Santorini 

“Beloved Greek and Mediterranean flavours get an inspired makeover at the hands of culinary genius and Michelin-awarded chef Lefteris Lazarou,” announced Grace Hotel management.

“In keeping with Greek gastronomic tradition, at Varoulko Santorini wonderful tastes such as the chef’s signature squid with pesto Genovese or the crayfish tartar with fresh basil and zesty yuzu, come alive thanks to the island’s abundant fresh ingredient offering,” they add. 

Insights Greece - Athens’ Michelin Star Restaurant Heads to Santorini 
Insights Greece - Athens’ Michelin Star Restaurant Heads to Santorini 

While enjoying Varoulko’s signature dishes- including the exquisite squid with pesto Genovese, an emblem of Lazarou’s creativity, as well as the humble monkfish; guests are able to overlook the breathtaking Caldera and the deep Aegean blue sea, as Varoulko Santorini boasts an exceptional vantage point for enjoying the renowned Cycladic views. 

Opening hours: 12 pm – 6 pm daily for lunch, 7 pm – 11.00 pm daily for dinner

A: Imerovigli, Santorini 

Varoulko Santorini at Grace Hotel  

Santorini’s Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant

Selene, with its 36 years of history, has been acknowledged as a gastronomic and cultural landmark of Santorini for defining and constantly reinventing contemporary Greek and Cycladic cuisine.

And this week, they were once against recognised as leaders in the food industry, receiving the Gold Award as the “Best Greek Hotel Restaurant” at the Greek Hospitality Awards 2021. 

Having first opened its doors in 1985, Selene reopened on June 1, this year with a unique scenario inspired by the restaurant’s authenticity; locating back to Fira (where it all began) it’s now set at a special spot in the centre of town.

  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant
  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant

The restaurant is now part of the beautiful Katikies Garden Luxury Hotel, located at a converted Catholic monastery. Inviting guests for an authentic island experience that pays homage to tradition, history and heritage, it is currently led by Michelin-star chef Ettore Botrini. Selene’s aim is to offer diners “an authentic gastronomic experience which seamlessly combines tradition and creativity; simplicity and ingenuity; earth and sea; and nostalgia and innovation.”

Influenced by the imposing aesthetics of the old Monastery, the colours of the island, the abundance of the Aegean Sea and the perseverance of the rare local ingredients that flourish fearlessly among volcanic rocks; Botrini has now introduced his culinary philosophy while honouring the legacy of Selene.

  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant
  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant

The impressive menu includes Sea Urchin, Lemon & ’Nduja Spaghetti; Swordfish Carpaccio; Red Mullet with Wild Fennel Pesto and Santorini Pistachios; Milk-fed Lamb with Aubergine, Cherry Tomatoes and Yoghurt; and desserts such as Caramelized Apple Tartvinsanto and Santorini Pistacchio Pallete. 

There are also two delightful degustation menus, which are a novel celebration of authenticity, inspired by the local culinary heritage of this famous Cycladic island. Allowing guests a chance to try a refined, contemporary spin on traditional recipes and flavours featuring 10 or 13 acts;  plus a vegetarian tasting menu (available upon request.) 

  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant
  • Insights Greece - Santorini's Selene Named Best Greek Hotel Restaurant

Wine has also been an essential part of Selene’s journey contributing to a spherical gastronomical experience. The list features some of the most sought-after wines of the world with a particular highlight to the wines of Santorini. This is all carefully curated by Master of Wine, Yiannis Karakasis.

A: Katikies Garden, Fira Town, Santorini