On the idyllic turquoise cove of Ag. Sostis beach is Kiki’s Tavern, a simple thatched terrace that has become one of the best restaurants in Mykonos among tourists and locals. The no-frills beach shack is without any modern technology – there’s no electricity, no Wi-Fi, no telephone. And it’s exactly this which makes it so special. Everything is done on the hot coals, except an array of exceptional salads that are available at a small counter inside. Expect fresh fish, octopus and probably the best pork chop of your life. But given its analog operational system, be prepared to wait. Legend has it even Kim and Kanye had to line up. instagram.com/kikis.tavern

Newcomer Bagatelle has brought a little St Tropez glamour to the Greek isle (not like it was needing anymore) with a French-inspired, open-air restaurant and lounge on the water’s edge that makes it worthy of a spot on the best restaurants in Mykonos list. Synonymous with über-glamour, Bagatelle’s Cycladic outpost distils the brand’s luxurious joie de vivre with a Greek twist. Occupying a prized nook near the famous Mykonos windmills, it’s the perfect spot to indulge in Black Angus beef tartare with organic egg bottarga and Trenette, blue lobster, shellfish broth with bergamot with a glass of champagne in hand. bagatelle.com

The BeefBar concept is renowned for its luxurious, meat-centric approach to dining, and its Mykonos outpost is no exception. In the swish Bill & Coast Hotel on Agios Ioannis Beach, BeefBar Mykonos takes its cues from its pelagic surroundings, with more seafood dishes including Tarama Tuna with yuzu and Jumbo Prawns. Of course, meat still stars, including the only Kobe beef gyros in the world. Interiors are aptly elegant and beachy, only recently undergoing a major facelift thanks to renowned interior designer Stamos Hondrodimos, deservedly earning it the title as one of the best restaurants in Mykonos. beefbar.com/mykonos

A place of infinite glamour, Interni has long been ranked one of the best restaurants in Mykonos and a mainstay for the rich and famous. The entirely open-air restaurant is the kind one can only find on the Greek islands: white-washed walls, dancing on tables, dining (and drinking) under the stars. Like a secret garden in the heart of town, people come for the atmosphere more so than the food, so be prepared for creative Mediterranean dishes and good times. internirestaurant.com

This hole-in-the-wall in Mykonos town is one of the few understated, local venues left on the island. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in flavour making it one of the best restaurants in Mykonos. Specialising in traditional Mykonian food, the tiny, no-frills tavern is run by twin brothers, with their mum, Asemina, working the kitchen. Her famous meatballs are foodie folklore – with patrons flocking for the melt-in-your-mouth keftedes. Don’t miss plates of louza (local cold cut), fried zucchini balls and the freshest salads, along with house specials that change daily, like chicken with lemon in the oven. Perfect homestyle cooking at reasonable prices – it’s a Mykonian miracle. instagram.com/to_maereio

A Mykonos classic, Nobu’s Matsuhisa has resided at the swish Belvedere Hotel for two decades. Under a canopy of bougainvillaea and softly-lit round lanterns, the romantic alfresco setting is the perfect spot to enjoy his famous yellowtail jalapeno and rock shrimp salad, along with Japanese-inspired specials that pay homage to their Hellenic backdrop, with Greek fish and seafood straight from the Aegean Sea, making it one of the best restaurants in Mykonos. belvederehotel.com

Set on a small sandy strip on Agia Anna beach, this unassuming seaside tavern has been serving up some of the best food in Mykonos since 1967. Originally founded by Nikolas Dahtilidis and his wife Katerina, their son, Nikolas, now runs the family restaurant, continuing its legacy with incredible seafood, grilled meats and Greek classics. Sink your feet in the sand and enjoy beautifully prepared, homestyle dishes as the sun dips. instagram.com/nikolas_taverna

A recent addition to the restaurant scene, Nōema has made quite the splash since opening in 2022. Housed in an old open-air cinema in the centre of town, the ultra-chic restaurant, bar and concept store is a lush oasis that taps that ineffable bohemian spirit of the isle has fast become one of the best restaurants in Mykonos. A verdant setting and muted, burnished palate set the scene for what is a spectacular dining experience. Its menu honours Cycladic traditions like preserving, curing and pickling whilst remaining thoroughly modern with the use of unexpected ingredients and unusual riffs. Think raw meze like delicate dry-aged grouper carpaccio with shaved fennel and lemon oil, and larger, taverna-like feasting platters like racks of slow-roast pork chops with a cinnamon-anise crust and whole lamb shoulder smoked with vine leaves. noemamykonos.com

If the disco beats and debauched nights all get a little too much, head to Rizes for a wholesome day on the farm. Meaning “roots” in Greek, Rizes Folklore Farmstead is run by the passionate Zouganeli family who journey back to their roots with a traditional dining experience that honours the past beautifully and easily makes it one of the best restaurants in Mykonos. Against a bucolic backdrop of olive groves and roaming chooks, dishes are prepared on a daily basis with fresh produce from the garden, bread is baked in the wood oven and cheeses are churned on-site. Enjoy homemade pies, salads and spreads, and roasted and oven-baked vegetables and meats — all washed down with classics like ouzo, tsipouro and wine from the family’s own vineyard. rizesmykonos.com

Say ‘Mykonos’ to anyone and Scorpios will likely follow, the bohemian beach bar now synonymous with the island. Reimagining an ancient Greek agora, the hybrid space in organic, sepia-only tones sits high above Paraga beach and serves as both a bar and restaurant to well-heeled holidayers. And while its party-going reputation precedes it, the food is fantastic. Wood-fired tiger prawns and seafood ceviche with chilli, coriander and green olive oil arrive on large wooden paddles, reflecting its commitment to fresh, local produce. One of the best restaurants in Mykonos for peacocking and people watching. scorpiosmykonos.com

One of the most famous restaurants on the island, Spilia’s envious and unique seaside position makes it a rite of passage for any visitor. Meaning “cave” in Greek, Spilia is exactly this: a rocky cavern that quite literally hangs over the sea — you even need to traipse across unstable ground just to reach it. But that doesn’t stop every stiletto-wielding glamazon from enjoying its iconic (and very Instagrammable) location (which makes it one of the best restaurants in Mykonos) over luminous Kalafati beach, along with its Lobster Pasta and an array of fresh oysters, mussels, urchins and crayfish that are plucked straight from a small natural sea pool on-site and prepared before your eyes. Expect table dancing when the rosé kicks in and a very big bill at the end of the day (or night). spiliarestaurant.gr