Avli — Restaurant in Municipality of Eastern Samos

Island life as a tourist, or local, can be a lot of things. It can be filled with run of the mill tourist traps serving sub par pizza in a country not really known for pizza or places that have done the same exact thing for the last 30 years. And then there is a different place. A restaurant that wants to elevate island cuisine to the modern world while still keeping the tastes, flavors and traditional cooking that has worked for so many generations.

Avli, simply put, is a breath of fresh air for this windy island. The atmosphere is superb, open air with a forest of nature, nestled in what was an old Greek tavern. Again, the merging of old meets young.

The service, friendly and attentive. The perfect blend of a team that clearly wants to be there. They all seem dedicated to the mission of the restaurant.

The food. Oh my god the food. Amazing flavors, great presentation. Creative, fun and powerful. The carrot and chickpeas, the star of the show. As much as I wanted to order their homemade sourdough bread to dip, I couldn't waste any stomach space, there was more to order! The mourie cheese with phylo dough and fresh fig jam from their garden (directly behind the restaurant) was a close second. The 24 hour slow cooked pork belly does not exist on this island, guaranteed. The baklava cheesecake, a perfect way to end the night.

I know it's not common practice to visit the same restaurant twice on vacation, but do yourself a favor and take a chance, twice. You are in for...

Stylish, warm, and delicious — a perfect dinner spot in Kokkari

We visited Avli as a group of seven — five adults and two 8-year-olds — and had a lovely evening. The setting is quiet, romantic, warm, and cozy, with a perfect blend of luxury and local charm. It’s both family-friendly and stylish. There was a DJ playing soft background music, adding to the atmosphere. We asked if he could pick up the tempo a bit, but he kindly said no. On weekends, they host Greek nights with dancing — we’re sorry we missed one!

We started with cocktails — I had a Mezcalita, which was absolutely amazing. Then we shared a range of delicious dishes:

Cheese pastry (with their special cheese)

Grilled eggplant Tzatziki Fava Mastelo (x2) House special salad Fried calamari Calamari with couscous Beef köfte (x2)

Everything was flavorful and beautifully presented. The only disappointment was the köfte, which came a bit burnt — we had to peel it to serve it to the kids.

Service was excellent. The owner herself came to take our order, which gave a very personal and confident feel to the experience. You could tell you were in good hands.

We highly recommend Avli if you're in Kokkari — whether you're on a romantic getaway or a family holiday, it's a place worth visiting.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Setting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Staff:...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Avli with my boyfriend, and I can confidently say that this is the best restaurant in Samos. We visited twice during our stay, and both times the experience was nothing short of perfect.

The food is phenomenal. We tried the beef stifado, giaourtlou, shrimp saganaki, fried kalamari, and the baklava cheesecake, and every dish was flawless. The flavors were rich, authentic, and truly unforgettable. If I had 365 days on this island, I’d gladly dine here every single day.

The atmosphere at Avli is just as impressive as the food. The setting is beautiful and enhanced by live music which adds to the overall experience. The musicians were fantastic and created the perfect ambience for a memorable evening.

The service is exceptional. The staff are not only professional but genuinely passionate about what they do. They were always smiling, and respectful, and made us feel incredibly welcome. It’s clear that they love their job, and it shines through in the way they treat their guests.

Vegetarians are well-catered for too, with plenty of delicious options that ensure no one feels left out. My boyfriend and I will be returning on our next visit to Samos, and I can’t recommend Avli enough. If you’re in Kokkari, this place is an...