Sissitio — Restaurant in Municipality of Rhodes

The experience was so incredibly shocking I felt obligated to leave my first ever Google review. My friend and I have just left this restaurant and the entire experience can be summed up by one word: ‘abysmal’.

Firstly, when we arrived we each ordered a cocktail: the ‘Exotic Paloma’ and ‘Greek 75’, neither of which seemed to have a hint of any of the components mentioned on the menu. The ‘Exotic Paloma’ had an overpowering taste of Scotch whiskey. After ordering our drinks we waited another twenty or so minutes for a waiter to approach us to order food. Once we finally managed to become visible enough for that, my friend ordered two salads and sushi and the waiter began walking away without confirming what I wanted.

The food deserves its own paragraph. We ordered the green salad to share. Wow. Shocking. We had one little slather of Gorgonzola that wasn’t even big enough to half. The salad has TWO slices of peach, two pitta chips and the remainder was just wilted spinach covered in what tasted like olive oil and definitely not the citrus vinaigrette as noted on the menu. 90% of the salad was also just spinach stems. A photo of the salad is attached and can only be described as ‘depressing’ and not worth 16€.

My friend who is veggie ordered the veggie sushi and I got tuna sashimi which both came out on the same plate. We were provided with one set of chop sticks and one little pot of soy sauce. Given my friend is vegetarian one would assume it to be basic knowledge and courtesy to provide separate pots of soy sauce. We sat for roughly ten minutes before we managed to get someone’s attention to inform them that we required both another set of chopsticks and pot of soy sauce. I ordered the ceviche and the burnt feta completely overpowered the dish and did not compliment it at all. Total waste of money. If you want ceviche in old town Rhodes, go to ‘Nomad.’

After all of this it was approximately 2130. The restaurant advertises that a burlesque show commences at 2100. Nothing. By 2145 we had been sat with empty plates and empty glasses for 30ish minutes. Waiters would walk by our table and do nothing. Eventually a waiter cleared half our table without saying a word, asking if we required anything further or enquiring as to how the food was. Staff couldn’t care less.

After sitting with the remainder of dirty plates and our two empty cocktail glasses for 40ish minutes, we finally managed to get a waiter’s attention and he asked what we wanted. I politely advised we had been sat for 40 minutes with dirty plates and without being asked if we would like another drink so requested the bill. There was no acknowledgement to this productive criticism and he returned 5 minutes later and slammed the bill down. No apology for the poor service or at the very least some conversation.

If you’re looking for atmosphere, tasty food and drinks I’d avoid here like the plague. Other than the location there’s not a single enticing thing about it. A complete waste of an evening.

I have never experienced customer service (or the complete lack of) like it. If you want to feel invisible, I couldn’t recommend...

Never, under any circumstances, go to this restaurant. It may look fancy and expensive, but don’t be fooled—it’s an absolute scam trading on its pretty setting and convenient location.

My friend and I showed up for dinner, and right off the bat, no one even bothered to greet us. We sat ourselves, only for a waitress to come rushing over with the fakest smile, barely hiding her irritation, asking, “How can I help you?” We asked for a menu, but instead of simply handing one over, she interrogated us about what we wanted and whether we had a reservation. After wasting our time with weird questions, she finally gave us the menu. And that’s when the real nightmare began.

The menu listed Aperol at 9€. I’m not an idiot—I work as a bartender, so I know my drinks. I specifically asked the waiter whether that was just Aperol or an Aperol Spritz cocktail. He confidently told me it was the cocktail. I was surprised, since the average price for that drink is around 10.50€. What arrived was a joke: watered-down Aperol with a pathetic splash of alcohol just for color. It lacked prosecco entirely, which is a basic part of the drink. It tasted like garbage.

Then came the food. We ordered chicken, which was literally raw. The pasta with chicken had a grand total of three tiny pieces of meat. Three.

When the bill came, they had the nerve to charge 12€ for the Aperol. I’m not stupid, so I asked the waiter about it, reminding him that the menu said 9€. He tried to justify it by saying the prices for Aperol and Aperol Spritz are different. He even brought the menu to “prove” it, but it clearly said 9€. He just stood there, speechless. I didn’t bother arguing—I said I’d pay. The total was 66€, and out of sheer politeness, I left a 4€ tip, which they had the audacity to try to return to me. Like they thought I didn’t deserve to tip for their trash service. The arrogance is unreal.

The entire experience was a disaster. A total waste of time and money. I don’t know why they treated us so poorly—maybe they assumed we were two broke girls who wouldn’t know any better. Well, they were wrong.

Thanks a lot for completely ruining...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Hidden Gem in Rhodes – A Culinary and Cultural Delight

Dining at Sissitio Restaurant was one of the most memorable parts of our visit to Rhodes. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Sissitio offers a beautiful blend of elegant gastronomy, creative ambiance, and cultural soul that sets it apart from the typical tourist spots.

From the moment you step through the arched entrance, you feel like you've entered a secret oasis. The courtyard setting is magical, charming, tranquil, and steeped in history, with stone walls, lush greenery, and soft ambient lighting that create a truly relaxing and romantic vibe.

The menu is refined and imaginative, with Mediterranean and Greek influences, and an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and artistic presentation. We were impressed by the creativity and balance of flavors in every dish. The beetroot carpaccio was light and vibrant, while the slow-cooked lamb was perfectly tender and packed with flavor. Even the sides and desserts had a thoughtful touch, we highly recommend the orange pie with mastiha ice cream, a perfect ending.

The service was exceptional: professional yet warm, with great attention to detail. The staff were knowledgeable about the ingredients and happy to suggest wine pairings and personal favorites from the menu. Their passion for hospitality clearly shows.

Sissitio isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience that combines gastronomy, architecture, music, and art. Whether you're looking for a special dinner, a cultural evening, or simply a peaceful meal away from the crowds, this place is truly a must-visit in Rhodes.

If you're someone who values authenticity, ambiance, and excellence, you will fall in love with Sissitio just as we did. We left with full hearts, inspired taste buds, and...