Emfasis Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

Everything about this place was out of this world. I’ll start with the food quality, which was phenomenal. After traveling in Athens and eating at a few Michelin-recommended restaurants across Greece, I became quickly disappointed and confused about what the standards have become for flavor palates. And, honestly, we stumbled into Emfasis from a place of exasperation and just going for a great spot to dine with a view, but zero expectations to be blown away by flavor. And O.M.G. was I wrong! We ordered the fried tomato croquettes, stuffed eggplant, grilled Octopus, and the Chicken Tartufo which was chicken/mushroom pasta in a cream sauce.

Tomato Croquettes had an incredible sage infused whipped cheese pairing

Stuffed eggplant delightful texture and combination of assembly and flavor with different cheese from the ones present in other dishes

CHICKEN TARTUFO OMG!! It’s a must-try. Most similar to a stroganoff but completely its own vibe. Perfectly balanced with tang, creaminess, herbs.

Grilled octopus was perfectly seasoned and exceptional.

10/10 thank you and so sad we could only have one meal here before getting back in the cruise!!! Also service was so fast and the perfect balance of being left alone to enjoy the meal but immediately responsive at even the slightest indication you might needs something, the crew clearly works in harmony and everyone helps...

⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ You come to Emfasis for the view—full stop.

The panoramic scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and the staff couldn’t be more attentive or friendly. We arrived just before the lunch menu started, so we ordered a beer and a brunch dish with eggs, bread, tomato, and feta. It was decent, and the service was great throughout.

However, once the lunch menu kicked in, things took a turn. I wish I had asked to see the menu beforehand. The prices were shockingly high—even for Santorini. I understand the cost of meat on an island, but when fish is priced higher than meat (e.g., red snapper at €91), it feels excessive. As someone from the Azores, where fish is abundant and affordable, this was hard to digest.

I ordered the lamb chops, expecting something grilled with BBQ sauce as described. Instead, they were baked or boiled and buried under a mountain of crushed pistachios. I had asked for no pistachios and was told they were just decorative and on the side—not true. The only dish we genuinely enjoyed was the baby potatoes. My wife’s Greek salad was also a letdown—the cucumber was dry and clearly pre-cut, which defeats the purpose of a fresh salad.

To sum it up: 🌟 Staff: 5/5 🌟 View: 5/5 🌟 Food: 2.5/5

If you're here for the ambiance and service, Emfasis delivers. But if you're expecting a culinary experience to match the prices, you might leave...

We decided to stop by Emfasis just before sunset, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The restaurant is visually stunning, and despite the busy dinner rush, the host warmly welcomed us and managed to seat us in an incredible spot. The ambiance on the rooftop is exceptional, with soothing music and one of the most breathtaking views in Oia.

From start to finish, the service was exceptional. The staff was attentive and timely, quickly accommodating our requests for drinks and menu recommendations. We never wanted for anything—plates were cleared seamlessly, and drink refills were always on time.

The food is outstanding—don’t miss the tomato muffins! The filet was cooked to perfection, the pastas were divine, and the orzotto with short rib wasn’t just delicious; it was pure comfort for the soul. The server didn’t hesitate when I ordered a mezcal old fashioned, and the Mastik Chios is a must-try.

Our favorite moment was the conversation with our server, capped off by a group tequila shot at the end of dinner. We stayed until we were almost the last ones on the deck because we were enjoying ourselves so much we lost track of time.

Be sure to make a reservation and prepare yourself for a memorable culinary experience as you take in the stunning views of Santorini and...