Tholoto Brunch & Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

Tholota Restaurant – A Hidden Gem in Fira, Santorini

Walking into Tholota feels like stepping into a secret—one you didn’t even know you were about to discover. Tucked away in Fira, we found this incredible spot thanks to its high ratings, and we are so glad we did. Someone had recommended we drive 20 minutes for great fish, but instead, we took an easy 10-minute walk and found what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.

From the moment we arrived, the warmth of the staff set the tone. Our waitress from Bulgaria and our waiter, a Santorini native, were both delightful—full of friendly energy and genuine stories that made us feel at home. There was even a private rooftop party happening, but we chose to sit beside the bar near the staff, which turned out to be the coziest spot with a breathtaking view.

And then came the food… wow.

We started with the Tholota salad, a perfect medley of flavors—pomegranate dressing, apple slices, chia seed-crusted cheese balls, and tomatoes. The salmon salad was dressed in a dreamy white creamy dressing that was absolutely delicious. The salmon caprese ceviche was beautifully plated, featuring cherry tomatoes, capers, and fresh avocado. We also tried the Mediterranean bruschetta with anchovies, a standout dish that tasted light, fresh, and surprisingly not fishy at all—the bread was toasted to golden perfection.

For mains, I finally had the traditional moussaka I’d been craving, and it was everything I hoped for—light, savory, and comforting. I don’t usually eat eggplant, but here, I couldn’t imagine the dish without it. My husband had the lamb with pasta, and the meat was so tender it slid off the bone like butter. Every single bite was savored.

And just when I thought I couldn’t eat another bite, dessert arrived. We shared a rich chocolate soufflé with ice cream, paired with a Santorini sweet wine that they brought out especially for us—it was the perfect finale.

In Greece, it’s tradition to finish your plate, and trust me—you will. From the ambiance to the service to every carefully crafted dish, Tholota is more than a restaurant. It’s an experience. If you're in Fira, don’t miss this place. It’s a must-go, must-try, can’t-miss...

Restaurant Review: A Beautiful View, but a Letdown in Service and Food

This restaurant has all the right elements for a great dining experience—great ambiance, nice view, and pleasant staff. However, our visit was a bit of a mixed bag, with some major drawbacks that left us feeling unimpressed.

The atmosphere is nice. The view is great, and the space itself is stylish and inviting. If you're lucky enough to sit at one of the better spots, you'll be able to take it all in. However, if you happen to find yourself in the middle section, right in front of the kitchen, you might want to reconsider. The room was filled with smoke from the open kitchen, which made the dining experience less than comfortable. Not ideal for those who want to avoid that lingering smell during and after dinner.

The staff, while very friendly, seemed overwhelmed. The service was noticeably slow. We waited about 45 minutes for our appetizer to arrive, and when it finally did, there was a slight improvement, but only just. Another 15 minutes passed before our main course came to the table. Adding to the frustration, our drink glasses remained empty for nearly the entire meal. When we tried to flag down a server, they were too busy to respond. It’s understandable when places are crowded, but there was a real lack of attention to basic service needs.

As for the food: the appetizer was decent. But the main course was underwhelming, to say the least. It was way too salty and didn’t feel like a dish that should be priced the way it was. Honestly, it felt like something you could easily recreate at home with a few basic ingredients—no wow factor at all.

For the price we paid, we expected a lot more in both quality and service. While the restaurant’s popularity might have contributed to the slower service, it doesn’t excuse the lack of attention and the subpar meal. At the end of the day, the beautiful view and atmosphere just couldn’t make up for the...

Hands down the BEST restaurant I’ve been to in all of Greece, not just Santorini. Michelin-level food, presentation, pairings, and the price is VERY VERY reasonable!! Cheaper than most restaurants in all of Santorini, and at least DOUBLE the quality. Our service from Sergio was impeccable. The ambience of the restaurant was calming and pleasant, with classy jazz music and a pleasant view. The sea bream was surgically deboned by Gregory at the table and cooked to perfection. Make sure to request the white vinegar on the side! It is PERFECT with the fish. The goat cheese appetizer was almost like a dessert! Similar to a cheesecake, but not as sweet. One of my favorite variations of goat cheese I’ve ever had, and I’ve loved goat cheese for almost 2 decades now. The ceviche was to DIE for! I am Filipino and LOVE seafood. The ceviche was with sea bass instead of tuna, which was filled with delightful and juxtaposed tastes of sweet, sour, and juicy. The pork tomahawk was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, paired with a delicious BBQ sauce, and I am VERY particular with my BBQ as a North Carolina native. The shrimp and scallop risotto was also phenomenal, packed with flavor, with 2 large prawns cooked perfectly and a huge scallop top. Overall, this place is a MUST. The reviews are the highest I’ve ever seen for a...