Zafora — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a delightful lunch at Zafora, choosing to sit in their stunning rooftop seating area. From the moment we arrived, the setting felt truly magical, offering the quintessential Santorini backdrop that seemed as though it had been lifted straight out of a postcard. The panoramic views of the sparkling Aegean Sea and the iconic whitewashed buildings cascading down the cliffs were absolutely mesmerizing.

The food at Zafora surpassed all expectations, both in taste and presentation. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing the freshest ingredients and authentic flavors that were a true testament to the rich culinary heritage of Santorini. The variety and quality of the food left us thoroughly impressed. The flavors were perfectly balanced, with each bite revealing a new layer of deliciousness that kept us wanting more.

Our meal began with a selection of appetizers that set the tone for an extraordinary dining experience. The creamy, rich hummus paired perfectly with the warm, fluffy pita bread, creating an explosion of flavors that was simply unforgettable. We then moved on to our main courses, each dish a delightful surprise that highlighted the chef’s skill and creativity. The seafood was incredibly fresh, cooked to perfection, and the meats were tender and flavorful. Every single dish was a testament to the culinary excellence that Zafora is known for.

Beyond the exquisite food, the cliffside view from our table was absolutely breathtaking. The rooftop offered multiple vantage points to soak in the picturesque surroundings, each angle providing a unique and stunning perspective of Santorini's natural beauty. The experience of dining with such an extraordinary backdrop added a whole new dimension to our meal, making it not just a lunch, but an unforgettable experience.

Zafora is undoubtedly a must-visit spot in Santorini. It offers not only delicious cuisine but also the chance to immerse oneself in one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world. This establishment is a true gem, where culinary excellence meets unparalleled views, creating an experience that can only be described as one of the wonders of the world. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view, Zafora promises an experience that will leave you with cherished memories and a...

One of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had – and certainly the worst in Santorini.

We started the evening by ordering food and two glasses of wine. The wine never arrived. The service was incredibly slow and inattentive throughout the meal. I had to wave someone down just to get our plates cleared and ask for the dessert menu. Same story when it came time to pay — I had to chase them again for the bill, which then took an unreasonably long time to arrive.

When I asked to check the bill (because, again, the wine never showed up), they refused to give me a proper receipt and tried to get me to pay on their card reader without seeing anything. I told them I wouldn’t pay without seeing one. At that point, a man who I assume was the manager became very aggressive and shouting, claiming their card machine wasn’t working because I had cancelled the transaction to check the receipt. He insisted I had to pay in cash. I don’t carry cash — and frankly, I wasn’t about to be bullied into paying that way which was absolutely what he was trying to do.

Eventually, after much back and forth and aggression on his behalf, he showed me a photo of the bill on his phone, which included a forced 10% service charge. This is the only restaurant I’ve been to in Santorini that forced a service charge — none others did this but I always added it happily. This wasn’t about the money — it was the dishonest and aggressive way it was handled. By that point, I was too exhausted to argue with him further. To add to this, the classic scam of placing bread on the table and hoping you won’t notice the charge later was used.

The food itself was fine — nothing special, nothing terrible — but the experience was appalling. Don’t let the view fool you into thinking this is a worthwhile place to eat. It’s not. There are countless better restaurants in Santorini where you'll be treated with respect and enjoy a far...

Without the views, of which they're probably the best that you can get during a lunch or dinner in Santorini, Zafora offers very little in terms of redeeming qualities.

The food is average at best, but priced like its fine dining. The staff are spread thin and more or less miserable looking by the time they approach you. That said, the man in charge was by far the biggest issue at Zafora. In the over 25 minutes that we waited for the bill, I saw him argue with four tables about their totals. He was deceptive, rude and extremely shady, refusing to show people their receipts and combating them verbally when they tried to explain that they were being charged for items they didnt even order.

By the time he got to us, I had overheard enough and was ready to handle his sketchy behavior. I immediately told him to wipe away the "complimentary bread" that we didnt ask for or eat, as well as the salad for two that he charged us for even though we explicitly asked for the salad for one. Naturally he pushed back (I didn't allow him to overcharge us) and then when I tried to pay with card, he didnt want to accept and asked for cash.

Long story short, we paid for what we ordered for and got out of there as soon as we could. Places like this give a very bad reputation to an otherwise beautiful island. The food was fine, the views were stunning but the management was brutal.

Something else important to note, all pizzas and any shrimp on the menu are admittedly cooked from frozen. Nice of them to be up front about it, but it didn't stop them from charging high prices for...