3 Wise Monkeys — Restaurant in Sami Municipality

3 Wise Monkeys – A Culinary Sanctuary in Assos, Kefalonia

Some experiences are hard to put into words—they’re meant to be felt. 3 Wise Monkeys isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a soulful retreat where flavors, ambiance, and atmosphere come together in perfect harmony, nestled in the heart of picturesque Assos.

From the moment you step in, you’re wrapped in a sense of calm. The soft, wanderlust-inspiring music gently flows through the air, while the aesthetic—lush greenery, blush pink cushions, elegant wooden tables—feels like an embrace of warmth and style. There’s a soothing energy here, as if time slows down just enough to let you savor every second.

And then… the food arrives.

The seabass ceviche is a masterpiece of freshness and balance. Vibrant, citrusy, and refreshing—it awakens your palate and sets the tone. The beef tataki, delicately sliced and meltingly tender, is elevated with umami-rich jus and the subtle kick of radish and chili.

Then came the quinoa salad with shrimp—a bowl of summer itself. Perfectly grilled shrimp, creamy avocado dollops, crunchy vegetables, all tossed in a light, zesty dressing. The seabass fillet in coconut sauce? A revelation. The tropical notes of the coconut hug the fish in a way that’s both elegant and comforting, like a whisper from an island far away.

But then… the showstopper.

The cacio e pepe pasta. I’ve had cacio e pepe many times—but this one? This one redefined it. Silky, perfectly al dente pasta, the creaminess of the cheese and the boldness of cracked pepper in perfect equilibrium. Topped with delicate slices of truffle—it was sublime. A dish that commands silence and admiration.

All of this, paired with one of their signature cocktails—a vibrant, fruity mix with dried fig and fresh blueberries—served ice cold under the Kefalonian sun.

3 Wise Monkeys is not just a place to eat. It’s a destination of the senses. A hidden garden of gastronomic delight. A place that invites you to slow down, indulge, and simply be. If you’re anywhere near Assos, do not miss this. Skipping it would be like turning down a journey before you’ve even...

Everything wrong with Greece in one experience. This is my personal experience and opinion

Everything started good with the staff being a bit over the top polite for my taste but thats me.

Place was nice but no view and the tables were cramped that left no privacy basically.

Food was good but overpriced in my opinion since I have eaten similar food in lower prices in Athens.

And while we were eating normally the whole experience was about to change 180 degrees. The owner came to an acquaintance who was sitting next to us. (I understand he owned another restaurant somewhere in Kefalonia) and started talking loudly next to us. During this exchange the owner said 2 things that really ruined the night.

First thing was how, because of a famous greek chef opening a restaurant somewhere in Kefalonia, he will also be able to inflate the already high (in my opinion) prices. And here is the first thing wrong with Greece and tourism. Greed and taking advantage vs sustainable business model.

Second thing was how they don't get good quality customers since his staff makes small amount of tips and they are lacking those high rollers. So me sitting next to him and hearing this was a delight. We got 1 starter, 2 dishes and 2 cocktails and we paid 90€. That was personally already a high amount, does that make me a bad quality customer if i didn't leave a tip?

As you can imagine after what I had heard the over the top politeness seemed extremely disingenuous and fake. The food tasted less good and the whole night was because I was staring all the problematic aspects of Greek culture in a person who represents the younger generation which should bring hope.

Again this is my personal experience

TLDR good food but overpriced, staff polite to the point of not feeling genuine, place nice but no views and no space between tables, owner talking loudly next to us said things that ruined...

This is where we found the best food on the island, just a couple of minutes walk up hill from the centre of Asos. We visited three times to try different dishes from the pork belly tacos to the chicken katsu burger, via the delicious chicken skewers and the nachos with tasty dips. All of it was really well seasoned, cooked and presented and we’d have gone back more if their season hadn’t ended in the middle of our two week stay in Asos.

The setting is also great with a multi-level courtyard and modern, chilled out beats providing a different atmosphere to the other local eateries. Drinks include a good selection of beers and a decent cocktail menu. The exotic mojito was a (repeated) treat and they were flexible and happy to make changes or let you order off menu too.

Last, but not least, the staff were all very friendly and relaxed and made us feel well looked after on every occasion (hi Rina!). In fact, after they closed for the season, they put on a party and invited anyone and everyone for free food, beer and wine, which made for a wonderful fourth visit!

This is definitely somewhere to check out if you’re on Kefalonia. And don’t forget to say hello to Karma the dog while...