IONIO PELAGOS — Restaurant in Zakynthos Municipality

Incredible seafood and warm, friendly service. Something truly special happened here — a moment of culture, respect, and kindness that inspired me to write a story. Unforgettable experience!

A Lesson in Taste and Respect 10.06.25 On our last day in Zakynthos, Greece, my girlfriend and I went to this seafood restaurant for lunch. Among the dishes we ordered was grilled octopus. Unfortunately, its texture was rubbery which was a clear sign of overcooking. The waiter was a kind older man with a warm smile. We gently mentioned our concern, but he insisted the octopus was very fresh, suggesting that its chewy texture was natural. Due to the language barrier, his repeated emphasis on freshness began to sound dismissive. We have eaten octopus many times before, thus felt slightly insulted, as though he was implying we didn’t know what good food should taste like. I stayed calm and politely asked if we could see the octopus in the kitchen. The owner misunderstood my intention and thought I just didn’t want to pay. Trying to be gracious, he said he respected Chinese people and offered to take €10 off the bill. While that could have ended the issue, I took a different approach. I explained that I deeply respected food and always finished my meals. However today, I had left this dish untouched. I told him I wasn’t refusing to pay, I simply wanted to understand the food better. My actions came from respect, not criticism. My sincerity touched the kitchen staff. They invited me to the back, where I saw the octopus—indeed, it was fresh. Later, I looked it up online and discovered something important: fresh octopus can taste rubbery if not prepared properly. With the right cooking techniques, it becomes tender and delicious. The owner appreciated my honest feedback. He gathered the chefs and explained what had happened. He thanked me for having the courage to speak up, believed this insight could help improve the restaurant. As a gesture of goodwill, he waived our bill and jokingly called me “Chef.” We hugged like old friends. From then on, I was treated as a special guest whenever I visited. I tipped generously and left not just satisfied, but joyful. What began as a simple meal turned into a shared lesson in humility, culture, and the universal...

Absolutely perfect meal and experience at Ionion Pelagos! Ionion Pelagos is my absolute favorite restaurant during my week of sailing the Ionian. The restaurant was on a quiet street a couple of blocks from Dionysios Solomos Square's busy tourist shopping and restaurant area. We had a perfect table outside on a perfect evening, and there were adorable and clean cats waiting for some fish scraps from diners.

They caught the fish that morning and even let me know what fish was farmed vs. wild-caught. We had a feast of red mullet, squid, sea bass, smelts, tzatziki, taramousalata, sea breem, Greek salad, and a massive plate of bread. They cooked the fish to perfection, and the seasoning was so delicious. It was everything I imagined eating seafood would be like in Greece. We could not stop talking about how fantastic this meal was, and in the end, I couldn't even believe the price. It was barely US$ 35 per person for the 5 of us. It was such an incredible value, quality, and freshness.

Another thing that truly set them apart was the phenomenal service we received. Our server was patient and gave us good guidance on what to order. He walked us over to see the fresh fish and explained everything we asked about fish. They were kind and genuinely cared about our experience (unlike some other restaurants we went to). They even gave us the BEST recommendation for desserts and baklava after our meal AND gave us a contact for taxis/cars on the island. I would give them 10 stars if I could.

Thank you, Ionion Pelagos, for an absolutely perfect meal...

WOW! Ionio Pelagos is an absolute treasure in Zakynthos! From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed like family—with warm smiles, amazing service, and that unbeatable Greek charm.

We tried the grilled shrimps, sea bass, grilled salmon, seafood pasta, and a Greek salad with the most incredible feta—and every single bite was out of this world! The seafood was unbelievably fresh and grilled to perfection, packed with rich Mediterranean flavor. The pasta was loaded with fresh seafood and cooked just right, and the salad was crisp, refreshing, and topped with that creamy, flavorful feta you dream about.

You can taste the love and tradition in every dish. Everything was super fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. And don’t miss out on their cold Greek beer—the perfect match for a feast like this!

The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of heart. Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or just hungry for authentic Greek food, Ionio Pelagos delivers an unforgettable experience.

One of the best meals we had in Zakynthos—we’ll be...