Ios Restaurants and Nightlife: Where to Eat and Go Out in Ios
Ios has a reputation as a party island, and in July and August its nightlife is still among the liveliest in the Cyclades. But the island is also a very good place to eat, with family tavernas, fresh fish by the harbour and local dishes you will not find elsewhere. This guide covers where to eat, what to order, and how the nightlife works in Chora and Mylopotas, so you can plan evenings that suit you, whether you want a long dinner with a view or a night out until sunrise.
Eating in Chora
Chora, the main town on the hill above the port, is where most of the island’s restaurants are. In its whitewashed lanes and small squares you find traditional tavernas, modern Greek kitchens, souvlaki shops for a quick bite, cafes for breakfast and bakeries for a sweet treat. Many restaurants sit on terraces with views over the rooftops and the sea, which makes an early dinner at sunset one of the best moments of the day.
In high season the most popular places get busy after 9 in the evening, so book ahead or go early if you have a favourite in mind. Outside July and August, Chora is calm and very pleasant for a slow evening walk before dinner, up to the church of Panagia Gremiotissa at the top of the town.
Fish tavernas by the port of Gialos
Down at the port, the waterfront of Gialos has tavernas that are ideal for fresh fish, seafood and meze with your feet almost in the sand. It is a relaxed place for lunch after a swim at Gialos beach, and for dinner on your first or last evening, close to the ferries. Youtopia Villas are about ten minutes from the port, so the harbour tavernas are some of the closest to the villas. You will find more about the beaches nearby in our guide to the best beaches in Ios.
Local dishes to try on Ios
Ios has a few specialities worth looking for on the menu. The best known is mermizeli, the island salad, made with barley rusk, tomato, onion, capers and local cheese. The cheese is often skotyri, a soft, slightly spicy cheese traditionally made on Ios. Add fresh fish and seafood from the harbour, grilled meats, local honey and simple Greek dishes such as fava, and you have the taste of the island.
| Where | Best for | When to go |
|---|---|---|
| Chora | Dinner in the lanes, terraces with views, cafes and bakeries | Sunset and evening, busiest after 9 pm in summer |
| Gialos (port) | Fresh fish, seafood and meze by the water | Lunch after a swim, first and last evening |
| Mylopotas | Beach tavernas, beach bars, relaxed drinks | Lunch and the afternoon on the sand |
| Your villa | A private dinner with a view and your own pool | Any evening you want to stay in |
Beach bars and lunch in Mylopotas
Mylopotas, the long sandy bay below Chora, is where many visitors spend their days. Along the beach there are tavernas for a long lunch, cafes and beach bars with music, sunbeds and water sports. The Far Out Beach Club is one of the best known names here, and in high season the beach has a lively atmosphere from the afternoon on. If you prefer a quieter lunch, walk to the far end of the bay or drive to one of the calmer beaches.
Nightlife in Chora
After dinner, the lanes of Chora change character. In summer the centre of town fills with small bars and clubs close to each other, so people move from one to the next through the night. Evenings start late: bars usually get busy after midnight, and the clubs keep going until the early morning, especially in July and August. It is young and lively in peak season, but there are also calmer cocktail bars and places with sunset views earlier in the evening.
Outside the peak weeks, the nightlife is more relaxed, and Chora becomes a place for a drink and a walk rather than a big night out. If you want to know how the island feels beyond the party reputation, our guide to things to do in Ios covers Skarkos, the Odysseas Elytis amphitheatre, Homer’s Tomb and the old footpaths.
Getting to and from Chora at night
In summer the local bus runs between the port, Chora and Mylopotas until late, and taxis are available, although they are limited in the busiest weeks. Many guests prefer to rent a car or arrange transport in advance for the evening. Youtopia can advise you on vehicle rental and transfers, as described on our services page.
Quiet evenings at the villa
Not every night on Ios has to be a night out. A dinner on your own terrace, with the lights of the port below and the sunset over the Aegean, is one of the best experiences on the island. Youtopia Villa I and Youtopia Villa II have private pools and outdoor dining areas, the Grand Youtopia Villa hosts groups of up to eight, and the Junior Suite is made for couples. Read our guide on where to stay in Ios to compare the areas, and our guide on how to get to Ios to plan your arrival.
Book direct and check the offers page for the Loyalty Club discount and last minute rates.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best restaurants in Ios, Greece?
The best choice depends on the evening you want. Chora has the widest range, from traditional tavernas to modern Greek kitchens with sunset terraces. The tavernas around the port of Gialos are ideal for fresh fish, and Mylopotas has beach tavernas for a long lunch. Book ahead in July and August.
What is the nightlife like on Ios island, Greece?
In July and August Ios has some of the liveliest nightlife in the Cyclades, with bars and clubs in the lanes of Chora that stay open until the early morning, and beach bars in Mylopotas during the day. In June and September it is calmer and more relaxed.
Does Ios Greece have a strip?
Ios does not have one long strip like some party resorts. The nightlife is concentrated in the lanes and small squares at the centre of Chora, where many bars and clubs sit close together, so people walk from one to the next through the night.
What time does nightlife start in Ios?
In summer the bars in Chora usually get busy after midnight, and the clubs continue until the early morning. Earlier in the evening, people have dinner and sunset drinks, so a typical night out starts late and ends late.
What food is Ios known for?
Ios is known for mermizeli, the island salad with barley rusk, tomato, onion, capers and local cheese, and for skotyri, a soft, slightly spicy local cheese. Fresh fish and seafood from the harbour are also a highlight.
Where to eat in Ios with a view?
Many restaurants in Chora have terraces with views over the rooftops and the sea, which are best at sunset. The tavernas at the port of Gialos look straight onto the water. For a private view, dinner on your own villa terrace above the port is hard to beat.
Is Ios nightlife good in September?
Yes, but it is quieter than in July and August. Many bars in Chora are still open, the evenings are warm and the atmosphere is more relaxed. It is a good time for travellers who want some nightlife without the peak season crowds.
