Fistikies

Fistikies is a Greek-Mediterranean restaurant on Makedonias street in Kamari, the resort village on Santorini's eastern coast. It opened in 2018, built and run by Chris and Anna Koskinas, and has accumulated a 4.8-star rating across close to 1,500 Google reviews — one of the stronger scores among Kamari's dining options. The name means pistachio trees in Greek, a nod to the pistachio cultivation that has been part of this part of Santorini for well over a century.

The kitchen, led by Chris Koskinas, works from a philosophy of pairing Greek culinary tradition with broader Mediterranean influences. The emphasis is on seasonal, high-quality raw materials and freshness over complexity — the bread is made in-house, and the menu moves with what is good at any given time. The setting includes shaded pergolas and verandas designed to be comfortable whether you're eating a long afternoon lunch or a late evening dinner.

Kamari itself sits beneath the imposing dark cliffs of Mesa Vouno, and Fistikies is a short walk from the village's black-sand beach. That combination — a solid local kitchen, a seaside village context, and consistently attentive service — explains why the restaurant draws both returning visitors and first-timers looking to move beyond the tourist-trap strip.

What to Expect

Fistikies describes its philosophy as cooking food that is "fresh, clean, tasty and honest" — a useful summary of what ends up on the plate. Expect dishes rooted in Greek tradition but with Mediterranean breadth: think well-sourced proteins and vegetables prepared with restraint rather than heavy saucing, alongside a wine list that includes selections appropriate to the island context.

The space is designed with comfort in mind. Covered pergolas and open verandas mean you can eat outside without baking in the afternoon heat or being caught out by an evening breeze. The interior is described as spacious and cosy, which in practice means there is room between tables — not always a given in a busy Santorini summer restaurant. The service style is described as discreet, which is consistent with the more measured tone the owners set for the place.

Homemade bread arrives at the table, and the kitchen takes seasonality seriously, meaning the menu in July will not be identical to the menu in October. The wine and beer selection is treated with the same care as the food. With a rating of 4.8 from nearly 1,500 reviewers, the consistency here is hard to dispute.

The restaurant operates year-round (or at least through the shoulder season), which is notable for Kamari, where many businesses close from November through March. That suggests a local as well as tourist clientele, which tends to be a reliable signal of quality.

What to Order

The menu at Fistikies spans Greek staples and Mediterranean dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. While specific menu items change with the season, the kitchen's approach is grounded in quality raw materials rather than elaborate technique — dishes that are recognisable but executed with care.

Given the focus on Mediterranean cuisine, expect a strong showing of seafood dishes alongside meat options, vegetable preparations, and mezze-style sharing plates. The homemade bread is a consistent point of praise and worth eating on its own. The wine list is selected to complement the food rather than just fill a page — Santorini's indigenous Assyrtiko grape is widely grown on the island and a logical match for the kitchen's Mediterranean direction.

If you're coming for a longer meal, the combination of small starters and a main is a reasonable way to pace things. The kitchen's interest in seasonal produce means asking the server what's particularly good that day is worth doing rather than defaulting to the first thing on the menu.

How to Get There

Fistikies is located on Makedonias street in Kamari, on the eastern side of Santorini. The address is Makedonias, Kamari 847 00. The coordinates place it at 36.3732963, 25.4816043.

From Fira, Kamari is roughly 10–12 km by road. The KTEL bus service connects Fira to Kamari regularly during the summer months, and the journey takes around 20 minutes. The bus stop in Kamari is close to the beach road, and Fistikies is a short walk from there.

By car or scooter, follow the main road south from Fira toward Pyrgos and then east to Kamari. Parking in Kamari is available near the beach and along the main approach roads, though it fills quickly in peak summer. Taxis from Fira to Kamari are widely available, and the fare is reasonable for the distance.

Kamari is not accessible by boat from the main Athinios port without a further road transfer, but if you're already based in Kamari or the southeast of the island, Fistikies is walkable from most accommodation in the village.

Best Time to Visit

Fistikies is open Wednesday through Monday, 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM. It is closed on Tuesdays. The restaurant opens at 2 PM, which means it covers both a late lunch and the full dinner window.

Kamari's peak season runs from late June through August. During this period, tables at well-rated restaurants fill quickly, particularly from 7 PM onward. Arriving closer to opening time — around 2 PM for a late lunch or just after 6 PM for an early dinner — reduces wait times and is often more comfortable in terms of heat.

September and October are arguably the best months to visit. The summer crowds thin, the heat becomes more manageable in the evenings, and the kitchen is still operating with summer-season produce. The atmosphere in Kamari during shoulder season tends to be more relaxed without being empty.

Santorini's Meltemi wind runs from late July into August and can make open terraces breezy in the evening. Fistikies' covered pergolas provide some shelter, but if wind is a concern it is worth checking conditions before booking an outdoor table.

Tips for Visiting

• Book ahead in high season. The rating of 4.8 from nearly 1,500 reviews means this restaurant is well-known. Tables during July and August fill up, particularly in the 7–9 PM window. Booking via the website at fistikies.com or by calling +30 2286 032039 is advisable.
• Check the day before going. Fistikies is closed every Tuesday. It's easy to arrive in Kamari on a Tuesday expecting it to be open — confirm your day of the week before making the trip.
• Ask about the day's specials. The kitchen emphasises seasonal produce, which means the best dishes on any given day may not be on the printed menu. A quick question to the server is worth it.
• The bread is homemade. It's not an afterthought — factor it into how much you order.
• Come for a long meal if you can. The verandas and pergolas are designed for leisurely eating. The 2–11 PM window gives you room to arrive early, eat slowly, and linger without feeling rushed.
• Pair your meal with Santorini wine. The island produces distinctive Assyrtiko-based whites, and a restaurant with a curated wine list is the right place to try one. If you're unfamiliar with local options, ask for a recommendation.
• Combine with a beach visit. Kamari's black-sand beach is a short walk from the restaurant. Arriving at the beach in the afternoon, spending a few hours there, and then walking to Fistikies for a 6 PM dinner is a practical and enjoyable way to structure a day.
• Dress for dinner comfortably. The atmosphere is described as neither stuffy nor casual — smart-casual clothing is appropriate and you'll feel comfortable without having to dress up.