The Highlander

The Highlander is a pub-style bar and restaurant in Mesaria, the village that sits in the caldera-facing interior of Santorini just southeast of Fira. It opens at noon every day of the week and runs through to 4 AM, making it one of the longer-operating venues on the island for anyone who wants both a proper dinner and a late drink without switching locations.

The bar is run by Yanni and Christine Kavalari — Christine originally from Glasgow — which explains the Scottish-influenced pub character in a setting that's otherwise surrounded by Cycladic whitewash and clifftop cocktail bars. That combination of Greek island geography and British pub informality shapes what the place is: somewhere you can eat a meal in the early evening, stay on for drinks, and be there when most other restaurants have already locked their doors.

With a 4.0 rating across 356 Google reviews, the Highlander draws consistent return visitors who tend to appreciate the unpretentious atmosphere and the reliability of a venue that doesn't pivot to a completely different identity between 6 PM and midnight.

What to Expect

The Highlander sits on what is described as Santorini's main club strip, within Mesaria's commercial stretch close to the road linking Fira with the interior villages. The setting is more relaxed than the caldera-edge bars in Fira proper — there are no volcano views here, and that's partly the point. The draw is the atmosphere inside rather than what's framed in the window.

The format follows a pub-restaurant model: food service runs through the day and evening, with a drinks operation that continues long after the kitchen closes. The space accommodates both diners eating in a proper sit-down sense and drinkers who arrive later in the evening for the music and bar atmosphere. Social posts from the venue reference good drinks, good food, and good company as the core offer — a shorthand that, in practice, translates to a menu covering recognisable bar and restaurant fare alongside a full drinks list.

The crowd tends to be a mix of island workers, repeat visitors who know the place from previous years, and travelers who've found their way off the caldera path. Music is part of the atmosphere from mid-evening onward. The late closing time of 4 AM means this is one of the few spots on the island where you can arrive for dinner at 8 PM and still be sitting there four hours later without being ushered out.

For anyone staying in the inland villages — Mesaria, Vothonas, Exo Gonia — it functions as a local pub in a way that the cliff-side bars in Fira and Oia don't quite replicate.

How to Get There

The Highlander is at Mesaria 847 00, on the main road running through the village. Mesaria is approximately 2 km southeast of Fira's central square, making it a short drive or taxi ride from the island's main town.

By car or scooter: Take the main Fira–Pyrgos road south from Fira and turn into Mesaria. Parking is generally more available in Mesaria than in Fira itself, which is a practical advantage if you're driving.

By taxi: Taxis from Fira to Mesaria are inexpensive and cover the distance in around five minutes. Given the 4 AM closing time, agree on a taxi back before you need one, particularly in peak summer when demand is high late at night.

By bus: Santorini's KTEL bus network connects Fira to the inland villages. Check current schedules at the Fira bus terminal, but note that late-night service is limited — a taxi back is more practical if you're staying past midnight.

On foot: The walk from Fira takes around 20–25 minutes along the main road. It's walkable in daylight or early evening, but the road lacks pavements in stretches, so it's less recommended after dark.

Best Time to Visit

The Highlander operates year-round on its noon-to-4 AM schedule, though peak activity is concentrated in the summer season from May through October when Santorini's visitor numbers are highest.

For a meal, arriving between 7 PM and 9 PM hits the main dinner window when the kitchen is fully running. For the bar and music atmosphere, the place picks up from around 10 PM onward.

Mid-week evenings in July and August are busier than you might expect given the inland location — the main club strip in Mesaria draws people specifically because it's distinct from the caldera bar scene. Weekends are the busiest. If you want a quieter dinner, a Tuesday or Wednesday in early June or late September gives you more space and the same full menu.

Santorini's summer heat peaks in July and August, with temperatures regularly above 30°C through the afternoon. The noon opening is technically available for a long lunch, but the later afternoon and evening hours are when the venue comes into its own and the heat has eased.

Tips for Visiting

• Phone ahead for large groups. The number +30 694 617 6750 connects directly to the bar. On summer weekends, groups of six or more will have a smoother experience with a reservation than without one.
• The late hours are genuine. The 4 AM close runs every day of the week including Sundays — useful to know if you're planning a Sunday night out and other options close earlier.
• Inland prices differ from caldera prices. Drinks and food at venues away from the Fira and Oia cliff edges are typically priced more accessibly than their view-premium counterparts. No specific prices are published, but this is consistent across Santorini's interior.
• The Scottish connection is real. Christine Kavalari's Glasgow background has shaped the pub character of the place. If that's the atmosphere you're after — familiar, unpretentious, sociable — this is the deliberate intent rather than a marketing angle.
• Check social media for events. The Facebook page (facebook.com/TheHighlanderSantorini) and Instagram (@the_highlanderbar_santorini) announce special nights, themed evenings, and any seasonal schedule changes.
• Combine with other Mesaria stops. Mesaria also has its own small church, traditional architecture, and local cafes. If you're driving out for dinner, the village is worth a short walk before your meal.
• Dress code is relaxed. The pub format means beach cover-ups are fine during the day, while evenings are smart-casual at most. No formal dress is expected or required.
• Late-night transport planning matters. Santorini's roads are narrow and taxis fill up after midnight in summer. If you're relying on a taxi home, save the venue's number alongside a taxi contact from the moment you arrive.

What to Order

No detailed menu is published in the available sources, but the venue consistently describes itself as serving good food alongside its drinks operation. The pub-restaurant model points toward hearty portions, a full bar, and food available from noon through the main evening service.

Beer, spirits, and cocktails are the core of the drinks side — consistent with a bar running through to 4 AM. The food offer spans enough of the day (noon opening) to cover lunch plates and snacks as well as a dinner menu.

For the most current menu and any specials, the website at highlanderbar-santorini.com is the best source, alongside the venue's Instagram feed where food posts appear regularly.