3 Best Restaurants in The Vasilikos Peninsula and Laganas, Zakynthos

A leafy family-run taverna in the countryside of Vasilikos that hits every comfort-food sweet spot. You'll need a car to get there, though it's just a 15-minute walk from the peninsula's namesake village. Homemade tsipouro and organic produce from their own farm enlighten a menu thick with Greek classics, from rustic kreatopita pie to juicy slow-cooked lamb.

This friendly family-run spot is named for the 2,000-year-old dopia olive tree that grows in the front yard. It's the perfect retreat for a cool drink or a home-cooked meal in a nicely shaded garden terrace. They also sell their own honey.

The best dining in the south is found around Kalamaki. Essence is the pick of the bunch, with a creative tapas menu that goes its own way, skipping from Gallicia-style octopus to goat's cheese pimped with chorizo. Look out for the lamb chops with tahini yogurt and rose harissa, which are a delight worth traveling for.