Food: This is the place that all the locals love, and reservations are almost always needed. Traditional Greek home cooking is what this restaurant is about, and you’ll find items like country-style sausages, and lamb shank roast with white Santorini aubergines that you won’t commonly see in menus at some of the more touristy restaurants. Before your meal, you’ll get a complimentary serving of raki – an aniseed flavoured aperitif, along with  olives, cheese and delicious rusk bread.

Service: The staff are polite and attentive.

Must try: The grilled pleurotus mushrooms was earthy with a higher level of acidity than most other variety of mushrooms. The rocket salad with apple, orange, shaved Parmesan cheese drizzled with honey and balsamic vinaigrette that was so delectable, there wasn’t a leave left on the plate at the end of the meal.

Ambience: Located in the village of Exo Gonia, Metaxi Mas is tucked away on a quiet village street, far from the tourist hotspots. The restaurant is colourful, has a robust and lively village vibe, and not a single non-Greek person in sight.

Average price per person: 24 Euro with a drink

Address: Metaxi Mas. Exo Gonia, Santorini, Greece. Behind Agios Charalambos Church, Tel: (30) 22860-31323