A Food Lover's Guide to Chalkida: Must-Try Dining Spots for Every Taste

Chalkida, the impressive capital of Evia, is an ideal destination for food lovers, combining traditional Greek cuisine with modern culinary trends. Whether you're looking for fresh seafood, succulent meats, or creative dishes, Chalkida offers a rich gastronomic scene that will satisfy every palate. This guide will help you find the best places to eat in the city and its surroundings.

Top Areas for Dining

Chalkida City Center

The center of Chalkida is filled with dining options, from small restaurants and meze taverns to eateries offering authentic Greek flavors. Around Avanton Street and its pedestrian areas, you’ll find:

Meze taverns serving traditional dishes like dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), keftedes (meatballs), and fresh vegetables, typically accompanied by ouzo or tsipouro.

Meat-focused restaurants, where you can enjoy classic Greek dishes like souvlaki, grilled steaks, and kontosouvli.

Modern fusion restaurants, combining Greek flavors with international influences.

Be sure to try local specialties such as lamb in the oven and traditional Euboean sausages made with authentic recipes.

Chalkida seaside

The Chalkida waterfront (Paralia in Greek), overlooking the Evian Gulf and the Evripos bridge, is lined with tavernas and restaurants specializing in seafood:

Seafood tavernas

 Here, you can taste fresh fish, shrimp, calamari, and octopus caught daily from local waters. Pairing seafood with local ouzo or wine creates a unique gastronomic experience.

Ouzo tavernas

Offering a variety of meze dishes, including all the classic accompaniments for ouzo or tsipouro, such as marinated anchovies, grilled sardines, and fresh charcoal-grilled octopus.

Fine dining restaurants

Along the waterfront, you'll also find more upscale establishments where seafood is paired with gourmet approaches and creative cuisine, making your meal a memorable experience.

Additionally, in the seaside area of Agios Minas, near Chalkida, you will find numerous tavernas offering excellent dining options with a view of the sea.

Nearby Areas of Chalkida

A few kilometers from the center of Chalkida, you will find picturesque villages offering unique culinary delights:

Nea Artaki

One of the most well-known seaside towns near Chalkida, about 10 kilometers to the north. Nea Artaki is famous for its fish tavernas, where you can enjoy extremely fresh fish and seafood. Visitors flock here to savor grilled octopus, shrimp, steamed mussels, and other seafood dishes with a view of the sea. The coastal atmosphere and local wines add to the authenticity of the dining experience.

Politika

In the popular seaside settlement of Politika in Evia, the food combines the freshness of the sea with traditional flavors. The local tavernas and restaurants serve fresh seafood such as calamari, octopus, and daily catch fish. These fresh seafood dishes are accompanied by pure local products like homemade bread and freshly cut salads, highlighting the traditional flavors of the region.

Steni

In the picturesque village of Steni, located on the enchanting Dirfys mountain in Evia, food is an authentic gastronomic experience. The village tavernas are famous for local meats such as lamb and goat, traditionally grilled over coals or cooked on the spit. They are accompanied by fresh local products like handmade pies and salads with pure ingredients. Don't miss trying the traditional sweets such as galaktoboureko or ravani, always served with warm hospitality.

Nea Lampsakos

Located about 5 kilometers south of Chalkida, Nea Lampsakos is known for its vibrant scene of meze tavernas and restaurants serving rich dishes based on seafood and meat. Here, you can enjoy traditional ouzo with meze in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, ideal for family outings. The dishes offered range from fish to succulent meats, such as pork ribs and juicy burgers.

Mpourtzi (Agios Nikolaos)

Just 7 kilometers from Chalkida, Bourtzi is known for its seaside gastronomy. The tavernas and ouzeries in the area offer Mediterranean dishes focused on fresh seafood and local products. It’s a popular choice for those who want to enjoy seafood meze in a quieter and more relaxed environment, away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Lefkandi

Located just 5 kilometers from Chalkida, this seaside village is known for its tavernas and restaurants offering fresh fish and seafood. The calm atmosphere and sea views make it ideal for a meal by the water.

Drosia

Close to Chalkida, Drosia is known for its meze tavernas and small eateries where you can enjoy classic Greek dishes in a peaceful and friendly environment.

What to Try

Evia has a rich gastronomic tradition, and Chalkida is the perfect place to experience it. Some dishes worth trying include:

Marinated anchovies: Fresh anchovies marinated in oil, vinegar, and garlic, one of the classic accompaniments to ouzo or tsipouro.

Charcoal-grilled octopus: Fresh octopus, grilled to perfection and served with lemon and olive oil.

Evia's local meats: If you love meat, don't miss trying local specialties like lamb cooked in a traditional oven or the classic souvlaki.

Local wines and spirits: Evia has a strong tradition in wine and spirits production. Sample local wines and drinks like tsipouro and ouzo, which pair perfectly with traditional dishes.