Kos is located in the Aegean Sea, and despite being a Greek island it is closer to the coast of Bodrum, Turkey. Steeped in rich history, Kos is well-known as the birthplace of the father of medicine, Hippocrates.
Whether you want to sample authentic Greek mezze, freshly caught seafood, or just have a good old British roast, Kos has a wide range of cuisine on offer.
There are some great eateries all over the island but Kos Town has the most variety. Lined with cafes and restaurants, Kos Town Square and it's a great spot to enjoy a traditional Greek meal or grab a light snack, while Kos Town Harbour is a charming place to dine in the evening.
You'll feel more at home in Kardamena and Kefalos with their many fish and chip shops and English snack bars, but If you want a more authentic meal with a seaside backdrop, head to the smaller resorts like Psalidi, Tigaki, or Marmari. The hillside village of Zia has plenty of tavernas, and the sunsets are spectactular.
Greek
There is a diverse selection of traditional Greek restaurants from hilltop tavernas to waterside grills. While you're here, you might as well try out the local cuisine common foods include 'souvlaki' (grilled meat skewers), 'kreatopita' (meat pie), 'spedzofai' (sausage and pepper stew), 'moussaka' (aubergine casserole) and 'tzatziki', (cucumber, garlic and yogurt dip for pitta bread). After your meal a lot of places will offer you ouzo, the local speciality, but take care as this aniseed liquor is very pungent.
Then, if you can't decide what you're in the mood for, seek out a Greek mezze restaurant. Similar to tapas, these offer a selection of small dishes so you can try out lots of different things. In Kos Town there's Elia which also has a great wine list, while Caravelle often has a live band playing Greek and Turkish music. If you fancy something a bit quirky visit Pote tin Kiriaki, the island's only genuine 'Ouzeri' (Greek tavern serving ouzo and mezze).
Also in Kos Town is La Strega, especially known for its 'gyros' (meat roasted on a vertical spit and served with sauce), while Taverna Barbas grill house do a great chicken souvlaki and delicious 'mayirefta' (dishes cooked for several hours). If you want a candle-lit Greek meal overlooking the harbour, go to Sifis Restaurant. Over in Kardamena, the beach front restaurant Fat Olive prides itself for its locally sourced ingredients, while the traditional mezze at Avli Restaurant is great value for money.
If you want to get away from mass tourism, there are some quaint little restaurants and tavernas in the smaller towns. The romantic Lofaki Cafe Restaurant Theatre in Agios Nektarios has incredible panoramic views of Kos Town along with an excellent selection of grilled meats and Greek wines. It was even voted by Tripsadvisor visitors as the best restaurant in Kos for the past two years.
Head to the hilltop town of Zia for even more stunning island views. Steal a sunset at Taverna Oromedon as you feast on traditional Greek goodies. At Taverna Zia Kostas you'll be greeted by owner/chef/waiter Kostas whose catchphrase is "No stress", and for good reason. Marvel at the hilltop views as gentle music plays in the background, and make sure you sample Kostas' homemade cakes and bread.
If you're in Mastichari, try the feta saganaki with honey or the tzatziki for a snack on the beach front at El Greco. After your meal, enjoy a cocktail at the relaxed Horizon Cafe and Cocktail Bar or Number One, Mastichari's oldest cocktail bar.
Also away from the hustle and bustle is Taverna Ambavris in a courtyard complete with twinkly lights and Greek music. It's another great spot for mezze including stews and grilled meats, accompanied by vegetables from nearby gardens. Sample one of the numerous Greek wines at Petrino in a cosy garden setting.
If you're a sweet fan, you have to try the homemade honey cake after your traditional meal at Hippocrates Restaurant in Kefalos, or choose from a selection of milkshakes after a meal at Trattoria 33 in the Old Town. When you've let your meal go down, complete the Greek experience with a night out at Tropical Island Club in Lambi where you can dance to Greek music all night long.
British and American
If you fancy a change from Greek specialities, there are British restaurants offering pub meals and snacks as well as American-style restaurants with the typical generous portions.
Among the numerous chippies in Kardamena you'll find Jake's English Bar serving up fish and chips, bangers and mash or if you're around in the morning why not go for a full English? Although mostly a Greek restaurant Ta Adelfia serves fresh fish and chips for less than £5 for a large portion.
In Kefalos there's the British snack bar Riverside Cafe in Kamari Bay, a small, friendly place offering English breakfasts and snacks. On the main street in Kefalos is T42, where you can grab a cuppa along with a British lunch or snack.
Wash your meal down with a pint at one of the English pubs. There's Delon Pub in Lambi with Guinness and Strongbow on tap, snacks and Sky Sports, or The Pub Rio Hotel in Kardamena which has a traditional English pub attached offering a beer garden, pool table and English draught beers.
Look no further than The Sunburnt Arms on the beach in Kos town for a top notch roast, or, for American grub head to Broadway where you can enjoy a tasty home-cooked burger or succulent steak.
Asian
The majority of Asian restaurants are found in Kos Town, offering an extensive selection of cuisine.
While you're in the island's capital, why not head to oriental themed Hamam Bar for a pre-meal drink. Then head to Twin Dragon on the main beach in Kos Town, a family-run restaurant which provides quality Chinese food at low prices. Enjoy the sea view as you tuck into a wide variety of starters, meals and sweets.
Not far from the harbour is Far East Restaurant where you can feast on a delicious Chinese meal. If you want something simple, try the chow mein, or if you're spice fan try the schezuan chicken. Cheers Indian and Chinese Restaurant on the outskirts of Kos Town has everything from spring rolls to chop suey, and curries from korma to vindaloo.
Seafood
There are quite a few seafood restaurants in Kos despite the damage from blast fishing around the island. These are mostly found near the harbours in Kos Town and Kardamena.
One of the top seafood places is Karnagio Fish Tavern located in Kanari near Kos Town. The owner goes fishing everyday so you can rest assured you're getting the best, freshest seafood. Try the stuffed squid, the pot-baked prawns and the fish soup. Enjoy a meal overlooking the harbour at Barbouni which serves its speciality fish dishes straight from the fisherman's net.
Just along the coast is the aptly named Nick the Fisherman, one of the most famous fish tavernas on the island as the owner is a fisherman. His quality seafood includes octopus, swordfish, shrimp and sea urchin. A stone's throw from Kos Town Harbour is The Fish House Taverna, which offers a good selection of fresh fish and seafood along with Greek dishes such as lamb kleftiko, moussaka, mixed souvlaki.
Over in Kardamena Harbour is Pelagos Restaurant renowned for its seafood, from marinated grilled salmon steaks to carefully cooked prawns fresh from the Aegean Sea. Captain's Restaurant offers mouth-watering mussels and fresh fish, but why not order the seafood platter to try a bit of everything?