Famous for its windmills, baby-blue rooftops and stunning sunsets, Santorini boasts a dry climate and almost year-round sunshine.
The crescent-shaped Mediterranean island, 120 miles to the southeast of Greece, is the result of one of history's biggest volcanic explosions, 3,600 years ago.
Santorini boasts an array of restaurants to enjoy, ranging from those that serve domestic dishes featuring vegetables from the island's famous volcanic soil and seafood from the Aegean to meals from mainland Greece, Crete and the wider Mediterranean.
Those hungry for British, French and Italian cuisine are well catered for, and food from slightly further afield is also on offer, such as American, Mexican and South American favourites.
Seafood fans will undoubtedly be in food heaven, vegetarians and vegans will find something to their taste, and those searching for some café culture will leave Santorini satisfied.
Greek cuisine
Metaxi Mas, in Exo Gonia, is one of the highest-rating restaurants on Santorini. They serve a classic Santorini salad, using seasonal ingredients; local dishes with fava beans and white aubergine; and cuisine from Crete, all of which can be washed down with raki, in a friendly environment.
To Psaraki is another top restaurant, found at the port at Vlychada. It serves simple Mediterranean dishes, with a focus on seafood and Santorinian ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, capers and round courgettes.
On the seafront in Perissa, Tranquilo offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine alongside vegetarian and vegan dishes. Their salads are a must-try. Food is served in a relaxed setting, with hammocks, sunbeds and even yoga classes available.
Also in Perissa is the Cyclades Tavern Restaurant, in the shopping centre. They serve colourful cuisine in a romantic atmosphere, including classic Greek dishes such as moussaka; meat and fish dishes, and seasonal salads. They also have a kids' menu.
Salt & Pepper, on the main Fira-to-Firostefani road, is one of the best-rated restaurants in Fira, Santorini's capital. It offers Greek dishes in a traditional taverna setting. Also in Fira is Naoussa Restaurant on the caldera cliffs, so diners can enjoy classic Greek cuisine with views of the sea and sunset.
Armenistis Tavern in Exo Gialos rates highly for its authenticity and Greek dishes, while Anogi, in Imerovigli, serves up local food, such as sardines, calamari and lamb shank, in a child-friendly environment.
Mediterranean dishes
Noma Kuzina Mediterra is on the beach road in Perissa and specialises in Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. It only opened in June 2012 but it's already one of the top-rated restaurants in the area.
Sky Lounge has an open-terrace overlooking the sea on Kamari Beach. It offers Mediterranean food and more traditional dishes, a large wine list, live music and full-moon parties, and can also host wedding receptions.
Taverna Sellada and Atmosphere Lounge Restaurant are in Kamari, too. Taverna Sellada is 200 metres from the beach and rates highly for its classic Greek cuisine, and Mediterranean and vegetarian food; while Atmosphere Lounge Restaurant is on the promenade, providing Mediterranean, seafood and steak dishes, with breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options.
Volcano Blue is on the caldera in Fira, so boasts breathtaking views and Mediterranean, seafood and traditional Greek dishes, with feta cheese, ouzo and Santorinian vegetables.
Ochre Restaurant is on the edge of Oia, and some say is the best restaurant in town. Known for its beautiful view, Ochre Restaurant is perfect for couples and suitable for bigger groups, with its two outdoor areas on different levels, café and snack area, and main dining-area.
European food
Pyrgos Taverna, in Pyrgos village, has been serving vegetables from Santorini's volcanic soil, seafood from the Aegean and quality meats for 25 years, in a traditional courtyard with cobblestones and Cycladic touches.
Poseidon Restaurant can be found on the black sand beach at Kamari. It offers up fresh fish and famous Greek recipes and wine, for lunch, dinner and breakfast. Located in Imerovigli, Blue Note offers lovingly-prepared Greek, European and international specialities, including seafood and lobster, with views of the sunset, port, volcano and the isle of Thirassia.
For French food, try the rooftop Taverna Camille Stefani in Fira, and for Italian options, the following will be of interest. Prince Restaurant on Kamari Beach offers pizza, pasta and risotto; Sunshine Pasta Fresca, also on Kamari Beach, boasts fresh Italian and Mediterranean dishes from 11am till midnight; and Sapore di Mare, on Perissa Beach, specialises in serving up Italian favourites.
International
The previously-mentioned Atmosphere Lounge Restaurant rates highly for its international food, as does Black Stone, both found in Kamari.
Black Stone serves Mediterranean and international cuisine at its promenade location, and is known for its excellent selection of beer with more than 35 different brews available.
Katharos Lounge on Katharos Beach and Flora are two top-rated restaurants in Oia. Katharos Lounge has Mediterranean and international food available, and a lively atmosphere, with music and beachside parties; and Flora provides international and Italian food, and is known for its tasty milkshakes.
On the main square in Fira, Mama's House serves up Greek, Mediterranean, Australian and American food, such as pancakes and maple syrup, French toast, hash browns and steak and eggs, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or there's Sphinx Restaurant, which has been showcasing top Santorinian products and Aegean seafood from a restored mansion since 1991.
Kapari Wine Restaurant in Imerovigli offers Mediterranean dishes and local cuisine, alongside a wide range of wines, while visitors can enjoy juices, coffee, finger food and music in the Kapari Bar, all with caldera views. Or, for something a little more exotic, try Kiwi, a Thai restaurant in Kamari.
British
There are two restaurants that are British-themed on Santorini.
The Liver Bird Café in Kamari takes its name from the symbol of a certain Merseyside city, and serves up full English breakfasts and cups of tea, where children are welcome; and the Highlander Bar in Fira serves up Scottish and British food and drink.
Seafood
Many restaurants on Santorini serve up seafood. The following are some of the best.
Ellis Restaurant overlooks the caldera in Fira. It offers traditional and modern food, and combinations of both, surrounded by stunning scenery.
Aegialos is on the beach in Exo Gialos and serves great seafood and romantic setting, but some say that Fratzeskos Fish Tavern, in Perissa, serves the best seafood in town.
Sea Side by Notos, on the beach in Perivolos, offers contemporary and creative seafood dishes, such as moussaka with shrimp and crab, and a dish with mussels, shrimp and olives served with vine-leave pesto. Another seaside restaurant is Captain Antonis on Red Beach, in the southwest of Santorini; while in the northwest, Dimitri's Ammoudi Taverna at Ammoudi Bay specialises in seafood.
Cafés
Pelican Kipos can be found in the middle of Fira. Visitors can sample coffee and food and drink in the café's relaxing garden alongside palm trees, pergolas and flowers. Those wanting something stronger can check out the beer list, or try one of more than 200 wines from the café's cellar, inside a 400-year-old cave. The Pure Coffee Bar is also in Fira and offers a range of coffee and cocktails.
In Perissa, The Lazy Lizard is a café and bar that opened in May 2013, while Chocolat is a café close to the beach, which specialises in crêpes and other desserts as well as pasta.
Kings Cafe Restaurant is on the beach in Kamari. It provides coffee and breakfast, fresh juices, snacks and drinks that customers can enjoy on sunbeds, Mediterranean dishes in the restaurant, and music in the evening.
Elixir Cafe Bar Restaurant is on Kamari Beach, too, and offers Greek and Santorinian specialities, pizza and dessert; it is known for its tasty crepes. In Perivolos, Taxidi is a beach bar that offers snacks, live music and wine-tasting.
American, Mexican and South American
Palia Kameni Cocktail Bar overlooks the caldera in Fira; it opened in 1976, has impressive views, and offers American and Brazilian food, and cocktails.
For American-style dishes, head to the previously mentioned Noma Kuzina Mediterra, on the Perissa Beach road which has great burgers, or Mama's House in Fira offering breakfasts such as pancakes.
Tropical Bar also provides food from the US in Fira, as does Just 4 Beer Bar Restaurant, in Kamari, which has a long list of Greek and international beers, and a menu with burgers, barbecue chicken wings, and fish and chips for Brits.
Senor Zorba is the highest-rating restaurant in Pyrgos, located on the caldera cliffs. It provides predominately Mexican food, including burritos, tacos and nachos as well as international and American food, such as barbecue ribs.
Pizza
Many restaurants on Santorini offer pizza, but the following are highly rated by visitors.
The pizzas and Italian food of Scirocco in Perissa are highly recommended; while Village Pizza, in Emporio, offers pizza and pasta.
Aquarius Restaurant at Perissa Beach is a pizzeria as well, which sells pasta, seafood and Greek dishes, and has a sea view. On the same beach is Mermaid Pizzeria offering seafood and traditional Greek meals, too.
Noma Kuzina Mediterra, on the beach road in Perissa, Just 4 Beer Bar Restaurant, Kings Cafe Restaurant and Elixir Cafe Bar Restaurant in Kamari, all rate highly for their pizzas.
Vegetarian
The previously-mentioned Tranquilo, on Perissa seafront, Taverna Sellada, 200 metres from Kamari Beach, and the rooftop Taverna Camille Stefani, in Fira, provide vegetarian dishes; as does Nectar and Ambrosia, which has a caldera view in Oia, and The Beach Bar, on Perissa Beach, which also offers vegan food, live bands, DJs and parties.