Gluten-Free Santorini Guide

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Santorini was our final stop on our honeymoon through Greece, after time in Athens, Elafonisos, Nafplio, and Milos.

I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to eat gluten-free on such a popular tourist island. While Santorini doesn’t have the dedicated gluten-free restaurants you might find in Athens, I was happy to find that most places were very accommodating. At every meal, the staff understood what gluten-free meant, answered my questions, and helped me pick dishes I could enjoy.

Over our three nights on the island, we ate in a village square, a quiet garden courtyard, and a restaurant with amazing caldera views. We also visited a winery with some of the best scenery of our trip. With dishes like pork gyros, Greek salads, grilled halloumi, and local specialties, I never felt like I was missing out.

A quick note: I eat gluten-free, but I don’t have celiac disease. I always ask about ingredients and how food is made, but I don’t need a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. This guide is based on my own experience at each restaurant.

Understanding the Gluten-Free Classifications

Everyone has their own comfort level with gluten-free dining, so I’ve used a simple system in this guide based on my experience. These labels should help make the main differences clear.

Dedicated Gluten-Free | The entire restaurant or bakery is gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Friendly | There are several clearly marked gluten-free options, and the staff knows about gluten-free dining. Gluten is still used in the kitchen, so ask questions if you’re worried about cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Options | There are a few gluten-free dishes, but gluten-free dining isn’t the main focus. I ate comfortably at these places, but if you have specific dietary needs, it’s smart to ask about ingredients and how the food is prepared.

Limited Gluten-Free Options | There are only one or two gluten-free choices, so I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit just for the gluten-free menu.

Where We Ate At In Santorini

• Metaxi Mas
• Aroma Gefsis
• Pelican Kipos
• White Lounge Restaurant
• Venetsanos Winery

Metaxi Mas

Gluten-Free Options

Metaxi Mas is in the village of Exo Gonia, next to the Church of Agios Charalambos. It’s a popular spot, so I suggest making a reservation if you want to go. Even though it was busy, the place felt welcoming and relaxed, with both locals and visitors enjoying dinner in the square.

We sat in the church square, and the setting made the whole evening feel special.

We shared grilled halloumi and Santorinian baked white aubergines with tomato and feta cheese. For my main, I had the pork tenderloin with feta sauce and rice, and my husband had the grilled pork belly with fried potatoes. The creamy feta sauce was my favorite part of the meal since I love rich, cheesy dishes, but my husband thought mine was too cheesy.

At the end of dinner, the restaurant brought out complimentary desserts. My husband got a slice of cheesecake, and they brought me a plate of fresh fruit instead, which I appreciated.

The staff was friendly and knew about gluten-free dining. They explained which dishes were naturally gluten-free and which might have a risk of cross-contamination, so ordering was easy.

With the great setting, helpful staff, and tasty food, this was a meal I’ll remember from Santorini.

Aroma Gefsis

Gluten-Free Options

Aroma Gefsis was close to our hotel in Imerovigli, so it was easy for us to visit. We liked it so much that we went back for lunch before leaving for the airport. It doesn’t have the dramatic caldera views you see at many restaurants in Santorini, but the food made up for it.

We started with a Greek salad and fava. I ordered the traditional pork gyros both times because I liked them so much, and on our second visit, my husband did too. It was one of our favorite meals on the island.

The staff was friendly and helpful, and they answered my questions about eating gluten-free. At the end of the meal, they brought a complimentary dessert. Instead of cake, they served Greek yogurt with honey, which was naturally gluten-free.

If you’re staying in Imerovigli, I recommend stopping here. The food was always good, the service was great, and it’s a place we’d happily visit again.

Pelican Kipos

Gluten-Free Options

After a morning exploring Santorini, we stopped at Pelican Kipos for lunch. The restaurant is in the center of Fira and has a garden with trees, flowers, and pergolas, making it a cozy, shaded place to relax.

We started with the Santorini salad, which included tomatoes, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, xinomizithra cheese, olives, and a balsamic-honey vinaigrette. For my main, I had grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and yogurt pesto sauce, and my husband had the Santorini tomato fritters.

The staff knew about gluten-free dining and answered my questions. They also offer gluten-free bread, though I didn’t need it with my meal.

The quiet garden made this a great place to take a break from the crowds in Fira. With fresh ingredients, helpful staff, and lots of gluten-free options, I’d gladly come back.

White Lounge Restaurant

Gluten-Free Options

We ate at White Lounge Restaurant on our first night since it was next to our hotel in Imerovigli. We arrived on a windy day and were glad our ferry left Milos before the weather got worse. Instead of sitting on the terrace, we picked a table inside. It was the perfect spot because we could hear the wind against the glass but still enjoy the caldera views.

We started with hummus, served with gluten-free bread, and also ordered the Golden Garden Salad. For my main, I had Pumpkin Shrimp Risotto, and my husband had the flank steak. The risotto was my favorite, and I’d order it again.

Our waiter knew about gluten-free dining and made sure I got gluten-free bread with the hummus, which I appreciated.

We enjoyed our dinner, the cozy atmosphere, and the great service. Compared to other places we tried on the Greek islands, the prices here were a bit high for a meal that wasn’t very unique. If you’re staying nearby, it’s a convenient and reliable choice, especially if you need gluten-free options.

Venetsanos Winery

Gluten-Free Options

While in Santorini, we booked a winery tour and tasting at Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori. The winery is built into the cliffs above the caldera, and the views alone are worth the visit.

The tour was interesting and helped us understand Santorini’s unique winemaking traditions. I especially liked learning how the grapevines are trained into basket-shaped circles, called kouloura. This protects the grapes from the strong winds and hot, dry climate, making the vineyards really stand out.

After the tour, we tried five different wines with local cheeses and cured meats. When I booked, I told the winery I eat gluten-free, and they were happy to provide gluten-free options for the tasting. I recommend contacting them ahead of time so they can get ready for your visit.

We really enjoyed the experience and were glad we visited a winery during our stay. With the beautiful setting and interesting history, it was a highlight of our time in Santorini.

Restaurants I Didn’t Have Time to Try

Since we only had three nights in Santorini, we couldn’t try every restaurant I wanted to visit. Some were too far from our hotel, and others didn’t fit our schedule. If we return, these places are still on my list.

• Melitini | An authentic Greek tapas restaurant in Oia serving small plates made for sharing. Their online menu clearly marks gluten-free dishes, and they even offer gluten-free pita bread.
• Pelekanos | A rooftop restaurant in Oia with beautiful caldera views, serving Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Their online menu clearly labels gluten-free dishes, and I also found several reviews mentioning that the staff was accommodating with dietary requests.
• Avocado Restaurant | Located in Imerovigli, this was another restaurant I had bookmarked close to our hotel. The menu focuses on Mediterranean dishes, with plenty of grilled meats, seafood, and salads. Gluten-free options are also clearly marked on the menu.
• Acropolis Restaurant | A traditional Greek restaurant in Perissa with plenty of gluten-free options. From my research, the staff is familiar with gluten-free requests, and dishes are labeled on the menu.

If you’ve eaten at any of these restaurants while eating gluten-free, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.

Final Thoughts on Eating Gluten-Free in Santorini

Eating gluten-free in Santorini was easier than I thought it would be. I didn’t find any dedicated gluten-free restaurants, but the staff at every place we visited understood my questions and helped me find dishes I could eat. Some places even had gluten-free bread, and I found plenty of options without feeling limited.

Greek food also makes eating gluten-free pretty easy. Fresh salads, grilled meats, fava beans, halloumi, and local dishes gave me plenty of choices. I could still try traditional Santorinian food instead of ordering the same basic meal everywhere.

Overall, I had a great experience eating gluten-free in Santorini. Ask questions, check how dishes are made, and let the staff know what you need. We had some wonderful meals during our three nights on the island, and eating gluten-free never took away from the experience.

If you’re planning a longer trip through Greece, you can also read my Gluten-Free Athens Guide and Gluten-Free Milos Guide for more restaurants and gluten-free tips from our honeymoon.