Summer is slowly slipping away, and if ever there was a place to squeeze every last drop of it, this is it. Picture yourself on a terrace carved into the cliffs of Imerovigli, the Aegean glowing gold as the sun leans toward the horizon. You are at Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, recently voted the number one resort in both Greece and Europe. The island’s largest infinity pool is only a few steps away, but tonight’s destination is even more seductive: Varoulko Santorini, where Michelin awarded chef Lefteris Lazarou turns local seafood into something that feels both rooted in tradition and refreshingly new.
A Menu That Reads Like a Love Letter to the Sea
Dinner here moves in harmony with the island itself, each course arriving like the next chapter of a story you never want to end.
- Squid with pesto Genovese arrives in a crisp potato nest, with tomato confit and parmesan giving it a balance of sweetness and salt.
- Crayfish tartare with yuzu and ginger jolts the palate awake with bright citrus and a gentle warmth.
- Crayfish ravioli in fennel sauce is indulgent silk, pairing sweet shellfish with a light note of anise.
- Crispy sea bream rests on a delicate base of sourdough, with pea purée, carrot jam, eggplant mousse and curls of prosciutto bringing texture and contrast.
- Red mullet shines against string bean purée and mushroom, letting its natural depth of flavour carry the plate.
- Kakavia, the traditional fisherman’s soup, is reimagined with monkfish, staying true to its Ionian roots while tasting clean and contemporary.
The wine list celebrates Santorini’s volcanic soil. Assyrtiko whites bring sharp mineral freshness to seafood, while deeper local reds wrap around the smokier and earthier dishes.
More Than a Meal
Dining at Varoulko Santorini is theatre played out against one of the world’s greatest backdrops. The tables are set so the sea is part of the conversation. Service is calm and precise, and if the breeze picks up, blankets appear without a word. As the light fades from honey to midnight, the evening becomes a memory as carefully layered as the dishes themselves.
The Rest of the Story
When you are not dining, Grace Hotel offers moments that make summer feel infinite. There are yacht trips, guided hikes up Skaros Rock, and aperitivo hour at 363 Bar, where the caldera’s sunset feels like it belongs only to you. The suites and villa are designed for lingering, whether that means a private plunge pool, your own spa, or a butler at the ready.
Why You Book Now
Summer is not gone yet. There is still time to claim one more golden evening, one more table on a terrace above the sea, one more meal that defines the season. Varoulko Santorini is not just dinner with a view. It is proof that the last chapter of summer can be the most unforgettable.
Imerovigli 847 00, Greece
