Candouni Restaurant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#46 of 112 Restaurants in Oia$$ - $$$, Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian friendly

+30 2286 071616+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Mon

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Tue

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Wed

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Thu

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Fri

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Sat

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

1,174 reviews

#46 of 112 Restaurants in Oia

Travelers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Mediterranean, Greek

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

features

Location and contact

Thiras - Ias, Oia 847 02 Greece

+30 2286 071616

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Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Mediterranean, Greek

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music

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4.0

1,174 reviews

Excellent

737

Very good

200

Average

Poor

Terrible

Emma H

Southampton63 contributions

Big food portions & romantic atmosphere, but slow service

Aug 2020 • couples

The food here was tapas and didn’t sound like much so we ordered loads but when it came it was actually too much really. The waitress seemed rather offended when we couldn’t manage it all actually, and insisted that we took it home with us! The atmosphere was dark, candlelit and cosy with lovely decor outside, but the service was very slow and we had to ask for the bill several times before it actually came. Wouldn’t write home about it.

Written September 6, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul R

London39 contributions

Unusual service, amazing food

Aug 2020 • couples

We ate at 8.30 and the restaurant had live music which wasn’t really to our taste (two traditional Greek players) and was a bit warm and humid. The waitress was grumpy and pretty much ignored us. She wasn’t welcoming. The waiter was pushy and slightly aggressive but we played along and ordered tapas to start and two mains together with their own (not the house) white wine. The food was amazing. It was really good. Tasty, fresh, well presented and good value. The service was slow and the atmosphere was worth it! We would go back.

Written August 29, 2020

cgs5555

24 contributions

Good food, hidden prices

Sep 2021 • couples

We thought our food was very good, except for the bread, which was incredibly stale. We asked for the 1 euro bread, and got the 3.50 per person bread. We asked for sparkling water, got one bottle, and were charged 3.50 euros per person! When we asked about it, the manager acted offended and said we had asked for the more expensive bread. We did enjoy the music, but we felt a bit cheated.

Written September 21, 2021

Lucie D

Las Vegas167 contributions

Crazy waiter/owner, told us to pay and leave!! Rude person DO NOT GO!!

Sep 2020 • couples

Where to begin... we went there because our hotel suggested it to us but they’ve never tried it. The place was empty but we decided to go anyway, the setting was cute, candles roses ect.. The waitress was polite, maybe to much and it started to feel weird, we ordered two glasses of wine and tried to sell us a bottle. Then she always said something when ordering the food to push us to get more and more saying it wasn’t enough. Diner was good, the prawns were just warm. Meanwhile the guy(probably the owner) from the clothing store in front came in and randomly started to serve dishes out of nowhere. He started shouting with some junky woman, awkward situation. When we finished our diner no one cared for us anymore , we requested the bill but a table of greek people arrived and they didn’t bring our bill for another 20 minutes. When finally it arrived we noticed a big red stamp on it written « service not included « . I felt like we ended up in a tourist trap. I went to the cashier to pay and this weird man asked me if I wanted to leave a tip for the waitress. I answered that I usually leave it on the table and never seen such a stamp on any of the taverns I’ve visited for the last week. From then he started to be agressif and told me now you not my customer anymore, you go! Also said: this is a restaurant not a tavern and it is my restaurant I do what I want. Many more details I won’t write. I felt terrible, this is the worst and only place I’ve been treated like this in my whole life. When I went back to the hotel the girl from reception told me it’s not normal at all to write the service is not included, indeed this is nog America.. I guess he got used to USA people leaving ridiculous amounts every time and insulted everyone not being part of the game Please do not go!!! Just because it’s not right to support people whom treat their clients this way Oh and he charged my credit card in my currency without asking, which I will get a real bad exchange for it

Written September 20, 2020

Fouad D

4 contributions

Bad food, bad service, mean owner and on top of all this Overpriced for what you get.

Jun 2021 • couples

The concept is ok eventhough they want to pretend they are a traditional tavern it remains extremely commercial. 1) very slow service, 1 waiter to serve everyone 2) owner is disrespectful and mean 3) food is mediocre and overpriced for the quality 4)ambiance is ok nothing special Facts: we orders mussels that were not fresh at all. Coming from south of France, we know our mussels very well. We gently asked the waiter to remove them from the table without additional comment. The owner decided to come to the table and ask why did we return the mussels. We gently replied that they dont taste fresh. He answered with an arrongant attitude: “ what mussels are fresh? Anyway I cant please everyone”. I will not visit this place again or recommend it to my network.

Written July 25, 2021

HarrietO1804

London20 contributions

Not the way to experience Greek cuisine

Sep 2021 • none

Hard to fathom the good reviews. The atmosphere and setting seem okay, but this place can’t do the basics and uses odd tactics in apparent attempt to charge even more than the already high (even for Santorini) prices. Tiri sagonaki (fried cheese) was served cold and almost raw - it should have been melty and delicious. Other food indifferent or unpleasant. We love Greek food and, in spite of being veggie, always have a great range of option and clean our plates but we couldn't here. The choices here were minimal; food came in the wrong order and slowly. The waiting were kind but the owner has an oddly defensive and aggressive manner. There seem to be too few staff and not enough thought in the food despite the owner's claims of excellence. Best to avoid.

Written September 18, 2021

Fengyi L

1 contribution

AVOID THIS!!!! Very overpriced! Also terrible food and service!

Aug 2021 • couples

AVOID!!!! In terms of food, the bread was very mediocre, some of them are even rock hard and cold. But that’s not the worst part. I ordered a grilled fish, which were served cold and too salty to eat. My bf ordered a pork dish, but there were only four small pieces of meat on the dish, which seemed very unreasonable when we checked the price. What was more irritating was their service. The boss and the other waiter were pretty much ignoring us all way through. When we ordered food, the boss took my bf’s menu out of sudden without any notice or apologies. The other waiter ignored our request for water, food, and even the bill. After all these, when we paid the bill, we waited for at least ten minutes at the counter for the boss to check the bill. And he ironically talked to us very nicely once!! For tips!!!!! (RIDICULOUS) The only highlight of the night was the waitress, who was actually quite nice and friendly. Also the price! It has been so far the most expensive meal I had in Greece(I have been here for a week) and no other restaurant even asked for any tips

Written August 26, 2021

Soozywong

London62 contributions

There are better.....

Aug 2020 • none

A very pretty looking family run restaurant situated in the narrow alleys comprising of several different rooms quaintly decorated. The son, who I believe is the maitre d’ explains the dishes in detail and with great knowledge and passion . The menu is a little limited, the portions are very large. They do however need to sort out their timings as our main course arrived whilst we were still eating our starters and the dirty lies reminded at the table for the duration of our meal

Written August 10, 2020

an_laura_b

72 contributions

Nice restaurant, ok food

Aug 2020 • couples

The Restaurant is really nicely located, charming garden seating and in a little side alley off the tourist masses. The mezze were good but we definitely had better ones on the island. Our main course (fish of the day - Dorada) was just okay. The dish was not hot, the fish a little dry and the side dish (grilled veggies) were super mediocre. All in all, it’s a nice restaurant but we definitely had better food in the same price range during our stay. The service was ok, they were only two people and too busy as the restaurant was completely full. Our waiter was nice but also a little arrogant and we did not feel as welcome as in other Greek restaurants we experienced.

Written August 22, 2020

James P

Twickenham47 contributions

Mediocre and expensive

Sep 2020 • couples

This was our last meal in Santorini and had previously stayed in Crete, Sifnos and Naxos, so felt we had a good reference of quality v cost. The food is okay, but certainly not worth what they are charging and €10 for a glass of (not great) house wine seems punchy. In total we shared a starter of fried vegetables, two mains and two glasses of wine and it came to €80. The red stamp explaining that 'service is not included', we'd not seen before and the owner automatically selected that we pay in pounds. For €80 you can get a really great meal for two in Oia, but not here.

Written October 1, 2020

minda1951

Fredericksburg25 contributions

Wonderful meal in lovely surroundings

May 2022 • none

My friend and I stayed a week in Oia in May of 2022 and this was one of our favorite restaurants. It felt like dining with family in a Greek home (and I think it actually was their home with Mama doing the cooking!). We both got the fish of the day which was absolutely wonderful, along with a bottle of local wine. We finished our meal off with their homemade baklava which was the best I've ever eaten. This place is away from the caldera, in the old town and the ambiance felt very local. We dined out on the terrace accompanied by local musicians playing Greek music. The wait staff was polite and professional. The food came promptly and we both felt that the prices were quite moderate for Oia. Try the Candouni for a dose of the real Oia. You won't be disappointed!

Written June 7, 2022

RussG

7 contributions

Get in the Greek groove

Jul 2021 • none

First off, this is Greece and the Greeks run on their own clock. Everyone is laid back. Maybe that's why they live so long. And after the year we've all endured, haven't we learned something about "stopping to smell the roses"? Secondly, this is a family owned and operated restaurant: two brothers (one in the kitchen, the other out front and the mamma overseeing everything that comes out of the kitchen. [Oh, they are all greek by the way!] How the one manages all the tables (he does have an assistant) and not mess everything up is beyond me. Rude? Absolutely not. Remember: you get what you give. He actually remembered us from a pre-covid visit. The food is authentic greek home cooking. Simple and delicious. When reviewers write that the restaurant "isn't what we expected" I have to wonder what they expected. When we were there a couple of guys were playing music and every table seemed happy and festive. The outdoor patio is a lovely setting to enjoy your meal. Not sure what more you could want. Ignore the naysayers and go. p.s. Not sure why someone would "review" a restaurant they didn't even try.

Written July 21, 2021

Brooke E

London45 contributions

The one place I’ll fully recommend in Oia

Aug 2021 • couples

Of all the places we ate in Oia, this is the place that I will recommend to friends and family if they visit. The food was extremely flavourful and great value for money. I will forever be dreaming of their shrimp saganaki and the lamb. The live local folk music adds so much to the ambiance so make sure you reserve a table on the terrace on an evening with live music. Don’t be put off by negative reviews on here, I think they come from a place of not fully appreciating the local culture or traditions. The owner is forthright but lovely and his passion for his family’s recipes is endearing. I highly recommend.

Written August 16, 2021

SallyG007

St. Albans17 contributions

A ProperTaverna

Sep 2021 • none

The Candouni was recommended to us as a place we would get authentic Greek food in a relaxed atmosphere. We were lucky enough to go when there was live Greek music playing which added to the atmosphere. The restaurant is tucked away down one of the side streets and some of the tables are in an open air courtyard. The Maitre D' was very knowledgeable about his dishes and took time to explain them to us and recommend a wine. The food was hearty and tasty, I had the Rooster with rice - delicious and plenty of it! Fine dining it is not - and all the better for it!

Written September 30, 2021

Patrick C

3 contributions

Best place to eat in all of Santorini

Apr 2022 • couples

My wife and I had dinner here last night and it was the best experience we had in our week in Santorini. We took a few back streets looking for something more authentic and stumbled upon this place. We didn’t have a reservation but they fit us in anyways. It’s a very authentic, home cooked, family feel to it. It’s been family owned for over 20 years and they’ve narrowed down their menu to what they do best and the most popular dishes. The service was unbelievable, there were only two people working the tables and they were more attentive and nice than any of the other restaurants we visited (~8 others). The prices were also extremely cheap. You get so much food for such a little price that you feel guilty! One of the owners has 2 little dogs that run around that are hilarious- It only added to the amazing night. The food, the staff, the dogs, the atmosphere, and prices made this a 10/10. We were there for several hours and were the last to leave and wobbled home after.