Selene
The island's pioneering fine-dining room, now back in central Fira inside a restored 18th-century Catholic monastery (Katikies Garden), championing Santorinian produce.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Selene worth it?
Selene deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
The grandfather of serious Santorini cooking — founded by Yiorgos Hatziyannakis in 1986, the kitchen that first treated the island's fava, cherry tomatoes, capers and white eggplant as fine-dining ingredients rather than taverna staples.
- 02
After years up in Pyrgos it has returned to Fira, set in the vaulted stone of an old monastery a few streets back from the caldera rim.
Is it a fit?
Go if
You're watching the budget
Selene earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Selene.
You're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Selene is an easy yes.
You're traveling solo
Solo, Selene is an easy yes.
Think twice if
You're traveling with kids
With kids, skip Selene.
You're planning for two
Selene offers some romance, but not enough to make it the reason to go.
The plates that decide it
- Tomato keftedes (Santorini cherry-tomato fritters) — the local fritter done by the kitchen that made it famous
- Fava topped with grilled octopus — the island's split-pea purée treated seriously
- Tasting menu with Santorini wine pairing — the fullest expression of the kitchen and the volcanic-wine list
Plan it well
- Cost
- Upper tier — tasting menu and wine push it to a splurge
- Allow
- 2–2.5 hours
Sources and method (3)
- Selene was founded in 1986 by Yiorgos and Evelyn Hatziyannakis as Santorini's pioneering fine-dining restaurant built on the island's local produce. selene.gr ↗
- After years in Pyrgos, Selene relocated back to central Fira inside Katikies Garden, a property on the grounds of a former 18th-century Catholic monastery. news.gtp.gr ↗
- Since 2021 the kitchen has been led/evolved by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. selene.gr ↗