Most people come to Zakynthos for its turquoise beaches and postcard-perfect coastline. But the island reveals its true character once you leave the sea behind and begin climbing towards the hills.
Just outside the village of Koiliomenos, hidden among vineyards, olive groves and towering pine trees, you’ll find Ampelostrates—a family-run farm and taverna that quietly celebrates everything the island has to offer. No glossy concept, no carefully manufactured “farm-to-table” narrative. Just people who grow, cook and share what the land gives them.
The drive there is part of the experience. As the roads become narrower and the crowds disappear, Zakynthos begins to feel different. Slower. Greener. More authentic. By the time you reach the stone farmhouse, the soundtrack has changed from beach clubs to birdsong.
The setting couldn’t be simpler, yet every detail feels intentional. Wooden tables tucked beneath generous shade, stone walls softened by climbing plants, handmade artwork decorating the interiors, chickens wandering freely through the garden, cats curling up beneath your chair. Nothing feels designed for Instagram, yet everything is effortlessly beautiful.
Ampelostrates was created by Antonis Maroudas, one of the island’s most respected figures in gastronomy. Today, the project continues to evolve through a younger generation determined to build on that legacy rather than reinvent it. Winemaker Alekos Maroudas crafts wines from the family’s own vineyards, while chef Andreas Korfiatis—who grew up in the village—brings fresh ideas without losing sight of local tradition. Their work feels refreshingly grounded: modern where it needs to be, deeply rooted where it matters.
The menu changes constantly because the farm does too.
What grows in the garden ends up on your plate. Wild greens, zucchini blossoms, herbs, eggs, homemade cheeses, seasonal vegetables and estate wines all travel only a few metres before becoming lunch. There is no elaborate storytelling because none is needed—the food speaks for itself.
Expect beautifully cooked dishes rather than elaborate ones: delicate pies filled with seasonal greens, slow-cooked rabbit scented with oregano, liver with local cheese, tomatoes with fresh eggs and cured sausage, alongside cheeses and wines produced by the family itself. Every plate feels generous, honest and deeply connected to the landscape surrounding it.
Lunch stretches naturally into the afternoon. A glass of wine becomes another. Conversations slow down. Time seems to move differently beneath the trees.
What makes Ampelostrates memorable isn’t simply the food—although it’s among the best you’ll eat on the island. It’s the feeling of stepping into someone’s world rather than visiting a restaurant. Nothing is rushed, nothing is over-produced and nothing tries too hard.
In an age where so many destinations perform authenticity, Ampelostrates simply lives it.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you luxury isn’t always about white tablecloths or tasting menus. Sometimes it’s a family sharing the fruits of their land, young people choosing to invest in their village instead of leaving it, and a long lunch under the trees that quietly becomes one of the highlights of your journey.
By the time you leave, you’ll remember the warmth of the people as vividly as the flavours on the table. And you’ll probably find yourself hoping that places like this never lose the very thing that makes them so special: their soul.
Info: Koiliomenos, Zakynthos, tel. +30 694 695 8790
