Review: Patio Dining, Vasiliki, Lefkada, Greece

Some restaurants lure you with location. Others, with spectacle. And then there are those places that don’t need to shout, like Patio Dining. It sits, quietly self-assured, just one street back from the tourist tide in Vasiliki, and yet somehow at the very heart of the village’s culinary soul.

Opened in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Dimitris and Lena, Patio Dining is testament to Greece, to Greek hospitality, and above all, to good food done right – seemingly without trying too hard. But it’s clear that they have poured themselves into the venture — not just into the menu, but into the mood, the pacing, the welcome. We’re warmly welcomed by Dimitris himself, who greets us like old friends, even though we’d previously merely exchanged a few messages via WhatsApp.

The food

Whilst the tavernas on Vasiliki’s seafront jostle for attention and waiters try to beckon you in as you pass, Patio Dining sits back and simply lets its food to the heavy lifting. Instead, they rely on people finding their way, and for that custom to keep on returning, without the need to harrass passers-by.

And when the food arrives, you understand why.

Among our starters are the steamed mussels, in a broth of lemon, garlic and white wine, the halloumi cheese, griddled until golden and served with a sweet chilli marmalade, and – my favourite – the saganaki prawns. The latter are nestled in a sauce of fresh tomato, garlic, and green pepper, with a deliciously indulgent sprinkling of feta.

Our mains include the beautifully-presented, and equally succulent, homemade chicken skewer, which is subtly seasoned, perfectly grilled and bathed in a mustard sauce.

We also enjoy the Patio specialty dish of drunk giant prawns, served with wild rice and accompanied with a sauce of metaxa 5*, orange juice and creamy tomato. It’s decadent and light, and joyfully Greek.

And the linguine marinara? A tangle of perfectly al dente ribbons with a fresh tomato sauce that truly captured the taste of vine-ripened tomatoes, and that you’d be hard-pushed to replicate back home.

For dessert, we tried a trio of Greek classics: the baklava with ice cream, sticky and indulgent, and laced with spice and syrup; the molten and unapologetically rich chocolate lava cake; and the fragrant and sun-kissed orange pie, the syrup cutting through the citrus with perfect balance.

The chef

The kitchen is led by Mary Polites — a Greek-Australian chef whose story is as layered as her baklava. Raised in Australia by Greek parents, and surrounded by Italian neighbours, her food reflects this cultural mosaic: Greek in soul, and Mediterranean in instinct. Having lived and worked in Vasiliki for over 35 years, her food keeps bringing diners back time and time again.

The ambience

Patio Dining enjoys a gentle buzz with a canopy that shields diners from the sun’s glare, without shutting it out entirely. As the evening progresses and the sun dips behind the mountains, the canopy is drawn back, revealing the night sky above and letting the breeze do the rest. Warm lighting, soft shadows and bursts of greenery complete the setting.

The cost

Prices are honest and proportionate. Starters come in around €10–15, while pizzas and traditional Greek dishes hover in the €15–€20 range. Seafood dishes are closer to €30, as are the prime steak cuts. For the quality, it feels almost underpriced.

The final verdict

Patio Dining isn’t trying to be anything other than itself — and in today’s performative dining world, that’s rare. There’s no website beyond the usual social media channels, no QR-code menus or branded hashtags. Just a few blackboard specials, quality food made with care and served with heart, in a space that breathes with the rhythm of the island. Make sure you visit if you ever find yourself in Vasiliki and be sure to try the saganaki prawns.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Patio Dining. Our trip was sponsored by AEGEAN Airlines.