Tourists Abandon Greek Restaurants – Rising Costs Shift Dining

Greek restaurants in popular tourist destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos are seeing fewer customers as visitors increasingly turn to supermarket meals and self-catering. A June 2025 poll by Alco, cited by UK media, identifies rising accommodation, ferry, and restaurant costs as the main reasons behind the shift. The trend has sparked headlines about a “panic in Greece,” but official data remains limited and the picture is more nuanced.

Key Insights

• The primary driver is cost, not quality or service – the Alco poll points to accommodation, ferry, and restaurant prices.
• Supermarket dining signals a behavior shift among budget‑conscious tourists.
• Santorini and Mykonos are specifically named as hotspots for tourism drop, but the pattern may extend to other overpriced destinations.
• Isolated incidents (menu removals, restaurant disputes) are not representative of a broader crisis.
• The situation is ongoing; no official government response has been reported yet.
• Comparison with Mallorca shows similar price‑related concerns in other Mediterranean hotspots.

Snapshot Facts

Greece Tourism Down

The available evidence points to a real, if uneven, decline in tourism to certain Greek islands. Air arrivals to Santorini were down 19% according to Hellenic News, while ferry bookings dropped 7%. Mykonos, by contrast, showed signs of recovery.

Santorini: Earthquake Fears and Price Complaints

An Euronews report indicates that earthquake activity earlier in 2025 discouraged many international visitors from choosing Santorini for summer holidays. This safety concern compounds the price issue.

Mykonos: Value for Money Under Scrutiny

A TripAdvisor forum references a Greek newspaper article saying tourists are turning their backs on Mykonos because of “value for money” concerns. High prices, crowding, and limited resources are frequently cited.

Mallorca: A Parallel Trend

Search queries for “Mallorca tourist slump” suggest a similar pattern of price sensitivity in another Mediterranean hotspot, though direct comparisons remain anecdotal.

Greece Panic

Media coverage, particularly from UK tabloids, has framed the situation as a “panic”. However, the tone may exaggerate isolated incidents into a general trend. The Alco poll cited by Express is a key piece of evidence, but it does not provide a full census.

The “Supermarket Dinners” Trend

Instead of dining out, many tourists buy groceries and cook in their rentals. This behavior fits a broader pattern of price resistance: when restaurant prices rise faster than perceived as inflated, visitors trade down to supermarkets, bakeries, and street food. No high‑quality source has yet quantified this shift.

Menu Changes: The Moussaka Incident

A Birmingham Mail report from November 2024 warned that some Greek restaurants removing moussaka from menus. The reason remains unclear – possibly ingredient costs or supply chain issues. This isolated case should not be seen as representative.

Santorini Mykonos Tourism Drop

Both islands are experiencing a downturn, but the dynamics differ. Santorini’s drop is linked to earthquake fears plus pricing; Mykonos suffers mainly from perceived poor value for money. According to Hellenic News, Santorini struggled while Mykonos showed some recovery.

Mallorca Tourist Slump

Related search queries suggest a similar trend in Mallorca, which may be part of a broader Mediterranean shift as travelers seek cheaper alternatives such as Turkey or Egypt.

What Is the Timeline of Events?

1. November 2024: Birmingham Mail reports Greek restaurants removing moussaka from menus.
2. June 2025: Alco poll conducted, documenting rising accommodation, ferry, and restaurant costs as main deterrents.
3. September 11, 2025: Express publishes “Panic in Greece” article highlighting tourist shift to supermarket dinners.
4. Ongoing: Social media buzz and related searches for “tourists abandon Greek restaurants near London/Manchester” indicate sustained UK audience interest.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear?

What Broader Driving Factors Explain the Trend?

Greece’s post-COVID tourism boom led to price hikes that now face consumer backlash. Comparable “overtourism” backlash has been seen in Barcelona and Mallorca. Social media amplifies isolated incidents, such as the “no English food” complaint of moussaka removal. Ferry fares and accommodation costs have risen faster than restaurant prices, pushing tourists to cut back on dining out. Alternative destinations like Turkey and Egypt offer lower prices, drawing budget‑savvy travelers away from premium Greek islands.

What Do the Reports and Sources Say?

Express article (11 Sept 2025)

“An Alco poll in June revealed the main causes are rocketing accommodation costs, ferry fares and restaurant prices.”

Birmingham Mail (12 Nov 2024)

“UK tourists heading to the European Union holiday hotspot on vacation have been warned over a menu item being removed from the of eateries.”

Daily Mirror (Facebook video)

“A British gran said her Greek getaway was ruined – because was no English food.”

What Does This Mean for Tourists and the Greek Hospitality Industry?

The emerging story is clear: price sensitivity is rising, and tourists are re‑evaluating whether Santorini and Mykonos are worth the cost. For travelers, exploring local tavernas away from the main tourist strips or self-catering can reduce expenses. For the industry, this may signal the need to reassess pricing or risk losing the mid‑market segment. Official tourism data for summer 2025 will provide a clearer picture and confirm whether the trend is temporary or structural.

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