lements Restaurant is the gastronomic restaurant of the Canaves Oia Epitome Resort. The restaurant and the hotel are located on the stunning island of Santorini in Greece. Santorini is one of the most spectacular islands in Greece and famous for its white houses and blue chapels, perched dramatically on the island’s cliffs. The breath-taking natural landscape combined with the picturesque, white and blue coloured towns, set on the cliffs above the ocean, made Santorini famous as one of the most romantic destinations in Europe.

Canaves Oia is one of the most luxurious hotel groups in Santorini and consists out of several luxurious boutique resorts. The group was founded in 1985, when the Chaidemenos family transformed two 17th-century caves, formally used to store wine, into luxurious hotel rooms. Today, there are four different Canaves Oia properties and Epitome by Canaves Oia is the most recent one. The remarkable hotel opened its doors in 2018 near the picturesque fishing village of Ammoudi. It lies within walking distance from Oia centre and offers stunning views over the ocean and Ammoudi Bay. Canaves Oia Epitome boasts several luxurious suites and villas, all with private (plunge) pools. It is the ideal getaway for those that seek romance, luxury and tranquillity. For more information about this beautiful hotel, please consult our separate review.

Elements restaurant is the flagship fine dining restaurant of the Canaves Oia group. It is centrally located next to the hotel’s pool and offers breath-taking views on the ocean and the neighbouring islands from all of the tables. The views during sunset are simply mesmerising. The interior and design at Elements restaurant is quite unique. Just like inside the hotel, elegance and bohemian luxury prevails and is combined with a natural Mediterranean atmosphere. The semi-outdoor restaurant is built with natural bricks and combines lots of wood with bright colours and an open floor plan. At the entrance of the restaurant, one will find a big bar where bartender Yiannis mixes some delicious signature cocktails – a great start of your gastronomic experience at Elements.

In the kitchen, Executive Chef Tasos Stefatos is responsible. The chef gained experience in some of Greece’s most famous restaurants such as Botrini’s in Athens, where he was the sous-chef of Ettore Botrini. He also managed the restaurant 7FoodSins, before heading to the beautiful island of Santorini. At Elements, Chef Tasos offers fine dining from the highest level and presents a sophisticated and creative menu to its guests. He starts from an internationally inspired kitchen philosophy but uses mainly Greek ingredients in his dishes. The chef and his team aim to take the culinary scene of Santorini to the next level.

A meal at Elements starts with an impressive collection of appetisers, some of them prepared at the table. The dishes themselves are often conceptually interpreted. A good example is the starter “Figaro’s Wedding”, which combines lobster with rice and Vadouvan spices. A crispy lobster claw is served on the side. The main course “Sofigado: Letter from the Ionian” is served as … a letter. A big envelope is opened at the table and reveals pork cheek with onions and burnt cream. The chefs finish it tableside with mushrooms and fresh herbs. Chef Tasos uses just the right amount of ingredients, which he considers necessary in his dishes, always respecting the main ingredient and never exaggerating with side-ingredients. Two dishes that illustrate this mind-set are the “Carrot 35 cm”, with different textures of carrot and Tsalafouti Cheese, and the “Dry Aged Scallops”, which combines juicy, delicious aged scallops with cabbage and a Bottarga Sauce. A beautiful and delicious end of your meal is the “Caldera View”: a fake volcano made out of milk chocolate, red fruits and ash ice cream.

At a mesmerising setting with extraordinary views of the Santorinian sunset, restaurant Elements is a gastronomic experience that will impress even the most demanding gourmet lovers. Talented Executive Chef Tasos Stefatos offers fine dining on the highest level in which he combines experience and storytelling with extraordinary, powerful flavours. The cooking is internationally interpreted but Greek at heart. A restaurant that is worth the journey.

Gastronomy

The Chef And The Team

Restaurant Exterior

Restaurant Interior