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There are dinners you eat, and then there are dinners you remember. Last night in Argostoli landed firmly in the second category.

We ended up at Premier, a restaurant right on Vallianos Square in the heart of Argostoli. The square itself deserves a mention before I even get to the food. It’s a wide, palm-lined pedestrian plaza in the centre of town, buzzing with locals and visitors in the evening, with that effortlessly beautiful Mediterranean atmosphere that you really can’t fake. Eating outside there as the sun goes down felt like exactly the right way to spend a night in Kefalonia.

Premier has been a fixture in Argostoli for 35 years, and the menu reflects that range of experience. You’ll find traditional Kefalonian recipes sitting alongside Italian classics like pizza and pasta, risotto, and even a patisserie and gelateria. There’s something for everyone, but the Greek side of the menu is where the soul of the place really shines.

Now, the food.

We started with the Kefalonian feta cheese, simply served with fresh oregano and local olive oil. I know it sounds almost too simple, but that’s the point. When the olive oil is this good and the feta is this fresh, you don’t need much else. It set the tone perfectly.

For mains, the table went two ways. The Greek risotto came with tomato, herbs, pepper and a feta mousse that gave it a wonderfully creamy and tangy finish. A clever Greek spin on a classic, rich without being heavy, with flavours that kept pulling you back in. I went with the traditional pork gyros, served on a homemade pita with onion, tomato, parsley, tzatziki, smoked paprika and fried potatoes. The pork came thinly sliced, the way a proper gyros should be, well-seasoned and flavourful, with the smoked paprika adding just the right amount of depth. The kind of dish that reminds you why Greek street food became legendary.

Premier is the kind of place that does Greek classics with care and a bit of polish, without losing any of the soul. Pair that with a seat outside on one of the most charming squares in the Ionian Islands, and you’ve got a hard evening to beat.

Restaurant: Premier Argostoli

Address: Rizospaston 9, Argostoli, Kefalonia

Vibe: Casual taverna meets modern Greek bistro, with outdoor seating on Vallianos Square

Website: premier-kefalonia.gr