ELEA Restaurant is the kind of place you commit to. It is not a "let's wander past and grab a table" spot — it sits 4 km up a hill from Himara town, on the SH8 above the coast, attached to a family-run guesthouse with a garden full of olive trees and Mediterranean herbs. Once you are there, you are there for the evening. And once you have eaten there, you understand why people who skip the harbor restaurants drive up here instead.
This is a review, not a placement on a list — what to actually order, the cost reality of the most upscale-feeling restaurant on this side of Himara, and the practical issues (the drive, the reservation requirement, the menu that leans Greek not Italian) that the 4.7-star average glosses over.
Quick Take
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Modern Mediterranean, Greek-leaning |
| Location | SH8, hilltop ~4 km from Himara town center |
| Coordinates | 40.0947, 19.7668 |
| Setting | Garden, hilltop, sea view, family-owned guesthouse |
| Price range | Moderate-Upscale (€€-€€€) |
| Best for | Sunset dinners, anniversaries, slow Mediterranean meals |
| Must try | Lamb orzotto, moussaka, cheese sticks, Greek salad with figs |
| Reservations | Strongly recommended in summer; usually required for sunset slot |
| Phone | +355 68 278 6200 |
| Rating | 4.7 (110+ reviews) |
| Cash or card | Both accepted |
What ELEA Is Not
Two expectations to set before you go.
It is not in town and not walkable. ELEA sits on the SH8 above the coast, a few minutes south of Himara by car or scooter. You can technically walk it — about 35-40 minutes uphill from Spile beach — but in summer heat that is a poor idea, and at night you would be walking the highway shoulder. Plan on a taxi (around 600-800 ALL one way), a scooter, or a designated driver if wine is in the picture.
It is not a casual taverna. This is the only restaurant in the immediate Himara cluster that genuinely feels like fine-ish dining — the plating is contemporary, portions are smaller-and-prettier than at Velco or Lefteri, and the bill at the end matches that positioning. If you want a no-frills Greek grill house, Taverna Velco at Potam is the comparable spot.
What to Order
The kitchen is Greek-rooted with modern Mediterranean instincts — small Greek dishes, a handful of pastas, and grilled meats and seafood. The menu rotates seasonally, so consider this a guide to the kitchen's strengths rather than a standing list.
Starters
- Cheese sticks (filo-wrapped, drizzled with honey). The most-recommended starter in 110+ reviews. Around 800-1,000 ALL.
- Greek salad with figs — a riff on the standard with fresh figs alongside the feta when in season. Around 900-1,100 ALL.
- Mezze board — tzatziki, taramasalata, melitzanosalata, fava — split between two. 1,400-1,700 ALL.
Mains
- Lamb orzotto — slow-braised lamb shoulder over orzo. The signature main. 2,200-2,800 ALL.
- Moussaka — the classic Greek bake, made well. 1,500-1,800 ALL.
- Grilled fish of the day by weight. Priced per kilo. See our Albanian fish vocabulary guide for what to look for on a Greek-leaning menu (sea bream / tsipoura, sea bass / lavraki).
- Lamb chops — grilled, simply done, served with potatoes. 2,400-2,900 ALL.
Desserts
- Homemade cheesecake — the regular reviewer recommendation. Around 600-800 ALL.
- Galaktoboureko — semolina custard in filo, syrup-soaked. 500-700 ALL.
What to skip
- The pasta-only dishes. They are competent, but the kitchen's strength is grills and Greek slow cooking. If you want pasta, go to Bocca Restaurant on Main Street.
- The "international" interpretations. Stay in the Greek-Mediterranean lane and the kitchen rewards you.
What It Costs (May 2026)
Two people, dinner: shared starter, one Greek salad, one lamb orzotto, one whole grilled fish, two glasses of wine, dessert, and water — roughly 6,500-8,500 ALL (€65-85) total, or €32-42 per person. That puts ELEA at the upper end of the Himara price range, alongside the better hotel restaurants.
A lighter dinner — moussaka or lamb chops, salad, one glass of wine — is closer to €20-28 per person.
The wine list is the longest in the immediate area. House wine is competent. Bottles run €18-45 from regional Albanian producers; see our Albanian wine guide for what to look for.
When to Go
- Sunset (8:00-9:30 PM in July, earlier in spring/autumn) — the hilltop gets the full Ionian sundown across the bay. The terrace tables fill first; reserve and ask for one.
- Slow lunch (1:30-3:30 PM) — the garden is shaded, and the moussaka-and-Greek-salad combo at lunch is a steal compared to dinner mains.
- Avoid arriving without a reservation in July-August — the place fills, and the drive up to find no table is a wasted hour.
ELEA is closed in winter. The shoulder months (May, late September, October) are the best ratio of weather + atmosphere + availability.
Getting There
From Himara town center: 4 km up the SH8 (south, then up the hill). Options:
- Taxi — 600-800 ALL one way, 8-10 minutes. Most comfortable, especially after wine.
- Scooter — 10-12 minutes. Easy ride; small parking area at the restaurant.
- Drive — small parking lot, fills in summer. Tight but workable.
- Walk — uphill 35-40 minutes from Spile. We do not recommend it after dark; the SH8 has no pedestrian shoulder in places.
If you are coming from outside Himara — Dhermi, Borsh, or further — see our drive times matrix for realistic transit times.
Verdict
8.7 / 10. ELEA earns its position as one of the most-recommended restaurants in the Himara area for three reasons: the kitchen does Greek-Mediterranean cooking with genuine technique, the hilltop garden setting is the best in town, and the consistency over multiple visits and 110+ reviews is unusually high. The price is fair for the quality and the setting, but it is real money — this is not a budget spot.
Who it's for: anyone planning one "nice dinner" of a Himara trip. Couples, anniversaries, or anyone who wants the most polished Mediterranean meal on this stretch of coast. Slower travelers willing to commit an evening.
Who it's not for: walk-up casual diners, anyone wanting Italian pasta as the main event, anyone on a tight budget — at €30-40 per person you can have two dinners at a beach taverna.
FAQ
Where is ELEA Restaurant in Himara?
ELEA is on the SH8 highway about 4 km uphill from Himara town center, attached to a family-run guesthouse. Coordinates: 40.0947, 19.7668. It is not within walking distance for most travelers — plan on a taxi or scooter (5-10 minutes from Spile beach).
Do I need a reservation at ELEA Restaurant?
In July and August, yes — especially for the sunset slot (8-9:30 PM). Call +355 68 278 6200 the day before. In May, June, and September, walk-ins are usually fine outside peak hours, but a reservation is still recommended for terrace tables.
What's the best dish at ELEA Restaurant?
The lamb orzotto and moussaka are the most-recommended mains. For a fuller experience, order the cheese sticks as a starter, a Greek salad with figs, lamb orzotto, and homemade cheesecake. Reviews frequently single out these as standout dishes.
How much does dinner cost at ELEA Restaurant?
Expect €30-45 per person for dinner with a starter, main, glass of wine, and dessert. Lighter dinners run €20-28. ELEA is at the upper end of Himara restaurant prices but priced fairly for what is one of the most polished Mediterranean kitchens on this stretch of coast.
Is ELEA Restaurant the same as ELEA in Saranda?
No — they are separate restaurants with similar names. The ELEA in this review is in Himara, on the SH8 hilltop. There is also an ELEA in Saranda, run by different owners. If you are searching online, double-check the location.
For more high-end options, see our best restaurants in Himara ranking and the Himara couples guide for date-night picks. For a casual sister-experience at the seafront, Taverna Velco at Potam is the natural alternative.
