Greece Ranked World’s Top Destination for Dock and Dine Tourism

Greece is now the world’s number one spot for “dock and dine” tourism. A new study by BoatBooker gives it the top rank. The research analyzed over 1,000 spots in 45 countries. Greece beat all others by a large margin.

What Makes a Dock and Dine Destination?

These are restaurants you can only reach by boat. They have no road or bridge access. The journey by sea is part of the experience. Therefore, it avoids the traffic and crowds of busy tourist spots.

Greece’s Impressive Numbers

Greece has 349 restaurants that meet strict criteria. Each one has a minimum 4.5-star rating and many reviews. In fact, Greece alone covers 34% of the global total. The Saronic, Ionian, and Dodecanese islands scored highest. Hydra, Paxos, and Symi stand out as top maritime food hubs.

The Mediterranean Advantage

The Mediterranean leads in island hospitality by far. Greece, Croatia, and Italy together make up over 70% of these special restaurants. A distinct group of these spots scored extremely high. About 24% of them earned a near-perfect 4.8 stars or more.

Types of Top Destinations

The study reveals two main types of popular spots.
High-traffic gems: Places like Mambo Beach in Indonesia serve many guests but keep excellent ratings.
Hidden gems: Over 40% are small, family-run businesses with fewer reviews. This shows a growing trend for authentic, exploratory dining.

Indonesia’s Strong Performance

Indonesia is a powerful competitor in this field. It is home to the highest-weighted restaurant in the study, Mambo Beach. This challenges the usual Mediterranean dominance in seafood destinations.

Why the Study Matters

“For many travellers, dining is central to any trip,” says Joris Zantvoort of BoatBooker. Finding the right place can be chaotic in busy areas. The goal is to guide travellers to relaxed, highly-rated spots. Arriving by boat makes the meal a complete, meaningful experience. It encourages a slower pace and a deeper connection to the place.