Kamari: Greek Show, Buffet Dinner, and Drinks at Dimitris

A Greek night at Dimitris is less a quiet dinner than a friendly party with a buffet attached. You get live music, traditional costumes, dancing, audience participation, and the familiar Greek plate-smashing finale, all in one three-hour evening in Kamari.

I like the unlimited house wine, beer, and soft drinks, which keeps the $71 price easy to understand. I also like the way the performers invite people onto the dance floor instead of leaving you to watch from your table. The main caution is space: once many people begin dancing, the floor can feel crowded, and the room may feel warm on a busy evening.

Key points to know before booking

• Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the buffet and bar ready from 8 p.m.
• The show begins at 9 p.m. and runs until about 10:55 p.m.
• Zorba, syrtaki, bouzouki, violin, and traditional costumes shape the performance.
• Wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are included, but spirits and cocktails cost extra.
• Seating is first come, first served, with couples and groups placed in different seating areas.
• You can join the dancing and smash a plate, but participation is not forced.

What kind of Greek night is this?

Dimitris Restaurant offers the sort of evening many people hope to find on a first visit to Greece: familiar food, live music, folk dancing, raised glasses, and a little harmless chaos. It is not a formal concert or a fine-dining meal. It is designed to get you clapping, standing up, and joining the action.

The setting is in Kamari, one of Santorini’s main resort areas. You make your own way to Dimitris Restaurant, check in with your phone or printed reservation, and let the staff help you find a table. The host team speaks Greek and English.

The experience suits couples, families, and groups. Children can take part in the dancing, and one family specifically found the crowd participation a hit with a 12-year-old. Babies under one year old are not considered suitable for the event, and the show is not recommended for people with epilepsy.

I would choose this night if you want an easy, social introduction to Greek music and dancing. I would not choose it if you are looking for a quiet meal, a small private performance, or a highly regional food tour.

Arriving at 7:30 p.m. for the best start

The doors open at 7:30 p.m., but the most useful arrival time is 8 p.m., when the buffet and bar open. Since seating is first come, first served, arriving near opening gives you a better chance of getting the arrangement you want.

Couples are seated in a dedicated couples’ section, opposite each other. Groups are placed together in a group seating area. The staff chooses from the available tables for your party, so you cannot count on selecting a precise table or location.

This matters most if you care about your view of the performers. Arriving early lets you settle in before the room fills and gives you time to understand the layout. It also prevents the evening from feeling rushed, since the buffet service begins an hour before the main performance.

Bring your reservation on your phone or printed out. There is no transportation included, so you must arrange your own way to and from the restaurant. One useful touch noted in the experience details is that the staff can help arrange taxis for people who need them at the end of the night, but you should not treat that as included transportation.

The buffet from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The dinner is self-service. From 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can return to the buffet and sample the Greek dishes and traditional desserts. This format works well for a lively group because everyone can eat at their own pace rather than waiting through a long sequence of courses.

The food receives strong praise for its quantity, freshness, and range. People with different tastes can usually find something appealing, and one diner specifically found several gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free choices. If you have a serious allergy, still speak with the staff before serving yourself, since the available information does not promise a fully allergy-controlled kitchen.

The food is best viewed as a broad Greek buffet, not a carefully researched regional tasting menu. Some diners found it very good and plentiful, while one more critical opinion wished for staples such as lamb and sardines. That is a fair point to keep in mind. You may enjoy the selection without finding every classic Greek dish represented.

I like the buffet for the freedom it gives you. You can have a small first plate, try something else, and return for more before the show begins. If food is the main reason you book, though, you may find a local taverna offers a more focused meal.

Traditional desserts are included. The drinks available at the bar include wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Reports specifically identify house red, white, and rosé wine, along with beer and nonalcoholic drinks. Spirits and cocktails are not part of the package, although they may be purchased separately.

The bar remains open until 10:40 p.m. That gives you time to order during the performance, though the buffet closes earlier. Plan to eat enough before the dancing starts, since the main show begins at 9 p.m.

Bouzouki, violin, and the 9 p.m. show

At about 9 p.m., the evening changes from dinner to performance. Live musicians play Greek songs featuring instruments including the violin and bouzouki, the long-necked string instrument closely linked with Greek popular music.

The show includes traditional dances such as zorba and syrtaki. Dancers wear traditional costumes and perform choreographed numbers, giving you a clear visual sense of the music’s rhythm and character. The emphasis is on energy and participation rather than a lecture about regional dance traditions.

That is both the strength and the limit of the experience. You get an entertaining introduction to Greek music, but you should not expect detailed historical explanations or a specialist cultural demonstration. The evening is built for enjoyment. A short film may also appear as part of the program, and some people may find its purpose unclear without more explanation.

The performers are the heart of the night. Their job is not simply to dance in front of you. They encourage people to stand, copy the steps, and join the line. You can participate as much or as little as you like. Sitting back and watching is acceptable, but the event is more fun if you are willing to try.

You do not need dance experience. The steps are presented as part of the entertainment, and the atmosphere is forgiving. Nobody expects polished footwork. The best approach is to follow the performers, smile at your mistakes, and let the group carry you along.

Joining the dance floor without pressure

Audience participation is a major part of the experience. The dancers bring people into the action, and families, couples, and larger parties can all take part. This makes the evening feel more personal than a performance watched entirely from a table.

There is no requirement to dance. That matters if one person in your group loves attention while another prefers to watch. You can stay seated, enjoy the music, and still understand what the experience is about.

The tradeoff is space. When many people join at once, the dance area can become crowded. If you want room to move, join early or wait for a less busy moment. If you dislike being called into group activities, this may not be your ideal night out, even though participation is described as voluntary.

The show is suitable for a wide range of ages. Families have enjoyed the interaction, and couples and adult groups also fit comfortably into the format. People with epilepsy should avoid the event, and babies under one year are not suitable.

Plate smashing and the final stretch

The plate-smashing activity gives the evening its most recognizable party moment. You can take a plate and throw it onto the floor for good luck, following a custom associated with Greek celebrations.

This is a planned part of the entertainment, not an invitation to break tableware throughout dinner. Join when prompted, follow the staff’s instructions, and take care around the broken pieces. The available information describes plate smashing as included, though the number of plates per person may be limited.

For many people, this is the part that turns a standard dinner show into a memorable group activity. It is especially good for families and friends who want a shared photo or a simple story to take home. If you prefer a calm and polished evening, it may feel noisy and theatrical.

The bar stays open until about 10:40 p.m., and the show ends around 10:55 p.m. The listed duration is three hours, which fits the 7:30 p.m. opening through the end of the performance.

Is $71 good value?

At $71 per person, the price makes sense if you will use the dinner, drinks, and show as one package. You receive a buffet, traditional desserts, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and water, plus nearly two hours of music and dancing. You also avoid the need to choose a separate restaurant and entertainment option for the evening.

The value is strongest for people who want drinks with dinner. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, while cocktails and liquor are not. If you do not drink alcohol, the package still includes food, water, soft drinks, and the show, but the price may feel less compelling than it does for a group that will make good use of the open bar.

The meal is plentiful, but I would not book this mainly for rare Greek specialties. Think of it as a generous buffet that supports a party atmosphere. The entertainment, friendly hosting, and chance to dance do much of the work.

There is also no transportation in the price. Add the cost and effort of getting to Kamari and returning to your accommodation. That is a small issue if you are already staying nearby, but a practical one if you are based elsewhere on Santorini.

Who should book Dimitris Restaurant?

I would recommend this night to:

• Couples who want a social evening rather than a private dinner
• Families with older children who enjoy music and dancing
• Friends who want a simple group celebration
• First-time visitors who want a cheerful introduction to Greek performance traditions
• Anyone who likes audience participation and does not mind getting up from the table

I would think twice if you want a quiet, intimate meal, a small audience, or a detailed food-focused tour. The seating is communal in spirit, the dance floor can become crowded, and the food is a buffet rather than a carefully paced restaurant meal.

On warm evenings, dress for comfort. Air conditioning is not specified in the activity details, and the combination of a full room, dancing, and summer weather may feel warm. Smoking and vaping are not allowed indoors, and pets are not permitted.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which helps if your Santorini plans are still shifting.

Check the starting time for your chosen date, since availability controls the exact schedule. The standard evening begins with doors at 7:30 p.m., buffet and drinks at 8 p.m., the show at 9 p.m., and the farewell at about 10:55 p.m.

Should you book this Greek night?

Book it if you want a lively, easy-to-join evening with Greek food, included wine and beer, live bouzouki music, traditional dancing, and a chance to make some noise with a plate. The strongest reason to go is not the buffet alone. It is the combination of music, friendly hosting, and the way the performers draw the room into the celebration.

Skip it if you want a quiet taverna dinner or a serious study of Greek dance. For everyone else, especially families and groups, Dimitris offers good all-in-one value at $71. Arrive around 8 p.m., eat before the show, keep an open mind about joining the dance floor, and expect the evening to end with plenty of applause and broken pottery.

FAQ

Where is the Greek show held?

The experience is held at Dimitris Restaurant in Kamari, in the South Aegean region of Greece.

How long does the evening last?

The listed duration is three hours. The standard schedule runs from the 7:30 p.m. door opening to the farewell at about 10:55 p.m.

What time should I arrive?

The doors open at 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. is the recommended arrival time because that is when the buffet and bar open.

What food is included?

A self-service buffet of Greek specialties and traditional desserts is included. The buffet is available from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Is transportation included?

No. You must make your own way to Dimitris Restaurant. Staff may help arrange taxis for people who need them after the show.

Is the seating reserved?

Seating is first come, first served. Couples are placed in a dedicated couples’ section, and groups are seated together in a group seating area.

Do I have to dance?

No. You can watch the performance from your table, but the show encourages voluntary audience participation.

Is plate smashing included?

Yes. Plate smashing is included as part of the evening’s activities.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.