Interview - Keri Lighthouse, a Beacon of Hospitality in Zakynthos
- Cassandre Parent
- Aug 12
- 6 min read
Perched above Zakynthos, a unique destination offers a different perspective on gastronomy. Through a conversation with Timos, the founder’s son, discover the story of Keri Lighthouse and the philosophy that shapes its cuisine today.
At Keri Lighthouse, perched on the cliffs of the Greek island of Zakynthos, guests come as much for what is on the plate as they do for the endless horizon stretching across the Ionian Sea. But this spectacular view is far more than a backdrop. In a conversation with the restaurant’s owner, Timos, we discovered how Keri Lighthouse has made the panorama the heart of its culinary experience, inviting guests on a true journey for the senses.
Among the many wonders scattered across Greece, one archipelago stands out along the country’s western shores: the Ionian Islands. Stretching across three seas — the Ionian, Adriatic and Aegean — and comprising seven main islands, they form a crossroads of influences where history meets almost otherworldly beauty. Within this archipelago, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a beloved destination for its fine sandy beaches, idyllic landscapes, dramatic forests and rich cultural heritage.
"We wanted to offer a refined gastronomic experience without ever being disconnected from the setting. Because, in our minds, you cannot offer an extremely high-end gastronomic experience in the middle of a forest."
As you follow one of the winding roads that trace the island’s coastline, you may, quite unexpectedly, come across a sign pointing in this direction: Keri Lighthouse. Unsure why — perhaps simply driven by curiosity — you follow the road, and gradually find yourself entering the forest. You are now moving through the island’s lungs: centuries-old trees, silent witnesses to its history, whose stillness you almost feel you are intruding upon.
Further on, the flat terrain gives way to an incline, and little by little the landscape fills with houses, lights and signs of life: you have arrived in Keri. Blue shutters, rooftop terraces and local shops bring you back to Greece. But you have not yet reached your destination. To get there, you must continue climbing through the olive groves.
Eventually, mountains and sea begin to emerge into view, signs that you are drawing closer. And then you see it: what you thought was a lighthouse is, in fact, a restaurant whose name is anything but misleading, a place perched on the coast, 150 metres above the sea. You have arrived at Keri Lighthouse Restaurant.
From architect to restaurateur: the birth of Keri Lighthouse
“In a way, I was practically born in this restaurant. I studied hospitality and hotel management, and it became my professional path.”
Keri Lighthouse has “a great story”. At least, that is how Timos, the founder’s son, sums up the restaurant’s origins within the first few minutes of our conversation. His father, an architect, first came to the island when he was young to carry out a project commissioned by the municipality: building a road connecting the village of Keri to the old lighthouse standing along the coast. “It was through his work that he discovered this unique piece of land, which was still unknown even to the locals,” Timos explains.
Then, with a smile, he adds: “And because he was a young architect, he immediately wanted to build a house there. So he took out a loan and stayed on the island to think about how to build it. By the time he had settled in, the road had been completed.”
But, without knowing it, his plans were about to change. Timos explains that, before long, locals — now able to reach the area thanks to the new road — discovered the site and learned about his father’s project. Living in the isolated village of Keri, they began asking whether he might have some water or food to share. What appeared to be an ordinary request planted an idea in the architect’s mind: what if this place became a restaurant?
“Everything happened very naturally, very spontaneously. There was something truly unique about this place, and it was difficult to keep it only for ourselves. So it had to be shared,” Timos tells us.” His father had no experience in the restaurant industry. He had to learn everything from scratch — and he would spend years doing so, eventually passing that legacy on to Timos. “In a way, I was practically born in this restaurant. I studied hospitality and hotel management, and it became my professional path.”
An unforgettable journey for the senses
Sharing a meal at Keri Lighthouse means awakening all the senses. Of course, there is the sense of smell and taste, but also sight, sound and touch: feeling the Mediterranean breeze and the warmth of the sun gently brush against your skin while looking out over the turquoise sea below, listening to the waves break against the shores of Zante.
Aware of the extraordinary setting of his restaurant, Timos has nevertheless made sure that the panorama would never become the sole reason to visit. “We didn’t want to become simply a tourist destination. So we wanted to find a genuine balance, to make sure that one element worked harmoniously with the other. We wanted to offer a refined gastronomic experience without ever being disconnected from the setting. Because, in our minds, you cannot offer an extremely high-end gastronomic experience in the middle of a forest.”
At Keri Lighthouse, the meal does not begin the moment guests take their seats at the table, nor does it end when they cross the threshold on their way out. Everything is conceived as a world unto itself, a pause from everyday life in which every detail contributes to the memory visitors take away with them. “I would like to tell everyone who comes to dine with us that they should not look at the experience too simply, reducing it to the view, the food or the service, as though this were just another restaurant. We don’t want it to be summed up as one specific moment, such as: ‘"I spent two hours having dinner there.’ We want it to be experienced as a whole — something that begins well before you sit down at the table and continues even after you leave.”
A culinary experience guided by its owner’s philosophy: between history and modernity
“Here, at Keri Lighthouse, we try to introduce visitors to the traditional dishes of Zakynthos."
“History” and “modernity”: these are the two words Timos chooses to summarise the philosophy of Keri Lighthouse. History, first of all, as an invitation to return to what matters and reconnect with the foundations of Greek cuisine. “To rediscover the original dishes, the traditional recipes, and reconnect with the cuisine we grew up with — the food we used to eat at home. It is also about trying to find better ingredients, because over time, products are no longer the same,” he explains.
This search for origins inevitably leads back to the singular history of Zakynthos. Shaped for centuries by Venetian influence, the island saw its cuisine enriched by Italian traditions that continue to define its culinary identity today. This heritage is complemented by a strong agricultural tradition and a privileged geographical position, giving rise to a cuisine in which the products of the land take centre stage, while never overlooking the riches of the Ionian Sea.
This way of life, deeply rooted in local culture, forms the guiding thread of the menu Timos has created. “Here at Keri Lighthouse, we try to introduce visitors to the traditional dishes of Zakynthos. To be honest, it is not the easiest thing to do,” he admits.” Passing on this heritage also means negotiating with changing tastes. “Because of this very plant-based culinary tradition, and also because Greeks are not particularly known for vegetarian cuisine, people once tended to mask flavours by using enormous amounts of spices. Today, this kind of preparation can be difficult to appreciate. It is no longer entirely suited to contemporary tastes.”
Rather than reproducing these recipes exactly as they once were, the chef chooses to reinterpret them with delicacy, making them accessible to a wider audience without ever stripping them of their essence. It is an approach that perfectly reflects the balance between fidelity and modernity he seeks to achieve.
Timos readily offers the example of one of Zakynthos’s most emblematic specialities, a dish that could never be absent from the menu: Melitzanes Skordostoubi. “The most famous dish in Zakynthos is what we call Melitzanes Skordostoubi. It is made with aubergines cooked with tomato and a very large amount of garlic. In fact, the name literally means ‘aubergines with lots of garlic.”
He adds: “We try to introduce people to this dish because it is truly delicious, but the amount of garlic traditionally used makes it difficult to eat so much today. So we try to adapt it. I wouldn’t say that we offer a modern version, but rather a more accessible one.”
In Zakynthos, dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters and sunsets naturally draw the eye. But at Keri Lighthouse, the true beacon may not be the one visible in the distance. Perhaps it is the hospitality born from a simple gesture: opening one’s door to share what one has.
A philosophy that continues to guide every plate served and every guest welcomed. And one that reminds us that a journey is measured less by the places we pass through than by the way those places receive us.
Translated by Federica Mignacca
