Kos Town's restaurant scene caters heavily to the mass tourist market — beach bars, cocktail places, and tavernas with picture menus in multiple languages line the harbour front. Better food is found a few streets inland, where local tavernas serve fresh fish, grilled octopus, and the Greek island standards at honest prices.
Kos produces good local wine; the Halaris winery near the village of Pyli is worth seeking out if you have transport. The mountain village of Zia is touristy but the tavernas there do serve reasonable Greek food with good views toward the Turkish coast.