Zakynthos Town has a better range of eating options than most of the resort strips around the island. The harbour esplanade is lined with tavernas serving grilled fish, octopus, and the usual Greek meze. For a more local experience, look for the narrow streets behind Solomos Square where smaller restaurants cater mainly to residents rather than tourists.
Zakynthian cooking has its own traditions distinct from mainland Greek food, with Venetian influences showing up in dishes like sofrito (beef braised in white wine and garlic) and pastitsada (slow-cooked meat in tomato and spice sauce). Look for these on menus in the more traditional tavernas.