For a taste of the local cuisine, consider Kefalonia's prized Golden Honey, tart quince preserve or almond pralines. Another possibility is a bottle of one of Kefalonia's highly praised wines. You can visit Calliga Vineyard (selling white Robola and red Calliga Cava) or Gentilini Vineyard (with more expensive wines), both near Argostoli; or Metaxas Wine Estate, south of Argostoli. The tourist office on the waterfront will tell you how to arrange a tour.

Argostoli is the best place on Kefalonia to begin your shopping experience. Within Argostoli, check out the shops around Valianou Square and also those along Lithostrotou Street, which is widely considered to be Kefalonia's main shopping avenue. It's closed to vehicles and offers a wide variety of shops on a long stretch of cobbled street parallel to the port, between the cruise port and the Drapano Bridge. The prices here are likely to be the same as in the outlying towns and villages, since the local retailers tend to have branches in each. Close by, the resort of Lassi is also worth a look and features lots of travel-related stores and gift shops, often located close to the beaches.

Interesting ceramics are for sale at Hephaestus, on the waterfront, at 21 May; Alexander's, on the corner of Plateia Museio (the square one block back from the waterfront); and the Mistral, 6 Vironis, up the hill opposite the post office, offering the work of the potter/owner.

Most shops on the island tend to open seven days a week, although some of the smaller stores less geared to tourists often choose to close on Sundays. In general, the Kefalonia shopping hours are from 9:00am, remaining open until 10:00pm or even later, although many do close for an afternoon siesta, between 2:00pm and 5:00pm. Because so many shops stay open until late, tourists often choose to sightsee or sunbathe by day, and then take a walk around the shops during the evening.