A Foodie's Guide to Naxian Eats (Naxos Food Guide)
Food scene
There are many good places to eat on Naxos and you will surely find something you like in our neighbourhood Agia Anna and the rest of the coastline, or in Naxos town (Chora) on the main boulevard and surrounding the castle (Kastro).
In this section here, I share a few of my favourite places to eat on the island, just in case you were looking for something else.
Apeiranthos is one of the most beautiful and charming places on Naxos and you should go there even if you aren't looking for a place to eat. Having said that, right at the centre of this beautiful mountain village, in the midst of traditional stone and marble houses, you can find Amorginos tavern (and their little cheese and local produce shop across the street, which you should definitely visit). This place is for real meat lovers since the establishment has their own butchery. Here you can taste some authentic specialties from Apeiranthos, such as various grilled meats, a pork stew rosto and local cheeses. If you are lucky and want to try something really special, you might be able to find 'zamboni' on the menu. Zamboni is a locally-produced (they make their own) type of salt-cured pork 'ham' that’s only prepared once a year and is only available for a certain period, so it’s pretty rare. The very salty, very fatty slices of pork are usually served as a cold meze and may not be to everyone’s taste (the taste is very pungent and super salty, so don't order if you are not into that), but I believe they are a real treasure.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Amorginos Tavern
ΑπειρανθοςApeiranthos is one of the most beautiful and charming places on Naxos and you should go there even if you aren't looking for a place to eat. Having said that, right at the centre of this beautiful mountain village, in the midst of traditional stone and marble houses, you can find Amorginos tavern (and their little cheese and local produce shop across the street, which you should definitely visit). This place is for real meat lovers since the establishment has their own butchery. Here you can taste some authentic specialties from Apeiranthos, such as various grilled meats, a pork stew rosto and local cheeses. If you are lucky and want to try something really special, you might be able to find 'zamboni' on the menu. Zamboni is a locally-produced (they make their own) type of salt-cured pork 'ham' that’s only prepared once a year and is only available for a certain period, so it’s pretty rare. The very salty, very fatty slices of pork are usually served as a cold meze and may not be to everyone’s taste (the taste is very pungent and super salty, so don't order if you are not into that), but I believe they are a real treasure.
This well-known, award-winning taverna located in a lovely little garden just off the road to the beautiful Alyko beach focuses on serving local Greek cuisine made with fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients. The menu is prone to change according to what produce is available, but there are always some exceptional dishes that are hard to find in many of the other restaurants. Due to their popularity, it’s notoriously difficult to get a table, so make sure to make a reservation.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taverna Axiotissa
This well-known, award-winning taverna located in a lovely little garden just off the road to the beautiful Alyko beach focuses on serving local Greek cuisine made with fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients. The menu is prone to change according to what produce is available, but there are always some exceptional dishes that are hard to find in many of the other restaurants. Due to their popularity, it’s notoriously difficult to get a table, so make sure to make a reservation.
Basically, my favourite place on the entire island to gather with some friends to have casual dinner or some drinks and bites. This family-run ouzeri located just off the main boulevard of Chora is loved by locals for their drinks, meze and simple platters of freshly grilled fish and seafood.
The grilled octopus, cuttlefish, and sardines are particularly delicious, but, if you are looking for more unusual local dishes, make sure to try out the grilled gouna (a sundried mackerel that is served whole and is flavoured with lots of oregano) and the salatouri (a skate fish (σαλάχι) salad that originated in the Cyclades). All dishes here are best enjoyed with some local ouzo, wine, or raki and a big group of friends for the most authentic Naxian experience.
note: this is a truly local ouzeri, so expect simple and tasty dishes. If you are looking for a fancy dinging experience, this is not for you.
Café Ouzerie Barabbas
Agiou GeorgiouBasically, my favourite place on the entire island to gather with some friends to have casual dinner or some drinks and bites. This family-run ouzeri located just off the main boulevard of Chora is loved by locals for their drinks, meze and simple platters of freshly grilled fish and seafood.
The grilled octopus, cuttlefish, and sardines are particularly delicious, but, if you are looking for more unusual local dishes, make sure to try out the grilled gouna (a sundried mackerel that is served whole and is flavoured with lots of oregano) and the salatouri (a skate fish (σαλάχι) salad that originated in the Cyclades). All dishes here are best enjoyed with some local ouzo, wine, or raki and a big group of friends for the most authentic Naxian experience.
note: this is a truly local ouzeri, so expect simple and tasty dishes. If you are looking for a fancy dinging experience, this is not for you.
In Kinidaros, a small picturesque mountain village outside the more usual tourist paths, you’ll find another butchery-slash-taverna. At 'Vasilarakiou', you’ll find a great selection of meat coming from their own butchery which has been operating since 1931. Each cut of meat is locally raised, beautifully cut, and grilled on a huge grill near the entrance of the shop.
Here you can gorge on juicy homemade sausages, mouth-watering grilled lamb and goat chops, soft dry aged beef steaks (various cuts) and a kontosouvli (roast pork) and kokoretsi (lamb pluck) both of which are amazingly crisp on the outside and perfectly cooked and juicy on the inside. Really the best place for meat you’ll find on the island. By the way, they’ve got surprisingly good side dishes and salads as well in case you need something green with all that meat.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Στου Βασιλαρακιου
In Kinidaros, a small picturesque mountain village outside the more usual tourist paths, you’ll find another butchery-slash-taverna. At 'Vasilarakiou', you’ll find a great selection of meat coming from their own butchery which has been operating since 1931. Each cut of meat is locally raised, beautifully cut, and grilled on a huge grill near the entrance of the shop.
Here you can gorge on juicy homemade sausages, mouth-watering grilled lamb and goat chops, soft dry aged beef steaks (various cuts) and a kontosouvli (roast pork) and kokoretsi (lamb pluck) both of which are amazingly crisp on the outside and perfectly cooked and juicy on the inside. Really the best place for meat you’ll find on the island. By the way, they’ve got surprisingly good side dishes and salads as well in case you need something green with all that meat.
This cozy taverna is located at the intersection of several excellent hiking paths in a lush green valley in Mesi Potamia. The beautiful green garden full of home-grown vegetables and fruits really makes this the perfect place to enjoy some cold wine and some homemade Greek cuisine in the cooling shade of a tree. This is a true family countryside taverna focused on providing their guests with delicious, fresh food and real Greek hospitality. During summer, they usually host some wonderful cooking classes as well where you get to harvest some of the ingredients from their own garden and learn to cook them yourself.
Basilikó
This cozy taverna is located at the intersection of several excellent hiking paths in a lush green valley in Mesi Potamia. The beautiful green garden full of home-grown vegetables and fruits really makes this the perfect place to enjoy some cold wine and some homemade Greek cuisine in the cooling shade of a tree. This is a true family countryside taverna focused on providing their guests with delicious, fresh food and real Greek hospitality. During summer, they usually host some wonderful cooking classes as well where you get to harvest some of the ingredients from their own garden and learn to cook them yourself.
There aren’t many better places to have lunch at after climbing Mount Zas or on any other hot day than this café in the shade of a huge plane (platanos) tree in the centre of Filoti. At Platanos - Puressence Café, you can try one of their tasty homemade freshly baked pizzas. All of their pizzas are topped with fresh ingredients and Naxian cheeses and have an amazing crust due to being baked in a stone oven. They also serve other traditional homemade Greek food (a real Greek mom is their chef!) and it’s also an excellent place to stop for a coffee, or homemade lemonade and a traditional sweet pastry.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Platanos Cafe
Eparchiaki Odos Naxou-ApiranthouThere aren’t many better places to have lunch at after climbing Mount Zas or on any other hot day than this café in the shade of a huge plane (platanos) tree in the centre of Filoti. At Platanos - Puressence Café, you can try one of their tasty homemade freshly baked pizzas. All of their pizzas are topped with fresh ingredients and Naxian cheeses and have an amazing crust due to being baked in a stone oven. They also serve other traditional homemade Greek food (a real Greek mom is their chef!) and it’s also an excellent place to stop for a coffee, or homemade lemonade and a traditional sweet pastry.
No. This has nothing to do with the well-known American restaurant chain you might’ve heard of. It might be even better. This little Naxian ice cream chain – with two shops on Naxos and some in Athens – serves delicious homemade ice cream and waffles. The quality and flavours of ice cream from Waffle House can easily rival some of the more well-known American ice cream brands (you know who I am talking about) and I actually think they’ve got some more provocative and fascinating flavours. Ever had heard of ice cream with flavours such as Naxian thyme honey with sesame, tsoureki, Ferrero, Graviera Naxou (yes, the cheese), potato sticks and chocolate, or Aegean sea salt? Didn’t think so. And if you’re not into unusual flavours, they do great pistachio, cheesecake, and caramel biscuit ice creams too. My favourite? A homemade waffle cone with their signature ‘crema waffle house’, a super creamy ice cream with buttery caramel sauce and huge(!) chocolate covered almond chunks.
You can find a Waffle House on the main boulevard of Naxos Town, but there is another shop in Plaka, a short walk from Agia Anna, as well.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Waffle House
No. This has nothing to do with the well-known American restaurant chain you might’ve heard of. It might be even better. This little Naxian ice cream chain – with two shops on Naxos and some in Athens – serves delicious homemade ice cream and waffles. The quality and flavours of ice cream from Waffle House can easily rival some of the more well-known American ice cream brands (you know who I am talking about) and I actually think they’ve got some more provocative and fascinating flavours. Ever had heard of ice cream with flavours such as Naxian thyme honey with sesame, tsoureki, Ferrero, Graviera Naxou (yes, the cheese), potato sticks and chocolate, or Aegean sea salt? Didn’t think so. And if you’re not into unusual flavours, they do great pistachio, cheesecake, and caramel biscuit ice creams too. My favourite? A homemade waffle cone with their signature ‘crema waffle house’, a super creamy ice cream with buttery caramel sauce and huge(!) chocolate covered almond chunks.
You can find a Waffle House on the main boulevard of Naxos Town, but there is another shop in Plaka, a short walk from Agia Anna, as well.
Tziblakis, is recognisable by its many wicker baskets hanging outside the storefront. In this quaint little shop full of old-fashioned cooking utensils and trinkets, you will find a small selection some of Naxos’ best cheeses (great Arseniko!) and other local food-products such as herbs, spices, teas, wines, honey, oils, liqueurs and various pickled items. Definitely worth checking it out.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tziblakis Local products of Naxos
Sokratous PapavasiliouTziblakis, is recognisable by its many wicker baskets hanging outside the storefront. In this quaint little shop full of old-fashioned cooking utensils and trinkets, you will find a small selection some of Naxos’ best cheeses (great Arseniko!) and other local food-products such as herbs, spices, teas, wines, honey, oils, liqueurs and various pickled items. Definitely worth checking it out.
Koufopoulos is a cheese shop located in Naxos Town. At this deli-style shop you will definitely find the most unique varieties of cheese alongside a good selection of fruit preserves and some cold-cuts to truly complete your cheese platter dreams. Not only can you find the well-known Graviera Naxou here, but their aged Arseniko (I’ve once found a rare 7 years aged one!), various herb-crusted and oil-marinated cheeses, fresh Myzithra and Anthotyro, and sour Xynotyro are really worth trying out. This shop is a real beauty and a great place to buy some stuff to take a little bit of Naxos home with you
NAXOS CHEESE KOUFOPOULOS
Koufopoulos is a cheese shop located in Naxos Town. At this deli-style shop you will definitely find the most unique varieties of cheese alongside a good selection of fruit preserves and some cold-cuts to truly complete your cheese platter dreams. Not only can you find the well-known Graviera Naxou here, but their aged Arseniko (I’ve once found a rare 7 years aged one!), various herb-crusted and oil-marinated cheeses, fresh Myzithra and Anthotyro, and sour Xynotyro are really worth trying out. This shop is a real beauty and a great place to buy some stuff to take a little bit of Naxos home with you
A little bio farm just outside of Vivlos that focuses on natural Naxian products and natural cultivation without pesticides. No matter the season, you can always find freshly grown produce here, ranging from peas, fresh garlic, onions, and kale in spring, to an insane variation of tomatoes and chili peppers in summer, to pumpkins and mushrooms in autumn – and plenty more. Is there anything better than to walk through colourful fields of natural produce and handpicking your own food to bring home? Perhaps only the fact that they also produce their own cheese, liquor, tomato-based sauces and super-spicy chili sauce.
Η Μικρή φάρμα της Νάξου - The Litlle farm of Naxos
A little bio farm just outside of Vivlos that focuses on natural Naxian products and natural cultivation without pesticides. No matter the season, you can always find freshly grown produce here, ranging from peas, fresh garlic, onions, and kale in spring, to an insane variation of tomatoes and chili peppers in summer, to pumpkins and mushrooms in autumn – and plenty more. Is there anything better than to walk through colourful fields of natural produce and handpicking your own food to bring home? Perhaps only the fact that they also produce their own cheese, liquor, tomato-based sauces and super-spicy chili sauce.
If you want a little change from Greek food, you can get some nice Mexican style food at Picasso on the Beach; tacos, burritos, nachos, you name it. Honestly? You can also just go for the 'grande' frozen lime margarita the size of your head (or all of the above).
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Picasso on the Beach
If you want a little change from Greek food, you can get some nice Mexican style food at Picasso on the Beach; tacos, burritos, nachos, you name it. Honestly? You can also just go for the 'grande' frozen lime margarita the size of your head (or all of the above).
City/town information
I am listing this beautiful village as a whole for a few reasons. Not only is the entire village a beautiful sight to see with its Neoclassical houses, Byzanthian churches, Venetian towers and a handful of beautiful art shops, but it has plenty of food and drink related stuff to enjoy.
At the heart of this village, you can visit the historic Vallindras distillery where Naxos’ famous kitron liquor is still being made today. During a tour through this small but interesting place, you can learn all about the history of Naxos’ emblematic drink (and sample some too). Honestly, though? This sweet liquor is not going to be everyone’s favourite. Luckily, το Κιτρο (Kitron cocktail bar) is right nearby where you can refresh yourself on a hot summer’s eve with a cold beer or a yummy cocktail.
Not much of a boozer? Visit Caffé Greco for a coffee, Mitos ARTnernative BAR for a homemade lemonade and a lovely chocolatopita, or Το Σπιτικό Γαλακτομπούρεκο for their famous, well you guessed it: galaktoboureko.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chalkio
I am listing this beautiful village as a whole for a few reasons. Not only is the entire village a beautiful sight to see with its Neoclassical houses, Byzanthian churches, Venetian towers and a handful of beautiful art shops, but it has plenty of food and drink related stuff to enjoy.
At the heart of this village, you can visit the historic Vallindras distillery where Naxos’ famous kitron liquor is still being made today. During a tour through this small but interesting place, you can learn all about the history of Naxos’ emblematic drink (and sample some too). Honestly, though? This sweet liquor is not going to be everyone’s favourite. Luckily, το Κιτρο (Kitron cocktail bar) is right nearby where you can refresh yourself on a hot summer’s eve with a cold beer or a yummy cocktail.
Not much of a boozer? Visit Caffé Greco for a coffee, Mitos ARTnernative BAR for a homemade lemonade and a lovely chocolatopita, or Το Σπιτικό Γαλακτομπούρεκο for their famous, well you guessed it: galaktoboureko.