Doukato, Naxos
Our final evening in Naxos ended exactly the way a Greek island holiday should. After watching the sun slowly disappear behind the Portara, with the sky painted in shades of gold and orange, we made our way to Doukato for dinner.
There was a touch of nostalgia in the air that evening. It was our last night together with the Yeos before our paths diverged. While the rest of us would continue our Greek island hopping adventure to Mykonos the next day, they would be heading back to Athens and then home. After days of travelling, eating and laughing together, it felt like the end of one chapter of the journey.
Doukato is a charming open courtyard taverna where diners sit beneath the stars, surrounded by the relaxed atmosphere that makes Greek island evenings so special. There is something magical about enjoying a meal outdoors, with the warm night breeze, the sound of conversations around you and a glass of wine in hand.
Dinner started with a couple of colourful salads. One combined fresh greens with walnuts, figs, pomegranate and generous shavings of cheese, while another paired sweet watermelon with creamy feta and a drizzle of balsamic. Simple ingredients, but the kind of flavours that make perfect sense on a warm Mediterranean evening.
One dish that caught everyone's attention was the kataifi wrapped cheese. Hidden beneath a nest of crispy golden pastry was molten cheese that stretched with every spoonful. Rich, comforting and dangerously addictive.
The stars of the evening, however, arrived on skewers.
The swordfish souvlaki was beautifully grilled, retaining its moisture while picking up a lovely smoky char from the fire. The fish had a firm, meaty texture that made it almost feel like a steak from the sea. A squeeze of lemon was all it needed.
Equally satisfying was the chicken souvlaki, with juicy chunks of chicken grilled over charcoal and served hanging dramatically above a mountain of golden potatoes. It was one of those dishes that instantly made everyone reach for their cameras before their forks.
As we lingered over the last few bites and final glasses of wine, it struck me how much I had enjoyed Naxos. It may not have the fame of Santorini, but that is precisely its charm. Good food, friendly people, beautiful sunsets and a pace of life that encourages you to slow down and savour the moment.
