Taverna Naxos
Lunch was at Taverna Naxos, a restaurant that came highly recommended both on Google and by a colleague of CL's, so we decided to give it a try. The difference in pricing compared to Santorini was immediately noticeable. Portions were generous, the food felt more honest and rustic, and the bill at the end was much friendlier.
We started with a selection of classic Greek appetisers. The creamy tzatziki and taramasalata paired beautifully with warm grilled pita, while the golden fried cheese pies disappeared quickly around the table. The mussels were fresh and plump, cooked simply with herbs and a light broth that encouraged plenty of bread dipping. A traditional Greek salad, crispy fried whitebait and comforting chicken soup rounded out the starters.
For mains, there were creamy pasta dishes, grilled lamb chops and other hearty favourites that reflected the generous spirit of Greek taverna cooking. The lamb chops in particular were a highlight. Tender, flavourful and simply seasoned, they marked the beginning of what would become our growing appreciation for Greek lamb during the rest of the trip. It was one of those satisfying meals where nobody left hungry and everyone agreed that Naxos was already proving to be very different from Santorini in the best possible way.
