Ta Skalakis

Ta Skalakis is a dinner-only taverna on Andros with a 4.3-star rating drawn from nearly 750 reviews — a number that speaks to a steady, loyal following rather than a flash-in-the-pan tourist stop. It opens every evening at 6 PM and runs until midnight, seven days a week, making it a reliable option whether you're staying for a long weekend or a full summer month.

The restaurant sits at coordinates placing it in the southern part of Andros island, in an area that blends residential Andros with the quieter side of the island's dining scene. The focus is squarely on traditional Greek cooking served in a relaxed, unfussy environment — the kind of place where the menu reflects the seasons and the kitchen rather than a laminated tourist menu unchanged since 2003.

Andros has a reputation among Greeks as one of the more culinarily serious Cycladic islands, partly because its domestic tourism base demands it. Ta Skalakis fits that pattern: a locally oriented taverna where the cooking leans on tried recipes and fresh ingredients rather than novelty.

What to Expect

Ta Skalakis operates as an evening restaurant, which immediately sets it apart from the beach-lunch crowd and orients it toward proper sit-down dining. You can expect the rhythm of a Greek taverna dinner: a slow start with mezedes or a salad, a main of grilled meat or fish, and the kind of unhurried table time that Greek hospitality tends to encourage.

The setting is described as relaxed, which on Andros typically means simple, well-maintained interiors or outdoor seating, without the theatrical design touches found in more tourist-facing establishments. Andros stone, simple wooden furniture, and the ambient noise of a working kitchen are par for the course at places with this kind of long-term rating consistency.

With 749 reviews averaging 4.3 stars on Google, the restaurant has earned its reputation over time rather than through a single viral moment. That kind of rating, especially on an island where reviewers tend to be a mix of Greek domestic visitors and international travelers, usually indicates reliable execution across the main dishes rather than one standout item.

Portions at traditional Greek tavernas of this type are generally generous. Expect olive oil to be a central ingredient, grilled proteins to anchor the mains, and a short, focused wine list that likely includes local and regional Greek options. The dinner-only hours from 6 PM to midnight allow the kitchen to concentrate on a single service rather than splitting attention across lunch and dinner.

What to Order

The research bundle confirms traditional Greek dishes as the kitchen's focus, which on Andros means drawing on both Cycladic staples and the island's own culinary traditions. Andros is known for its loukoumades (honey-drenched dough fritters), its use of locally caught fish and seafood, and robust meat dishes including lamb and pork preparations common across the Cyclades.

At a taverna like Ta Skalakis, the most reliable approach is to order what the staff recommends on the night — this usually points you toward what arrived fresh that day. Grilled octopus, slow-cooked lamb, a village salad dressed simply with good olive oil, and whatever the kitchen is doing with local greens (horta) are all worth asking about.

If the restaurant serves Andros's traditional froutalia — a hearty omelette made with potatoes, local sausage, and eggs — that alone is worth ordering as a starter or light main. Fish tavernas on the island also often serve lavraki (sea bass) and tsipoura (sea bream) grilled whole, and depending on the evening's catch, these may appear as specials.

A carafe of house wine or a local bottled wine from the broader Cyclades region is the natural pairing for this kind of meal.

How to Get There

Ta Skalakis is located at approximately 37.8372° N, 24.9382° E on Andros. This places it in the southern half of the island, accessible by car or taxi from the main settlements.

Andros Town (Chora), the island's capital, sits on the eastern coast and is the main hub for accommodation and transport. From Chora, the restaurant is reachable by car in under 30 minutes depending on the exact starting point. The main port of Andros island is Gavrio on the northwest coast, where ferries arrive from Rafina on the mainland. From Gavrio, a car or taxi is the practical choice — public buses on Andros operate on limited schedules and are less frequent in the evenings when this restaurant is open.

Parking on Andros outside of Chora is generally straightforward, with roadside space available near most village tavernas. A rental car or scooter makes reaching dinner-only restaurants like this considerably easier than relying on bus connections.

Best Time to Visit

Ta Skalakis is open year-round based on the listed hours, though it's worth calling ahead (+30 694 720 4004) to confirm availability outside the core summer season of June through September. Greek island restaurants sometimes adjust hours or take short breaks in the low season, particularly in October through March.

The summer peak on Andros runs from July through mid-August, when Greek vacationers — the island's primary tourist base — fill the island and popular tavernas can be busy from early in the evening. Arriving at opening time (6 PM) or booking a table by phone is sensible during this period.

May, June, and September are the most comfortable months for dining out on Andros: warm evenings, lower crowds, and a relaxed pace that suits the taverna format well. The island's meltemi wind picks up in July and August, which can make outdoor terrace dining breezy but also pleasantly cool after a hot day.

For a weeknight dinner with a quieter atmosphere, Tuesday through Thursday generally see lower footfall than Friday and Saturday evenings, particularly in peak season.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead to confirm and reserve. The phone number is +30 694 720 4004. On Andros in peak summer, good local tavernas fill up without much warning, and a quick call in the afternoon secures your table.
• Arrive by 7 PM or after 9 PM to avoid the busiest window. Greek dining culture tends to cluster around 8–9:30 PM, so arriving slightly before or after that window gives you a more relaxed experience.
• Ask about the day's specials first. In traditional tavernas, the best dishes are often unlisted and depend on what was available that morning. A server who knows the kitchen will steer you toward the freshest options.
• The restaurant is dinner-only, every day of the week. Do not plan a lunch visit — the kitchen opens at 6 PM. Plan your afternoon accordingly if you're coming from a beach or trail.
• Bring cash as a backup. While card acceptance has improved across Greek islands, smaller tavernas in less-touristed areas occasionally prefer cash or have unreliable card terminals. Having euros on hand avoids any awkwardness at the end of the meal.
• This is not a fast-casual spot. A meal here will take 90 minutes to two hours if you approach it the way it's meant to be eaten. Build that into your evening plans.
• If you're renting a car, check your GPS against the coordinates (37.8372, 24.9382). The address listed is general Andros island — the coordinates are more reliable for navigation on an island where street numbering can be inconsistent.
• Pair this with an afternoon in the surrounding area. Andros has well-marked hiking trails and scenic villages inland; a late afternoon walk or village visit followed by dinner at 7 PM makes for a well-structured day.