Thai Me Up

Thai Me Up sits directly on the port square of Ios, one of the few places on the island where you can eat pad thai or a full breakfast while watching ferries arrive across the Aegean. The restaurant opened under the name Delphine before relaunching at the port square with its current identity as a Thai restaurant and breakfast bar — an unusual combination for a Cycladic island better known for gyros and grilled fish.

With a 4.1 rating drawn from 185 Google reviews, Thai Me Up has built a consistent following among both island regulars and ferry-hopping travelers who want something other than Greek taverna fare. The port location means it catches foot traffic throughout the day, from early breakfasts before a morning ferry to late dinners that stretch toward midnight.

Ios port, officially known as Ormos, is the quieter counterpart to the famous hilltop Chora. It's where ferries dock, where most accommodation sits, and where the harbor-front restaurants line up facing the water. Thai Me Up is positioned on the port square itself, giving it some of the best harbor views of any dining spot at this end of the island.

What to Expect

The setting is casual — this is a port-square restaurant, not a white-tablecloth destination. Seating is arranged to take advantage of the harbor view, and the atmosphere shifts through the day from relaxed breakfast spot to a busier lunch and dinner service. The kitchen covers Southeast Asian standards alongside a cocktail menu, which makes it a functional choice whether you're looking for a proper meal or just a drink with a view.

The menu draws from Thai cooking — dishes you'd expect include curries, noodle preparations, and stir-fries, though specific current menu items aren't confirmed here and rotate seasonally. The breakfast offering is a separate proposition from the Thai food: this appears to be a genuine morning service rather than a token addition, catering to the early-rising ferry crowd and guests staying in the port area who want an alternative to hotel breakfasts.

Cocktails are a stated focus alongside the food, which means Thai Me Up functions as much as a bar as a restaurant in the evening hours. The combination of a kitchen running until 11:30 PM and a drinks menu makes it one of the more flexible dining options at the port if you arrive on a late ferry and want food without hiking up to Chora.

The space has open views toward the water, and the port square location means background noise from the harbor rather than the thumping music that defines the Chora bar scene higher up the hill.

How to Get There

Thai Me Up is at the port of Ios, address listed as the port area of Ios 840 01. If you're arriving by ferry, the restaurant is on the main square you'll walk into directly from the dock — you won't need a map. From Chora (the hilltop village), it's a roughly 10-minute drive or a 25–30 minute walk downhill. Taxis and the island's regular bus service both connect Chora to the port frequently during summer, with the bus stop at the port square itself.

Parking is available at the port area. If you're driving from Mylopotas beach on the south side of the island, the port is a short drive north via the main island road.

Best Time to Visit

Ios has a tight tourist season running from late May through September, with peak crowds in July and August. Thai Me Up opens at 8:30 AM every day of the week, which makes it one of the earlier options at the port for breakfast. Midday and early evening on summer weekends will be the busiest periods, particularly when ferry arrivals coincide with meal times.

For a quieter meal with better service, aim for early lunch (before 1 PM) or dinner on the earlier side of the evening, around 7–8 PM, before the port fills up. Late September and early October the pace slows considerably — the restaurant may have reduced hours or close for the off-season, so it's worth a quick call ahead if you're visiting outside the main summer window.

The port-facing position means afternoon sun hits the terrace directly. If you're sensitive to heat, a midday visit in August is more comfortable in the shade or inside. Evenings at the port tend to be pleasant with the sea breeze coming off the harbor.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for hours outside peak season. The listed hours of 8:30 AM–11:30 PM apply in summer; spring and autumn schedules may differ. Phone: +30 2286 091668.
• Use it as a ferry-day option. The port-square location makes it practical for a meal or breakfast while waiting for a departure, without needing to travel up to Chora.
• Check the cocktail menu. Reviewers mention the drinks alongside the food — if you're sitting harbor-side in the evening, the cocktail list is worth exploring rather than defaulting to beer.
• Arrive before the afternoon ferry rush. Ferries from Piraeus and Santorini tend to arrive in waves; when a large boat docks, port restaurants fill quickly. Getting there 30–45 minutes before a scheduled arrival avoids the crush.
• Follow the Instagram account for menu updates. With no website, @thaimeupios on Instagram is the most reliable place to see current menu items, specials, and seasonal changes.
• Come hungry for breakfast. The Thai and breakfast-bar combination means the kitchen runs a full morning service — it's not just coffee and toast.
• It's not the party strip. If you're looking for the Ios club scene, that's in Chora. Thai Me Up is a quieter port option; the vibe here is relaxed rather than late-night.
• Dietary needs. Thai cooking often accommodates vegetarian and vegan preferences more readily than Greek taverna menus, but confirm specific dishes with staff when ordering.

What to Order

The menu centers on Southeast Asian cooking — curries, noodle dishes, and stir-fries are the core of any Thai restaurant and form the basis of what Thai Me Up offers. Given the casual setting and island context, portions tend to be generous rather than refined. The cocktail menu runs alongside the food across all dayparts, so you can order a drink with breakfast just as easily as with dinner.

The breakfast service is a distinct offering from the Thai food, likely covering eggs, toast, and Western or Greek-style morning dishes alongside coffee — practical for early mornings before ferries. If you're ordering Thai food specifically, the kitchen is running from mid-morning through to 11:30 PM, so you're not limited to a narrow dinner window.

For current specials or seasonal dishes, the Instagram account (@thaimeupios) is the most reliable source given the absence of an official website.