Paprika

Paprika sits in Ano Mera, the main inland village of Mykonos, and has built a steady reputation among both island residents and visitors looking for a proper meal away from the port-side tourist circuit. The menu centres on souvlaki and pizza — two categories the kitchen takes seriously rather than treating as afterthoughts — and the space itself has been renovated into a relaxed, family-friendly spot with an outdoor area that includes a playground for children.

With a 4.4 rating drawn from more than 1,000 Google reviews, Paprika is one of the more consistent dining options in Ano Mera. It opens every day at 1:00 PM and stays open until 2:00 AM, which makes it equally suitable as a late-afternoon lunch stop after visiting the Panagia Tourliani monastery across the square or as a late-night meal before heading back to Mykonos Town.

The address is directly in Ano Mera village (846 00), roughly 8 kilometres east of Mykonos Town. Delivery is also available through the restaurant's own ordering platform at paprika-mykonos.com.

What to Expect

Paprika occupies a renovated space in Ano Mera and presents itself as a casual, welcoming spot rather than a sleek tourist-facing establishment. The interior is freshened up and practical; the outdoor seating gives you a view of the village pace rather than the sea or the windmills, which is exactly what Ano Mera offers — a quieter slice of Mykonian daily life.

The menu runs two parallel tracks. The Greek side covers souvlaki and gyros, with meats sourced locally and served in warm pita with tzatziki and grilled vegetables. On the Italian side, pizzas come with a range of toppings, from a straightforward Margherita to a spicy pepperoni and a vegetable-forward option. The kitchen has also introduced combinations that layer gyros-style ingredients onto pizza dough, broadening what is available beyond a strictly divided menu.

Portions are designed to be filling rather than refined, and the atmosphere skews relaxed — the kind of place where you can sit down with children in tow and not feel rushed. The playground on-site is a practical detail that separates Paprika from the majority of restaurants on the island, where outdoor family dining with young children can be logistically awkward.

For visitors staying on the east side of the island, near Kalafatis or Elia beach, Paprika is one of the closest full-service food options with a wide enough menu to accommodate a group with mixed preferences. Delivery extends the restaurant's reach further across the island.

What to Order

The souvlaki and gyros are the foundation of the menu. The gyros is made with local meats — grilled and served with tzatziki, tomato, onion, and pita — and represents the most straightforward path to a satisfying meal here. Chicken souvlaki is marinated before grilling and arrives with the same accompaniments.

On the pizza side, the Margherita is the cleanest test of the kitchen's base — if the dough and tomato sauce work, the more topped versions will too. The spicy pepperoni and the vegetable-topped pizza are both listed menu items, and the cross-over pita-meets-pizza options are worth trying if you want something less familiar.

For groups with children, the combination of pita-wrapped gyros and pizza by the slice (or whole) means that everyone can find something without requiring separate orders from separate kitchens.

How to Get There

Ano Mera is approximately 8 kilometres east of Mykonos Town along the main island road. By car or scooter, it is a straightforward 15-minute drive. The KTEL Mykonos bus network operates a route between Mykonos Town (Fabrika bus station) and Ano Mera; buses run regularly during the summer season, and the journey takes around 20 minutes. The Ano Mera stop puts you within easy walking distance of Paprika.

Taxis from Mykonos Town to Ano Mera are available, though during peak season you may need to book in advance or use a taxi app. Parking in Ano Mera is generally more relaxed than in Mykonos Town, and a small car park near the central square is available for those driving.

Paprika's coordinates are 37.4485209, 25.3904303, which places it close to the village centre.

Best Time to Visit

Paprika is open year-round from 1:00 PM, and the late closing time of 2:00 AM means it functions across multiple meal windows. For lunch, arriving between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM gives you the full menu without the evening rush. For dinner, later is generally fine given the hours.

Mid-July through August is peak season on Mykonos, and even Ano Mera sees more visitors during these weeks. Arriving just as the restaurant opens, or after 9:00 PM when foot traffic has spread across the village, tends to mean shorter waits. In shoulder season — May, June, September, and October — the village is noticeably quieter, and Paprika is a good reason to make the drive inland even on a day otherwise spent at the beach.

Ano Mera is slightly inland and elevated compared to the coast, which means it can catch a breeze during the meltemi season (July–August). Outdoor seating here is more comfortable in the evenings during the height of summer than sitting in direct sun at a beach-adjacent spot.

Tips for Visiting

• Combine with Panagia Tourliani: The 16th-century monastery in Ano Mera's central square is a five-minute walk from Paprika. A visit to the monastery followed by lunch here makes a natural inland half-day.
• Use the delivery option: If you are staying in a villa or hotel on the eastern side of the island, Paprika's delivery service covers a meaningful portion of Mykonos. The website (paprika-mykonos.com) carries the full menu and ordering function.
• Call ahead for larger groups: The phone number is +30 2289 071044. For parties of six or more, especially in July and August, a quick call to check seating availability will save time.
• The playground is a genuine feature: If you are travelling with young children and eating out on Mykonos has felt stressful due to the lack of child-appropriate spaces, Paprika's outdoor playground is worth factoring into your plans.
• Avoid the midday heat for outdoor seating: In high summer, the outdoor tables are most comfortable after 7:00 PM. The interior is a better choice for a midday meal.
• It is not a beach bar or cocktail lounge: Paprika is a neighbourhood restaurant with Greek and Italian food. If you are looking for sundowner drinks with a sea view, this is not the right venue — but if you want a solid, affordable meal with attentive service, it fits.
• Late-night option: With a 2:00 AM closing time, Paprika is one of the few full-kitchen options available late in Ano Mera. If a long evening on the island has left you hungry, it is worth the drive from Mykonos Town.