Appaloosa

Appaloosa has been a constant in Mykonos dining for over 27 years. After nearly three decades operating in Mykonos Town, the restaurant-bar relocated to the Ano Mera road — to the site formerly known as Kuzina di Danielle — and brought the same character to a setting with open views over Ftelia Beach and the island's quieter interior. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 across more than 560 Google reviews, which puts it in reliable company on an island where dining options number in the hundreds.

The name references the Appaloosa horse breed, and the place carries a sense of personality that goes with it: established, recognisable, not trying to be something it isn't. The menu draws from what the restaurant describes as world flavours — a broad but deliberately inclusive approach to a menu that travels beyond Greek staples without abandoning them. The cocktail bar runs in parallel, making Appaloosa a workable choice for a full evening rather than just a meal.

For anyone who knew the original Mykonos Town location, the new address is a departure in setting but consistent in spirit. The countryside surroundings and the view toward Ftelia's long sandy arc give the place a different register than the port-facing restaurants of Chora — quieter, less performative, and well-suited to an unhurried dinner.

What to Expect

Appaloosa occupies a position on the road that connects the main island hub to the village of Ano Mera, roughly in the middle of Mykonos geographically. The view from the terrace or dining area takes in Ftelia Beach to the north — one of the longer, more windswept beaches on the island — and rolls back over the low hills and farmland that most visitors to Mykonos never stop long enough to see.

The interior retains the familiarity the owners describe as central to the place's identity. It is not a minimalist concept restaurant or a white-linen-and-silence kind of dining room. The atmosphere is relaxed and social, with the bar component integrated rather than separated, so drinks and food coexist rather than compete for attention. You can arrive for cocktails before eating, eat through the evening, and stay for a drink after without the rhythm of the place fighting you.

The menu uses international reference points alongside Greek produce and cooking traditions. Expect dishes that draw on Mediterranean, Asian, and broadly European influences without the menu reading like a globe-trotting exercise. The cooking aims for the kind of consistency that keeps regulars returning across decades — which, given the venue's history, appears to be working.

Since closing is listed at 11:30 PM on most nights and midnight on Saturdays, there is enough time for an unhurried meal even if you arrive at 9 PM, which is normal dining timing on Mykonos.

How to Get There

Appaloosa sits on the Ano Mera road, the main route running east from Mykonos Town (Chora) toward the village of Ano Mera. By car or scooter, take the central island road east from Chora; the restaurant is above Ftelia Beach, and the drive from Mykonos Town takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Parking in this part of the island is considerably easier than in Chora, and the road-side location means you will find space near the venue without the hunt that characterises the town.

Taxis from Mykonos Town or the port are a practical option for a dinner visit, especially if you plan to drink. The main taxi stand in Manto Mavrogenous Square (Taxi Square) in Chora can dispatch cars to the Ano Mera road, and the ride is short. From Ano Mera village itself, the restaurant is a few minutes by car heading west.

There is no direct public bus route that stops at the restaurant's exact location, though the KTEL bus service connects Mykonos Town with Ano Mera village and routes passing Ftelia Beach. Confirm current stop proximity before relying on the bus for return travel late at night.

Best Time to Visit

Appaloosa is open for dinner service only, from 6:00 PM on the days it operates. Tuesday is the weekly closing day, so plan accordingly. The restaurant runs Wednesday through Monday, with Saturday service extending to midnight.

High season on Mykonos runs July and August, when the island's population swells significantly and most restaurants operate at full capacity. Arriving earlier in the evening — around 7:00 or 7:30 PM — gives you a calmer start before the later Mykonos dining rush. The outdoor terrace, if conditions allow, is particularly worthwhile in June, early July, or September, when the meltemi wind has either not yet arrived in force or has begun to ease. August evenings can be warm even after dark, but the Ano Mera road elevation and distance from the coast provide slightly more airflow than the town.

Shoulder season visits in May, June, and September reward with easier reservations, lower ambient noise levels on the island generally, and the same kitchen at less intense pace.

Tips for Visiting

• Reserve ahead in summer. Mykonos restaurants fill quickly between July and late August. Contact Appaloosa by phone at +30 694 651 4814 or check the website at appaloosa-mykonos.com before you travel.
• Tuesday is the day off. The restaurant is closed every Tuesday, which is easy to miss when planning a week-long itinerary. Double-check the day before you arrive on the island.
• Combine with a Ftelia visit. Ftelia Beach is visible from the restaurant and reachable in a few minutes by car. An afternoon at the beach followed by dinner at Appaloosa makes a natural pairing — Ftelia is one of the better kite-surfing and windsurfing beaches on Mykonos, and the meltemi that makes it popular for water sports tends to die down by evening.
• Drive or take a taxi. The location is not walkable from Mykonos Town or most tourist accommodation clusters on the south coast. Plan transport both ways if you are drinking.
• The cocktail bar runs alongside dinner. You don't need to eat to visit — the bar component is part of the same operation. Arriving for drinks before or after dinner elsewhere is legitimate.
• Check Instagram for current specials. Appaloosa's Instagram account (@appaloosa_mykonos) appears to be the most active social channel and is a reasonable source for current menu updates or seasonal specials.
• Expect international alongside Greek. If you are looking for a strictly traditional taverna experience, Appaloosa's world-flavours positioning means it leans broader. For that reason it works well for groups with varied preferences.
• The new location is not the old one. If you visited years ago in Mykonos Town, be aware the address has changed. The Ano Mera road site is the current venue.

What to Order

The research bundle does not reproduce a full menu, and specific dishes change seasonally, so naming individual plates here would overreach what can be confirmed. What the restaurant consistently signals is an approach that draws on multiple culinary traditions — described as world flavours — alongside the local produce and seafood that Mykonos and the Cyclades region supply naturally.

For a restaurant that also operates as a cocktail bar, the drinks list is worth taking seriously rather than treating as an afterthought. Signature cocktails are likely to reflect the international personality of the kitchen. Greek wine — Cycladic whites from Assyrtiko or local blends — is a strong pairing choice with whatever direction the food goes on a given evening.

For current dishes and seasonal offerings, the menu section of appaloosa-mykonos.com is the most reliable reference before your visit.