Elia Beach Restaurant

Elia Beach Restaurant occupies one of the better positions for a lunch or dinner setting on Mykonos — directly on Elia Beach, a long, south-facing stretch of sand on the island's southeastern coast. The restaurant is part of Elia Mykonos Resort, a 35-room boutique property, but the dining operation stands on its own as the kind of place worth making a trip for, not just convenient for guests staying on site.

The kitchen is led by chef Lefteris Soultatos, whose approach centres on sourcing quality local and seasonal ingredients and applying Mediterranean technique without overcomplicating what the Aegean naturally provides. The setting — tables with a direct view over the beach and sea — does a fair amount of the work, but the food earns its place alongside the view.

With a Google rating of 3.7 from 376 reviews, the restaurant draws consistent traffic but also has its detractors, which is worth keeping in mind when setting expectations, particularly around service pace and pricing during the busiest weeks of summer.

What to Expect

The restaurant occupies the beachfront terrace of the Elia Mykonos Resort, so the atmosphere leans polished resort rather than rough-and-ready taverna. Seating is arranged to maximise the sea view, and the aesthetic follows the Cycladic design language of the wider property — white tones, clean lines, and a certain quietness that contrasts with the busier beach clubs further north on the island.

Elia Beach itself is one of the longer and wider beaches on Mykonos, and unlike some of the island's more aggressively commercial strips, it retains a degree of calm. Sitting at a table here at midday, you get the full sweep of the bay and the blue of the southern Aegean, with Elia's long sandy arc visible in both directions.

The menu takes a Mediterranean direction with an emphasis on freshness. Given chef Soultatos' background and the resort's positioning, expect dishes that use quality fish and seafood alongside Cycladic and broader Greek pantry staples. The wine list would logically include Greek labels, though specific bottles are not confirmed in available sources.

The overall tone is upscale casual — the kind of restaurant where you'd be comfortable in a linen shirt or a cover-up from the beach, but where the bill will reflect the setting and the chef's credentials. Reservations are handled through the resort's booking system.

How to Get There

Elia Beach is in the southeastern corner of Mykonos, roughly 12 kilometres from Mykonos Town. The address is listed on the unnamed road through the Elia area (postal code 846 00).

By bus, KTEL Mykonos operates a seasonal route from the South Bus Station in Mykonos Town to Elia Beach. The stop is close to the beach access point, making this one of the more accessible south-coast beaches by public transport. Check current timetables at the South Bus Station or the KTEL office, as frequency varies by season.

By car or scooter, follow the main road south out of Mykonos Town toward Kalafatis, then branch off toward Elia. The drive takes around 20–25 minutes depending on traffic, which in July and August can add considerably to journey time on the island's narrow roads. Parking near Elia Beach is limited in high season — arriving before 10am or after 2pm gives you a better chance of finding a spot.

Taxi from Mykonos Town is straightforward; the ride takes 20–30 minutes and costs vary, so confirm the fare before departure. The restaurant's phone number is +30 2289 071204 if you need to coordinate a reservation or ask about access.

Best Time to Visit

Elia Beach Restaurant operates as part of a seasonal resort, so it follows the Mykonos summer calendar — broadly May through October, with peak operation in June, July, and August. Specific opening dates for any given year are best confirmed directly with the restaurant.

For the most comfortable experience, early evening — the hour before sunset — gives you the warmest light on the water and slightly cooler temperatures after the afternoon heat. Midday dining in July and August can be punishing in direct sun, though the terrace likely has shade structures; the specific setup is not confirmed in available sources.

Shoulder season — late May, June, and September — offers the combination of reliable warm weather and noticeably fewer people both on the beach and in the restaurant. September in particular tends to have excellent sea temperatures and calmer conditions.

Elia faces south, which means it catches the afternoon light well and is somewhat sheltered from the meltemi, the northern wind that can make north-facing beaches choppy and sandy in July and August. This is one of the reasons the beach has a reputation for relative calm on windier days.

Tips for Visiting

• Book ahead for dinner in July and August. The restaurant's beachfront terrace fills up, particularly around sunset, and walk-in availability at peak times is not guaranteed. Use the resort website or call +30 2289 071204.
• Contact ahead for confirmed opening hours. No opening hours were available in the research for this article, and seasonal restaurants on Mykonos sometimes adjust their schedules. Confirming by phone or email ([email protected]) before making a special trip is a sensible precaution.
• Pair lunch at the restaurant with a morning on Elia Beach. The beach is long enough that it rarely feels completely packed even in high season, and arriving early lets you secure a good spot before the midday rush at the restaurant.
• The 3.7 rating warrants realistic expectations. The restaurant performs best for visitors who are primarily drawn by the setting and the quality of the chef's menu. Reviews suggest service and value can be inconsistent, so it may not be the right fit if you're on a tight budget or short on time.
• Getting back to Mykonos Town by bus requires checking the last departure. Evening services from Elia can be limited. If you're planning dinner, have a taxi number ready or arrange a return in advance.
• The resort context means the restaurant is not a standalone taverna. It operates within a hotel environment, so the rhythms (breakfast service, hotel guests, event bookings) can affect the atmosphere at certain times.
• Follow @elia_mykonos_resort on Instagram for current updates on events, seasonal openings, and any special menus — the social account is more likely to carry real-time information than the main website during transitions between seasons.

About the Chef and Menu

Chef Lefteris Soultatos is credited in the resort's own materials as the force behind the culinary direction at Elia. The described approach — ingredient quality, Mediterranean focus, freshness — positions the restaurant within the tier of Mykonos dining that takes the food seriously rather than coasting on scenery and clientele.

Mediterranean cuisine in this context typically encompasses fresh fish and seafood prepared with Greek and broader southern European influences: good olive oil, local herbs, seasonal vegetables, and a respect for the primary ingredient rather than heavy saucing. A coastal Mykonos setting naturally leans toward fish, and the Aegean offers high-quality catches through much of the season.

The website notes awarded credentials for the chef, though the specific awards are not detailed in available sources. For a more detailed view of the current menu and any seasonal specials, the restaurant's website at eliamykonos.gr is the most reliable source, and the menu section there will give you a concrete sense of what to expect before you arrive.