Paprika

Paprika is a casual restaurant in Ano Mera village on Mykonos that pairs Greek souvlaki and gyros with Italian-style pizza under one menu. It sits in the island's main inland village — about 7 kilometres east of Mykonos Town — and draws a steady crowd from both locals and visitors looking for something straightforward, filling, and reasonably priced away from the harbour.

With a Google rating of 4.4 across more than 1,080 reviews, it has earned a loyal following. The long daily hours — 1 PM to 2 AM, seven days a week — make it one of the more reliable dinner options in the Ano Mera area, and the kitchen keeps turning out food well into the early morning when most of the island's other casual kitchens have closed.

The restaurant recently underwent a renovation, and the current space is set up as a welcoming, family-friendly environment with a playground area for children — an unusual amenity on an island where dining largely caters to adult visitors and nightlife crowds.

What to Expect

The menu at Paprika centres on two core offerings: classic Greek grilled meats and pizza. On the souvlaki side, you can order gyros made with locally sourced meats, served in a warm pita with tzatziki, grilled vegetables, and your choice of accompaniments. Chicken and beef are both on the menu, and the kitchen allows for some customisation — adding or removing ingredients, or mixing combinations across the pita-based options.

The pizza selection leans toward familiar styles: a classic Margherita, a pepperoni option, and a vegetable pizza with a crispy crust. Paprika's positioning as a Mediterranean-Italian crossover means the menu bridges the traditional Greek grill and the international tastes that many island visitors expect.

The restaurant has a delivery service, which makes it practical if you're staying in or near Ano Mera and don't want to drive back into the village after a long beach day. The space itself is described as friendly and informal — not a candlelit dinner destination, but a reliable spot where families, groups, and solo diners can eat well without booking weeks in advance or paying Mykonos Town prices.

Capacity and indoor-outdoor seating arrangements are not specified in available sources, but the renovation has given the space a fresh, modern look while retaining the casual atmosphere.

How to Get There

Ano Mera is the only significant inland settlement on Mykonos, and Paprika is located within the village at the Ano Mera 846 00 postal address. From Mykonos Town (Chora), drive east along the main cross-island road — it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Taxis from Mykonos Town to Ano Mera are available but can be scarce during peak evening hours; arranging a return taxi in advance is wise.

The KTEL bus service on Mykonos runs a route between Mykonos Town and Ano Mera with reasonable frequency during summer. The bus stop in Ano Mera is in the central square, a short walk from the restaurant. Check current KTEL schedules locally, as times shift between shoulder and peak season.

Parking in Ano Mera is generally easier than in Mykonos Town. There is roadside and informal parking near the village square. If you're renting a car or scooter — common on Mykonos — this is a straightforward ride on a well-maintained road.

Best Time to Visit

Paprika opens at 1 PM every day and serves until 2 AM, which gives it flexibility that suits both a late lunch after a morning beach session and a late-night meal after exploring the island. The later evening hours, from around 8 PM onward, are likely the busiest given Greek dining culture and the flow of visitors returning from the beaches.

Ano Mera itself is quieter than the coast and Mykonos Town, so even in August the restaurant doesn't face the same extreme crowds you'd encounter at a harbourfront venue. Visiting on a weeknight rather than a Saturday evening will generally mean less of a wait if the place fills up.

Shoulder season — May, early June, and September into early October — brings pleasant temperatures and a calmer atmosphere in the village. The restaurant's hours suggest it operates through the tourist season; if you're visiting outside July and August, it's worth a quick call to confirm they're open.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for delivery: The restaurant offers delivery, which is useful if you're staying in accommodation near Ano Mera. Phone them at +30 2289 071044 to check delivery range and timing.
• Bring children: The playground makes this one of the more child-friendly dining options on Mykonos, where many restaurants are not set up for young kids.
• Arrive before 9 PM if you want a relaxed seat: Greek dinner service runs late, but arriving slightly earlier means you get full attention and a quieter atmosphere.
• Check the current menu online: The website at paprika-mykonos.com lists the current menu options and allows you to browse before you arrive. Menus can change between seasons.
• Combine with Ano Mera sightseeing: The Panagia Tourliani Monastery is a short walk from the village square — arrive in Ano Mera in the late afternoon, visit the monastery, then head to Paprika for dinner.
• Late-night option: If you're returning from one of the island's east or south coast beaches and want to eat before heading back to Mykonos Town, Paprika's 2 AM closing time makes it a practical last stop.
• Don't expect a nightlife venue: Despite the late hours, this is a restaurant, not a bar or club. The vibe is relaxed and family-oriented rather than party-focused.
• Parking is easy: If you're driving, Ano Mera has space to park without the stress of Mykonos Town's narrow alleys and limited spots.

What to Order

The souvlaki and gyros are the heart of the menu. Gyros made with local meats, wrapped in warm pita with tzatziki and grilled vegetables, is the dish the restaurant leads with. Chicken and beef options give you variety, and the pita-based format means the portions are substantial.

For pizza, the Margherita is a safe indicator of quality — if the dough and tomato base are handled well, the more elaborate toppings will follow. The pepperoni pizza caters to visitors who want something familiar, while the vegetable option suits those looking for a lighter meal.

Paprika's menu concept — combining traditional Greek pita wraps with pizza — means you can split an order across both styles if you're with a group. The kitchen appears to cater to customisation, so if you want to adjust toppings or ingredients, it's worth asking.