Spala

Spala is a grill-focused restaurant in Little Venice, one of the most recognizable neighbourhoods on Mykonos Town's waterfront. Where most of the area's venues lean into seafood and cocktails with sunset views, Spala plants its flag squarely on quality meat — sourced directly from farms, served organic, and cooked over a grill.

The restaurant operates under the name Spala The Grill House and bills itself as a meeting point for people who take their meat seriously. With a location on the Mikonos 846 00 postcode strip that runs along the Little Venice seafront, it sits in an area better known for its colourful balconied buildings cantilevered over the Aegean than for its carnivore credentials — which makes Spala a deliberate, specific choice rather than a default pick.

With a 4.3 rating on Google (based on 10 reviews at time of writing), the review count is still modest, which can reflect a newer operation or a smaller, loyal clientele. Either way, the consistent messaging around farm-to-table sourcing and organic produce signals a kitchen that has made deliberate menu choices rather than chasing the broadest possible appeal.

What to Expect

Spala describes itself as a grill house built around meat — not an all-purpose taverna, not a fusion concept. The farm-to-table framing means the kitchen works with produce sourced directly from producers, prioritising organic ingredients. On Mykonos, where dining can skew heavily toward appearances and occasion over substance, a restaurant that leads with sourcing and technique stands apart.

The setting in Little Venice puts you in one of the most atmospheric parts of Mykonos Town. The neighbourhood is compact, pedestrianised at its core, and lined with buildings that date to the island's Venetian-era construction period. Dining here means you're steps from the water, with the Aegean running right alongside the terrace-facing properties. The evening light over Little Venice — especially in the hour before sunset — is among the most distinctive on the island.

Spala opens at 11 AM daily, covering the lunch window as well as dinner, and stays open until 1 AM on Mondays and Sundays, extending to 1:30 AM Tuesday through Friday. That late closing is typical for Mykonos, where dinner rarely starts before 9 PM in high season and kitchens are expected to keep pace with the island's late-running social rhythm.

The interior and exact table count aren't detailed in available sources, so the best way to get a sense of the space is via the restaurant's Instagram account (@spalathegrillhouse), which had 178 followers and 66 posts at last check — enough to give a reasonable visual read of the dining room and dishes.

What to Order

Spala's identity is built on grilled meat, and the farm-to-table, organic sourcing indicates the kitchen is selective about what it puts on the grill. Expect cuts and preparations that reflect Greek grilling traditions — likely including whole or portioned grilled meats, with accompaniments that let the primary ingredient carry the meal.

Greek grill-house staples worth looking for would include lamb chops (paidakia), pork tenderloin, and various offal preparations that appear in traditional meze-style grill menus. Whether Spala adheres to a strictly traditional format or takes a more contemporary approach to the cuts and sides isn't confirmed by available sources, so arriving open to the day's menu rather than expecting a fixed list is a reasonable approach.

Given the organic sourcing position, portion quality over quantity is likely the kitchen's priority. For meat-forward dining on Mykonos, where most beachfront menus are built around grilled fish and salads, Spala fills a specific gap.

How to Get There

Little Venice is located on the western edge of Mykonos Town (Chora), directly accessible on foot from the main port area. From the Old Port, walk into Chora and continue toward the waterfront until you reach the cluster of Venetian-style buildings overlooking the water — this is Little Venice. The walk from the port takes roughly 10–15 minutes on foot.

From the New Port at Tourlos, a taxi or bus into Chora is the standard approach. Mykonos Town buses stop near the central square (Mando Mavrogenous Square), from which Little Venice is a short walk west.

Parking in Chora is limited and Mykonos Town is predominantly pedestrian in its central areas. If arriving by car or scooter, use one of the designated parking areas on the outskirts of Chora and walk in. Little Venice itself is not accessible by vehicle.

Best Time to Visit

Spala opens at 11 AM, which makes it practical for a late lunch — a quieter window than dinner in Mykonos's compressed high-season calendar. Lunch in Little Venice also means you can watch the afternoon light change over the water without competing with the sunset crowd that descends on the neighbourhood from around 7 PM onward.

For dinner, arriving between 8 PM and 9 PM puts you ahead of the main rush. Mykonos high season runs from late June through late August, when the island is at peak capacity. Shoulder season — May, early June, September, and early October — offers a noticeably calmer dining experience, shorter waits, and more consistent service across the island.

Little Venice can be breezy in the evenings, particularly when the meltemi wind runs in July and August. If you're seated outdoors or near an open terrace, a light layer is worth bringing for after dark.

Tips for Visiting

• Book ahead in high season. Little Venice restaurants fill up fast from late June through August, and a grill-focused kitchen with a defined concept will have regulars. Check the Facebook page (facebook.com/spalathegrillhouse) or Instagram for contact options if no booking link is listed.
• Arrive hungry. Grill houses in Greece are not light-meal venues. Budget for a full sitting with multiple courses if you're eating with the kitchen's intent.
• Check current hours before going. The hours listed here are based on Google data and can shift between seasons. Mykonos restaurants sometimes operate on reduced hours in early or late season.
• Little Venice gets crowded at sunset. If a quieter atmosphere matters to you, a 7 PM or earlier booking puts you in before the main wave of sunset-seekers arrives in the neighbourhood.
• Organic sourcing can affect availability. Farm-to-table menus sometimes vary by what's come in. The day's cuts may differ from what you've seen on social media — treat that as a plus, not an inconvenience.
• Combine with a walk. After dinner, Little Venice is one of the more pleasant parts of Mykonos Town to walk at night. The windmills (Kato Mili) are a short walk north, and the main Chora lanes are immediately behind you.
• The rating count is low. Ten Google reviews means the aggregate score can shift quickly. Read individual reviews for current specifics rather than relying on the summary number.