Café Ouzeri Giorgos

Café Ouzeri Giorgos sits on the marble-paved main street of Apiranthos, Naxos's most striking mountain village. The family-run spot has been serving homemade Naxian dishes since 1997, and with over 500 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it's where locals and visitors alike stop for coffee, meze, or a full meal any time from morning till late.

What to Expect

This is a classic ouzeri — the Greek combination of café, taverna, and meze bar. You'll find traditional starters like fava, grilled octopus, and local cheeses (Apiranthos is known for its graviera), plus daily-cooked mains that change with the season. The kitchen leans into Naxian home cooking: slow-braised meats, vegetable stews, and handmade pasta. Portions are generous, prices are fair for a mountain village, and the vibe is relaxed. Seating spills onto the marble street, so you're dining in the middle of the village scene.

Open from 9 AM to 2 AM every day, it functions as a morning coffee stop, a lunch taverna, and a late-night gathering spot. You can come for just an espresso or stay through multiple courses and a carafe of house wine.

How to Get There

Apiranthos is 28 kilometers east of Naxos Town, up a winding mountain road. From the port, drive southeast through Halki and Filoti, then climb into the hills. The village is compact and pedestrianized in the center — park in one of the small lots at the village edge (signed) and walk in. Café Ouzeri Giorgos is on the main marble street that runs through the heart of Apiranthos, impossible to miss once you're in the village.

If you're relying on buses, KTEL runs a limited schedule to Apiranthos from Naxos Town (check locally for times). Most visitors drive or come on a half-day loop of the inland villages.

Tips for Visiting

• Come hungry. The meze plates are meant for sharing, and two or three make a full meal for two people.
• Ask what's cooked that day. The best dishes aren't always on the printed menu — the kitchen makes daily specials based on what's fresh.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Apiranthos's marble streets are beautiful but slippery when wet and uneven in spots.
• Visit in the afternoon or early evening. The village gets quiet by 9 PM except in high summer; lunch (1–3 PM) and early dinner (7–9 PM) are the liveliest times.
• Combine with the village museums. Apiranthos has four small museums (folklore, geology, natural history, fine arts) all within a few minutes' walk.

What's Nearby

Apiranthos is the highest and most traditional of Naxos's mountain villages, built entirely in gray-white marble. After eating, walk the narrow lanes to see the Venetian towers, the old olive press, and the view east toward the Aegean. The village is also a starting point for hikes to Mount Fanari and the ancient marble quarries at Apollonas (about 15 km north). If you're making a day of it, the beaches at Moutsouna (9 km southeast, down a steep road) or Psili Ammos (12 km) are the closest seaside escapes.

The Menu

Expect traditional Greek café and ouzeri fare with a Naxian accent. Starters include horta (wild greens), beet salad, fried zucchini, and grilled local sausage. For mains, look for goat stew, slow-cooked lamb, stuffed vegetables, or handmade hilopites (egg noodles) with cheese or meat sauce. Vegetarians will find options in the daily vegetable dishes and the cheese-and-bread plates. The wine list is short and local — try a bottle from the Naxos plateau vineyards. Service is warm and unhurried; this is not a grab-and-go spot.