Dolphin

Dolphin is a casual taverna sitting at Plaka Beach on the southwest coast of Naxos, roughly 8 km south of Naxos Town. With a 4.4-star rating across more than 250 reviews, it has built a steady reputation among both island regulars and summer visitors looking for unfussy, well-executed Greek cooking close to the water.

Plaka is one of Naxos's longest stretches of sand — a broad, partially shaded beach backed by tamarisk trees — and Dolphin sits within easy reach of it, making it a natural stop before or after a long morning in the sea.

What to Expect

The setting is relaxed and unpretentious: the kind of taverna where you come in salt-stiffened from the beach and nobody minds. The menu follows the Greek taverna template — grilled fish, meat dishes, mezedes, and salads built around local produce. Expect the classics done properly: horiatiki with Naxian feta, fresh calamari, lamb chops off the grill, and the kind of tzatziki that arrives thick and cold. Naxos is known across Greece for the quality of its potatoes, so any side of fried or roasted potatoes here is worth ordering.

Portion sizes at this category of taverna tend to be generous, and sharing several plates is the standard way to eat. The casual setting suits long, slow lunches as much as early dinners.

Opening hours run every day of the week from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM, which means it covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner without a midday break — useful if you arrive at Plaka early and want coffee or a light bite before the main beach crowd appears.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town, follow the main coastal road south through Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna. Plaka is the next major beach settlement, signposted clearly. By car the drive takes around 15–20 minutes depending on summer traffic; there is roadside and informal parking near the beach access points along Plaka.

The KTEL bus service on Naxos runs a regular route from Naxos Town bus station south toward Plaka during summer months — the journey takes approximately 25–30 minutes and drops passengers close to the beach. Check the current KTEL Naxos timetable at the bus station or town office, as seasonal schedules vary.

On a bicycle or scooter the route is straightforward and flat for much of the way, following the coastal road with sea views for the final stretch.

Best Time to Visit

Plaka runs busy from late June through August. Arriving for lunch between noon and 2pm on a Saturday in peak season means the taverna will be at full capacity, so either come early — the kitchen opens at 9am — or aim for a late lunch around 3pm when the rush eases. For dinner, arriving before 8pm secures a table without a wait on most evenings.

Shoulder season — May, early June, and September — is when Plaka is at its most comfortable. The beach is warm and quiet, the taverna is unhurried, and the light in the late afternoon is particularly good along this stretch of coast.

What's Nearby

Plaka Beach itself stretches for several kilometers and is the main draw. The southern end near Mikri Vigla transitions into kite-surfing territory, one of the best spots in the Cyclades for wind sports. The villages of Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios are a short drive or bus ride north, both with their own waterfront eating options and smaller beaches. Naxos Town's old Venetian kastro and the Portara islet are a 15–20 minute drive away if you want to add culture to a beach day.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive before noon or after 3pm for lunch to avoid peak crowds at the beach and at the taverna.
• Order the local Naxian feta and potatoes if they appear on the menu — both are among the island's best-known agricultural products.
• The taverna is open from 9am, so it works as a breakfast or early coffee stop before setting up on the beach.
• Cash is always worth having at beach tavernas in Greece, even where card payment is accepted.
• Plaka has limited shade at midday; the tamarisk-backed sections in the middle of the beach offer natural cover if you plan a long afternoon.
• Dolphin's coordinates place it directly in the Plaka settlement — look for it along the main beach access road rather than on the sand itself.