Elizabeth's Garden

Elizabeth's Garden is a small, unpretentious taverna on Aristidi Protopapadaki in Naxos Town, drawing visitors and locals who want straightforward Greek home cooking without the tourist-strip markup. The garden setting keeps things relaxed — this is the kind of place where the food does the talking and the atmosphere follows naturally from that.

Tripadvisor reviewers have noted Greek and Arabic influences on the menu, which is unusual for a Cycladic taverna and gives Elizabeth's a slightly broader range than the standard island staple. Pricing sits firmly in the budget category, making it a practical choice for families or anyone stretching a longer stay on Naxos.

What to Expect

The menu leans on Greek home-cooking staples — think slow-cooked meat dishes, village salads, and simple starters — alongside what appear to be occasional Middle Eastern-influenced options. Portions at traditional Greek tavernas of this type tend to be generous, and the outdoor seating in the garden area suits the unhurried pace that defines a proper Greek lunch or dinner. The price point (listed as budget on review platforms) means you can eat well without planning around it.

Note that Tripadvisor currently lists Elizabeth's Garden as closed — it's worth calling ahead on +30 2285 023777 before making a special trip, particularly outside the main summer season.

How to Get There

The taverna is on Aristidi Protopapadaki in Naxos Town (Chora), within walkable distance of the main harbor area. From the port, head into the older part of town and follow the street grid inland — the address puts it a short walk from the central Plateia. No car is necessary; Naxos Town is compact and most of it is navigable on foot.

If you're arriving by ferry, the port of Naxos Town is the main entry point, and the taverna is reachable in under ten minutes on foot depending on where exactly on Aristidi Protopapadaki it sits. Parking in Naxos Town can be tight in July and August; arriving on foot or by scooter is easier than finding a car space nearby.

Best Time to Visit

Like most tavernas in the Cyclades, Elizabeth's Garden will be most reliably open during the core summer season — late May through September. The opening hours listed (roughly midday through late evening most days) suit a long Greek lunch or an early dinner before the later evening crowd. Shoulder season visits in April–May or October can be rewarding for quieter streets and lower prices, but it's worth confirming the kitchen is still operating.

Midweek lunches tend to be calmer than weekend evenings in Naxos Town, and the garden setting makes a midday meal here particularly pleasant when the heat isn't at its peak.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead on +30 2285 023777 to confirm current opening status before visiting, especially outside July–August.
• The price category is budget, so cash is worth having — smaller Greek tavernas don't always accept cards reliably.
• If the menu includes Arabic-influenced dishes alongside the Greek staples, those are worth exploring — it's not something you'll find on every Naxos menu.
• Arrive at lunch (around 1–2pm) rather than at peak dinner hour if you prefer a quieter table.
• The garden seating is the draw here — ask for an outdoor table if conditions allow.

What's Nearby

Aristidi Protopapadaki runs through Naxos Town, which means Elizabeth's Garden is within easy reach of the Kastro — the medieval Venetian fortification that sits above the old town — as well as the harbor waterfront, the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, and the market street (Papavasiliou) lined with delis selling local cheeses, graviera, and kitron liqueur. After dinner, the old town's narrow marble-paved lanes are worth a wander.