kontos

Kontos Restaurant has been feeding beachgoers and travellers at Mikri Vigla since 1986, when Antonis and Maria Salteri opened a small taverna on this then-quiet stretch of sandy coastline on Naxos's southwest shore. Nearly four decades on, it remains a family-run operation with a straightforward commitment: Naxian ingredients, classic Aegean recipes, and a direct view over the clear turquoise water that made Mikri Vigla famous in the first place.

With 866 Google reviews and a 4.3 rating, Kontos is one of the more consistently praised restaurants on this part of the island — not because of novelty, but because the fundamentals are done well.

What to Expect

The menu draws on traditional Greek and specifically Naxian cooking. Fresh fish is the headline, sourced daily and prepared simply — grilled or cooked in ways that let the quality of the catch show. Alongside seafood, the kitchen turns out homemade cooked meals prepared on the day: the kind of slow-cooked, oven-ready dishes (think stifado, gemista, or braised meat) that define a proper Greek taverna rather than a tourist-facing grill house.

Starters, grilled dishes, and seafood make up the main menu categories. Produce comes from farms on Naxos itself, and the kitchen uses Greek extra virgin olive oil throughout. To drink, the restaurant pairs well with bottles from Naxos's own winemakers — the island has a small but genuine wine tradition worth exploring.

The setting is beachside at Mikri Vigla, which means you eat with the Aegean directly in front of you. In the afternoon and evening, the westward orientation delivers the kind of sunset light that makes even a simple plate of grilled fish feel well-timed.

How to Get There

Mikri Vigla is on Naxos's southwest coast, roughly 25 km from Naxos Town (Chora). By car, take the main road south toward Pyrgaki and follow signs for Mikri Vigla — the drive takes around 30–35 minutes. Parking is available near the beach.

By bus, KTEL Naxos operates routes to Mikri Vigla during summer months from Naxos Town bus station, though service is less frequent than to the more central beaches. Check current schedules at the station or online before relying on this option.

The restaurant's address is Mikri Vigla 843 00, and it appears on Google Maps. You can also reach the team by phone at +30 2285 075278 or by email at [email protected].

Best Time to Visit

Kontos is open every day from 12:00 to 10:30 PM. For lunch, arriving around 12:30–1:00 PM means a quieter room before the midday beach crowd filters in. For dinner, arriving at sunset — roughly 7:30–8:30 PM depending on the season — combines the best light with the best of the evening menu.

The restaurant operates seasonally and, based on available information, opens in late April or May. Summer (July–August) is the busiest period, when Mikri Vigla draws serious windsurfers and kiteboarders alongside regular beach visitors. If you're visiting in peak season, arriving early or booking ahead via the contact details above is advisable.

Shoulder season — late May through June or September into early October — offers calmer conditions, shorter waits, and the same quality of food.

Tips for Visiting

• Ask what's cooked that day. The homemade oven dishes are prepared fresh each morning; availability depends on the day's prep, and the staff will tell you what's on.
• Order the local wine. Naxos produces wine primarily from the Potamisi and other indigenous varieties — pairing your meal with a bottle from the island is both good value and genuinely interesting.
• Come for the fish. The fresh catch is the kitchen's strongest suit; the daily selection varies, so check what's available before defaulting to a menu staple.
• Factor in the sunset. Mikri Vigla faces west, and the light in the final hour before dark is worth planning around.
• Combine with the beach. Mikri Vigla is one of Naxos's top windsurfing beaches — spend the afternoon on the sand and walk directly to Kontos for dinner.
• Contact ahead in early or late season. The exact opening and closing dates shift year to year; a quick call or email confirms the restaurant is open on your travel dates.

About the Location: Mikri Vigla

Mikri Vigla sits on a narrow headland that separates two distinct bays — one calmer and family-friendly to the north, one more exposed and wind-driven to the south, which is why it attracts a strong windsurfing and kiteboarding crowd. The beach is long, sandy, and backed by low dunes rather than development, which keeps the atmosphere quieter than Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna further north. Kontos occupies a beachside position that makes it both a lunch stop for day-trippers and a destination restaurant for visitors staying in the southern half of Naxos.