Kozi

Kozi sits on the Grotta seafront in Naxos Town, a short walk from the Portara islet, and it specialises in one thing above all else: handmade souvlaki and charcoal-grilled meats using locally sourced ingredients. With a 4.7 rating from more than 2,500 Google reviews, it has earned a loyal following among both islanders and visitors who return year after year specifically for the food.

Under its current management since December 2013, Kozi has settled into a relaxed rhythm — neighbourhood grill house by day, lively dinner spot by night — without any of the tourist-strip fanfare that tends to inflate prices and shrink portions elsewhere on the waterfront.

What to Expect

The menu centres on charcoal-grilled and oven-cooked meats, all prepared in-house. The handmade souvlaki is the signature item: pork or chicken on a skewer, served with pita, tzatziki, and tomato in the traditional Greek way. The stuffed burgers (bifteki) have drawn repeated praise for their size and flavour, and the starters — taramosalata, grilled halloumi, village salads dressed with Naxian olive oil — are generous enough to anchor a full meal on their own.

Local Naxian products are a deliberate thread through the menu. The island produces excellent potatoes, cheeses (graviera and arseniko in particular), and olive oil, and Kozi incorporates these rather than importing generic mainland ingredients. House wine comes from local production.

The setting on the Grotta side of the harbour means you get open sea views and a direct sightline to the Portara across the water — particularly striking at dusk when the marble archway catches the last of the light.

Kozi also caters for private events including weddings and baptisms, which signals the kitchen's capacity to handle volume without cutting corners.

How to Get There

Kozi is on Leoforos Naxou-Eggaron, the coast road that runs north from the ferry port along the Grotta waterfront. On foot from Naxos Town's main square (Plateia Protodikiou), follow the waterfront road past the port entrance and continue north for roughly 10 minutes — the Grotta area begins where the promenade curves away from the ferry quay.

By car, the Grotta road is accessible from the main Naxos Town ring road. Street parking along the Grotta seafront is generally available outside peak summer evenings, though it fills quickly in July and August. There is no dedicated car park, so arriving before 7 pm helps in high season.

Bus routes from the main KTEL bus station in Naxos Town do not run directly along the Grotta coastal strip, so the most practical options are walking (if you're staying in Naxos Town) or taxi from anywhere else on the island.

Best Time to Visit

Kozi is open every day of the week from noon to 1 am, making it one of the more flexible options in Naxos Town for both late lunches and late-night meals after an evening on the waterfront.

For the best experience without a long wait, aim for lunch between 12:30 pm and 2 pm, or dinner before 8 pm. From late June through August, the Grotta promenade fills up after sunset and tables at seafront restaurants are taken quickly. A weekday visit in shoulder season — May, June, September, or October — gives you a quieter table and the same quality food.

The Portara view is best at golden hour, roughly an hour before sunset, which aligns well with an early dinner sitting.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead on +30 2285 024571 or reach out via WhatsApp if you're planning to come with a large group, especially in summer.
• The handmade souvlaki and the stuffed bifteki are the standout dishes — order at least one of each to get the full picture of what the kitchen does best.
• Ask for the local Naxian wine rather than defaulting to a brand name; the house selection reflects what's actually produced on the island.
• If you want a table with a clear sea view and sightline to the Portara, specify this when you book or arrive — not every table has the same outlook.
• Portions are described consistently as large in guest reviews, so err on the side of ordering less and adding on rather than over-ordering from the start.
• The restaurant handles private event catering; if you're planning a group celebration on Naxos, contact them well in advance at [email protected].

What's Nearby

Kozi's location in the Grotta neighbourhood puts it within easy reach of several Naxos Town highlights. The Portara — the freestanding marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo — is a five-minute walk along the causeway that juts into the sea just south of Grotta. The small sandy beach at Grotta itself is directly adjacent to the restaurant strip, suitable for a pre-dinner swim in calm conditions.

Naxos Town's Venetian kastro, the old hilltop fortification with its marble-paved lanes and archaeological museum, is a 15-minute walk inland from the Grotta waterfront. The main harbour promenade, with its ferry connections to Piraeus and the other Cyclades, is a 10-minute walk south.