La Sambia

La Sambia is a restaurant located on the provincial road between Apiranthos and the coastal village of Apollonas, in the northern part of Naxos. This stretch of road is one of the more scenic routes on the island, winding through terraced hillsides before dropping down toward the small fishing harbour at Apollonas — so a stop here works naturally into a day trip to the north.

The address places it firmly in the Apollonas 843 02 postal area, which means you're in genuinely rural Naxos, far from the tourist infrastructure of Naxos Town or Agios Prokopios. Dining options out here are few, and restaurants that draw repeat visitors on a road like this tend to do so on the strength of the cooking rather than the setting alone.

What to Expect

La Sambia sits on the Apiranthos–Apollonas provincial road, which serves both locals traveling between interior villages and visitors making the loop around northern Naxos. Restaurants in this part of the island typically focus on straightforward Greek cooking — grilled meat and fish, mezedes, and whatever the kitchen has sourced locally. Naxos is known for its potatoes, cheeses (graviera and arseniko in particular), and pork, so expect at least some of those to appear on a menu in this area.

Because verified details about the current menu, indoor capacity, or seating arrangement are not available in our research, we recommend contacting the restaurant directly before visiting, especially if you're traveling with a group or arriving outside the main summer season.

How to Get There

The restaurant is on the Apiranthos–Apollonas road, which is accessible by car or motorbike. From Naxos Town, head east toward Apiranthos (roughly 30–35 km), then continue north on the provincial road toward Apollonas. The drive takes approximately 50–60 minutes from Naxos Town depending on road conditions and stops.

There is a bus route from Naxos Town to Apollonas that runs in summer, though frequency is limited — typically once or twice daily. Check the KTEL Naxos schedule before relying on public transport for this route. Parking along the provincial road is generally informal; roadside space is usually available in this part of the island.

Best Time to Visit

Northern Naxos is quieter than the island's western coast throughout the season, but the Apollonas road sees the most traffic in July and August when visitors make day-trip loops of the island. Lunch is the practical meal here — arriving mid-morning and eating at 1–2 pm aligns with both the Greek dining rhythm and the natural flow of a northern Naxos day trip. The road can be exposed and hot in peak summer afternoons, so an earlier start from Naxos Town is sensible.

Outside July and August, verify in advance that the restaurant is open, as rural Naxos businesses frequently operate on reduced schedules or close entirely from October through April.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead. No phone number is currently listed in public databases, but asking your accommodation in Naxos Town to help you confirm operating hours is worth the effort before making the drive.
• Combine with Apollonas village. The small harbour and the unfinished ancient kouros statue just above the village are both within a few minutes of this road.
• Carry cash. Card payment infrastructure is inconsistent on the provincial roads of interior and northern Naxos.
• Factor in the drive time. The Apiranthos–Apollonas road is narrow in places and not suitable for speed; allow more time than the map suggests.
• Bring water. If you're also planning to walk to the Apollonas kouros or explore the coastline, the northern part of Naxos offers limited shade in summer.

What's Nearby

Apollonas village, a 5–10 minute drive further north, has a small pebble beach, a harbour with fishing boats, and the 10.5-metre unfinished archaic kouros carved directly into the hillside above the village — one of three such ancient statues on Naxos. Apiranthos, in the other direction, is a marble-paved mountain village with a distinct Cretan heritage, several small museums, and a cluster of kafeneions worth a stop. The route between the two is one of the better scenic drives on the island.