Meze 2

Meze 2 sits in Naxos Town (Chora) and has built one of the most consistent reputations of any restaurant on the island — 3,400-plus Google reviews at a 4.5 rating is not an easy number to sustain in a competitive summer destination. The format is Greek and Mediterranean meze: small plates, shared, at your own pace, on what visitors consistently describe as a rooftop terrace with views over the town.

The name says exactly what to expect. Meze-style dining in Greece means ordering several dishes at once and working through them together rather than in courses. At Meze 2, that translates to a mix of seafood, grilled meats, pasta, and Naxian-inflected plates that draw on the island's notably good larder — the local potatoes, cheeses, and the sun-dried octopus that shows up in visitor photos from the restaurant.

What to Expect

The menu leans into both classic Greek taverna cooking and broader Mediterranean influences. Dishes spotted across visitor accounts include sun-dried grilled octopus, Naxos fries (made from the island's famously dense, sweet potatoes), and sharing plates that pair well with local drinks. The restaurant stocks Greek craft beers including Mamos, and the spirit list appears to include psimeni — a cinnamon-spiced Greek spirit — making it a reasonable place to try something local alongside the food.

The setting is casual rather than formal. Tables fill up quickly in the evening, particularly in July and August, so arriving at or shortly after the 1:30 PM opening gives you a quieter lunch service with more choice of seating. The rooftop position means the views improve as the sun drops — evening visits offer the town lights and, depending on your table, a line toward the illuminated Portara on the nearby islet of Palatia.

This is a place built for lingering over several plates rather than a quick single-dish meal. Budget accordingly in both time and appetite.

How to Get There

The address is in Chora (Naxos Town), the island's main settlement around the port. The old town's lanes are narrow and largely pedestrianized, so the most practical approach on foot is to walk in from the waterfront promenade and navigate toward the kastro district — Meze 2 is within the compact Chora core. Google Maps (via the listing's coordinates at 37.1057, 25.3756) will get you to the door accurately.

If you're staying elsewhere on the island, KTEL buses connect most beach resorts and villages to Naxos Town's bus station, which is on the port. From there it's a short walk into Chora. Drivers arriving from the south or interior can use the paid seafront parking area near the port before walking in — the old town itself is not drivable.

Best Time to Visit

Meze 2 is open every day of the week from 1:30 PM to 11:30 PM, which gives you flexibility across both lunch and dinner. Lunch service (roughly 1:30–4:00 PM) is typically calmer and easier to get a table without a wait. Dinner from 7:30 PM onward is the busier window, especially in peak summer (late June through August), when the rooftop fills with both independent travelers and visitors from the island's busy resort areas.

Shoulder season — May, early June, and September — brings cooler evenings and shorter waits. October visits are possible but check ahead, as some Naxos restaurants reduce hours or close after the main season.

Tips for Visiting

• Order more than you think you need. Meze portions are designed for sharing and the format rewards ordering four to six dishes between two people.
• Ask about Naxian specifics. The island produces good graviera cheese, exceptional potatoes, and fresh seafood — look for these on the menu rather than defaulting to standard Greek dishes you can find anywhere.
• Try a local drink. The restaurant has been noted for stocking Greek craft beer and spirits including psimeni; it's worth ordering something you won't easily find at home.
• Arrive at opening if you want a quiet meal. The 1:30 PM start means you can have a relaxed late lunch before the dinner rush builds.
• Check the Facebook and Instagram pages before visiting. The restaurant's accounts (@mezemezenaxos) show current food and any seasonal specials.
• Call ahead in peak summer. Phone: +30 2285 026401. The restaurant may take reservations or at least give you a realistic wait time estimate.

What's Nearby

Meze 2's location in Chora puts it within easy walking distance of the main reasons people base themselves in Naxos Town. The Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia — is a short walk north from the port and makes a logical pre-dinner stop at sunset. The Venetian Kastro, a medieval fortified quarter that rises above the old town, is a few minutes' walk uphill and houses the Archaeological Museum of Naxos. The waterfront promenade connects the port to the town beach at Agios Georgios, a wide sandy beach popular with families, roughly ten minutes south on foot.