Nikos

Nikos sits on Plateia Petroi Evipaioi in Naxos Town — a square within easy walking distance of the port and the Chora's main commercial strip. It's a straightforward, informal taverna doing what traditional Greek restaurants do best: unfussy food cooked to order, an unhurried pace, and hours that stretch well past midnight for anyone who wanders in late after a long day on the island.

With a 4.3-star rating across nearly 500 Google reviews, Nikos earns its reputation not through theatre but through consistency. This is the kind of place locals and returning visitors seek out specifically rather than stumble upon.

What to Expect

Nikos operates squarely in the traditional Greek taverna category — think grilled meats, fresh fish dishes, mezedes, and the standard roster of Hellenic comfort food that travels well alongside a carafe of local wine or a cold Mythos. The setting is relaxed and informal, more plastic chairs and paper tablecloths than candlelit ambiance, which is exactly the point. Naxos produces some of the best potatoes, cheeses, and pork in the Cyclades, and a kitchen like this is where those ingredients tend to show up simply prepared and priced honestly.

The restaurant is open every day of the week from 10:00 AM through to 2:00 AM, which makes it one of the more flexible options in Naxos Town for both early lunchers and late-night diners coming off a boat or returning from a beach.

How to Get There

Plateia Petroi Evipaioi is in Naxos Town (Chora), within the town's pedestrian-friendly inner streets. From the port ferry terminal, head into the Chora on foot — the walk takes around five to ten minutes depending on your starting point. If you're arriving by bus from one of the island's beaches or villages, the main KTEL bus station sits near the waterfront, so the walk is comparable. Driving into Naxos Town can involve navigating narrow one-way streets; parking is most reliable near the port or along the waterfront road, from which you can walk into the square.

Best Time to Visit

Nikos is open year-round on consistent hours, which sets it apart from many seasonal tavernas on the island that close between October and April. In high summer (July and August), tables on the square can fill by 8 PM, so arriving earlier — or later, after 10 PM — keeps you ahead of the peak dinner rush. Lunchtime visits in the shoulder months (May, June, September, October) tend to be the most relaxed, with full menus and fewer crowds. If you want to eat outside comfortably in the evening heat, the open square setting works in your favour.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead in summer: Phone reservations are worth making during peak season. The number is +30 2285 022765.
• Go for the local ingredients: Naxos is known island-wide for its graviera cheese, louza (cured pork), and Naxian potatoes. Dishes built around these are usually the best value on any traditional menu here.
• Late dining is viable: The 2:00 AM closing time is genuine — this is a workable option after an evening ferry arrival or a late beach day.
• Cash and cards: Many traditional tavernas in Naxos Town accept cards, but bringing some cash as a backup is always sensible.
• The square itself: Plateia Petroi Evipaioi has seating that extends into the open air, making it a pleasant place to linger over a meal rather than rush through.

What's Nearby

Naxos Town's Chora is compact enough that Nikos sits within short walking distance of several key landmarks. The Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia — is visible from the waterfront a few minutes away. The Venetian Kastro, the elevated old town with its medieval tower houses and the Archaeological Museum, is a short uphill walk from the main square. The covered market street (Papavasileou) running through the Chora passes numerous shops selling local products, which makes for a useful pre- or post-dinner route.