Nostimies Naxos

Nostimies Naxos sits at Plaka Beach, one of the longest stretches of fine sand on the island's west coast. The name means roughly "tasty things" in Greek — a straightforward promise from a restaurant that builds its menu around local Naxian produce, keeping things grounded in the kind of cooking the island has always done well.

With a 4.8 rating and a small but enthusiastic base of reviewers, this is not a high-volume tourist operation. It reads more like a neighborhood spot that happens to be in one of Naxos's most scenic coastal settings.

What to Expect

The kitchen centers on traditional Greek dishes made with ingredients sourced from the island itself. Naxos is unusually well-stocked for a Cycladic island: it produces its own potatoes (considered among the best in Greece), several aged cheeses including graviera and arseniko, locally raised pork, and fresh seafood from nearby waters. A restaurant committed to local sourcing here has real material to work with.

Expect straightforward preparations — slow-cooked meats, grilled fish, seasonal vegetable dishes — rather than elaborate modern Greek cuisine. The web snippets suggest an emphasis on simplicity and depth of flavor, which typically means good-quality olive oil, proper seasoning, and produce that doesn't need much intervention.

The Plaka setting means the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, the kind of place where lunch can stretch comfortably into mid-afternoon.

How to Get There

Plaka Beach is roughly 7 km south of Naxos Town (Chora) along the coastal road. By car or scooter, follow the main road south through Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, then continue to Plaka — the drive takes around 15 minutes from Chora and road signs along the route are reasonably clear.

The KTEL bus network runs services from Naxos Town to Plaka during the summer season, departing from the main bus station near the port. Check current timetables at the station, as frequency increases in July and August.

Parking near Plaka is generally available roadside and in informal lots behind the beach — easier to find in the morning before the beach fills up.

Best Time to Visit

Plaka is a popular beach and the restaurants along it are at their busiest from late June through August. If you're visiting in peak season, arriving for lunch when the beach crowd is already settled means you're less likely to wait for a table. Early evening — just before the dinner rush — is another good window.

May, June, and September offer calmer conditions overall: fewer people, similar temperatures, and the same local ingredients at their seasonal best. In shoulder season, verify the restaurant is open before making a specific trip, as some Plaka establishments operate on reduced schedules outside the core summer months.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead in high season — phone +30 2285 041709 to check availability or reserve a table, especially for dinner.
• Order around Naxian produce. If the menu lists anything featuring local graviera cheese, Naxian potatoes, or fresh-caught fish, those are the dishes most likely to reflect what makes the island's food distinctive.
• Bring cash as backup. Card payment availability varies at smaller Plaka establishments; it's worth being prepared.
• Time your visit with the beach. Plaka faces west, so afternoons get direct sun on the water — combining a swim with lunch works well logistically.
• Note the rating base. The 4.8 score comes from a small number of reviews; treat it as a promising signal rather than a widely validated consensus.

What's Nearby

Plaka Beach itself is one of Naxos's longest and least built-up stretches of coast — broad, sandy, and backed by low dunes rather than a wall of sunbeds. It connects southward toward Mikri Vigla, a beach known for reliable winds that draws windsurfers and kiteboarders. The village of Filoti, inland in the mountain interior, is about 20 minutes by car and worth a detour for those interested in seeing traditional Naxian village life away from the coast. Apiranthos, another well-preserved mountain village, is further east and pairs well with a coastal lunch if you're making a day of it.