O Charis

O Charis is a village taverna in Eggares, a quiet agricultural settlement about 8 kilometres north of Naxos Town. It draws a loyal following of locals and repeat visitors who are willing to drive inland specifically to eat here — which, in a Greek island context, says more than any review.

The cooking is rooted in the Naxian countryside: slow-braised meats, fresh vegetables from the surrounding farmland, and preparations that haven't changed much across generations. Rabbit with lemon is the dish that comes up most often when people describe a meal here, and it's a reasonable anchor for understanding what the kitchen does well — confident, unfussy, made from ingredients the island actually produces.

What to Expect

O Charis operates as a lunch and early-evening restaurant rather than a late-night dining destination. The setting is relaxed and unpretentious in the way that genuine village tavernas tend to be — you're eating in Eggares, not in a tourist district, so the atmosphere reflects where you are. Expect a short menu focused on daily preparations rather than a sprawling list, and a pace that matches the village rather than a ferry-town rush.

With a Google rating of 4.4 across 578 reviews, this is a place that consistently delivers rather than occasionally impresses. TikTok and travel food writers have picked it up in recent years, but the clientele is still largely people who know Naxos well.

Naxos itself is one of the most food-productive islands in the Cyclades — it supplies other islands with potatoes, cheese, and meat — so a taverna sourcing locally here has genuinely good raw material to work with.

How to Get There

Eggares is not on the main tourist trail, which is part of its appeal. From Naxos Town (Chora), head north on the road toward Engares — the drive takes roughly 15 minutes by car or scooter. There is no direct bus route that stops conveniently at the restaurant, so a rental vehicle is the practical choice. Parking in the village is straightforward and free. Taxi from Naxos Town is an option if you want to arrive without driving.

Best Time to Visit

O Charis is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday through Sunday for lunch and early dinner (approximately 12:30–6:30 PM on most days, with Friday–Sunday running until 7:00 PM). It is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Note that Tuesday hours in the listing show 12:30 AM, which appears to be a data formatting issue — confirm current hours by calling ahead, especially outside peak season.

Lunch on a weekday tends to be quieter than weekend service. The restaurant's location inland means it stays comfortable even on hot summer afternoons when coastal spots can feel relentless. If you're visiting during the shoulder seasons (April–May or September–October), call ahead to confirm the kitchen is running.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead on +30 698 171 7160, especially mid-week or outside July and August — hours can shift seasonally and Wednesday–Thursday closures are firm.
• Go for the braised and slow-cooked dishes — this is not the place for grilled fish; the strength is in the kitchen's long-cooked preparations.
• Arrive at opening time if you're visiting on a weekend; the small size of village tavernas means popular dishes can sell out by mid-afternoon.
• Combine the trip with a visit to the Eggares Olive Press Museum nearby, which documents traditional Naxian olive oil production and takes about 30 minutes to explore.
• Bring cash — village restaurants in this part of Naxos do not always have reliable card terminals, and it's worth being prepared.

What's Nearby

Eggares sits in the northern interior of Naxos, an area less visited than the coastal strip but worth a half-day. The road through the village continues toward Koronos and the mountainous interior of the island. The Engares valley is known for olive groves and small-scale farming, and the drive back toward Chora passes through Galanado and skirts the edge of the Livadi plain. If you're spending a day exploring northern Naxos — perhaps via the Venetian towers at Ano Sagri or the route up to Koronos — O Charis makes a logical and rewarding lunch stop.