Picasso

Picasso is a Mexican restaurant sitting directly on Plaka Beach, one of the longest stretches of sand on Naxos, just south of Agia Anna village. It has been operating since 1996 — an unusually long run for a beach restaurant on a Greek island — and its longevity says something about the food and the setting both. The view from your table is the Aegean, the kitchen is turning out homemade salsa and sizzling fajitas, and you can spend the whole day without leaving.

The combination is genuinely unusual for Naxos. Most beachfront spots lean into grilled fish or standard Greek mezedes; Picasso commits to Mexican cooking and does it with locally sourced vegetables and fresh-made ingredients rather than shortcuts.

What to Expect

The menu centres on Mexican staples executed with some care. Sizzling fajitas are the signature dish — chicken, beef, or mixed, arriving at the table still hissing from the griddle. The salsa, refried beans, and the vegan and vegetarian bowls are all made in-house, using locally grown vegetables when available. Steaks and burgers also appear on the menu for anyone not in the mood for Mexican. Cocktails are a serious part of the offering, particularly suited to the long Plaka sunsets.

The restaurant opens at 10am with a snack menu; the full menu runs from 1pm through to closing. Breakfast and brunch are also served during the season. Practical detail worth knowing: Picasso provides a changing area and shower on site, which means you can come straight from the water without needing to return to your accommodation first. Sun umbrella service on the beach is available, so you can stake out a spot early and eat there.

The space operates from May to September only, in line with the island's seasonal rhythm.

How to Get There

Plaka Beach runs along the west coast of Naxos, roughly 8–10 km south of Naxos Town. The address is on the Plaka beach road near Agia Anna (Ag. Anna 843 00).

By car or scooter: The most practical option. Head south from Naxos Town through Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna; Plaka Beach begins just beyond Agia Anna. Parking is available along the beach road, though it fills up on high-season afternoons.

By bus: KTEL Naxos operates a regular coastal route from Naxos Town that stops at Agia Anna and continues toward Plaka during summer. Check current timetables at the Naxos Town KTEL station, as summer frequency differs from shoulder-season schedules.

By bicycle: The coastal road from Agia Anna is flat and bikeable, making this a reasonable option for the short stretch from the village.

No entry fee or tickets — it's a restaurant and beach operation.

Best Time to Visit

Picasso is open daily from May through September, 10am to 11:30pm. For lunch, arriving before 1pm or after 2:30pm avoids the peak midday rush during July and August. The late afternoon is particularly well-suited to a long cocktail session: Plaka faces west, and the sunsets over the Aegean from this stretch of coast are slow and colourful. If you want a beach umbrella spot as well as a table for dinner, booking both in advance during peak season is sensible.

Shoulder months — May, early June, and September — offer calmer conditions, easier parking, and the same menu without the high-season crowds.

Tips for Visiting

• Reserve ahead in July and August. The combination of beach umbrella service and restaurant dining makes this a popular all-day destination; tables for sunset fill up early.
• Use the shower facility. The on-site changing room and shower mean you can swim, dry off, and move straight to a dinner table without packing up.
• Full menu starts at 1pm. If you arrive at 10am, you'll have the snack menu only; plan accordingly if you're coming specifically for fajitas or a cooked meal.
• Bring cash as backup. Card payment is likely available, but beach restaurants in Greece occasionally have connectivity issues — having euros on hand avoids any awkwardness.
• Parking fills by midday in peak season. If arriving by car in July or August, aim for before 11am or later in the afternoon.
• Check the season dates. Picasso operates May to September. Outside those months it is closed.

About the Restaurant

Picasso on the Beach opened in 1996, which makes it one of the longer-established dining spots on this part of the Naxos coastline. The decision to specialise in Mexican food rather than Greek or Mediterranean fare was a deliberate one, and the restaurant has maintained that identity consistently. The use of local Naxian produce — the island is known for its agricultural output, including potatoes, vegetables, and dairy — runs through the kitchen's approach to Mexican staples in a way that makes the menu feel more grounded than a simple novelty concept.

With a 4.5-star rating across more than 1,250 Google reviews, it holds up well against the general standard of beach dining on the island.