Apollo Taverna

Apollo Taverna sits in the small fishing village of Apollonas on the northern tip of Naxos, about 37 kilometres from Naxos Town along a winding coastal road. It's one of the few full-service restaurants in the village, open from mid-morning through to midnight every day of the week — which makes it a natural stop whether you arrive by the tourist bus that runs from Naxos Town or by rental car after driving the scenic mountain route through Koronos and Skado.

With a 4.3-star rating from over 470 Google reviews, the taverna draws a consistent crowd despite its remote-by-island-standards location. The appeal is straightforward: honest Greek cooking in a village that sees far fewer visitors than the resort beaches to the south.

What to Expect

Apollonas is a working fishing harbour, and Apollo Taverna reflects that. Expect grilled fish, fresh seafood platters, and the standard taverna repertoire — Greek salads, tzatziki, grilled meats, and local Naxian specialities like graviera cheese and slow-cooked lamb. The village is small enough that produce and catch tend to be local rather than imported. Seating is typical of a northern Naxos taverna: simple, unpretentious, with views toward the harbour or the surrounding hillside depending on where you sit. The long operating hours (10am to midnight, seven days) mean it functions as both a lunch stop for day-trippers and a dinner destination for the handful of travellers who stay in Apollonas overnight.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town (Chora), the most straightforward option is the KTEL bus, which runs a route north through the mountain villages to Apollonas. Journey time is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on stops — check current schedules at the Naxos Town bus station near the port. By rental car or scooter, the coastal road north from Chora takes around 50–60 minutes and offers dramatic sea views. There is no ferry connection directly to Apollonas for most travellers; the route from the south by road is the standard approach. Parking in Apollonas is informal and easy to find along the seafront.

Best Time to Visit

Apollonas is quieter than the resort towns, so the taverna rarely feels overwhelmed even in high summer (July–August). Lunchtime on weekdays is the calmest window. If you're making the trip from Naxos Town specifically to eat here, combining it with a morning visit to the famous Kouros statue — a 10.5-metre unfinished ancient marble figure in a hillside quarry just above the village — makes for a logical full-day excursion. The taverna is open year-round based on listed hours, though northern Naxos quietens considerably outside the May–October tourist season; calling ahead (+30 2285 067005) off-season is sensible.

The Apollonas Kouros Connection

The giant Kouros of Apollonas is the main reason most visitors make the journey north. Carved in the 7th century BC and left unfinished in the ancient quarry, it lies about 500 metres uphill from the village. Apollo Taverna is well positioned as a before or after stop — the walk back down from the Kouros takes ten to fifteen minutes and ends at the harbour, where the taverna is located. Pair the two and you have a half-day itinerary that covers one of Naxos's most underrated archaeological sites alongside a proper sit-down meal.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead off-season. Hours are listed as consistent year-round, but northern Naxos businesses sometimes reduce hours in winter. Phone ahead if visiting between November and April.
• Combine with the Kouros. The ancient marble statue above the village is a five-minute drive or fifteen-minute walk uphill. Most day-trippers eat after visiting, so arriving at the Kouros first and the taverna second avoids the midday rush.
• Arrive early for fish. In small fishing villages, fresh catch can sell out by early afternoon. If grilled fish is the priority, aim for lunch rather than dinner.
• The bus schedule matters. If you're relying on the KTEL bus from Naxos Town, check the return departure time before you sit down to eat — missing the last bus means arranging a taxi back, which is possible but costly from this distance.
• Cash is sensible backup. No specific payment information is confirmed for this venue; carry euros as a precaution, as card machines can be unreliable in remote northern Naxos.