Taverna Apostolis

Taverna Apostolis is a traditional Greek taverna in Naxos Town, drawing a steady crowd of locals and visitors with its straightforward home-style cooking and relaxed atmosphere. With over 1,500 Google reviews and a 4.4 rating, it's one of the more consistently praised spots on the island — not for novelty, but for getting the classics right.

The setting is casual and unpretentious: strings of lamps overhead, the kind of place where you linger over a carafe of local wine rather than rush through a set menu. It fits squarely in the tradition of Cycladic taverna dining, where the food is the point and the decor stays out of the way.

What to Expect

Taverna Apostolis focuses on the core of Greek taverna cooking — grilled meats, fresh seafood when available, mezedes, and vegetable dishes made from local Naxian produce. Naxos is one of the most agriculturally rich islands in the Cyclades, known for its potatoes, courgettes, cheeses (particularly graviera and arseniko), and slow-cooked lamb and pork dishes. Expect to find at least some of these Naxian staples on the menu.

Portions tend to be generous and prices in line with a mid-range taverna. The atmosphere suits families, couples, and solo diners equally — there's no dress code and no performance. You order, you eat, you sit longer than you planned.

How to Get There

The taverna is located in Naxos Town (Chora), the island's main settlement on the northwest coast. The coordinates place it well within the Chora area, close to the old town and waterfront district.

• On foot: If you're staying anywhere in Naxos Town, the taverna is likely walkable. The old town's lanes are best navigated on foot regardless.
• By car or scooter: Naxos Town is about 40 km from the southern beaches and around 20 km from the mountain villages. Parking in Chora can be tight in summer — use the seafront car parks near the port and walk in.
• By bus: KTEL Naxos buses connect most of the island's villages to Naxos Town. The main bus terminal is on the waterfront, a short walk from the old town.
• By ferry: The port of Naxos Town receives ferries from Piraeus and other Cycladic islands. Arriving passengers are already in Chora.

Best Time to Visit

Taverna Apostolis is open through the main tourist season, broadly April or May through October. Summer evenings from around 7:30 pm onward are peak hours — the lanes of Naxos Town fill up quickly in July and August, and popular tavernas like this one can get busy without reservations.

Shoulder season (May–June and September–October) offers a noticeably more relaxed pace, cooler evenings, and the same quality of food without the wait. If you're visiting in peak summer, aim for an earlier dinner sitting or call ahead.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead in high season: The phone number is +30 2285 026777. A quick call on the day avoids a wait.
• Order Naxian specialties: Ask what's local — graviera cheese, slow-cooked lamb, or Naxian potato dishes are worth seeking out specifically on this island.
• Check the Facebook page before you go: Taverna Apostolis maintains an active Facebook presence (facebook.com/taverna.o.apostolis) and Instagram (@tavernaoapostolis), where seasonal hours or closures are sometimes posted.
• Pace yourself with mezedes: Ordering several small shared dishes is the most economical and satisfying way to eat at a traditional Greek taverna.
• Cash is useful: Smaller tavernas in Naxos Town don't always accept cards; it's worth having euros on hand.
• Arrive before 8 pm in summer: The lamp-lit setting is lovely once evening sets in, but arriving slightly earlier secures a table without the summer rush.

What's Nearby

Naxos Town is compact and walkable, so Taverna Apostolis sits within easy reach of several key landmarks. The Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia — is a short walk north from the port and the obvious pre-dinner stop at sunset. The Venetian Kastro, the medieval fortified quarter that crowns the old town, is a few minutes' walk uphill from the main square. The waterfront promenade connects the port to the town beach at Agios Georgios, which is a flat ten-minute walk south.