Taverna Mikri Vigla

Mikri Vigla is one of the windiest stretches of Naxos's west coast, which is exactly why windsurfers and kitesurfers have claimed it as their own. Taverna Mikri Vigla sits right at the beach, offering a place to refuel on traditional Greek food after a session on the water — or simply to eat well while watching the sails track back and forth across the blue.

The setting is the draw here as much as the food: sea views from a beachside terrace, the kind of spot where lunch stretches into the afternoon without anyone minding.

What to Expect

The menu follows the template of a solid Greek beach taverna — grilled fish, lamb, moussaka, horiatiki salad, and mezedes that work well as a shared spread before a main. The kitchen leans on local Naxian produce, which the island does well: the potatoes are some of the best in the Cyclades, the cheese is often local graviera or fresh mizithra, and the olive oil tends to be good. Portions are generous and the pace is unhurried.

This is not a fine-dining address. It's a straightforward, honest taverna where the location — sand nearby, sea in front — does a lot of the heavy lifting. That's not a criticism; it's exactly what the beach calls for.

How to Get There

Mikri Vigla is on the southwest coast of Naxos, roughly 20 km south of Naxos Town. By car, take the main coastal road south from Naxos Town through Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka, continuing to the Mikri Vigla turnoff. The drive takes around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic in the beach villages. Parking is available near the beach.

There is a bus route from Naxos Town that serves the southwestern beach strip, but services thin out south of Plaka, so check the KTEL Naxos schedule for current stops near Mikri Vigla. A taxi from Naxos Town is a reliable fallback.

If you're based at one of the smaller accommodations along the Mikri Vigla beach road, the taverna is likely within walking distance.

Best Time to Visit

Taverna Mikri Vigla is a summer operation — expect it to be open from roughly late May through September, though the core season is July and August. Lunch is when the setting works best: midday light on the water, the meltemi wind keeping temperatures manageable on the terrace. Evenings are quieter and cooler, which suits a longer meal.

Mikri Vigla's famous north wind makes afternoons breezy even in peak summer, so a table here is more comfortable than at more sheltered, sweltering spots along the coast. Avoid arriving at prime lunch hour on weekends in August without a plan — the beach draws a crowd and the taverna fills accordingly.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring cash. Small beach tavernas in this part of Naxos don't always have reliable card terminals. Confirm on arrival.
• Order the local fish if it's on the board — Naxos is not as famous for seafood as some other islands, but fresh catch cooked simply here is reliably good.
• Combine with the beach. There's no reason not to eat, swim, and eat again. The taverna's position makes a full afternoon easy to justify.
• Check Facebook for seasonal hours. The taverna's Facebook page (facebook.com/mikrivigla.naxos) is the most current source for whether they're open and any seasonal updates.
• Head north for more options. If the taverna is full or closed, the village of Plaka a few kilometres up the coast has additional restaurants and cafes.

What's Nearby

Mikri Vigla beach itself splits into two distinct shores: the north-facing side catches the wind and is the domain of kite and windsurfers, while the south side — sometimes called Mikro Aliko — is calmer, backed by sand dunes and cedar trees, and suits swimmers better. Both are within easy reach of the taverna.

Water-sports rental outfits operate on the beach during summer, offering gear hire and lessons for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The combination of a morning lesson, lunch at the taverna, and an afternoon swim on the sheltered side makes for a well-structured beach day.

Further south, the long beach at Kastraki continues the wild, undeveloped feel of this stretch of coast. North toward Plaka, the landscape is flatter and the beaches broader, with more infrastructure for families.