Taverna "O Giannoulis"

Taverna O Giannoulis sits in Agios Prokopios, the coastal village roughly 8 km southwest of Naxos Town, and it operates the way a good Greek taverna should: home-style cooking, a family atmosphere, and a menu that leans on whatever is local and in season. With a 4.7 rating drawn from nearly 5,000 Google reviews, it has earned its reputation not through novelty but through consistency.

This is the kind of place where the food tastes like it was made for someone's table rather than a tourist menu. The setting is casual and unfussy — an old-country-kitchen feel, as regulars describe it — which suits Agios Prokopios well. The village is busy in summer but still residential enough that a meal here feels grounded rather than staged.

What to Expect

Taverna O Giannoulis is a family-run operation that centers on traditional Greek cooking. Expect the staples done properly: slow-cooked lamb, moussaka, stuffed vegetables, grilled fresh fish, and Naxian specialties that draw on the island's well-regarded produce — its potatoes, cheeses like graviera and arseniko, and locally raised meat. Portions are generous and prices reflect a taverna that serves the community as much as it serves visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal, with seating that suits lingering over a carafe of house wine.

Service is friendly and straightforward. Staff are used to guiding diners through the menu, and the kitchen handles both midday and evening sittings without rushing anyone out.

How to Get There

Agios Prokopios is about 8 km from Naxos Town along the western coastal road. By car or scooter, follow the main road south from Naxos Town toward Agios Georgios beach, then continue to Agios Prokopios — the drive takes around 15 minutes. The taverna is on an unnamed road within the village; coordinates 37.0747, 25.3521 will get you directly there on any map app. Street parking is generally available nearby.

By bus, KTEL Naxos runs regular summer services from Naxos Town bus station to Agios Prokopios beach. The stop is a short walk from the restaurant. Check current KTEL schedules at the station, as frequency varies by season.

If you're already at Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna beach, the taverna is walkable from either.

Best Time to Visit

The taverna is open daily from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM, covering both lunch and dinner. For a relaxed lunch, arriving at 1:00–2:00 PM works well outside peak season. In July and August, the dinner window from 8:00–9:00 PM fills quickly, and this is when the taverna is at its liveliest. Arriving slightly earlier (7:30 PM) or booking ahead by phone is worth doing in high season.

Shoulder season — late May through June and September — offers the best combination of good weather, full menu availability, and shorter waits.

What's Nearby

Agios Prokopios beach is one of Naxos's longest and most popular stretches of sand, just minutes from the taverna — a logical stop for lunch after a morning on the water. Agia Anna, the next cove south, is similarly close. The area has a handful of other cafes and shops, but Taverna O Giannoulis is consistently the most-reviewed dining option in the village, which tells its own story.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead in July and August. The phone number is +30 2285 042333. Reservations reduce the chance of a wait during peak evenings.
• Order the Naxian cheese. The island's graviera and local cheeses are worth trying as a starter or side, especially at a kitchen that uses local suppliers.
• Come hungry. Portions at traditional Greek tavernas of this type are substantial. Sharing a few dishes works well.
• Lunch has a slower pace. If you want to eat without the evening rush, the 1:00–3:00 PM window is quieter and easier for families.
• Parking is easier at the edges of the village. In high summer, the main stretch near the beach can be tight. A two-minute walk from a side street is worth the ease.
• Follow the Facebook page at facebook.com/giannoulistaverna for any seasonal closures or special menus.