To Limanaki

To Limanaki sits right on the harbour in Apollonas, the fishing village at the northern tip of Naxos. Run by owner Giannis Andris, it operates as a café, ouzeri, and snack bar from early morning until midnight — making it one of the few spots in this quiet corner of the island that covers the full day, from the first coffee to a late-night round of ouzo.

Apollonas is about 40 kilometres north of Naxos Town by road, and To Limanaki is the kind of place that anchors a village harbour: unhurried, unpretentious, and genuinely useful whether you've just arrived on a boat or you're winding down after a day exploring the surrounding countryside.

What to Expect

The menu moves through three distinct registers. Mornings are about breakfast — coffee, pastries, and the kind of simple fuel that gets you going before a hike or a beach session. Midday and afternoon the focus shifts to ouzo and the small plates that go with it: the place describes itself as an ouzeri and rakadiko, meaning you can expect the salty, oily mezedes — olives, cheese, fried or grilled small fish — that are the traditional companions to a carafe of ouzo or a shot of raki. The standout according to the venue itself is the sweet side: house desserts paired with ice cream, which have earned particular attention from visitors.

With 87 Google reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, To Limanaki punches above its weight for a small-village operation. The harbour setting does a lot of the work — tables facing the water, fishing boats moored nearby, the pace of Apollonas doing the rest.

How to Get There

Apollonas is served by KTEL bus from Naxos Town. The journey takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours along a winding mountain road and passes through several villages in the island's interior, including Koronida. Check the current KTEL schedule at the Naxos Town bus station before you travel, as services to Apollonas are limited — typically one or two per day in each direction.

By car, take the main road north from Naxos Town toward Engares, then follow signs for Apollonas. The drive is scenic, particularly through the high village of Koronida, and takes around 50 minutes. Parking is generally available near the harbour in Apollonas without charge.

To Limanaki is at the harbour itself — you won't need an address once you're in the village.

Best Time to Visit

Apollonas is far less crowded than the beaches and towns on Naxos's western coast, which makes To Limanaki genuinely pleasant even in high summer. Morning visits are relaxed and good for breakfast before heading to the local beach or up to the famous Kouros of Apollonas, the unfinished ancient marble statue a short walk from the village. Evening visits — especially around sunset over the harbour — suit the ouzeri format well. The venue is open every day of the week, year-round based on available data, from 7:30 AM to midnight.

Outside of July and August, Apollonas is very quiet, and To Limanaki may be one of the only spots open in the village — a practical consideration if you're travelling in shoulder or low season.

What's Nearby

The Kouros of Apollonas is the main draw in this part of Naxos — a 10.5-metre unfinished archaic statue carved directly into the hillside, dating to around the 7th century BC and believed to represent either Apollo or Dionysus. It's a 10-minute walk from the harbour. The village also has a small beach suitable for swimming, and the surrounding north Naxos mountains offer hiking for those with transport and good footwear.

Tips for Visiting

• Combine a stop at To Limanaki with a visit to the Apollonas Kouros — see the statue first, then settle in at the harbour for lunch or a late-morning coffee.
• If you're relying on the KTEL bus, check the return time before you sit down for ouzo. Missing the last bus means an expensive taxi back to Naxos Town.
• The sweets with ice cream are explicitly the kitchen's calling card — worth ordering even if you wouldn't normally stop for dessert.
• Apollonas gets noticeably cooler than the coast in the evenings, especially outside of summer. A light layer is useful if you're planning to linger after dark.
• The phone number for reservations or enquiries is +30 2285 067149.