Oinochoros

Oinochoros is a wine bar in Naxos Town with one of the highest ratings of any venue on the island — 4.9 from 275 reviews is not a number you see often, and it suggests a place that a lot of people leave genuinely pleased with. The name itself signals intent: oinochoros is the ancient Greek term for a wine pourer, the person responsible for keeping cups full at a symposium. That framing tells you this is somewhere that takes wine seriously.

The focus is on Greek wine, including bottles from Naxos and the wider Cyclades alongside labels from the mainland appellations. Greece's wine scene has shifted considerably over the past two decades, and a venue like this is where you can work through that shift in a single evening — moving from an Assyrtiko from Santorini to something made from the lesser-known Monemvasia or Mavrotragano grape without having to do much more than point at a list.

What to Expect

Oinochoros operates as an evening-only wine bar, open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The evening-only hours and the late closing time indicate this is not a place for a quick afternoon glass — it's built around a longer, unhurried visit. Expect a curated wine list weighted toward Greek producers, knowledgeable service, and an atmosphere suited to conversation rather than background noise. The coordinates place it within Naxos Town (Chora), making it walkable from most accommodation in and around the main settlement.

Given the wine bar classification and the ratings profile, it is reasonable to expect some food accompaniment — small plates, charcuterie, or meze-style dishes to support the wine — though the specific menu is not confirmed in available sources.

How to Get There

Oinochoros sits in Naxos Town at coordinates 37.1012, 25.3757, which places it within easy walking distance of the Chora waterfront and the port area. If you are staying in Naxos Town, you can walk. If you are coming from a village in the interior or from a beach on the west coast — Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka — you will need a car, taxi, or the local bus (KTEL) into Chora. Parking in the Chora area in high season requires arriving early or using one of the larger lots on the edge of town and walking in. The KTEL bus station in Naxos Town is a short walk from the port, and buses run from most of the main beach settlements throughout the day and into the early evening.

Best Time to Visit

Oinochoros is an evening venue by design, so the question of timing is less about time of day and more about the season. In July and August, Naxos Town is busy and tables at well-regarded spots fill up quickly. Arriving shortly after opening at 7:00 PM gives you the best chance of a relaxed experience. In shoulder season — May, June, September, and October — the pace slows and you are more likely to have space to linger. The evenings in September in particular tend to be warm enough to sit outside if the venue has exterior seating, without the intensity of midsummer.

Tips for Visiting

• Check ahead by phone before making a special trip, particularly early or late in the season when hours can shift: +30 2285 301507.
• Go with an open approach to the wine list. Ask the staff for recommendations tied to the region — Naxos produces its own wines and local producers often appear on lists at venues like this.
• Arrive close to opening if you are visiting in July or August. A 4.9 rating with over 275 reviews means this place has a following.
• Pair the visit with dinner nearby. Since Oinochoros opens at 7:00 PM, you can eat first at one of Naxos Town's restaurants in the old market area and then move here for wine afterward.
• Monday and Sunday are rest days. Plan your Naxos itinerary accordingly if this is a priority stop.

Greek Wine: What You Might Find on the List

Greece has more than 300 indigenous grape varieties, and a well-curated wine bar on a Cycladic island is one of the better places to encounter them. You might find Assyrtiko from Santorini — the benchmark white of the Aegean — alongside Moschofilero from the Peloponnese, or reds made from Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro. Naxos itself has a small but growing wine tradition, with some local estates producing whites and reds that rarely travel far beyond the island. If the list includes a Naxian wine, that is the one to try first.