Fusilli & Mandilli

Fusilli & Mandilli sits on the seafront in Aliki, a quiet fishing village on the southern coast of Paros, and it earns a 4.9 rating from 137 Google reviews — one of the highest scores of any restaurant on the island. The draw is straightforward: Italian-inspired cooking, including handmade pasta and gnocchi prepared by an Italian chef, served in a relaxed setting a few steps from the water.

Aliki itself is a low-key alternative to Parikia and Naoussa, with a calmer harbour atmosphere and fewer tourists than the island's main towns. That context matters for Fusilli & Mandilli — it fits the village's pace. You're not queuing at a loud beachfront strip; you're sitting down to a proper Italian meal in a place that feels like a local find rather than a tourist trap.

The restaurant opens in the evening, making it a natural choice for dinner after a day at the nearby beaches of Aliki or Faragas. Given the rating and the relatively small number of reviews compared to larger Paros establishments, word spreads primarily through guests who stay in or visit the village rather than island-wide foot traffic.

What to Expect

The kitchen leans on Italian regional cooking rather than a generalised Mediterranean approach. Handmade pasta is the centrepiece — reviewers specifically call out the gnocchi and tiramisu as standout dishes produced in-house. The chef's background is Italian, which shapes both the technique and the sourcing mentality: these are not dishes assembled from convenience ingredients and given an Italian label.

The setting is on the seafront in Aliki, so expect a relaxed, open atmosphere rather than a formal dining room. The village has a small harbour and a handful of tavernas; Fusilli & Mandilli distinguishes itself by offering something outside the Greek taverna format without competing against Paros's busier restaurant scenes in Parikia or Naoussa.

Portions and presentation are consistent with the quality rating — guests returning to the island have noted it as a reliable choice when they want a break from Greek cuisine. The mood is unhurried, which fits both the village and the style of cooking. Tables fill up in the evening, particularly in peak summer months, so arriving early or checking availability in advance is sensible.

How to Get There

Aliki is on the southern coast of Paros, roughly 10 kilometres from Parikia by road. The drive from Parikia takes about 15 minutes via the main inland road heading south through Pounta and then east along the coast. From Naoussa, allow around 25 minutes by car.

The KTEL bus network on Paros connects Parikia to several villages, including routes that pass through or near Aliki — check the current timetable at the Parikia bus station, as schedules change seasonally. A taxi from Parikia will take roughly 15 minutes; the number to contact the restaurant directly for any local taxi recommendations is +30 697 005 8457.

Parking in Aliki is informal and generally straightforward outside of the busiest August weeks. The restaurant is on the seafront, so once you reach the harbour area you will find it without difficulty. There is no ferry connection specific to Aliki for this purpose, though Aliki does have a small quay.

Best Time to Visit

Fusilli & Mandilli opens in the evening, making it a dinner venue rather than an all-day stop. The web snippets indicate opening from around 6:00 PM, though exact hours should be confirmed by calling ahead, particularly outside the main summer season.

Peak season on Paros runs from late June through August, when Aliki sees its highest visitor numbers and the restaurant is likely at its busiest. Arriving at or shortly after opening time during this period is the best way to secure a table without a long wait. Late September and October are quieter and the southern coast of Paros remains warm; this is a good window if you prefer a more relaxed evening.

Paros's summer evenings are reliably warm and calm, particularly in the south of the island where the Meltemi wind is less pronounced than on the northern and western coasts. Dining on the seafront in Aliki in the evening is comfortable from May through October.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead during August. With a 4.9 rating and a small-village location, the restaurant can fill quickly on summer evenings. Phone +30 697 005 8457 to check availability or ask about reservations.
• Order the handmade pasta. Multiple reviewers specifically mention the gnocchi as a highlight — don't skip it in favour of something safer.
• Save room for tiramisu. The dessert is made in-house and noted by reviewers as genuinely good, not an afterthought.
• Pair the visit with Aliki beach. The beach at Aliki is a short walk from the seafront and suits an afternoon swim before an evening meal at the restaurant.
• Come with an open mind about the menu. This is Italian-inspired cooking, not a Greek taverna. If you want grilled octopus and Greek salad, there are tavernas in the village; Fusilli & Mandilli is the place for pasta, gnocchi, and Italian technique.
• Arrive by car if you're coming from Naoussa or the north. Bus connections to Aliki exist but are infrequent later in the evening, which can make the return journey difficult.
• Check seasonal opening. Aliki is a summer-oriented village; confirm the restaurant is open if you're visiting in spring or autumn by calling in advance.

What to Order

The gnocchi is the dish mentioned most consistently by visitors. Made in-house by an Italian chef, it represents the kitchen's clearest point of difference from other restaurants in the village. Alongside the gnocchi, the broader pasta menu covers the Italian regional bases you'd expect — fresh-made pasta shapes (fusilli, as the name suggests, is presumably in the mix) with sauces built from proper technique rather than convenience.

Timarisu rounds out the meal on a high note. House-made desserts at small restaurants in Greek island villages can be inconsistent, but the tiramisu here has earned specific mentions from returning visitors, which is a reliable signal of quality.

For drinks, pair the food with Italian wine if available, or with whatever the house offers — the focus here is on the food rather than an elaborate cocktail menu.