Markakis cafe

Markakis Cafe sits in Piso Livadi on Paros's eastern coast, a small port village that stays noticeably quieter than the island's more tourist-heavy hubs without sacrificing access to good food or a view of the water. With a 4.7-star rating drawn from over 1,600 Google reviews, it has built a consistent reputation among both returning visitors and locals — that kind of rating volume across many seasons carries more weight than a handful of glowing write-ups.

The venue operates under the Markakis name in at least two locations on the island's eastern side — this address at Piso Livadi and a second spot associated with Drios beach a few kilometres south — so the kitchen's approach to traditional Cycladic cooking runs through both. The style here is honest Greek taverna food in a setting that looks out toward the Aegean rather than inward to a town square.

Despite the source description calling it a café, the registered website (markakisrestaurant.gr) and the Google place types both point to this operating as a full restaurant, serving lunch through to late evening rather than just coffee and pastries in the morning.

What to Expect

Markakis positions itself around traditional Cycladic cuisine, which on Paros means dishes rooted in the island's fishing and farming traditions: fresh catch prepared simply, local cheeses, grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables. The Cyclades style of cooking tends to be unfussy — quality ingredients handled with restraint, olive oil used generously, and flavours that rely on what comes off local fishing boats or from smallholders rather than from elaborate preparation.

The setting in Piso Livadi places the restaurant close to the waterfront, which shapes the experience considerably. The village has a small harbour, a gently curving bay, and a pace of life that makes lingering over a meal feel natural rather than something to excuse. Tables are laid out to take advantage of the light and the proximity to the sea.

The opening hours run daily from noon to 11:30 PM, which means Markakis covers both lunch and dinner service without a midday break — useful if you're arriving off the ferry at Piso Livadi or returning from a beach afternoon and want to eat at an irregular hour. The kitchen is open every day of the week, including weekends, which is consistent with the seasonal-but-serious approach of well-regarded island restaurants.

The Instagram presence (@markakisrestaurant) shows tables set with flowers, sunlit terraces, and the kind of plating that suggests care without pretension. Wine is poured, seasonal dishes rotate, and the account documents a place that takes its food seriously while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.

How to Get There

Piso Livadi is on Paros's eastern coast, roughly a 20-minute drive from Parikia (the main port) and about 10 minutes from Naoussa by the inland route through Marpissa. The village sits at the end of the road that runs through the eastern settlements of Logaras and Marpissa.

By car or scooter, follow the main road east from Parikia toward Marpissa; Piso Livadi is signposted from there and the village is small enough that the waterfront is easy to find. Parking in Piso Livadi is generally informal and manageable outside peak July and August weeks.

KTEL buses connect Parikia to Piso Livadi with reasonable frequency during the summer season, though the schedule thins out in shoulder months — check the current timetable at Parikia bus station before relying on it for an evening return. Taxis from Parikia to Piso Livadi are a straightforward option; the fare is modest by island standards given the distance.

If you're based in the Naoussa area, the drive south and then east takes around 25–30 minutes depending on the route.

Best Time to Visit

Markakis is open year-round based on the listed hours, but like most island restaurants in the Cyclades it will be at its liveliest from late May through September. During the peak summer weeks of July and August, Piso Livadi sees increased traffic from visitors heading to nearby beaches like Logaras and Punda, so the restaurant can fill up — particularly for dinner from 8 PM onward.

Lunch on a weekday in June or early September offers the most relaxed experience: the light is good, the crowds are thinner, and the kitchen is in full swing. The eastern coast of Paros catches the afternoon sun well into the evening, which makes the outdoor terrace comfortable for dining later than you might expect.

Piso Livadi's harbour faces roughly east, so sunrise and early morning light are appealing, though the restaurant opens at noon. Sunset here is less dramatic than on the west coast, but the evening light across the bay is pleasant for dinner.

Avoid arriving without a plan on busy August weekends; either reserve a table by phone or arrive early in the lunch window.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead in high season. The phone number is +30 2284 042177. The rating volume and the location on a popular stretch of coast suggest this gets busy in summer; a quick call avoids a wait.
• The restaurant opens at noon daily, so it's suitable for a late-morning arrival that turns into an early lunch, but don't show up expecting breakfast service.
• Piso Livadi has a small beach. Combining a morning at Logaras or Punda beach nearby with lunch at Markakis makes for a natural day on the eastern coast without needing to drive far.
• Check the website for seasonal updates. markakisrestaurant.gr carries current information; the Instagram account (@markakisrestaurant) is also active and gives a good sense of current menus and specials.
• The Drios location is separate. If you're coming from the south end of the island near Drios beach, there is a second Markakis venue associated with that beach. Confirm which location you're heading to before setting out.
• Eastern Paros restaurants tend to be less touristy than those in Parikia or Naoussa. You'll find a more local mix of guests here, which tends to be a reliable indicator of consistent quality.
• Parking near the waterfront can be limited on busy summer afternoons. If you arrive by scooter, this is less of an issue; by car, arriving slightly before the lunch rush (around noon to 12:30 PM) helps.
• The last seating is around 11:30 PM, so late-night arrivals after an evening elsewhere are possible, though the kitchen's full range may be more limited toward closing time.

What to Order

The restaurant identifies itself with traditional Cycladic cuisine, which provides a useful framework even without a full menu in front of you. On Paros, that typically means grilled fish sold by weight — look for whatever came in that morning from local boats — alongside octopus prepared in various ways, fresh salads with local tomatoes and capers, and cheeses from the island's own production, including the local graviera and fresh myzithra.

Meat options in the Cycladic tradition lean toward lamb and pork, often grilled or slow-cooked, and dishes like stuffed vegetables (gemista) appear in summer when local produce is at its best. Pasta and rice dishes (risotto-style with seafood) are common in island tavernas and likely feature here as well.

For drinks, Paros produces its own wines from the Monemvasia-Malvasia grape, and a carafe of house wine — whether local or from another Cycladic producer — is the standard accompaniment. The Instagram posts show wine being poured regularly, suggesting a decent selection rather than a token bottle.

If you're unsure what to order, asking what fish came in that day is always a reasonable starting point at any Greek seafood taverna.