40 tales fox

40 Tales Fox sits at 40A on the coastal road Petrou Ralli in Ermoupoli, the Cycladic capital and busiest port town on Syros. It opens at 8am every day and runs until the early hours — 3am on Friday and Saturday — which makes it one of the few spots in town able to serve you a fresh-juice breakfast, a white-wine lunch, and a signature cocktail well after dark, all without switching venue.

The concept is what the owners call an all-day resto-bar, meaning the kitchen and bar shift gear with the clock rather than closing between meals. That continuity is fairly unusual on a Greek island, where most places are either cafes or evening restaurants. With a 4.7 rating across 259 Google reviews, it consistently ranks among the better-regarded spots in Ermoupoli, and the breadth of its hours and menu helps explain why: it catches different crowds at different points of the day.

The address puts it on the coastal strip close to Ermoupoli's waterfront, which means the outside tables look toward the port activity rather than into a side street. The building has the kind of compact, characterful interior common to Ermoupoli's neoclassical quarter, and the overall mood leans toward relaxed energy rather than either strict restaurant formality or loud bar noise.

What to Expect

The day at 40 Tales Fox moves through distinct phases. In the morning, the menu runs toward fresh juices, healthy bowls, strong coffee, and what the kitchen describes as a proper Greek breakfast — expect bread, cheese, cured meats, honey, and eggs in some form — alongside sweet brioche options for those who want something lighter. This makes it a practical first stop after an early ferry arrival at Ermoupoli, since the port is a short walk along the same coastal road.

By midday and through the afternoon, the kitchen shifts to a lunch menu alongside a full bar. A chilled bottle of white wine or a glass of prosecco fits the pace of a warm Cycladic afternoon. As daylight fades and the port behind the waterfront catches the last of the sun, the outdoor seating comes into its own. Light mezze dishes, fresh salads, and the bar's signature cocktail list take over as the primary draws.

The cocktail menu is where the kitchen's stated philosophy — Greek flavours meeting current trends — shows most clearly. The Pink Harmony uses Skinos Mastiha liqueur and Syros loukoumi (the island's traditional rose-flavored Turkish delight) alongside vodka, strawberry, and raspberry. The Mojo Mojo combines rum with falernum, ginger, pineapple, and bitters. The Waves runs with either gin or rum, tonka bean, and passion fruit. Prices for signature cocktails sit at €11–12, which is in line with Cycladic resort pricing.

The space handles the transition from daytime cafe to late-night bar without a dramatic shift in atmosphere. The crowd tends to mix locals who know the address with visitors who stumble onto it from the waterfront, and the late closing hours — especially on weekends — mean it absorbs the after-dinner crowd that has already done the rounds of Ermoupoli's restaurants.

How to Get There

The address is Coast Petrou Ralli 40A, Ermoupoli 841 00. Petrou Ralli is the road that runs along the Ermoupoli waterfront, so arriving by ferry puts you almost within walking distance: from the main port gate, head south along the coastal road and look for number 40A on the left-hand side, facing the sea. The walk from the central ferry terminal takes roughly 5–10 minutes on foot.

If you are coming from elsewhere on Syros by car, the coastal road is the main approach into Ermoupoli from both directions, and parking along the waterfront is possible, though it fills up on summer evenings. Taxis from the main Ermoupoli taxi stand or from Galissas, Kini, or Vari — the most visited beaches — are a straightforward option for an evening visit.

There are no significant access barriers reported for the exterior terrace. The inside space is typical of a converted ground-floor Ermoupoli building, with the entry directly off the street.

Best Time to Visit

Syros has a longer shoulder season than many Cycladic islands because Ermoupoli functions as a working administrative capital year-round, not purely a summer resort. 40 Tales Fox reflects that: its hours suggest it operates through most of the year, not just July and August.

In high summer (July–August), the outdoor terrace on the coastal road is most valuable in the early morning before the heat builds, or in the early evening when the sea breeze comes in off the port. Midday sun on a south-facing waterfront can be intense; the interior or any shaded section of the terrace is more comfortable then.

For the cocktail-and-mezze evening experience, arriving around sunset — roughly 8pm in summer, earlier in spring and autumn — lets you catch the port light and move into the bar programme as the evening progresses. Friday and Saturday nights, when the closing time extends to 3am, attract a more active late crowd; if you prefer a quieter sit, Sunday through Thursday evenings are calmer, and Sunday closes earlier at midnight.

Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) are generally the most comfortable seasons on Syros for outdoor dining. Temperatures are mild, the Meltemi north wind hasn't peaked, and the tourist crowds are lighter.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive early for brunch on weekends. The combination of a good coffee menu, Greek breakfast, and outdoor waterfront seating draws a steady morning crowd, especially on Saturdays when the closing time from the night before was 3am and a late breakfast has obvious appeal.
• The Foinikas Spritz is a house recommendation for the early evening. It uses mastic flavouring, which is a Chios speciality widely used across the Aegean, and pairs well with the light mezze dishes if you want something to eat alongside a drink rather than a full dinner.
• Book or arrive early for outside tables in high season. The coastal road terrace is the main draw for evening sitters, and Ermoupoli waterfront fills up on summer nights.
• Check the cocktail menu online before you go. The website at 40talesfox.gr lists current offerings; the signature list changes occasionally and the full drinks menu extends well beyond what's shown in summary descriptions.
• It's a practical post-ferry stop. Syros ferries from Athens (Piraeus) often arrive in the morning; the 8am opening means you can walk directly off the boat and have breakfast without hunting for something open.
• Phone ahead for larger groups. With 259 ratings, this is a well-known address in Ermoupoli. Groups wanting a specific table configuration on the terrace in peak season should call +30 2281 303113 or check the website for reservations.
• Sunday closing is midnight, not 2am or 3am. If you are planning a late Sunday night out, factor the earlier close into your plans.
• The mezze dishes work well as a shared pre-dinner. If you are planning to eat a full dinner elsewhere in Ermoupoli later, the light bites here make a coherent first stop rather than a full meal commitment.

What to Order

The menu divides into three main registers: brunch, lunch and dinner, and drinks.

For brunch, the kitchen's own framing points toward healthy bowls, fresh juice, strong coffee, a proper Greek breakfast, and sweet brioche. This covers the range from light and restorative to something more substantial, and the Greek breakfast format — with local dairy, bread, and cured products — is reliable in Syros, which has its own strong cheesemaking tradition (graviera, kopanisti).

For the food side of lunch and dinner, the approach is described as celebrating strong, opinionated flavours. The menu includes fresh salads and light mezze dishes, which fits the all-day eating model where you might want something to eat without committing to a full three-course structure.

The cocktail list is the most developed part of the drinks programme. Three signature examples visible from the website give a clear picture of the house style: Greek spirits and flavourings (Skinos Mastiha, Syros loukoumi) used alongside standard cocktail bases (rum, gin, vodka), with tropical fruit elements (pineapple, passion fruit) and bittering agents for balance. Prices at €11–12 per signature cocktail reflect standard Cycladic bar pricing. The bar also runs classic cocktails for those who prefer familiar formats.