Kimolos, a Cyclades island in the southwestern part of Aegean Sea, offers a great variety of beaches, restaurants and tavernas. Gastronomy here is mainly based on local products from the islands.
Ladenia, tirenia and kolokithenia are delicious pies that go well with breakfast. The famous local manoura cheese is used in many dishes and it is worth tasting on its own as well.
Bohoris
When planning a trip to Kimolos, be sure to make your reservations in advance. The peak tourist season for this small island runs from June to August, so it’s important to book ahead of time to secure your accommodation and avoid any last minute disappointments. However, it’s also possible to enjoy a visit to Kimolos in the spring or fall when temperatures are warmer and there are fewer crowds.
While there are only a handful of hotels on the island, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can stay at a traditional taverna, luxury resort, or private villa. Many of these places are within walking distance of the main village, Chorio, and the beaches on the island.
The tavernas on Kimolos serve a wide variety of local dishes. One of the most popular is xinomyzithra, which is made from goat’s milk and has a unique tangy flavor. It’s a must-try for any food lover. Other local favorites include karpouzopita, which is a watermelon pie and soumada, which is a non-alcoholic almond drink.
If you’re looking for more innovative Greek cuisine, head to Meltemi Restaurant in the heart of the island’s capital, Chorio. The restaurant features a creative menu of Kimolian dishes, including fresh seafood carpaccio and lobster tartare. The dishes are served on a bed of sea salt and have bold flavors that will leave you wanting more.
Another great option is Sardi’s, a taverna that serves authentic homestyle cooking. This taverna has been around since 1920, and the owner continues to honor his family’s legacy by serving classic Greek dishes from his grandmother’s recipes. The ladenia here is some of the best in the region, and the lamb chops are tender and flavorful.
There are several ways to get around the island, including by car, bike, or scooter. You can rent a vehicle from one of the many rental agencies on Kimolos, or you can hire a driver to take you to your destination. The roads on the island are narrow and winding, so be careful when driving.
Sardis
Kimolos is a small island located southwest of the bigger island of Milos. It’s easily accessible by ferry, which can be booked via Ferryscanner. The trip can take anywhere from 6-10 hours, depending on the ferry selected. It’s possible to travel between the two islands year round, although June and August are peak tourist months. The best time to visit is May or September, when the crowds have thinned but the weather is still warm.
The main village on the island is Chora, and here you will find some of the best restaurants to try local cuisine. The island’s cuisine is very much based on traditional recipes, so you’ll find many dishes served with a lot of olive oil. Ladenia, tirenia and kolokithenia are pies that are served with breakfast, while manoura cheese is an ingredient you can find in a lot of dishes.
Goat is the meat of choice on the island, and it’s often prepared simply with nothing added apart from lemon and salt to create tender bites. You can try it at a number of places around the island, but the restaurant Kali Kardia is one of our favorites. Their “wedding goat”, which is braised with a rich wine sauce, and their moussaka are particularly tasty.
Another great option is the restaurant Andropolis. This family-run tavern is right on the beach of Aliki and serves authentic Greek food. The owner is a chef and a sommelier, and his menu is full of interesting combinations. Their sea urchin salad is a must-try, and their lobster carpaccio is also outstanding.
As a result of its location in the Aegean Sea, and its long history of luxury textile and clothing trade, Sardis was known as a place where purity was valued. The city’s pristine tumuli and vast necropolis are among the most distinctive in ancient Turkey, and the sculptural masterpieces gathered here are a testament to the power and influence of the royal family who founded the kingdom of Sardis. This evocative landscape of monumental tombs and treasure-filled temples is now home to an impressive archaeological museum that’s worth visiting while on holiday in the Cyclades.
To Kyma
A few miles from the main town of Chorio, this is a long-established traditional Greek restaurant. It stays open throughout winter and is often full of local workers for lunch, but it’s also popular with visitors too. The food here is excellent. Their fresh homemade pasta dishes and grilled fish, especially barbouni, are particularly good.
The owner, Bemba (or “the Queen of the Cyclades” as she’s jokingly called), is passionate about her island and its cuisine. She’s the kind of person who cooks her own beans, bakes her own bread, forages her own wild herbs and knows the best way to prepare her dishes, so you can trust that whatever she serves will be tasty and authentic.
There’s a lot of variation on the menu here, with some dishes you can order in advance, and others you have to pick from a tray that’s put out before you. Some of the dishes are traditional, such as the stuffed cabbage, but others are more creative and original. The plating is simple, but the combination of flavors works really well.
Located in the port of Psathi, To Kyma is another great option for dinner on Kimolos. They serve a variety of seafood and Greek classics, as well as fresh juices, wines and beer. The prices are very reasonable too.
It’s a very festive place, and most of the customers seem to be returning regulars – both Greeks and foreign visitors. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with white-tablecloth elegance and romantic lighting. The only music is the sound of wineglasses chiming against each other, which is a nice touch.
The decor is very beautiful and reminiscent of traditional Greek restaurants, with a whitewashed plank ceiling, wooden tables and chairs, and rows of niches filled with earthenware roof decorations on the wall behind the hostess desk. The staff here is very friendly and helpful, and the service is fast. This is definitely one of the best places to eat in Kimolos. You will enjoy high quality flavors and large portions, as well as a magnificent view of the beach from the terrace.
Meltemi
The local cuisine of Kimolos is just as unique and beautiful as the island itself. From family run tavernas to more sophisticated restaurants, you’ll find that every meal on the island is an opportunity for delicious discovery.
One of the best places to eat in Kimolos is Meltemi, a new restaurant inside the Chorio settlement. This dining experience will delight your senses with imaginative dishes rooted in prime indigenous ingredients and authentic tastes. Chef Augustos Galanos grew up in the restaurant, and after culinary school and a stint working in Athens came back to take the taverna in a new direction while remaining deeply mindful of his Kimolian heritage.
For example, his marinated anchovies are a delight for your taste buds and their seafood carpaccio or tartare are sure to blow you away. If you love sea urchin the restaurant has one of the best in town and their moussaka is to die for.
If you’re in the mood for something more light, try their grilled lamb chops or their pork belly with lemon and oregano. They also serve some of the best ladenia on the island – an oven baked pizza-like bread with tomato and onions.
Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty dinner or a refreshing snack, the best place to eat in Kimolos is Meltemi. This family-run taverna is located in the central part of the island and has a wonderful view over the settlement.
In addition to their amazing food, Meltemi is also known for their creative events. They regularly host open-air movie nights in the castle or on a beach, and their self-organised activist group, Kimolistes, promotes the island through inventive happenings.
With beautiful beaches, interesting cultural and natural sites, and some of the most creative dining in all of the Cyclades, Kimolos is the perfect escape from the more hectic ‘must-see’ destinations. With a short ferry ride from Milos and gorgeous uninhabited islands like Polyaigos minutes away, Kimolos has it all! So, make your trip to the southwestern part of the Cyclades and discover all that this beautiful island has to offer.