Best Places to Eat in Paxos: Restaurants, Tavernas & Local Food
The best places to eat in Paxos range from traditional village tavernas to harbour restaurants and clifftop dining rooms. Gaios offers the broadest choice, while Loggos and Lakka make attractive settings for a meal beside the harbour or in a village square.
The island’s cooking belongs to the wider Ionian tradition, with olive oil, fish, vegetables and slow-cooked dishes playing important roles. Alongside familiar Greek food, visitors may encounter regional specialities such as pastitsada, sofrito and bourdeto.
This guide highlights six restaurants with different settings and styles, helping visitors choose between a simple lunch, a traditional dinner and a more elaborate evening out.
Where to Eat in Paxos at a Glance
| Restaurant | Location | Main appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Vassilis | Loggos harbour | Seafood and contemporary Greek cooking |
| Taka Taka | Central Gaios | Greek dishes and seafood away from the immediate waterfront |
| Nionios Taverna | Lakka | Traditional cooking in the village square |
| Erimitis Bar & Restaurant | Western coast, near Magazia | Sunset views and creative dining |
| O Giros ton Paxon | Gaios | Gyros, souvlaki and a simpler meal |
| Mongonissi Beach Restaurant | Mongonissi | Combining food with time beside the beach |
Reservations are sensible for popular restaurants during summer. Outside the main season, confirm opening before making a dedicated journey.
1. Vassilis — Loggos Harbour
Vassilis is a long-established restaurant beside the harbour in Loggos, also written as Longos.
Its waterfront position makes it worth considering for visitors who want dinner to form part of an evening exploring the village. The setting is particularly appealing after a walk around the harbour or a day at a nearby beach.
The kitchen combines Greek influences with more contemporary seafood preparations. Its published selection includes seafood linguine, sea bass and lobster with orzo, although the available dishes and fish change.
This is a useful choice for visitors interested in a more elaborate seafood meal rather than a simple grill-house dinner. Ask about the day’s catch and compare the current menu before ordering.
Best suited to: A seafood-focused meal overlooking Loggos harbour.
Planning tip: Confirm the price and portion size of premium seafood, and request the preferred table position when reserving.
2. Taka Taka — Gaios
Taka Taka is in central Gaios, set back from the immediate waterfront.
That distinction matters for visitors choosing a restaurant specifically for a sea view. Its appeal lies in a traditional taverna setting and a convenient location within the capital.
The food combines Greek and Mediterranean cooking, with seafood among the options. It works well for visitors who want to explore beyond the first row of harbour tables without leaving town.
Ask about the day’s fish and cooked dishes rather than arriving with a fixed order based on an older review. Seasonal availability and menu changes can affect the selection.
Taka Taka is also a practical option for guests staying in Gaios who prefer to walk to dinner.
Best suited to: A central Gaios meal in a taverna setting.
Planning tip: Check the exact location before heading out; it is not a restaurant directly on the harbour edge.
3. Nionios Taverna — Lakka
Nionios Taverna is in the centre of Lakka, where tables in the village square provide an alternative to waterfront dining.
Traditional Greek cooking is the main attraction. Visitor accounts frequently describe staff explaining the prepared dishes, making it worth asking what has been cooked that day before studying the full menu.
A selection of appetisers followed by a cooked main course offers one way to approach the meal. Grilled options may also be available, but visitors interested in home-style food should ask about those preparations first.
The square setting brings village activity into the experience. It suits an evening spent in Lakka rather than a hurried stop between sightseeing destinations.
Best suited to: Traditional cooked dishes and village-square atmosphere.
Planning tip: Ask about the daily selection and reserve ahead when a particular evening matters.
4. Erimitis Bar & Restaurant — Near Magazia
Erimitis occupies a clifftop setting on the western side of Paxos, with views across the sea and the pale coastal cliffs.
The outlook makes it a distinctive choice for a special evening. Unlike restaurants around the eastern harbours, its setting is oriented towards the sunset.
The kitchen presents creative food influenced by Paxiot traditions. Visitors should compare the current menu and prices with their plans for the evening rather than expecting a conventional taverna meal.
The bar and restaurant have separate arrangements. Booking a restaurant table should not be confused with securing space at the bar.
Erimitis publishes reservation conditions, so read these when booking. Bring a light layer for the return journey or a breezy evening.
Best suited to: A planned sunset dinner or special occasion.
Planning tip: Arrange both outward and return transport in advance if using a taxi.
5. O Giros ton Paxon — Gaios
O Giros ton Paxon, sometimes translated as The Gyros of Paxos, offers a simpler dining option in Gaios.
Its central location makes it convenient for lunch, a quick dinner or a meal between activities. Gyros, souvlaki and other grilled dishes provide an alternative to a longer seafood restaurant visit.
The main advantage is flexibility. Visitors do not need every meal to involve several courses, particularly when spending much of the day on a boat or moving between villages.
Check the difference between a wrapped pita and a plated serving when ordering, as the size and price will differ. Ask directly about vegetarian options rather than assuming a grill-house menu will meet every requirement.
Best suited to: A casual meal and visitors watching their dining budget.
Planning tip: Compare portion formats before ordering extras.
6. Mongonissi Beach Restaurant — Mongonissi
Mongonissi Beach Restaurant is part of the beach setting at the southeastern end of Paxos.
It is worth considering for visitors who want to combine food with swimming rather than make a separate restaurant outing. The associated all-day bar adds another option for refreshments during a beach visit.
The experience differs from both a village square and a clifftop dinner. Its appeal is the convenience of remaining beside the coast for part of the day.
Check the current food service hours, particularly outside high summer. Beach services, table reservations and any entertainment arrangements may follow different schedules.
Best suited to: Combining a meal with beach time.
Planning tip: Confirm whether the intended visit is for restaurant dining, bar service or beach facilities.
What Food Should Visitors Try in Paxos?
Olive Oil
Olive growing has shaped much of the island’s countryside, and olive oil is central to its food.
A simple dish of vegetables, bread or fish can provide an opportunity to appreciate it. Visitors buying oil to take home should look for clear producer and origin information rather than relying on souvenir presentation.
Pastitsada
Pastitsada is a regional dish associated with meat cooked in a rich, spiced sauce and served with pasta. Rooster is one traditional version.
It belongs to the wider Ionian food tradition rather than being unique to Paxos. Ask whether it is available as a daily preparation.
Sofrito
Sofrito is another Ionian speciality, generally involving thinly sliced beef or veal with garlic, vinegar and parsley.
Recipes vary between kitchens. It is worth trying when available, but it should not be assumed to appear at every restaurant.
Bourdeto
Bourdeto is a fish dish associated with a peppery sauce and Ionian cooking.
Ask which fish is being used and how hot the preparation is. A restaurant’s version may differ from another kitchen’s interpretation.
Fish and Seafood
Seafood is prominent around the island’s harbours, but a coastal location does not establish that every item was caught locally that morning.
Ask about the available fish and whether dishes use fresh or frozen ingredients when that distinction matters. Smaller fish and clearly priced portions can make costs easier to judge.
Practical Advice for Eating in Paxos
Choose the Setting as Well as the Food
A harbour table, village square and western clifftop provide different experiences.
Vassilis suits a Loggos waterfront evening, Nionios offers village-square dining in Lakka, and Erimitis requires a more deliberate trip. Gaios provides convenient choices when staying in the capital.
Check Prices Before Ordering Whole Fish
Whole fish and lobster may be charged by weight. Confirm the price per kilogram, approximate weight and expected total before agreeing to the order.
A pasta dish containing seafood may use a different pricing method, so check that separately.
Explain Dietary Requirements Directly
Vegetable dishes can contain cheese, butter or stock. Traditional pasta dishes may also include ingredients that are not obvious from their English description.
For allergies, discuss preparation and shared equipment directly with the restaurant.
Leave Time for the Return Journey
Visitors staying outside the main villages should consider transport before dinner, particularly when drinking wine.
Walking distances can involve hills and unlit roads. A short line on a map does not necessarily represent a comfortable walk after dark.