Unlike many Cycladic islands, Naxos has always been able to feed itself. Its green valleys and mountain pastures produce vegetables, potatoes, meat, milk and some of the best cheese in Greece, and you can taste all of it in its tavernas.
Here's what to order, what to bring home and where to go for the best food on the island.
12 flavors of Naxos
Graviera of Naxos
A protected hard cheese with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Eat it plain, grilled or with honey.
Arseniko
A strong, aged cheese with a peppery bite, produced in small quantities.
Xinomyzithra
A soft, slightly sour fresh cheese, delicious on rusks with tomato.
Naxos potatoes
Grown in rich soil and famous all over Greece. Order them fried, roasted or in stews.
Rosto
Pork slowly cooked in a rich tomato and wine sauce, a classic of the island.
Kokkinisto goat
Local goat slow-cooked in red sauce, often served at village festivals.
Kalogeros
Layers of eggplant, veal and cheese baked together, a hearty Naxian favorite.
Fresh fish
Grilled fish and seafood at the harbor and the fishing villages.
Pitarakia
Little fried pies filled with cheese or greens.
Kitron
The island's citrus liqueur, distilled from citron leaves in Halki.
Local honey & thyme
Fragrant thyme honey from the mountains, perfect with yogurt.
Galaktoboureko
Crispy filo filled with creamy semolina custard and syrup.
Where to eat in Naxos
Instead of a list of restaurants that change every year, here's where the best food experiences are:
Naxos town waterfront
Tavernas and restaurants along the harbor, with views of the Portara at sunset.
The old town lanes
Small family tavernas and meze places hidden behind the waterfront.
Agia Anna
A fishing harbor with tavernas serving the day's catch by the water.
Apeiranthos & Halki
Village tavernas with local meat, cheese and vegetables.
Mountain villages in general
Simple, generous and often cooked by the owner's family.
Apollonas
Fish tavernas at the northern tip of the island.
What to bring home
- Graviera or arseniko cheese: ask for it vacuum-packed for travel.
- Kitron liqueur: from the distilleries of Halki or the town.
- Thyme honey and dried herbs.
- Local olive oil from the Tragea valley.
You'll find local products in delis in Naxos town and in the mountain villages, often sold directly by the producers.
Village festivals (panigyria)
In summer, villages celebrate their saints' days with a panigyri: a long night of live music, dancing and huge communal meals with local meat, wine and bread. Everyone is welcome.
A night out in a mountain village?
Enjoy the food and wine. Your driver takes you there and brings you back to your hotel.
Key takeaways
- Cheese: try graviera and arseniko.
- Order: Naxos potatoes, rosto and fresh fish.
- Finish with: a glass of kitron.
- Best experience: lunch in a mountain village.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Naxos famous for?
Naxos is famous for its graviera and arseniko cheeses, its potatoes, local meat dishes like rosto, and kitron, a traditional citrus liqueur.
What is Naxos graviera?
It's a hard cheese made mainly from cow's milk on Naxos, with a protected designation of origin. It has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.
Where can I taste kitron in Naxos?
Visit the historic distilleries in the village of Halki or the shops in Naxos town, where you can usually taste the different types.
Is Naxos good for food lovers?
Yes. Naxos is one of the best islands in Greece for food, thanks to its fertile land, local farming and traditional village tavernas.
