Taverne Naxos — Restaurant in Mainz

Over the last two decades or so I have been amazed by the quality of Greek restaurants in Germany. Occasionally you get stunned at how good food can be for a bargain price. We picked this restaurant as it was close to where we were staying and were thrilled to be treated by great food and service. The octopus starter served with greens and yogurt was faultless. Too often octopus is treated with contempt and served dry, tough, tasteless, or a combination of all three. It was tender and tasty and was just terrific. For main we opted for the salmon and, again, it exceeded expectations. The salmon was tender, juicy, and plentiful. We had considered ordering the lamb platter but we were sated and happy. There was only one server when we entered close to their opening time. There was still one when we departed almost two hours later (we lingered over a bottle of red before finishing with a couple of ouzos). She never missed a beat. Orders were taken, food was delivered, and plates were bussed without fuss and almost without being noticed. It was a masterpiece of coreography. Discovering gems like this are a highlight of travel....

This restaurant deserves a better location in Mainz! But then.. it might end up more difficult to get a table when you decide you are craving geeek food! 😅

So I am a Greek living in Germany for almost 10 years and I can tell I most of the times I avoid eating in Greek restaurants as their menus are not so typical greek but also their deco and atmosphere is so outdated that you clearly see they don't make the effort. Nevertheless I was invited to a dinner there from a German friend of mine last year and eventually went, even though I was negatively biased. Well they proved me wrong. The menu offers a good variety of food, their meat is tender and the flavours are as close to the home made grandmas food as possible. Now I try to visit every time myself or friends of mine fancy greek flavours and it never disappoints! I always outside but during the weekend the interior of the restaurant is very cosy and I still need to experience it. Also.. you get also the real hospitality, the stuff and owners are always friendly and the service...

Taverne Naxos is an absolute delight! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome, spoke many languages from English, German, Russian, Polish and Ukrainian, the service was warm, friendly, and attentive without ever being overbearing. The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food and the overall portions. The cozy atmosphere really added to the charm, it’s the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy a lovely meal without feeling rushed. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a spot with great value, genuine hospitality, and a homely vibe. Will definitely be...