Bakalis — Restaurant in Kassandra Municipality

We had a terrible experience with Bakalis restaurant. The restaurant is constantly over-crowded and understaffed. We asked for a table for 2, the waiter said “Okay, just 1 second” and went on to seat 2 other groups of people that arrived after us. After about 5-10 minutes of standing and being pushed around by other waiters, we went to ask him if we are even getting a table and he seated us right away. There was a long wait for everything - we waited 20 minutes for someone to come take our order. The waiter who was serving us was rude, he didn’t even wait for us to choose drinks. While we were discussing drinks he just closed our menus from under our hands, took them and told us to order drinks later if we wanted to. It took another 30 minutes for any food to arrive (even salad). The people who were sitting at the two tables beside us even left after ordering because the food was taking so long. The food was mediocre at best, definitely not worth the wait. We tried to get the waiter’s attention to order the drinks he promised us and he just patted us on the shoulder as if telling us to wait just a little bit. He never came back. At this point we were very annoyed and just wanted to leave, I flagged down the waiter and told him to please stand for 1 second while I am speaking so that he doesn’t disappear again. He saw I was visibly mad at this point and asked why I hadn’t eaten my food (which was unrelated to anything). I just said I don’t like it and please just get the bill. After another 20 minutes we got our bill. The one thing the waiter did right was take out the food I did not like from the bill. He kept insisting on asking why I did not like it and I just told him I hated his service and everything he did wrong. He asked me point blank who took our menus and when I said “you did” he just waived me off and said I am in the wrong because there are 2000 people there and apparently I am expecting too much. But in the end it is their fault for having more tables than they can keep up with. Overall, very bad experience. I understand they are understaffed and I would not have complained about the waiting but the waiter was just too rude on top of...

We made a reservation at Bakalis in advance, encouraged by its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the area. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t match the praise.

Although we had a confirmed reservation, it became clear that couples (or small parties) aren’t really prioritized. We were placed on the beach, directly on the sand, where women in elegant dresses and heels struggled to sit and sank into the sand. The chairs sank into the sand too, making it difficult to sit properly or even reach the table comfortably—hardly an enjoyable setup for a dinner.

Despite booking for two adults and a child, we were placed at a small two-chair table and had to find an extra chair ourselves. It seemed clear that unless you’re part of a large group, you won’t get much attention. Actually, when they understood we are only two, they didn’t even searched our booking.

The place is indeed very popular and busy, but that seems to come at the cost of organization. Waiters and runners were constantly rushing by, yet somehow never actually noticing us. When we finally managed to order, the food was… okay. The grilled octopus was cold, likely prepared long in advance. The white wine arrived warm, and it took another 10 minutes to flag someone down for ice.

Once the food arrived, that was essentially the end of the service. Nobody came to check in, clear plates, or take additional orders. We had hoped to order fish afterward, but with no one noticing us and the chaotic environment, it became impossible. If you plan to eat here, order everything at once—there won’t be a second chance.

As for the bill: after asking three different waiters, it still took 20 minutes. Then we had to queue inside for another 10 minutes just to pay.

In short: if you’re a group of 6 or more, maybe the staff will treat you differently. But as a couple (even with a child), you’re basically invisible. For a much more relaxed atmosphere and attentive service, Mnemes was the complete opposite—and a far...

The venue does not have a private parking lot, so finding a spot can be a bit tricky. You may need to park along the seaside if space allows, or in the residential streets slightly further inland. For this reason, making a reservation in advance — especially for dinner hours — is highly recommended.

I was seated at a beachfront table, right next to the water. The view was stunning, but be aware that people coming out of the sea may unintentionally splash water in your direction. For a more comfortable experience, the second row of tables might be a better option.

The ordering process was quite fast — which can be efficient — but it felt a bit rushed due to the crowd, leaving little time to properly explore the menu. That said, the illustrated menu was a helpful touch, offering clear visuals for decision-making.

The meal began with an assorted bread basket, which was nicely presented and enjoyable. I ordered the fried calamari as a main dish — it was flavorful, though served without any sauce. Portion-wise, it was moderate. The tomato, pepper, and cucumber salad was made with fresh, tasty ingredients. The honey-fried feta cheese stood out as one of the highlights — the balance of sweet and salty flavors was excellent and definitely worth trying.

The Bolognese pasta came in a generous portion and was packed with ingredients. The pasta itself was slightly firm, cooked al dente, and very filling. As a nice final touch, complimentary dessert and a fruit plate were served at the end of the meal, adding a thoughtful and colorful close to the experience.

The only real downside was a technical issue in the women’s restroom. One of the faucets wasn’t working, and the other had very low water pressure, causing queues during busy times.

Overall, this is a venue that delivers well in terms of flavor and atmosphere, though there’s room for improvement in some operational areas. Still, for those seeking a scenic and enjoyable dinner by the sea, it remains a...