Matoula Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Monemvasia

We discovered Matoula on our first visit to the Old Town and had a very positive first experience. That made us determined to visit a second time, which we managed to do on our last full day in Monemvasia.

We like everything about this place. The food is really good (in some cases really, really good), the service is briskly friendly (these guys turn tables like nowhere else we ate in Greece - though to be clear you’re never rushed), and the view from the greenery shaded terrace is spectacular.

On our first visit we over-ordered (as we did every restaurant meal for our first week): spicy cream cheese; stuffed tomatoes; moussaka; dolmades; and bread. Our server politely suggested that we had ordered a LOT of food so perhaps he would bring us a half order of dolmades. Thank goodness he did, because everything was delicious and very, very filling.

The dolmades were some of the best we’ve had. Fresh grape leaves, lits of nicely spiced ground meat and bathed in a thoroughly flavourful, silky smooth lemon sauce.

We then tucked into the moussaka, and the taste centres in our brains lit up like a fireworks exhibition! Thick cut pieces of eggplant, a generous creamy layer of perfectly caramelized bechamel, and a variety of spices that kept our tastebuds entertained with every bite. One of the best moussaka we’ve ever had (and easily the best of the four different versions we tried in Monemvasia).

We were a lot more judicious with our order for our second lunch. We had to have the dolmades again - a full order this time. We also ordered a plate of small fried fish (European Anchovies) and a couple glasses of very passable white wine (only 3€/glass). This more reasonable amount of food allowed us room for dessert: orange pie (no ice cream) and yoghurt with honey.

Our first lunch was a very reasonable 31€ (including a bottle of sparkling water).

Our second lunch was an even more reasonable 25€.

Highly...

You can’t eat the view!!!

After 7 nights traveling around Greece and enjoying what we consider some of the best restaurants we’ve ever tried, Monemvasia left us disappointed — and honestly relieved we had only planned to stay one night.

We stopped at this restaurant, enchanted by its breathtaking view (10/10 for location!). Unfortunately, you don’t eat the view.

We started with tzatziki, which was overwhelmingly garlicky and unlike any version we’d tasted elsewhere in Greece — much closer to what you might find abroad. The baked feta had decent flavor but was served in such a careless way that it was unappetizing. The mini mince meat pies were bland and reminded us more of spring rolls than Greek cuisine.

For mains, we unfortunately chose the baked lamb with potatoes: dry, oily, and clearly prepared well in advance, as the potatoes had that stale, discolored texture. The meatballs with tomato sauce and chips were served all together on the same plate, leaving the chips soggy. The sauce was watery, and both it and the meatballs lacked flavor.

Conclusion: Not recommended — unless you want to be one of the many tourists paying for the view rather...

Matoula Restaurant is, without a doubt, the best of the best in Monemvasia castle— and has been for so many years. As a Greek, I can honestly say the food here is even better than my grandmother’s: every dish is cooked with love, using pure, fresh ingredients, and it truly shines through in the taste.

The service is outstanding: kind, attentive, and full of genuine hospitality. The view from the restaurant is breathtaking, and we were lucky enough to witness the full moon rising over the sea — an unforgettable moment that made our dinner even more special.

We chose Matoula for our rehearsal family dinner before our wedding, bringing along 20 guests, both adults and children, and every single one of them loved it. From the warm welcome to the last bite, everything was perfect. The atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, the portions generous, and the flavors absolutely divine.

Matoula never, ever disappoints. It’s a must-stop in the castle — not only the best taverna in Monemvasia catsle, but one of the best dining experiences you could ever...