Matina & Stavros Tavern — Restaurant in Municipality of Naxos and the Lesser Cyclades

A delicious, authentic meal with great hospitality! I’m so glad we chose to come to this “off the beaten path” restaurant during our visit to Naxos. Came here on our day driving around the island and wanted to visit some inland villages. This exceeded my expectations, and will be a meal we remember! As other reviewers mention, the Google maps directions aren’t the best. I recommend actually taking a look at the map of the village with Google earth view and charting your own course to get there from wherever you park. We only realized afterward that there was a much more direct path we could’ve taken than what navigation gave us! Lol.

Once we arrived at the taverna, we were kindly greeted by Matina who has such a gracious warmth about her. The staff told us the specials of the day (no menu here! That’s how you know it’s good :) We had roasted chicken in lemon sauce, and goat in tomato sauce, plus a plate of local Naxian cheeses. All were impeccable! My immediate impression of the chicken was “it feels like Christmas” - not exactly because that’s what I eat on Christmas, but it just tasted like comfort food!

I also really enjoyed the atmosphere of sitting outside, surrounded by plants! Felt very cozy and relaxing.

I hope other visitors to the island get the chance to try this restaurant. You’ll be...

A truly unforgettable, soulful meal in the heart of Koronos

If you’re looking for a place where you can taste not just food but love, tradition, and authenticity, this is it.

At Matina-Stavros, we experienced one of the most heartwarming meals of our entire trip. We had goat stew and rabbit, both slow-cooked to perfection — tender, rich in flavor, and clearly made with homegrown ingredients and a deep understanding of traditional recipes.

The vegetables came from their own family gardens, and the cheeses — fresh, sharp, and full of character — are handmade by the owner’s son. Everything on the table carried the unmistakable flavor of real food made with love.

You don’t just eat here — you feel like you’ve been invited into a family’s kitchen. Matina, the cook and owner, is full of warmth, and every bite reflects her care and pride. The setting is simple but genuine, and the hospitality is beyond compare.

The village of Koronos is beautiful on its own, but this taverna is its soul. If you’re traveling through Naxos, don’t miss this place — it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience.

💙 Thank you for reminding us what real food...

Must visit place in Naxos! This is where you go in Naxos for the kind of food that you would eat in a greek home. The people are lovely, the ingredients are local and seasonal even the water comes from a nearby spring. The owners have their own produce and are believers in using them rather than mass produced ingredients. I would say, dont even look at the menu, ask the owner for her suggestions and just trust her! you need a car to reach the village and it is a relatively long drive from town or the beaches as it is on the other side of the island but it is worth it. Can be combined with places like Halki and it is a nice drive so worth starting while it is still light. We have been visiting naxos for many years so have been to most restaurants. I am looking at the tripadvisor top 10 right now and with the exception of ostria inn we have visited them all. I would say this is the best place on the island -should be in the top 3 in my opinion. Not for refined dining but honest, seasonal, slow cooked food. This is what greek...