Stella Tavern - Cafe — Restaurant in Municipality of Naxos and the Lesser Cyclades

🇬🇧 English ⭐ 1 star – Authentic Doesn’t Have to Mean Rude We were recommended this taverna by a local olive oil farm and were excited by its authentic, homemade atmosphere. Unfortunately, the service was extremely rude from start to finish.

We arrived with our two children, all very hungry. There was no explanation of how the service worked, and when we tried to ask, we were told abruptly to “sit.” Nobody came to take our order. When we went to look at the food, the treatment was again hostile — abrupt words, no patience, even gestures to stop us from looking at the dishes — while other customers were treated kindly and given full explanations.

We left without eating, still hungry, and had to find another place — which is difficult as this is the only taverna nearby. If you are visiting with children, better eat beforehand or bring something with you.

Luckily, we found Lostromos nearby — and it completely turned our day around. The owner welcomed us warmly, the setting was beautiful and relaxed, with visits from the local cats. The food was freshly prepared, full of flavour, and made with love. The Greek salad with local cheese and local olive oil was simply the best salad we’ve ever had. If you want to experience true Greek hospitality, skip this place and go straight to Lostromos.

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🇬🇷 Greek ⭐ 1 αστέρι – Το αυθεντικό δεν χρειάζεται να είναι αγενές Μας πρότειναν αυτήν την ταβέρνα από ένα τοπικό ελαιοτριβείο και ενθουσιαστήκαμε με την αυθεντική, σπιτική της ατμόσφαιρα. Δυστυχώς, η εξυπηρέτηση ήταν εξαιρετικά αγενής από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος.

Ήρθαμε με τα δύο μας παιδιά, όλοι πολύ πεινασμένοι. Δεν υπήρχε καμία εξήγηση για το πώς λειτουργεί το σέρβις και όταν ρωτήσαμε, μας είπαν απότομα να “καθίσουμε”. Κανείς δεν ήρθε να πάρει την παραγγελία μας. Όταν πήγαμε να δούμε το φαγητό, η συμπεριφορά ήταν πάλι εχθρική — απότομες κουβέντες, καθόλου υπομονή και χειρονομίες για να μας αποτρέψουν να κοιτάξουμε τα πιάτα — ενώ άλλοι πελάτες λάμβαναν ευγενικές εξηγήσεις.

Φύγαμε χωρίς να φάμε και έπρεπε να βρούμε άλλο μέρος, κάτι δύσκολο καθώς είναι η μόνη ταβέρνα εκεί κοντά. Αν έρχεστε με παιδιά, καλύτερα να φάτε εκ των προτέρων ή να φέρετε κάτι μαζί σας.

Ευτυχώς, βρήκαμε το Lostromos εκεί κοντά — και πραγματικά μας άλλαξε τη μέρα. Ο ιδιοκτήτης μας υποδέχτηκε ζεστά, ο χώρος ήταν όμορφος και χαλαρός, με επισκέψεις από τις τοπικές γάτες. Το φαγητό ήταν φρεσκομαγειρεμένο, γεμάτο γεύση και φτιαγμένο με αγάπη. Η ελληνική σαλάτα με τοπικό τυρί και τοπικό ελαιόλαδο ήταν απλά η καλύτερη σαλάτα που έχουμε δοκιμάσει ποτέ. Αν θέλετε να ζήσετε την αληθινή ελληνική φιλοξενία, παραλείψτε αυτό το μέρος και πηγαίνετε κατευθείαν...

Stella Tavern in Crete is an absolute gem, reminiscent of stepping into your grandma's kitchen if she were a culinary maestro. From the moment you arrive, the warmth and authenticity of the place envelop you. The menu, charmingly displayed on a board, sets the stage for what's to come.

As you enter, you're invited to see the array of pots brimming with delectable dishes, each more inviting than the last. The chicken, tender and flavorful, melts in your mouth, while the beef and orzo dish is equally divine. The Greek salad is so fresh, it's as if the vegetables were just picked from the garden moments ago.

To top off an already exceptional meal, they serve fresh Greek yogurt drizzled with a luscious jam and garnished with fresh cherries. Stella Tavern is not just a meal, it's an experience, one that feels like home but tastes like the best of...

Delicious, local & fresh nostalgic food – just like my Greek grandma’s! This place has a charming, homey feel, with a lovely grandma doing the cooking – it’s both heartwarming and nostalgic. Her food was reminiscent of my own Greek grandmother’s cooking. She makes them daily in large pots. We enjoyed it so much that we returned a second time, and after letting her know we wanted moussaka, she kindly made it for us. Super accommodating and sweet! I especially recommend the spanakopita! The only downside is the pricing – there’s no menu, so it feels a bit unclear and spontaneous, like the prices are decided on the spot. But if you’re okay with a bit of mystery, it’s absolutely worth the visit. Highly recommend for the experience and the food! UPDATE: we came back a third time & got free food &...