Athina Taverna — Restaurant in Municipality of Northern Corfu

Tucked away in the charming seaside village of Arillas, Corfu, this family-run Greek tavern is a gem that embodies everything warm, welcoming, and delicious about traditional Greek dining. From the moment you step through the door, you feel less like a customer and more like a treasured guest in someone’s home. One of the most memorable aspects of the experience is the personal touch of the waiter, whose friendly demeanor and genuine interest in every table sets the tone for the evening. He doesn’t simply take orders—he shares stories about the dishes, offers suggestions with a twinkle in his eye, and makes you feel as if you’ve been coming here for years. It’s this rare kind of hospitality, rooted in genuine care and not just good service, that makes the tavern stand out.

The menu is refreshingly simple—no pages of unnecessary options or over-complicated combinations. Instead, what you find is a concise selection of traditional Greek dishes, prepared the way they should be: honest, flavorful, and without any attempt to disguise the quality of the ingredients. Everything speaks of time-honored family recipes, where the focus is on taste and authenticity rather than presentation tricks or modern gimmicks.

From the first bite, it’s clear that the kitchen respects tradition. The grilled fish is cooked to perfection—tender, flaky, and seasoned just enough to enhance rather than overpower its natural flavor. The moussaka is rich, layered with care, and topped with a creamy béchamel that feels like it’s been made a thousand times before and perfected with each attempt. Even the simplest dishes, such as a fresh Greek salad, shine because of their sheer quality: ripe tomatoes bursting with sweetness, cucumbers with just the right crunch, and olive oil that could stand as a course all on its own.

Then there are the desserts, which feel like a heartfelt ending to the meal. Every sweet on the menu is homemade, and you can taste the love and patience in each bite. The standout—no contest—is the whole nut cake. Moist, deeply flavored, and studded with generous chunks of nut, it’s a dessert that deserves its own pilgrimage. The first forkful is enough to convince you it’s something special, but by the last bite, you’re left wondering whether you could possibly justify coming back the very next night just for another slice. Spoiler: you can.

Dining here isn’t about being impressed with fireworks or novelty; it’s about feeling nourished in body and spirit. It’s about a family opening their kitchen to you, sharing what they know and love, and letting you experience Greece in its most genuine form. There’s no pretension, no rush—just good food, warm company, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you linger long after the plates have been cleared.

If you find yourself in Arillas, don’t just add this tavern to your list—make it the highlight of your trip. Between the heartfelt hospitality, the flawless traditional cooking, and that unforgettable whole nut cake, it’s the kind of place that leaves you with full stomach, a warm heart, and memories...

Edit: After eating here a second time, I should add that this taverna does not have a good understanding of gluten allergy currently. The staff tried to find a solution, but if you have an allergy you really want to be sure you don't get sick from what you've ordered. In general I'd still say food and service here is really good, but if you have a gluten allergy, I think you should probably look elsewhere or really make sure the staff understands what they need to do differently.

We had such an amazing time here. Every single member of the staff is incredibly nice and pleasant. They make you feel at home the moment you enter. The atmosphere was very cosy, warm and welcoming. And the food was absolutely fantastic. We had the red housewine, spinach cheese pie, stuffed vine leaves, beef stifado and stamna. Everything tasted great and was cooked to perfection. We love this place so much, that we made a reservation for tomorrow as well. This taverna is a must visit if you're in the area, and honestly, even if you're not in the area it's very much worth traveling for. Definitely a highlight...

I visited Athina Taverna with friends three times whilst in Arillas. Greek Taverna where you will find dishes that are not served everywhere in the village.

On my visits, I had gavros (marinated anchovies), sea bream, bourdeto, and roast lamb. My friends had lamb chops, stidado, stamna, sofrito, and a repeat of the stamna as it was enjoyed so much the first time. We had dessert on two occasions the portolokapita (orange cake) and chocolate cake both served with cream and vanilla ice cream. I do not usually eat dessert, but I had to try the chocolate cake, it was very good and not over sweet.

The food was very tasty, and piping hot. Something to be borne in mind when eating outside early in the season. On my last night there was a full house at the restaurant. Service is good, not rushed this is not a fast food place, just sit down and...