During my recent trip to Rhodes, I had the pleasure of discovering Stegna Kozas, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Stegna. This remarkable restaurant left an indelible mark on my taste buds and provided an extraordinary dining experience. I can confidently say that Stegna Kozas deserves every bit of its five-star rating and is a must-visit for food enthusiasts exploring Rhodes.
From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was greeted with a warm and friendly welcome from the staff. The rustic and charming atmosphere immediately caught my attention, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. The attention to detail in the restaurant's decor added to the overall charm, making it a delightful place to dine.
Now, let's delve into the most captivating aspect of Stegna Kozas—the food! The menu at this establishment boasts an impressive array of traditional Greek dishes, each meticulously prepared and bursting with flavors. From fresh seafood delicacies to mouthwatering meat options, Stegna Kozas truly offers something for everyone.
One standout dish that left a lasting impression was the grilled sea bass. The fish was impeccably cooked, retaining its delicate tenderness while being perfectly seasoned. Accompanied by a medley of vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs, the flavors harmonized beautifully, creating a truly memorable culinary experience.
Moreover, Stegna Kozas excels in its selection of succulent grilled meats. Whether you opt for the tender lamb chops, juicy pork souvlaki, or the perfectly charred beef steak, each bite is a testament to the chef's skill and dedication. The meats were cooked to perfection, boasting a delectable smoky flavor that left me craving more.
The service at Stegna Kozas was exceptional. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about their cuisine. They were more than willing to provide recommendations and offer insights into the menu, ensuring that every guest had an unforgettable dining experience.
In addition to the remarkable food and excellent service, the prices at Stegna Kozas were reasonable, considering the high quality of the dishes. The portions were generous, leaving diners feeling satisfied and content. It's evident that Stegna Kozas strives to provide excellent value for the overall dining experience.
To conclude, if you find yourself in Rhodes, a visit to Stegna Kozas is an absolute must. This restaurant exemplifies the best of Greek cuisine, combining exquisite flavors, warm hospitality, and a delightful atmosphere. Whether you're seeking fresh seafood or delectable grilled meats, Stegna Kozas will undoubtedly exceed your expectations. Prepare to embark on a gastronomic journey that will leave you with...
Read moreBaffled by the 5 star reviews. Perhaps we were unlucky. In summary: disappointing. Casual, pushy approach to service in a loud environment resulted in items not explained or asked for. Forgotten item. Food and wine was average to poor. Expensive (50-100% more than other locations nearby). The worse dining in two weeks at Stegna and on Rhodes overall cost to value / experience. Let me explain…
I booked in advance as we had been turned away once and it seems to always be full, placing expectations high. The setting and dressing inside the restaurant is pretty, if a bit kitschy (at one point a hat fell from the ceiling and almost landed on me), but it was also very busy and super loud on our visit until most other diners had left - photos were taken on leaving and near closing.
Server approach and style was over familiar and slightly pushy. It seems lots of people may like this, I didn’t on this occasion and in this environment. Examples include: asking who our initial server was and then making a little jibe because I didn’t remember; sitting down on the chair next to me to take our order; abruptly telling my partner to speak up; talking across us while we tried to finalise the shared accompaniments, and; making suggestions we didn’t ask for. We were ultimately served a bread and tapenade side when we agreed to the suggested accompaniment- assuming it would be the inexpensive greek bread offered everywhere else. We were also served and billed for fries we didn’t order.
Food emerged in a staggered fashion as expected - not a problem. However approximately 15 minutes after we had essentially finished eating there was a main item which had still not arrived. I asked about it and 5-10 minutes later I believe I spotted it being prepared. No apology or comment from staff when it was finally served.
Overall the food was overpowered by garlic. Dishes were noticeably smaller than Rhodes has led us to expect. None of it was particularly impressive compared to anything we had eaten elsewhere, anywhere on the island. In fact, it was generally worse.
Our bill was well in excess of what we had paid nearby for similar meals. 500ml of house wine was double the price and, for our tastes, not a favourable comparison. This was a far poorer experience for more money. Based on that, I can’t recommend Stegna Kozas, and don’t feel the need to come back to see if I caught them on an off night.
Perhaps you’ll enjoy the overall vibe (maybe leave your own signed item to dangle above diners heads) and embrace the style of service to try something unexpected, but you have been warned. In my experience, every other restaurant we tried in Stegna was better value, delivered faultless service and / or served...
Read moreReferred to as the best seafood-restaurant in Rhodes, Kozas fell short on several aspects. We ordered pretty much everything on the menu besides the octopus (which another table was served; looked amazing) and the pasta. We were actually told to not order the pasta as it wouldn’t complement the other dishes. Welp.
The fisherman’s platter was loosely battered in what I presume is flour and a few spices. The two larger fishes, sea-bream I assume, had batter that barely stuck onto it, and its skin wasn’t crispy at all. The rest of the fishes were bordering on tasteless, they were slightly overcooked and honestly unappealing.
The waiter(s) emphasized that the sauces should be added to the fish. And this is truly where the restaurant shines; their sauces are impressive. Tangy, savory, zesty yet round and sweet! However, at the point of adding the different sauces we ordered, I was left with the impression that they were masking behind a thin veil of delicious sauce, because eating the fishes by themselves (which I did at first) would leave much to be desired. This is supposed to be the best seafood-restaurant in Rhodes. I didn’t come here for your mouthwatering sauces!
Furthermore, the restaurant brands itself as this sort-of ‘hip’ millennial restaurant, and tries to embody this relaxed, friendly etiquette. To me, it fell on deaf ears (blind eyes?). Instead of using so much time on branding yourself in a way that fell out of fashion in 2015, spend that time instead on perfecting the menu, meaning not halfway-battering half of your menu in tasteless flour. And remember, fresh fish does not necessarily mean that the fish is amazing. The fries, which we received as one of few side-dishes were soggy and bland. I came into Kozas with high exptectiations. They simply didn’t live up...
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