Taverna Koukounari — Restaurant in Municipality of Sparta

Nestled in the heart of the Parnonas mountains, Koukounari Tavern in the charming village of Polidroso is a hidden gem worth discovering. My visit in August was nothing short of delightful, and here’s why this cozy mountain retreat deserves a perfect 5-star rating.

Friendly and Honest Staff: From the moment I walked in, the warmth of the staff was evident. They were not only welcoming but also genuinely helpful. I appreciated their honesty when recommending dishes and providing insights into their menu. It’s rare to find a place where you feel such a personal touch, and Koukounari excels in this regard.

Perfect, Fresh, and Flavorful Food: The food was simply outstanding. Every dish was prepared with care, and the freshness of the ingredients was unmistakable. The portions were generous, ensuring that no one left hungry. The meats, in particular, were perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor and tenderness. Each bite was a testament to the quality of the ingredients and the skill in the kitchen.

Cozy Atmosphere with Nice Views: Koukounari’s ambiance is another highlight. The tavern is both cute and cozy, with a clean and well-maintained interior. But what truly sets it apart is the balcony, which offers a view of Polidroso village and the surrounding mountainside. The cool mountain breeze was a welcome relief during the hot August lunch hours, making the experience all the more enjoyable.

Value for Money: Price-wise, Koukounari hits the mark perfectly. The pricing was fair, and considering the portion sizes and the exceptional quality of the food, I would have been happy to pay more. It’s refreshing to find a place where you feel you’re getting true value for your money.

Accessible Location: Despite being off the beaten track, Koukounari is easily accessible by any vehicle. The roads leading to the village are all paved, so there’s no need to worry about rough or dirt roads. Since the tavern is located inside the village, visitors have to park at the village’s entrance and take a short walk. While elderly people and those in wheelchairs might need a bit of assistance, it’s definitely doable. Though the drive involves a lot of winding roads, the journey is part of the adventure, and the destination is absolutely worth it.

In summary, Koukounari Tavern offers a perfect blend of delicious food, friendly service, and a charming atmosphere. Whether you’re passing through or making a special trip, this tavern is well worth a visit. Highly...

Getting to this place is an adventure itself, especially from the ancient Mycenae. We went by camper on our way to Sparta. Would not recommend for inexperienced drivers. It took hours and hours for less then 100km (65 miles). But the drive is worth for the atmosphere, for extremely friendly and welcoming staff and for delicious food. We drove literally for a gastronomic journey, and that is exactly what we got. Good beer, fantastic baked Feta in flaky pastry with honey!!!, lamb chops and domestic pork from the grill, along with some fries and Greek salad was all we needed after late afternoon spent hours driving on a road that is more suitable for a rally stage then road for ordinary drivers. The atmosphere was great, tavern was packed with people at 22:10 when we arrived, and we enjoyed every second spent there. Special thanks to the lady that took our order, and once again proved that Greek food has something special to...

This place is unique.

I have tried a lot of 'traditional' Greek food in a lot of tavernas over the years, but this place really sticks out.

Some of the dishes available are those that you don't typically see in a normal taverna. The best way I can think of describing what's available is real authentic dishes your grandma used to make (if you were Greek! [which i'm not]). Good authentic tasty food.

Put simply the ingredients are clearly locally sourced, and fresh. No doubt about that at all. The olive oil used in the cooking was sublime. The horta (wilted Greek wild greens) was so so tasty. Every single item that came out of the kitchen was packed with flavour.

The standout for me was the Γίδα βραστή (goat soup). It was basically a bone with some meat in cloudy water. Nothing complicated looking. But my God the flavour!

Really, really...