Metaxi Mas — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

Metaxi Mas is a must! Whether you take a taxi, rent a four-wheeler, or simply walk from the charming village of Pyrgos. (We were advised very strongly against doing the latter by a very nice lady at a souvenir store: "It's not possible to walk, it's in the next village! But it is a wonderful restaurant, you must make it there regardless," she said. We did it anyway and it took about half an hour of walking downhill.)

And just like pretty much everyone we spoke to about Metaxi Mas promised, it is absolutely amazing. You won't find your regular horiatiki and moussaka here, but by the time you make it here, you've most likely had enough of those and will be excited to take a quick break. You'll also have a change of view, because the cozy terrace is overlooking the airport and the less photographed side of the island, which may be slightly less iconic but gorgeous nonetheless.

We started with Smoked Fish in a Chickpea Stew and the moment we tasted the dish, we knew that it would be the best meal on the island. We continued with Shrimp saganaki finished with ouzo, tomato sauce, fennel and feta cheese, which I will remember for a long time. And then, for a finale, a Spicy fried pork with Assyrtiko Santorini wine (which we were about to learn all about at a nearby winery, Santo Wines) with peppers, onion, garlic, Santorini cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and boukovo—red pepper flakes. Were we full? Of course. Did we want more? Absolutely!

It was our last day on Santorini, so we knew we wouldn't have time to return to Metaxi Mas, so we asked our lovely waitress if she could suggest just one more, small dish, simply because everything was so delicious that we'd love another bite. She said that her favorite thing on the menu was Oven-baked asparagus with Cretan graviera cheese and estragon, and we thought that a little asparagus appetizer would be a perfect finishing touch to this feast.

Little did we know that the "small dish" is in fact a huge plate filled with lots and lots of hot, melty, delicious cheese (with a little bit of asparagus buried deep under). It was way more than we wanted but way too delicious to leave behind and a taxi to take us to the wine tour at Santo Wines was already waiting. We might have burnt our mouths a little but we finished the asparagus and our wonderful waitress brought us a dessert packed to go because she knew we had to go.

If you're in Santorini right now and looking for some delicious food, I couldn't be more...

If you’re searching for the ultimate local dining experience in Santorini, look no further than Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia. Our visit was nothing short of exceptional—this is the kind of place that sets the standard for authentic Greek hospitality and cuisine. What Makes Metaxi Mas Stand Out • Best Local Restaurant: Tucked away from the tourist crowds, Metaxi Mas is beloved by both locals and visitors. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and vibrant, with a beautiful view over the island’s interior. The setting is relaxed yet lively, making every guest feel at home. • Outstanding Food: Every dish we tried was a celebration of Greek and Cretan flavors. From the famous fava dip and baked white eggplant to the succulent lamb chops and pork dishes, the menu is a showcase of fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Portions are generous, and the flavors are both comforting and refined. • Exceptional Service: The waiters at Metaxi Mas are attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about their work. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with smiles, complimentary raki, and thoughtful recommendations. The staff’s positive energy and professionalism elevated our entire experience. • Unbeatable Value: For the quality and quantity of food, the prices are remarkably reasonable—especially by Santorini standards. Starters, mains, and local wine are all affordably priced, making it possible to enjoy a full, authentic Greek meal without breaking the bank. Highlights from Our Visit • Complimentary raki and nibbles to start, and a delicious cheesecake to finish. • Standout dishes included the kadaifi cheese rolls, baked asparagus, and lamb shoulder with white aubergines. • The house wine, served by the carafe, paired perfectly with our meal and was excellent value. • The ambiance—whether on the terrace or inside—was filled with the aromas and colors of the Aegean, making every moment memorable. Final Thoughts Metaxi Mas is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience that captures the heart of Greek cooking and hospitality. For anyone seeking the best food, the friendliest service, and the most authentic atmosphere in Santorini, this is the place to go. Amazing value for money, unforgettable flavors, and a team that truly cares—Metaxi Mas is a must-visit. Tip: Reservations are essential, as this gem is extremely popular with both locals...

This is definitely the best restaurant we have eaten at while in Santorini and Mykonos.

Very easy to get to of the main road next to a church. The parking lot is next to the church and you will see the restaurant sign. Walk down back through the path to find the restaurant.

It overlooks the gorgeous landscape and water, what a beautiful sight!

I made reservations a few months away and was told via email to just reserve and check 2-4 days away. I was only going for lunch, but I heard dinner gets super busy. They confirmed with me over email one day out, but when I arrive they had my name for a lunch reservation, yet said I never confirmed...I was confused, but they still sat me since it was not busy yet. It was probably about 75% full for the nice shady seats after being open for 10 minutes. Try to be early.

There are two outdoor seating areas, one adjacet to the restaurant and one a few steps across the way with two large umbrellas to provide shade for only about 4-5 tables, bit that is where you want to sit for the best view and shade.

There was a local cat walking around and sitting next to our table...haha.

We got free bread and grappa to start.

We did a bunch if research for what to eat and narrowed it down to four dishes. The grilled octopus, broccoli souffle, lamb with yogurt, and the grilled fillet. We only wanted three dishes so we started with the broccoli souffle and got the lamb with yogurt and the grilled fillet. The lamb was a tough choice because there were two popular options. The one with the yogurt in white sauce or the lamb shank in a red tomato sauce. I went with the yogurt because the dairy in Greece is so delicious and fresh.

All of our dishes were amazing! My wife ordered her fillet medium rare and it comes out about medium , as expected (she was planning on n medium), she loved it and didn't stop raving about it. The red wine with mushrooms sauce over the fillet was perfect. The lamb was very tender and broke apart easily because of the slow cooking process, I loved it.

After our meal the waitress brought us a free homemade yogurt pie square with fruit jelly on top and cookie crust. I think they called it a cheesecake, but it tastes and has the consistency more of a yogurt pie.

Definitely the best meal we had! I hope we...