Roza's — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

Taverna “Roza’s“ in Vourvoulos, Santorini Charming façade, disappointing reality – a place where hospitality takes a back seat

At first glance, Taverna “Roza’s“ in Vourvoulos seems like a hidden gem: a quaint, rustic veranda, wrapped in plastic sheets to fend off the wind. This makes the space feel more like an enclosed smoking room – but that doesn’t seem to bother anyone, least of all the guests and the host lighting up at nearby tables. What promises to be a humble village taverna quickly turns into an experience you’ll remember – for the wrong reasons.

The owner, a heavyset older man, greets guests with what seems to be warmth, only to slide into a patronizing tone disguised as curiosity. Guests are scrutinized based on their accent or presumed nationality – even if, like my wife is Greek by birth. Instead of genuine hospitality, one receives unsolicited opinions, tinged with a misplaced sense of superiority. Anyone arriving in the hope of a relaxed, pleasant evening will feel subtly judged – and somewhat unwelcome.

As for the food: the quality itself was good. The horta was fresh, the fava well-seasoned – but the portions were almost comically small for a Greek taverna. The horta felt like a side dish that had lost its main course. The fava was more generous, though mostly by contrast. The fish soup, listed as a starter, was fair both in taste and size – nothing more, nothing less.

The cod fricassee, however, was a different story. Ordered clearly for one person, it appeared on the bill as a dish for two – at a staggering €46. For two small fillets, this felt more like haute cuisine pricing without any of the finesse. When questioned, no explanation – just the quiet certainty that tourists won’t complain, and locals perhaps won’t bother.

Dessert came in the form of a decent galaktoboureko, though barely larger than a stick of gum. And the final flourish? Despite having introduced herself clearly as Greek, she was handed the dessert menu in English. It’s a small gesture – but an eloquent one.

Conclusion: The food may be passable, but the overall experience leaves a bitter aftertaste. Rosa presents itself as an authentic, welcoming spot – but behind the rustic charm lies a place where hospitality has been replaced by arrogance, and the guest is seen less as a person and more as a wallet. Come for the view, perhaps – but if you’re looking for soul, warmth, or value,...

Yesterday we had dinner in this little corner of the island, and from the very first step we took into the place, we knew we were somewhere with a soul — a space where every detail had been thoughtfully designed and lovingly cared for.

Starting with the food, after many years coming to this island, we can confidently say that Roza’s is quite possibly the restaurant that best combines quality, innovation, and tradition. A true gift for the senses and the palate.

The menu is extensive, and everything on it looked tempting. The five dishes we tried — dolmades with smoked eel, artichokes and asparagus, oxtail dumpling, shrimp ravioli, and beef stew with mashed potatoes — were simply outstanding. We couldn’t choose a favorite; what we do know is that every dish here is made with love and honesty.

We also want to mention how beautifully decorated the place is — every detail carefully chosen: the books, the photographs, the little vases, the boxes for the cutlery… Everything crafted with care, forming a clear and authentic part of the restaurant’s identity. And of course, we have to talk about the music — an excellent selection that perfectly complemented the setting, the ambiance, and the cuisine being served.

As for the service, it feels like stepping into the home of someone who genuinely wants to please and make their guests happy: warm, friendly, and familiar. It had been a long time since we’d been in a place so thoughtfully designed, run by people who, without any pretensions of grandeur, manage to connect and move you far more than those who do.

It’s a joy to come across places that respect the tradition of well-crafted cuisine — the kind that takes time and care — while also knowing how to elevate classic dishes, combining them with unexpected ingredients and presenting them with creativity and beauty.

During our days on the island, we will undoubtedly return. We wholeheartedly recommend that you visit. Thank you for giving us such a delightful and...

For appetizers, we ordered Saganaki and Small Boats on the Aegean Sea. Saganaki was ok, the marmelade was a little bit too sweet for our taste. SBAS was absolutely delicious, the stuffed rice with smoked eel and lime foam combined tasted heavenly. For the main dish we ordered slowly cooked lamb (lamb stew) and rib eye steak. The lamb was tender and the soup with potato was delicious. The Rib eye steak was also tender and juicy but the amount of salt really overpowered the taste and made it a little less enjoyable to eat. For dessert we picked the Baklava (with ice cream, nuts, raisin and some sort of sauce). Tasted delicious and was eaten within minutes.

The customer service was ok since they don't speak english that well, but it was obvious that they favored the locals more when serving (not a big problem but feels a little left out). We also had a tiny mishap happen, where they forgot to bring us our Saganaki appetizer, so we had to inform them about it after our main dishes arrived (benefit of the doubt but mistakes happen so all good). They said that we do not need to pay for it since it was their mistake but in the end charged us for it anyways (still think it was an honest mistake but left a bad taste of the whole experience).

Overall I would recommend trying at least once since it is hard to find food of this level and quality...