Windmill — Restaurant in Municipality of Thira

Tucked away on Santorini’s little sister island, Thirasia, there stands a solitary windmill – and within it lives the true soul of Greece: the taverna “Windmill.” It’s not the kind of place you stumble upon by accident. Those who find it either got a valuable tip – or have a great instinct for real Greek hospitality and authenticity.

For five generations, the family of Apostolis has been tied to the sea – traditional fishermen, with stories and roots that go deep. Today, the taverna is run by Apostolis, the young and dynamic grandson, who brings fresh energy to a place steeped in heritage. And you feel that immediately. Between old photographs, weathered fishing nets, and the sea breeze turning the mill’s sails, you don’t just enjoy excellent food – you receive stories that go far beyond anything found on Wikipedia about Santorini.

Apostolis is warm and welcoming – always ready to share history and tips with guests. Those who listen will learn not just about Thirasia, but about the entire Santorini archipelago: the volcano, the vanished settlements, the vibrant traditions of villages like Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Emborio, and more. He speaks of the island's true past, the evolution of its people, and the resilience of its fishermen.

The food? Honest, fresh, and unforgettable. Try the grilled octopus – caught the same day – or the hand-rolled dolmades drizzled with lemon oil, just like his grandmother made them. The drinks? A delightful surprise – especially the signature Windmill Masticha cocktail. Despite the logistical challenge of getting supplies from the main island by ferry, the prices are reasonable and down-to-earth. There’s none of the tourist overpricing often found on Santorini.

The atmosphere? Pure Greek charm. It’s a simple, heartfelt place with a unique character, located in the only windmill in the village, making it an unmistakable landmark. The view of the sea is spectacular – especially at sunset, when the entire sky turns to fire. That’s when you realize: this place isn’t just special – it’s unforgettable.

In summary: Windmill isn’t just a taverna – it’s an experience. If you want to understand the real Greece, this is the place. A living tribute to tradition, culture, and hospitality – with flavors, faces, and stories that stay with you long after the last...

Whatever we ordered and ate was wonderful. Bear inomd tjoug, we didn't order anything fancy, and we only ordered things we were sure of will be fresh. For eg: certain fishes aren't on display. They definitely get them from the refrigerator, so I'd not recommend.

We ordered: Greek salad, grilled prawns, tzaziki and ofcourse drinks. For dessert we ordered the baklava and orange cake. We enjoyed both!

Once you've ordered with a little basic intelligence, it's time to unwind, lean back and soak in the beautiful beauty views of the bay!

Ambience is close to perfect Food was nice Service was super fast (I even dropped lemonade all over our table and they came by in no time to clean it up!)

I'd definitely recommend since most tourists don't voyage so far in their 45 minute...

Pros: quick service, nice and polite people. Cons: nothing was fresh except for the vegetables. Octopus- small portion at least 2-3 days old and quite expensive. Squid: frozen (not fresh) Pasta with shrimps: personally I liked it but it lacked one important element, the shrimps (3 really small ones, again frozen) Meatballs: tasty but again small portion and over fried. French fries: worst potato I have ever tasted, pre-fried -frozen , and then fried in not hot oil, therefore it was quite oily and not crispy.

Greek salad: good and fresh, tasty tomato.

Bill: around 20-25 per person.

Overall, I suggest hiring a new cook, buying fresh ingredients. I understand that this is not needed because the taverns there make a living out of cruises but it is truly a pity to serve this...