Almyriki — Restaurant in Municipality of Tilos

Disappointing Experience at Almyriki – More Style Than Substance

We visited Almyriki in Livadia, Tilos, last night at 9:00 PM, having booked a table two days in advance. Upon arrival, there was confusion about our reservation. Although a waiter had confirmed the time earlier, it was clear that this hadn’t been communicated to the rest of the staff. This led to an unnecessary discussion at the entrance while they tried to sort things out. Eventually, we were seated indoors to browse the menus—clearly a temporary arrangement, as the waiter knew a table would soon become available. He offered a brief apology, but there was no proper explanation—just a vague sense of irritation and stress. The feeling of not being welcome had already settled in.

We ordered cheese balls with dip and garlic bread as starters—easily the highlight of the meal, though the portion was small and not ideal for sharing. We also received complimentary breadsticks, which was a nice gesture, but one of them was broken, making the presentation feel careless.

The main courses were underwhelming: the moussaka lacked flavor and seemed hastily reheated, while the goat was dry and mostly bone, served with uninspired tagliatelle. The wine was good, but €8 for a small glass felt overpriced.

One of the waiters—different from the one we spoke to initially—tried to smooth things over. He was noticeably more attentive, presented the wine with care, and offered small gestures like the complimentary breadsticks and a warm smile. It was clear he was trying to salvage the situation, but it felt more like damage control than genuine hospitality. He avoided discussing the earlier mix-up, and it seemed they preferred to brush it aside—perhaps because they knew the fault was theirs.

Although he was more present at our table, we still felt like second-class guests. It became obvious that regulars were prioritized, and we even noticed staff discussing us before we ordered—likely to avoid assigning the original waiter to our table. Despite his efforts, the overall mood remained strained, with a polite but distant atmosphere, as if we were an uncomfortable reminder of a mistake they’d rather forget.

Service was slow, and after finishing our main courses, we had to ask for the bill ourselves—no one came by. The table was cramped, and it felt like they wanted us gone as quickly as possible. The ambiance was marked by stress and selective attention, and it was clear that returning guests received better treatment.

The restaurant is beautifully located by the sea and could have offered a memorable experience. Unfortunately, it fell short in terms of food, service, and atmosphere. I’m not angry—just deeply disappointed. This place would be far better suited as a wine bar, where guests could enjoy the view and a good drink without expecting much from the kitchen.

What saves this review from a one-star rating is that one waiter took the time to listen and acknowledged that a mistake had been made. That’s worth mentioning—and it’s why I’m giving 2 stars...

Undoubtedly the best restaurant in Tilos, offering a professional touch with a unique identity. Notably, it might be the only place on Tilos that exclusively serves meat. Kudos for that. The location and service are exceptional, and while the food is satisfying, there's potential for improvement to make it truly outstanding.

However, a few points are worth mentioning: The xaloumi was somewhat dry and could benefit from a sauce or a sweet marmalade to enhance its flavor and texture. Although the lamb was cooked to perfection, the presence of numerous bones made it potentially risky for our teeth and particularly for children. The appetizer with dips was rich in flavor, but the combination(bread with tzatziki and fava )might be a bit bold for a starter due to its intense tastes.

Adding these comments because I'm eager to revisit this restaurant soon! Also, my feedback is based on my personal taste...

Wow, what a surprise. The most perfect tender Stifado presented with ingenuity and elegance. The goat meal that was served at a tagliatelle sort of pasta, with a tasteful sauce. These people knows exactly what they're doing and they're doing it right. The wine on bottle was also a delight, Cabernet sauvignon and Syrah from Rhodes, just wonderful. Polite and attentive service. I totally recommend this place. Stylish and elegant greek consept both when it comes to decor and menu. Can't wait...