Old Kardamili Traditional Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of West Mani

Decided to try this restaurant for an evening meal after stumbling across it whilst out exploring the old town. We are a family of 4, with 2 fussy eaters, and the limted menu appeared to satisfy all of our tastes which was a bonus. Loved the elevated location, with tables sat underneath trees strung with lights. Unfortunately appearances can be deceptive. The service was pretty slow (we booked at 9pm and they only took our order at around 9.30). Yes, it was very busy, but there were plenty of staff flitting backwards and forwards and we saw many opportunities for them to have taken our order earlier. 3 of us ordered the pork roast with potatoes, the other ordered meatballs. The food appeared 20 minutes later, but to say it was bland is an understatement. Although the pork was very tender, it was nothing special. The potatoes were just boiled spuds, slightly roasted, but again no real flavour. The meatballs were just that; meatballs sat on a mint yogurt sauce. I'm not even sure that it came with the diced fresh tomatoes as advertised! The worst of it was that all meals were lukewarm, like they'd been sat out for a while. I could honestly have cooked better myself! I'm a bit dubious of the raving reviews telling us of the authentic Greek flavours that can be found here, we certainly didn't find any!! Being typically British, we didn't want to make a scene and complain, but had this been in Britain, we most definitely wouldn't have accepted the tepid food. Despite this, the staff were very friendly. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend. There are plenty of other restaurants to choose from that serve hot food. Price wise, this place is comparable or slightly more than other restaurants; seems you're paying more for the setting. We had 4 main meals, plus bread, cucumber & olives, water, 3 beers and 1 soft drink and it came to €80. Utterly...

Old Kardamyli traditional restaurant is celebrated as a formidable traditional food experience with stunning 4,8% positive reviews and, on this base we decided to experience its cuicine so, on July 23rd there we go! The location is great, at the foot of a hill covered with remains of antique buildings, a great terrace with tables set undernith numerous trees. It was with great expectatins we waited to be given the menu.... One page! Nevertheless we searched the claimed tradition and found very little but, we went on and decide to try the grilled vegetables that were described as served with an interesting sauce and a "traditional" salad from Mani with oranges and "traditional smoked pork", I also ordered pork cooked in the oven with potatoes and some bread. The vegetables arrived refridgerator cold, covered with a white something we could not detect and artistically displaied on a reddish sauce we could not understand what it was. The so called traditional salad looked like the vegetables, covered with the same white something, while the "pork" had gone missing. . The pork in the oven was the only dish slighlty ressembling a traditional dish, but it was overcooked and too salty while 6 half slices of industrial bread stood for 2 portions! The bill, including a glass of cheap rosé wine and an ouzo: 50,00€. I encourage the conservation of traditional food everywhere and especially in Greece but this place, established in 2023, is far from offering, I won't say traditional, not even decent food, it is simply a...

Staying at Vardia, this new as of 2023 restaurant is at the bottom of the stairs, close to the old town and towers, and should be on everyone's list for a great meal. We have enjoyed lunch and dinner from the sensibly short menu, just one side of A4. But beautiful dishes well prepared full of flavour and colour. Sufficient selection for all tastes and most diets, remembering that it is Mani food, not fancy. Locally sourced and prepared to order. Of particular note was a tomato and goats cheese salad and a not moussaka, ground beef served on a split aubergine with bechamel baked off in the oven. Beans in tomato sauce are another star dish. The meatballs and yoghurt are great being like small lamb burgers with rich flavours of mint and herbs. Both rosé and house red are good. Access is good but all the covers/tables are outside under trees with views down towards the sea. If staying in Kardamyli, walk, as parking is free but small. 2025 update Old Kardamili is now becoming one of the best restaurants in town, really good front of house team and food that goes from strength to strength. Check the specials, goat chops were on the other night, so much more flavour than lamb and much...