Taverna Spilia — Restaurant in Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian

We have been there 4 times in the last couple of weeks. It is a safe place to stay with a boat, no mooring fees, but the requirement to eat in the restaurant. Which is fair and the food and prices are reasonable. The old man, who hands over the mooring lines is special, but gives precise and good commands. Overall we were always very happy there. But yesterday we came there, after we had asked for available boat places. On the phone we were told that we can stay one night. When we arrived, we were the only boat there. 6 more came after us and 2 of those had been send away. The reason for the first boat being send away was unclear to us. They were told that there is strong weather coming and the place wouldn’t be safe for their boat. 4 further boats and we were however accepted. A 6th boat with 3 elderly and not very competent people on board was send away after 2 failed docking attempts. Despite the good advice of the harbormaster they had hit the concrete quay twice. Then the harbormaster threw them their lines back, shouted at them they should go elsewhere, he would not like such incompetent people at his place. Specifically because of the forecasted very bad weather (heavy rain and thunderstorms) I found that inadequate. Over night there were 4 boats. Despite the heavy rain, we had a good night. But the weather forecast for the next 2 days is worse, so we wanted to stay. I spoke to a boat neighbor, who had also been told that he can only stay one night. Since he was ready, he wanted to ask if we could both stay one or 2 nights longer. He came back with a confirmation, but we might have to move places, since a flotilla would be coming. We were happy to keep our safe harbor place and had breakfast. Then we heard the neighbors moving places and when I went on deck, the harbormaster immediately asked, when we would be leaving. When I responded that our neighbor had asked if we could both stay, he started shouting very strongly at the neighbor, that he had not asked for both and he had never confirmed that and we have to leave. Again, I find it totally inadequate to send people away in this weather. When sailing in the Baltic Sea, this would have never happened. People would have moved closer together and the harbormaster would have done anything to offer safe places to as many people as possible. Now we’re are at another (hopefully) safe place, but we will never again go to Taverna Spilia...

Arriving by boat you are greeted by an entity that goes by the name of Babis.

Lord of spartchori, king of the dock, ultra sex god, the Greek 80s lover that your grandma still talks about - a man of a dying breed - the magkas/the tough guy/il oumo vero.

His kingdom is composed of "his" marina and restaurant with seats on the pebbles. A direct descendant of Odysseus himself but in gyros form, a porcupine, prickly on the outside but soft as a kitten on the inside. Say the right words and you unlock a Greek odyssey.

A man of few but critical words, often thrown out in random order - molla (drop the rope), trava (pull), corpo morto. He gives you 40 minutes to prepare once you dock, and asks for 20 euros after performing a once in a lifetime worthy comicotragedy act in pure Greek style (think Greek 80s taxi driver with a cigarette and frappe) helping you dock your boat.

As you part the next day and begin to lift your anchor, a figure appears out of the fumes of the restaurant, like Smuag, he arrives. In the same clothes he's been using all year, you hear the magic words that touch your heart - molllaaaaa. Your anchor becomes sentient and becomes to unleash itself - his words one with your boat. You depart serenely onto your next Greek adventure.

Until next time dear Babis. A 10/10 experience. Not...

Miserable male Staff. Horrible service.

Today my husband, two brothers-in- law a friend and myself went to this restaurant as it was on the way of a boat tour we took. I was greeted with a very mad , unpleasant and annoyed look from one of the staff there. Then he pointed for me to get us a seat. Long story short. All the male staff are rude, unpleasant and low class people. All old, angry miserable. Nevertheless, despite their disgusting personality we sat down to order food. When the incompetent old slim male staff brought the drinks I knew I would not give my money to such a horrible staff. We paid for the drinks and went to the next door restaurant. AMAZING!!!! Friendly staff, excellent food there. I told the waiter there what happened at Spilia and the waiter who served us told me he had worked for that Spilia restaurant before and they are very miserable people… every day. He nailed it; to say the least they are useless, I would not hire these type of people to clean my toilet. I’m surprised this place has good reviews… I’m positive these people are not worthy of any customers who go there . The menu says : friendly taverna…....