Kaminaki — Restaurant in Zakynthos Municipality

I'll present the entire experience (sept. 2023)

We found this restaurant as it was closest to our beach so we said we'd give it a try despite mixed reviews. Upon arriving the restaurant was empty with only one couple paying their meal. Despite that almost all of the tables had dirty dishes and glases still on them so we didn't know where to sit down (only clean tables were for 4 or 6 people and we were 2). We stepped inside and asked for table for two and the waitress nonchalantly pointed to uncleaned table. We were little hesitant and surprised but sat down. She then returned and cleaned ONLY OUR table (all the rest were still kept dirty even after we left and mind you we were the only customers for more than an hour!). Next the carismatic owner greeted us, gave us the menu and told us that menu is only informative and that they can make a different dish if we would like. After we took a look, he returned, took a chair and sat down to our table with a pen and paper 👍. We told him we are looking for vegan dish - no animal ingredients. He was very kind and thought of a few dishes. We decided for pasta napolitana and grilled filled pepper and tomato. He took the order and then came back with cutlery and freshly cut bread and olive oil and took his time to proudly present it to us - bread made from homegrown wheat and olive oil from his own trees 👍. (Oh mind you, he charges 2 eur extra for 4 slices) Then the waiting began... We wouldn't mind it if it wasn't for the lack of ambient. The owner and his waitress both screamed at the top of their lungs at each other but they weren't arguing - just talking or joking or at one point when talking with the customer on the phone. I am not exaggerating, it was unbearable. You couldn't hear the greek music on the radio over the screaming. It appears as if owner is hard at hearing. I don't know but it's not pleasant and not really professional. They also screamed from one part of restaurant to another. After abouth half an hour of screaming the waitress finally went home and we were left with music and silent owner. Blessing for the ears! It felt like forever but after almost an hour we at last got our meals. I think that it shouldn't take them more than half an hour for our simple meals, especially due to us being their only customers but ok. We really wouldn't mind it if it was worth the wait, but pasta was very plain and basic - no onions, basil or any other simple ingredients, just plain old minced tomatoes over some spaghetti. 1 out of 5 stars. Filled pepper and tomato (with a few additional grilled potatos) was also not far better. Both were stuffed with plain rice and that's it. Oh and everything was floating in olive oil - owner is really proud of it and we can't say that it doesn't taste good but you can also have too much of good stuff.

To conclude: Ambient - 1/5 Hospitality - 4/5 Taste - 2/5 Price - 2/5 It is a lottery coming here as many customers have excellent experiences but there are also some very disappointing...

Posto molto accogliente. Proprietario molto simpatico, che alletta i clienti con storia interessante e proposte di piatti tipici e appetitosi; ma in realtà è stata un’esperienza veramente mediocre. Il proprietario ci ha proposto un piatto tipico unico cucinato con due uova e pomodori freschi per 8 euro, si avete letto bene, la cifra è quella. Poi ha proposto un piatto tipico “pieno ed abbondante” a base di pesce fresco ovvero “gamberetti” cucinati alla greca per 15 euro e purtroppo noi abbiamo abboccato. La tristezza assoluta è che arrivato al tavolo un piatto inguardabile con il numero preciso di 4 gamberi, proprio 4 di nome e di fatto, che non erano ne’ gamberetti ne’ gamberoni. Un piatto vuoto con 2 foglie di insalata e 4 gamberi. Poi è arrivato il momento del maialino locale cucinato sul fuoco allo spiedo. E’ arrivato al tavolo un piatto altrettanto misero, come il precedente, con qualche sperduto frammento di maiale arrostito, seppur saporito, ma introvabile nel piatto, perché tagliuzzato in piccoli pezzi, credo in tutto 5. Abbiamo pagato 44 euro, pagando pure per la prima volta il coperto mai pagato prima in tutta Zante e restando pure con la fame. Vergognoso a dir poco Vergognoso. La cosa grave è che avevamo fatto 40 kilometri per andare a mangiare in questo posto non meritevole. Lascio questo messaggio al proprietario: se voi prendete in giro un turista, che spende dei soldi per venire nel vostro Paese, voi fate fare brutta figura al vostro Paese e lasciate un brutto ricordo alle persone che percorrono kilometri per venire da voi e rinunciano ad andare in altri posti decisamente migliori. Per fortuna che a Zante, soprattutto a Tsilivi abbiamo trovato ristoratori eccellenti che ci hanno regalato esperienze memorabili con cibo incredibilmente buono che ha soddisfatto gola e anima e che soprattutto ha reso onore a Zante. Vergognatevi. Noi non torneremo MAI più da voi e sconsigliamo chiunque a farsi fregare in questo posto apparentemente piacevole...

We came for lunch, a bit on the late side, but the owner welcomed us with a big smile and made us feel very comfortable. We had a delicious meal while listening to his stories—he’s a truly warm and friendly person, and we had a great time chatting with him.

Later that day, we accidentally drove over a screw and ended up with a flat tire. Since the village is quite remote, we decided to go back to the restaurant, thinking he might know someone who could help us. In the end, he personally helped us by inflating the tire himself! Such an incredibly kind and generous man. We’re very grateful and won’t forget this...