FOOD & WINE
Here is a selection of traditional dishes that you can expect to find at some of the tavernas:
Taramosalata: A fish roe dip made with garlic, onion, bread crumbs, olive oil and lemon juice.
Tzatziki: A yoghurt and cucumber dip.
Melitzanosalata: An aubergine dip made with garlic, onion, lemon juice and herbs.
Dolmades: Vine leaves stuffed with rice, egg and lemon sauce.
Zuccini Balls: Fried pates of courgette, dill, feta and lemon juice.
Horta: Traditional local wild greens, boiled. Add plenty of oil, lemon juice and black pepper!
Tiropitta: Cheese pie made with filo pastry
Spanakopitta: Spinach and feta cheese pie made with filo pastry.
Saganaki: Deep fried cheese served with a wedge of lemon
Yigantes: Butter beans cooked in seasoned tomato, garlic and onion sauce.
Scorthalia: A garlic dip made with mashed potato and served cold as an accompaniment to fish or on its own.
Horiatiki: Greek Salad of course!
Moussaka: Layers of aubergine, mincemeat and topped with bechamel sauce.
Papoutsakia: Baked aubergines filled with mince meat, topped with cheese.
Keftedes: Deep fried meatballs flavoured with garlic and herbs.
Stifado: A meat stew with red wine, garlic, bay leaves, sometimes nutmeg, baby onions and tomato.
Kleftiko: A slow cooked lamb stew with onion, herbs, lemon, white wine.
Loukaniko: Spicy sausages.
Yemista: Stuffed tomatoes or peppers. Sometimes the filling includes mince so if you are vegetarian, check before you order.
Fasolakia: Green beans in a tomato and herb sauce.
LOCAL WINES
In nearly all tavernas and restaurants you can buy a half or whole litre of local wine – there is a wide variation in taste! It is available in white, red and rose.
If you would prefer to order a bottle of local wine try:
Land of Lefkas
Lefkas Hills
Vertzamo
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TAVERNAS
VATHY
Stavros Taverna offers a selection of meats on the grill and a variety of fish and seafood. The octopus is fantastic. Salads and vegetarian starter options are also available.
Porto Vathy (Erikos) Taverna, located near to the church, also serves grilled meat and fish.
The Rose Garden, just off Vathy square, serves grilled meat and fish and Mama’s Special of the Day.
O Pasas, another family run taverna, just before the ferry port, O Pasas has Greek cuisine and some slightly more unusual dishes! This taverna also stays open in the winter for the locals.
After the church, just past the Boom Boom bar there is an Italian restaurant for pasta, pizza or salads.
SPILIA
Porto Spilia: to the left of the harbour and next to the beach, this taverna has a wonderful selection of fish and seafood on offer as well as both meat and vegetarian options. This taverna can get busy if a sailing company has a flotilla in, which is usually at the beginning or at the end of the week.
Babis and Panos: on the other side of the harbour, near to the ferry point, this taverna offers you a chance to select from a wide display of traditional dishes.
KATOMERI
The Meganisi Hotel
You can’t miss this peppermint green building, just past the Katomeri church.
A family-run hotel which has been serving wonderful food for many years.
George oversees the proceedings and Mama Christina ensures that there is always a tasty traditonal Greek special on the menu everyday to go with the usual grill and fish menu. Sometimes you will not be offered a menu, just told what is on offer!
The Family taverna O Gantsis: This grill taverna has live music on Friday evenings.
SPARTOHORI
Lakis Taverna: a traditional taverna, which hosts an organised Greek night, usually every Thursday. This can get quite busy as people come from Lefkas to this popular evening.
There is a pizza restaurant in the village.
AMBELAKIA (AMBELIKI) BAY
Pirates Cove: traditional Greek cuisine.
BARS
VATHY
Petrino: by the square in Vathy, this bar has a lovely courtyard and offers free WiFi.
Fresh Cafe Bar: on the opposite side to all the tavernas in Vathy, Fresh offers a range of pastries and cakes and serves up great milkshakes along with various coffees and drinks.
Boom Boom Bar: just past the church this little bar serves light lunches and evening cocktails.
The Kafenion: next to Stavros Taverna, this traditional café bar is a great spot to sip an ouzo or drink a Greek coffee with the locals. Sometimes there is an inpromptu gathering of local musicians!
KATOMERI
Precious Cafe Bar: on the outskirts of the village, straight over at the crossroads and signposted for Limonari beach you will find Precious. They offer coffees, a variety of drinks and toasties.
Ice Cream Parlour: on the way out of the village and just before the crossroads, a lady has converted part of her house into a little parlour selling delicious homemade ice cream.
SPARTOHORI
Esperides Hotel offers a more formal venue for drinks and dinner – with fabulous views.
The Cafe with a view: high up above Spilia bay with glorious views towards Scorpios and Lefkas.
