Cuisine of Naxos for gourmets. Places for dinner - best restaurants

The cuisine of this picturesque Greek island fully complies with national traditions. However, foreign guests are offered some exquisite treats in local restaurants only. Naxos is famous for its delicious cheeses. Arsenico, Gravera and Ksinomizitra are the most popular varieties; they are certainly served in national restaurants. Many travelers prefer to buy local cheese as a souvenir; the island has several different specialty shops.

Gravera cheese is quite unusual; it is traditionally made of sheep's milk. Another popular cheese variety is made of cow's milk making taste of the treat unique. Ksinomizitra is surprisingly soft cream cheese with spicy sour taste; it is sprinkled with oregano and olive oil before serving. Such a treat would delight every gourmet.

Visitors of Naxos won't be disappointed with vegetarian food too, as a choice of vegetable dishes in local restaurants is just huge. Fresh salads are served at any meal; those wishing to taste classic Greek salad would certainly have such an opportunity. Speaking of vegetable dishes, it's worth to mention unique taste of local potatoes. This vegetable grown on the island has a really different taste; it is usually boiled and served hot to complement other dishes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The fertile soil of the island is ideal for cultivation of vineyards; excellent wine is produced there. However, the most popular local drink is sweet liqueur Kitri Naxos, which is made of lemon leaves extracts. Liquor has a rich sweet taste perfectly complemented by the citrus freshness.

Most attractive restaurants are concentrated in the capital of the island, Chora. There you can find not only local dining places, but restaurants of other traditions. Irini's restaurant offers to taste popular homemade dishes; tacos salad is the favorite one. It is made with tomatoes, local cheese, shrimp and special wheat crackers; the taste of the salad is just fantastic. At the Aliko beach there is another popular restaurant of national cuisine, FAROS Aliko Beach; its menu also represents a lot of attractive home-cooked dishes.