10 Places Where Locals Eat in Mykonos

To Kafeneio tou Bakoya is a tiny old-style Greek kafeneio (cafe), a place where locals gather not only to eat and drink but also to catch up on community news. Located opposite the fish market in Gialos since the late 1970s, it’s a proper family operation with Mrs Vaso, the owner’s wife, doing all the cooking and the family’s uncles and aunties serving the dishes and cleaning up.

Watch local fishermen selling their fresh haul across the road by the waterfront, while enjoying delicious meze of local sausages, fried squid and sea urchins while getting a feel of the real local life in Mykonos.

Bakalo’s food is as authentic as its exterior – a traditional Mykonian house with arched doorways and an 18th-century well in its courtyard. The restaurant, located in the Lakka area, offers a menu that doubles as a culinary map of the island.

It showcases the best locally sourced ingredients Mykonos has to offer. Hearty Cycladic dishes available at Bakalo include pancetta with Santorini fava, beef with thyme and Mavrodafni sauce, and amberjack skewers. The desserts are equally noteworthy, with Cycladic ingredients like pasteli (sesame seed candy) and fig jam taking center stage on the menu.

M-eating stands out from most Greek restaurants on the island with its warmth and excellent service. The owners, a local family, always come to the table, treating customers as one of their own and personally ensuring everyone is left satisfied.

Found in what is a peaceful backyard oasis in busy Mykonos Town, M-eating is the place to go to if you’re looking to enjoy an authentic Greek meal, like soutzoukia (Greek meatballs), with a modern presentation and elegant environment. Don’t leave before trying their spin on honey pie, a traditional Mykonian dessert.

Mamalouka is a restaurant faithfully committed to the mission of promoting local food and ingredients in Mykonos. It occupies a charming outdoor patio in the center of Chora, just a short walk away from Little Venice.

Must-try specialties include the lobster fillet with barley and cuttlefish on the grill with caramelized onions and flavored with herb tea. The restaurant’s aromatic garden, which has lavender and basil, is designed specially to accompany their experimental menu and enhance your Mediterranean dining experience.

Nikolas’ Tavern is known for serving fresh fish that's caught daily by the owner himself. This picturesque little beachfront tavern is located on Paralia Agia Anna Beach, where you should get a table on the blonde sand for a true Greek island experience.

Nikolas’ Tavern also offers traditional homemade dishes, such as pastitsio (baked pasta) and moussaka. Their meat also comes directly from the owner’s family’s farm. It’s a great place to have a hearty meal after a swim, all while enjoying the breeze and soothing sounds of the sea.