~ What’s New on Mykonos in 2015 … continued from page 1 of this post
Images of the Cayenne Mediterranean restaurant, burger bar and pizzeria at Tourlos. Open only since May, Cayenne has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants on Mykonos.
New restaurants in Mykonos Town
New arrivals in Mykonos Town include the artisan bakery Il forno di Gerasimo on Agiou Gerasimou Street, Inyama Surf and Turf in Agias Monis Square; cafe and dessert shop Nkoutas Bougatserie, the American-style burger bar Yo Homie, and Popolo cafe-bar, all of which are located on Drakopoulou Street; Souvlaki Story on Enoplon Dinameon Street; Vegera Cafe Bar Restaurant near the town hall; D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar on Xenias Street (near the windmills); Mama’s Cuisine at Manto Square; and Captain’s Restaurant on on the harbourfront. In mid summer, the Belvedere Hotel debuted its new restaurant, Thea, which promises a “sublime” private dining experience with seating for up to 25 guests. And arguably the most hyped newcomer of all is Ling Ling Mykonos, the first Cantonese fine dining restaurant and nightclub to be opened in Greece by the London-based Hakkasan chain of posh establishments. Meanwhile, a popular Italian restaurant — Aglio e Olio — has returned following a 2-year hiatus from the Mykonos dining scene. It’s back at Lakka Square, in the premises where White Star was located last year.
On the way, and possibly open by late summer, is Spuntino Panini and Espresso Bar, a stylish bistro and coffee bar.
Meanwhile, the most talked-about restaurant that won’t be opening on Mykonos this year is McDonald’s. The global burger chain had applied for a licence to open an outlet on Mykonos; however, in March the island’s municipal council unanimously refused the application. Council members felt the fast food shop wouldn’t be a good fit with the island’s unique Cycladic character and charm.
~ Il Forno di Gerasimo
Street view of Il Forno di Gerasimo at 13 Agiou Gerasimou Street. AFAR magazine has called it the “best bakery in Mykonos.”
Interior of Il Forno di Gerasimo, which is a combination boulangerie, coffee shop, pizzeria and bar. It’s also a small market carrying a selection of beverages and specialty packaged food items.
Il Forno di Gerasimo’s artisanal baked goods include bread, pastries, brioches, cakes, profiteroles, panna cotta, sandwiches, pizza and snacks. The bakery’s Facebook page is chock full of photos showing dozens of its different tempting treats.
Some of the custom hand-made pizzas on offer at Il Forno di Gerasimo
Il Forno di Gerasimo is a good spot to start a day over breakfast, or to enjoy a lunch or light dinner. At night, it’s a great go-to place for alcoholic beverages, pizza and snacks.
~ Aglio e Olio
Aglio e Olio was a popular Italian fine dining restaurant that closed a couple of years ago. It reopened in July at Lakka Square, in the spot that White Star restaurant had occupied last year.
Part of the elegant dining room at Aglio e Olio Trattoria Italiana, which is open nightly from 8:30 p.m.
A view of the dining room and bar at Aglio e Olio
~ Inyama Surf and Turf
Inyama Surf and Turf opened during the last week of July in the premises once occupied by the Greek taverna, Ta Kioupia, at Agias Monis Square.
Inyama is the newest restaurant concept brand from Food Fund International, a family-run firm chaired by Costa Tomazos, who operated one of the firm steakhouse chains in South Africa in the 1970s.
Part of the dining terrace at Inyama. The restaurant is named after the word for “meat” in the Zulu African tribe dialect.
Inyama’s menu specializes in “international surf and turf — excellent cuts of meat and fresh seafood.”
The Inyama menu includes a tempting selection of starters, salads, meats and seafood dishes, plus desserts. You can view the full menu on the Inyama website.
~ Nkoutas Bougatserie
Exterior view of Nkoutas Bougatserie, a cafe and pastry shop which opened May 28 at 15 Drakopoulou Street
Ntoukas Bougatserie takes its name from its signature creation, bougatsa, which is a traditional Greek custard pie
Besides bougatsa and various Greek pastries, the cafe serves cheesecake and other delectable desserts all hand-made by shop owner Marios Ntoukas
The bougatserie also offers a wide selection of coffees and other beverages
Ntoukas Bougatserie also serves pizza and a selection of snacks. Open 24 hours a day until the end of August, it’s a new late-night dining option for visitors experiencing the vibrant dusk to dawn party scene in Mykonos Town.
~ Souvlaki Story
Souvlaki Story opened at 37 Enoplon Dinameon Street in late May, in the premises formerly occupied by the budget-friendly Spilia restaurant
Souvlaki Story staff pose inside the newly-opened restaurant in this photo shared on Facebook page
Pork, chicken and turkey gyros (yes, turkey — I haven’t had one of those yet, either) are available at Souvlaki Story
Some of the menu items and combos (called “stories”) that are offered at Souvlaki Story
A vegetarian combo meal from the Souvlaki Story menu
~ Thea restaurant at the Belvedere Mykonos Hotel
A table at the Belvedere Hotel’s new Thea restaurant, seen in a John Athimaritis photo shared on the hotel’s Facebook page. The hotel boasts that Thea will offer “an unforgettable gastronomic experience combined with breathtaking views of Mykonos Town and the sea!”
It’s not the best photo, but this picture from the Belvedere’s Facebook page provides a hint of the scenery guests will enjoy while dining on Thea restaurant’s cozy private terrace. The patio overlooks the hotel’s swimming pool and Matsuhisa Mykonos restaurant, and offers views of Mykonos Town, the sea and the sunset.
Thea restaurant’s quinoa with green beans, spinach, chickpea, parmesan & lemon-truffle vinaigrette. Executive chef Nikos Zervos, formerly with the 2-star Michelin L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, has created a “refined menu that blends Meditarranean heritage with Greek cuisine and influences from local products.”
Thea restaurant’s salmon “sashimi” with lime-soy, ginger, chive & cauliflower mousse. The restaurant’s “degustation menu takes guests on a culinary journey of modern creations and traditional flavours. “
~ Yo Homie
Yo Homie is a casual burger bar that opened for business at the beginning of June at 20 P. Drakopoulou Street
Yo Homie specializes in burgers, but also serves BBQ spare ribs, Greek dishes like meat balls and moussaka, and even chips and eggs. The beverage menu includes milkshakes, smoothies, cocktails, beer and wine.
Yo Homie’s prices are very reasonable: burgers cost just €6 to €7.50, French fries are €2 and a Greek salad is €5.50.
Yo Homie has a relaxed indoor dining area complete with a jukebox that plays hit tunes from the 1960s
Yo Homie also has a few tables and chairs outside in the lane
~ D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar
D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar is a smoothie and juice bar + cafe that specializes in healthy fare, such as Greek yogurts, fresh fruit juices, and sugarless muffins. It also serves gourmet sandwiches and paninis, and coffees.
D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar is located at 69 Xenias Street, which is only a short stroll from the row of windmills on the hilltop near Little Venice.
Customers who prefer coffee can get their daily jolts of java at D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar, and if they’d rather have an alcoholic beverage or cocktail, there’s a full bar for those, too
One of the healthy treats at D’Angelo Refresh Vitamin Bar — Greek yogurt with honey, green apple, red apple, pineapple and apricot
~ Captain’s Food For Sharing
Street view of the outdoor terrace at Captain’s Restaurant, which opened May 9 on the harbourfront promenade. Captain’s has been a huge hit with Mykonos visitors — as of the beginning of August, it was the #1-ranked restaurant in Mykonos Town, according to TripAdvisor.
The menu at Captain’s is based on meze (“food for sharing”), and includes bite-sized seafood, meat and vegetable dishes as well as sharing platters that offer “a big range of shapes, textures and flavors.” The photo above, from the restaurant’s Facebook page, shows some of its seafood delights.
The Captain’s menu also includes breakfast items, salads and desserts as well as beer, wine, ouzo, tsipouro, raki, spirits and cocktails.
A view of part of the interior of Captain’s restaurant
~ Vegera Cafe-Bar-Restaurant
Street view of Vegera Cafe Bar Restaurant on the Gialos harbourfront of Mykonos Town.
Interior of Vegera. The restaurant is open for breakfast lunch and dinner, serving Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. At night, it’s also a cocktail lounge.
Vegera’s outdoor terrace has views of the Mykonos harbour and the ferry quay from which boats depart on excursions to Delos island
A seafood pasta dish at Vegera. The restaurant menu includes omelets and other breakfast fare; club sandwiches and salads for lunch; plus dinner items such as platters of grilled meat or fish.
~ Mama’s Cuisine
Mama’s Cuisine is a stylish newcomer to Manto Square, one of the busiest places in the commercial core of Mykonos Town. As of August, Mama’s was one of the Top 20 restaurants in Mykonos Town, according to TripAdvisor.
Night view of the Mama’s Cuisine dining terrace
Mama’s Cuisine posted this photo to Facebook to show the restaurant’s prime location at Manto Square, just steps from the Mykonos harbourfront. (Longtime Mykonos visitors call this Taxi Square, since it’s where the town’s busiest taxi rank was situated until it was relocated to the Remezzo area this summer.)
Another view of the Mama’s Cuisine interior
From the Mama’s Cuisine Facebook page, a photo of the restaurant’s grilled squid stuffed with tabbouleh salad. The menu includes fish, seafood, grilled meats, and Greek cuisine. Brunch fare is available, too.
~ Popolo
Popolo is located at 18 Drakopoulou Street, and serves coffee, juices, pastries, salads and specialty sandwiches
Popolo is a cute spot to enjoy a coffee, light breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert.
Some of the specialty sandwiches available at Popolo
Some of the sweets and dessert treats, like baklava, that are available at Popolo
Popolo’s home-made cheese and chicken pies
~ Ling Ling
An overhead view of the Ling Ling dining terrace
Perhaps the most talked-about newcomer is Ling Ling Mykonos, the first Greek market entry by the London-based Hakkasan chain of posh Cantonese fine dining and nightclub establishments, with locations in New York, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Mayfair, Shanghai and other international cities. Hakkasan describes itself as “one of the world’s most distinguished global restaurant, lounge and nightlife brands.” Local media reports said Ling Ling is a project of the owner of the trendy Nammos restaurant at Psarou beach, so it’s expected to draw the same crowd of global celebrities, business tycoons and bon vivants who have been filling the beach club’s restaurant seats and sunbeds for over a decade.
Ling Ling opened on July 6 in the premises formerly occupied by the world-famous Philippi garden restaurant, which closed after owner Philippis Kontizas died in 2013. Philippi had been a Mykonos institution since its opening in 1974, frequently ranking on lists of the world’s best restaurants and often being recommended in major travel guidebooks and magazines, including Conde Nast Traveller. The Philippi restaurant and garden have been totally gutted to create the new restaurant and nightclub venue, which could well make this particular site in the heart of Mykonos Town a world-renowned place for the world’s elite to dine and party once again. The venue should certainly be impressive — Hakkasan says its restaurant clubs are designed to provide an “atmosphere {that is] is vibrant, intriguing and inviting. “
The former Philippi Garden Restaurant was completely overhauled to create the sophisticated new Ling Ling restaurant and nightclub
A view of the multi-level Ling Ling courtyard terraces
From the restaurant’s Facebook page, a photo of Ling Ling’s “luxury dim sum platter with lobster, king crab, sea bass and edamame prawn truffle.” Another popular dish is the Peking duck partnered with Beluga caviar.
The Ling Ling nightclub held its official launch party on July 20 with DJs Dyro and Pathaan
Newly relocated and/or renovated restaurants in Mykonos Town
Several Mykonos restaurants have unveiled either entirely new locations or freshly renovated interiors for 2015.
Nice n Easy Mykonos has moved from Kalo Livadi beach to the Little Venice seafront, where its position at Alefkandra Square gives customers great views of the famous Mykonos windmills, the seaside and of course the remarkable Mykonos sunsets. Meanwhile, the hugely popular M-eating restaurant on Kalogera Street is starting its fourth season with renovated premises and a “refreshed” menu. And massive renovations have been undertaken to rejuvenate the acclaimed Kiku Mykonos Japanese restaurant, in the 5-star Cavo Tagoo hotel, in time for its mid-May re-opening.
~ Nice n Easy Mykonos
View of Nice n Easy’s open-air terrace in Alefkandra Square
The bar at Nice n Easy Mykonos in Mykonos Town
After two successful seasons at Kalo Livadi beach, Nice n Easy Mykonos has relocated to Alefkandra Square on the Little Venice seafront …
… where guests can sit next to the seaside with fabulous views of the famous Mykonos windmills …
… and watch wonderful sunsets while they dine
~M-eating
One of the top-rated restaurants in Mykonos since it opened four years ago, M-eating has renovated its Kalogera Street premises and has made some enhancements to its menu, too
Another view of the M-eating restaurant exterior
Part of the dining area inside M-eating
The bar area inside M-eating
One of the tantalizing culinary creations from the M-eating menu
~ Kiku Mykonos at the Cavo Tagoo Hotel
The Kiku Mykonos Japanese restaurant at Cavo Tagoo was completely renovated for 2015. The restaurant premises overlook the hotel’s world-famous infinity pool.
Construction progress on Kiku’s new bar. In winter, Kiku operates out of premises in the Kolonaki district of Athens, then relocates to the Cavo Tagoo hotel on Mykonos for the summer months.
Tout fini: Kiku’s newly-redesigned cocktail bar
This image from Kiku’s May 14 opening night was shared on Facebook
One of Kiku’s scrumptious dishes — the nigiri and sashimi plate
What’s gone / what’s changed in Mykonos Town
Lotus Taverna, a cozy Greek restaurant famous for its flavourful cuisine, has been sold and its popular owner, Elsa, is not staying on with the new management.
A long-time favourite for scores of regular Mykonos visitors, Taverna Lotus has new management and is now a modern Greek cuisine restaurant named Lotus Resto & Bar
Although new dining spots are getting the lion’s share of attention, there are noteworthy changes at several popular eateries in Mykonos Town.
Taverna Lotus on Matogianni Street has been sold, and its former owner, Elsa, and her sons will not be staying on with the new management. The restaurant has been renamed Lotus Resto & Bar, and features “modern Greek cuisine” by Executive Chef Marios Tsouris and Chef Giouvanakis Pantelis.
Lotus Resto & Bar is seen in this Twitter photo by George Sarafidis
This image from the Lotus Facebook page shows a colourful culinary creation that exemplifies the restaurant’s modern approach to Greek cuisine
The cheap and cheerful Spilia Greek restaurant on Enoplon Dinameon Street (which I profiled in my 2013 Mykonos dining report) won’t be around this summer. The family that operated Spilia has leased the location to other business entrepreneurs who have completely renovated the premises and opened Souvlaki Story (described further above in this post). The Spilia family told me they hope to open a “Spilia 2” sometime in the next couple of years.
Spilia restaurant was a popular cheep ‘n’ cheerful place for budget travellers to enjoy delicious Greek food. Souvlaki Story has opened in its place.
Antonini Taverna, a long-time fixture at Manto Square, has closed, as has one of my favourite Mykonos coffee hangouts, L’île Bistrot-Café on Kampani Street, which I described in my 2013 Mykonos restaurant report.
L’Ile Bistrot-Cafe on Kampani Street was a popular coffee shop and bistro-style cafe for two years. But it closed in late 2014 and its premises are now occupied by a clothing store.
I haven’t heard any news about what’s happening with Anna’s Place Restaurant and Bar at Paradise beach, which I profiled in an April 2013 report about new places opening on Mykonos that year. The restaurant was an instant hit, but its immensely popular owner, Anna van Kilsdonk, died after suffering massive internal injuries in a car accident last fall. There has not yet been any word on whether someone else will be operating a restaurant there this summer.
Millions of tourists strolled past Caprice Bar during its 35 years of business at Little Venice. The bar closed unexpectedly in early June, but reopened soon afterward in a new seafront location (above) near the old one.
And, as I noted on the first page of this post, the iconic Caprice Bar at Little Venice has relocated following a legal dispute with its landlord. On June 9, Caprice announced on its Facebook page that it was closing after a 35-year run that made it one of the most famous bars on the island. Caprice didn’t explain why it was shutting its doors; however, locals say the bar was evicted following a long legal dispute with the building’s owner, whose children will renovate the property and open a new bar next year. The news shocked thousands of regular Caprice visitors around the world, who took to social media in droves to express their dismay over the bar’s closure. But they were immensely relieved when Caprice re-opened later in June in another sea- and sunset-view space just three doors down from its previous premises. The re-incarnated Caprice is now a resto-bar that serves fish, seafood, risotto, pasta and other menu items.
The new Caprice is a bar and restaurant where legions of Caprice fans from around the world can still enjoy fabulous sea and sunset views …
… as well as the bar’s signature cocktails and the charming surroundings of the rustic Little Venice waterfront
What’s new in the Tourlos New Port area
There’s just a handful of places to dine in the area near the Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, but the brand-new Cayenne is the hottest of all — and is unquestionably the sexiest burger bar and pizza joint on the island. Cayenne held its “soft” opening on May 7, revealing extensive renovations and chic designer upgrades to the building that formerly housed the Italian restaurant Bandanna, and the Greek restaurant El Greco before that. Friends of mine who dined at Cayenne just a week after it opened told me that the place looks “luscious.”
This photo, shared on Facebook by Nwntas Dbn, shows part of Cayenne’s open-air terrace and its view toward the New Port
Cayenne’s terrace has expansive views of the sea, the nearby New Port and marina, and of course the famous Mykonos sunsets
Cayenne’s bar and interior dining space
Cayenne bills itself as a Mediterranean restaurant, pizza place and burger bar, but it also serves coffee and breakfast in the morning, and becomes a swish cocktail lounge at night. Customers can feast on gourmet burgers, pasta or pizzas cooked in a wood oven, and finish off with a decadently rich dessert, at both lunch and dinner time.
New restaurants at and near Ano Mera
~ Airfast Chicken
Open since March 2015, Airfast Chicken is located in the Delos Shopping Mall just outside Mykonos Town, on the road to Ano Mera. It brings a “healthy & fresh” approach to its menu of roasted chicken, kebabs, souvlaki, pita wraps, gyros, burgers, appetizers and more. It also has kids’ and family menus. The restaurant is open from noon until 1 a.m. and offers a delivery service.
~ MJ Cafe
A pair of young chefs, Michael and Julia, have opened MJ Cafe and Catering in the Klouvas area of Mykonos along the highway to Ano Mera. The menu includes a variety of coffees, of course, along with breakfast fare, Greek pastries, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and desserts. The cafe also has a full bar offering beer and cocktails. Takeaway and delivery service are available.
~ Paprika Grill
Part of the dining room at Paprika Grill, located on the highway at Ano Mera in the premises formerly occupied by Aquarius Souvlaki
Paprika Grill serves tasty Greek “fast food” treats like gyros and souvlaki, but its menu also features traditional cuisine including appetizers, salads, moussaka, stuffed tomatoes and peppers, meat stews, and grilled meats. Prices are reasonable.
Paprika Grill is next door to Wild Cafe-Bar, which opened late last fall in the former premises of Aquarius Coffee & Snacks. With a full bar, Wild was a popular night-time hangout for Mykonos locals during the winter. But it’s known as a good spot to enjoy an excellent espresso or other coffee beverage. too. This photo of Wild-Cafe Bar was shared on Facebook by Eleni Galouni
~ N’ice cream Mykonos
Open since August 3, N’ice cream Mykonos will satisfy any sweet tooth with its variety of ice cream, cakes, French and Greek sweets and pastries, juices and milkshakes. The shop is located in the Klouvas area of Mykonos, along the highway to Ano Mera. It is open from 10 a.m. until midnight (though hours will change for the winter months.)
All of the ice cream products at N’ice cream are hand-made at the shop. Also available are traditional Greek sweets including baklavas, galaktompoureko, and saraglakia, along with French pastries and waffles on a stick.
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion? N’ice cream can provide custom-made cakes to suit every occasion.
N’ice cream’s marvellous mille-feuille with vanilla cream and fresh strawberries. The desserts are made from recipes created by acclaimed pastry chef Dimitris Chronopoulos. N’ice cream Mykonos uses Valhrona chocolate in its products.
~ Food Mall Mykonos
A new dining concept — a food mall — made its debut on Mykonos in early June. Located along the highway between Mykonos Town and Ano Mera, Food Mall Mykonos boasts five restaurants under one roof — Asian Taste Mykonos, California Grill, Eat Italiano Mykonos, Seafood Ideas, and Souvlaki Kipseli Kalamaki.
During the summer, Food Mall Mykonos is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Customers can dine indoors or out at the mall, or can phone in orders for pickup or delivery. The mall also provides catering services.
Asian Taste Mykonos offers a variety of Japanese sushi and sashimi, along with a complete à la carte menu of classic Chinese dishes, including sweet & sour chicken, szechuan beef, and orange duck.
Steamed or fried? Asian Taste Mykonos makes them whichever way you prefer.
At California Grill, customers can order a variety of American and Mexican-American cuisine . Besides all-day breakfasts, California Grill serves burgers and sandwiches as well as fajitos, nachos and quesadillas.
Mykonos visitors hankering for a big American-style breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes can get it any time of day at California Grill.
Italian chef Alex Pizzaiolo has created a menu of classical Italian cuisine for the mall’s Eat Italiano Mykonos. A traditional multiple-course menu is available, with antipasti starters, primi (first course) pasta selections, insalate (Italian salads), and secondi di carne (meat dishes).
Eat Italiano Mykonos customers craving pizza rather than a multi-course Italian meal can get that, too — custom made-to-order pizzas topped with the ingredients of their choice.
Seafood and fish fans can choose from a wide variety of selections at Seafood Ideas , which prepares fresh fish and Mediterranean-style seafood entrees and sandwiches as well as classic fish & chips.
Platters of the catch of the day with salad at Seafood Ideas
A gyro plate from Souvlaki Kipseli Kalamaki, which specializes in Greek grilled meat dishes, such as gyros, souvlaki, kebabs and skewers,
~ Tsaf Mykonos
Tsaf was a popular fish and seafood restaurant on Evoia island. Its owners decided to relocate to Mykonos this year.
Tsaf Mykonos is located in the town square at Ano Mera
Tsaf Mykonos made its debut on July 10, and is open from lunchtime until midnight
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