Dining at ELaiolithos

ELaiolithos Restaurant is open to both guests and outside visitors.
Set high above the island, dining here combines authentic Naxian flavors with panoramic views stretching across mountains, valleys, traditional villages, and the distant Aegean Sea.

On most of Naxos, “local” means from the island.
At ELaiolithos, “local” means from the hills you see from your table.

Away from the crowds, every meal unfolds slowly, surrounded by nature, silence, and the rhythms of the Naxian landscape.

A Dining Experience Rooted in Naxos

At ELaiolithos, food begins with people and place.

The vegetables come from nearby farms and family gardens. The herbs grow on the surrounding hillsides. The olive oil comes from our family groves below the property. The cheeses are handcrafted by our family producer connected to our own village and family traditions.

Nearly everything served comes from within a 5 Km radius surrounding ELaiolithos, creating a deeply personal connection between the table, the land, and the people behind every ingredient.

This is not simply farm-to-table dining.
It is a way of life still preserved in the mountainous villages of Naxos.

Dining terrace at ELaiolithos restaurant in Naxos with panoramic views and authentic local cuisine
Dining at ELaiolithos in Naxos—authentic local cuisine served on a terrace with panoramic island and Aegean Sea views.

Our Family Cheeses

A defining part of the dining experience is our collection of artisanal mountain cheeses.

They are handcrafted by the owner’s brother, Labros Marakis, a fourth-generation cheesemaker from the Naxian highlands. His sheep and goats graze freely on the surrounding slopes, feeding on wild herbs that naturally shape the flavor of the milk and cheeses.

Using traditional methods passed down through generations, each cheese reflects the character of the land itself — simple, authentic, and deeply connected to the island.

Behind every cheese served at ELaiolithos stands a disappearing world of shepherd life, mountain traditions, and people whose daily rhythm still follows the land and the seasons.

To discover the deeper story behind these traditions, read:
The Shepherds of Mountainous Naxos

Guests may also visit the family cheese shop in the historic village of Chalkio, located a short scenic drive from ELaiolithos.

Fresh vegetables sourced from farms within 5 km of ELaiolithos in Naxos
Everything served at the table is sourced from farms within 5 km of ELaiolithos, bringing the true flavors of Naxos directly from nearby fields to the plate

Menu Highlights

Our menu changes with the seasons and reflects the ingredients available from nearby farms, gardens, and producers.

Shared Plates & Starters

Signature Saganaki
Golden pan-seared mountain cheese finished with local honey, sesame seeds, and a touch of Naxian Kitron.

Velvet Fava
Traditional yellow fava made from the ancient lathouri, topped with caramelized onions, tomatoes, and fragrant herbs.

The Highlands Table
A selection of housemade spreads, local olives, capers, artisanal cheeses, and handmade rusks.

Aromatic Meatballs
Savory herb-seasoned meatballs served with creamy local goat cheese.


Salads & Garden Dishes

The Greek Salad Everyone Talks About
A generous bowl of cut-to-order vegetables sourced entirely from the mountainous region, naturally grown without GMOs, additives, or preservatives. Topped with local goat cheeses from our family producer, made from the milk of the goats often seen grazing from the terrace.

Zeidoro Salad
Ancient emmer grain combined with seasonal vegetables, fruits, walnuts, olive oil, Kitron, and balsamic dressing.

Chickpea & Mountain Beet Salad
Roasted beets, chickpeas, local xynotyro cheese, parsley, and lemon-balsamic dressing.


Main Courses

Shepherd’s Lamb
Slow-cooked grass-fed mountain lamb prepared with garlic, local wine, wild oregano, and traditional Arseniko cheese.

Oven-Baked Lemon Chicken
Free-range chicken slowly baked with mountain herbs and served alongside roasted Naxian potatoes.

Slow-Baked Eggplants
Eggplants cooked slowly with onions, peppers, tomatoes, herbs, olive oil, and balsamic.


From the Sea

Black Linguine with Octopus
Black linguine with tender octopus, capers, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, and olive oil.

Shrimp Orzo
Traditional Greek-style orzo with shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and aromatic herbs.


The Soul of Our Sides

Hand-Cut Naxian Fries
Potatoes from nearby family fields, hand-cut to order and fried until golden and crisp.


Cocktails & Refreshments

Zeus Thunder

Our signature cocktail inspired by Mount Zas — combining local raki, quince, citrus jam, ginger, and fresh mint.

Highland Citrus Spritz

Kitron infused with wild thyme and sage gathered from the surrounding hills.

Housemade Lemonades & Seasonal Smoothies

Prepared with local lemons and seasonal fruits sourced from nearby orchards. 


Sweet Endings

Our desserts are inspired by traditional island recipes, seasonal fruits, local honey, and family traditions — prepared exclusively with olive oil and fresh goat milk, just as many old Naxian recipes were originally made.

From handcrafted sweets and warm pastries to housemade marmalades and seasonal creations, each dessert reflects the simplicity, purity, and authentic flavors of the Naxian highlands at ELaiolithos.

Cuisine for Every Lifestyle

Our kitchen offers a variety of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, keto-friendly, and plant-based dishes.

Meals are prepared fresh to order using wholesome ingredients and extra virgin olive oil from our family groves.

Dining safely should never feel like an afterthought. We take great care to thoughtfully accommodate celiac needs and dietary restrictions so every guest can savor Naxos with total confidence. Creative vegetarian and vegan dishes are naturally woven throughout our entire menu.

Homegrown potatoes from our family’s fields, hand-cut and prepared the traditional way.
Homegrown potatoes from our family’s fields, cultivated the traditional way, hand-cut at the moment and brought straight to the table.

Experiences Beyond the Table

Dining at ELaiolithos extends beyond the meal itself.

Guests may join our terrace cooking classes, where traditional Naxian recipes are prepared while overlooking the island landscape.

Another experience invites guests to visit a nearby local farm, walk through the fields, pick seasonal vegetables, and discover one of the region’s remarkable natural treasures — a 5,000-year-old olive tree that still stands today.

These moments create a deeper connection to the traditions, agriculture, and people shaping life in the Naxian highlands.

Fresh handpicked fruits from nearby Naxos farms served to guests at ELaiolithos
The sweetness of Naxos in its simplest form—fresh fruits, handpicked and served to our guests.

An Unmatched Pairing 

Our handcrafted cheese and charcuterie platters bring together the people, flavors, and landscape surrounding ELaiolithos.

The cheeses are handcrafted by one brother, a fourth-generation cheesemaker from the Naxian highlands. The local wines come from another brother, continuing the family’s connection to the land through small-scale production rooted in tradition. The olives and olive oil come directly from our own grove below the property — visible from your table — while the herbs are gathered from the surrounding hillsides.

Our housemade marmalades and traditional rusks are also prepared here on the premises, shaped by our own creativity and inspired by old island flavors reimagined in our own way.

Even the cherry tomatoes surprise guests with their intensity and flavor, reminding many people how vegetables are truly supposed to taste.

Nothing here travels more than a few minutes before reaching your table.

This connection also shapes our philosophy of circular living. Kitchen leftovers are shared with nearby farmers in exchange for fresh vegetables and eggs, creating a natural cycle between the land, the producers, and the table itself.

Paired with local wines and enjoyed overlooking the mountains, valleys and distant Aegean Sea, guests often tell us the experience feels simple, authentic, and somehow magical at the same time.

Traditional goat and sheep cheeses from the Naxos highlands made by a fourth-generation cheesemaker
Artisanal goat and sheep cheeses crafted in the highlands of Naxos by a renowned fourth-generation cheesemaker.

Breakfast Inspired by Naxos

Our à la carte breakfast celebrates the island’s morning traditions with homemade marmalades, fresh ingredients, local cheeses, and daily seasonal specialties.

Here, every morning brings a different breakfast experience, shaped by the rhythms of Naxos and the season.

What to expect when dining at ELaiolithos

 

Plan Your Visit

Whether staying with us or visiting from elsewhere on the island, ELaiolithos welcomes you to experience authentic Naxian cuisine surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views on Naxos, alongside genuine hospitality, storytelling, and a deep connection to the island’s traditions.

ELaiolithos Breakfast

Book a Table

Call or text WhatsApp: +30 698 608 3477

We intentionally host a limited number of tables in order to offer a more personal and attentive dining experience.

To confirm your reservation, a secure payment link will be sent to your email following your booking request.

A deposit of €20 per person is required to secure the table and will be fully credited toward your final bill.

Opening Hours

Open daily until 10:00 PM
Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee, cocktails, and wine & cheese tastings.


Accessibility

All dining areas, including the panoramic terrace, are accessible for wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility via a smooth ramp from the parking area.

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