About
In the heart of the island, in Exo Gonia village, next to Agios Charalampos church, you can find the Metaxi Mas Tavern. Metaxi Mas translates to “between us” in Greek as the owners sharing the secrets of their delectable dishes with their clients. The menu is a culinary journey of Cretan and Santorinian cuisine.
Whether you're seated inside the hospitable haven or on the porch overlooking the sea, you will be treated to an unforgettable dining experience. The dishes are made from ingredients sourced from their own kitchen garden. Some of their highly recommended dishes are fava and baked white eggplant, fillet in Vinsanto sauce, and succulent boneless pork chops in an orange sauce served with a side of oven-baked potatoes. At Metaxi Mas you can also find an extensive wine list and the delightful raki of Crete.
As you step into the welcoming space of Metaxi Mas Tavern, you will be immersed in the hues and scents of the Aegean Sea. The attentive and professional staff ensure that all guests’ requirements have been fulfilled. Metaxi Mas is a place where good food, fine wines, and warm smiles come together to create sweet memories that you will cherish long after your visit.
Cuisine
Menu
Location & area
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Operation hours
Daily 2:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Greek, Seafood, Meat, Vegetarian/Vegan , Traditional, Fish
Dining style
Family Style
Dress code
Casual
True home-cooked meal with simple and earnest authentic flavor. Dessert, apertif, and small app are included, and the entire meal was excellent value for money. Eggplant was rich and flavorful with creamy notes and al dente texture. Dolmas were warm and perfectly soft and definitely the best I’ve had, ever. Their moussaka (special) and lamb were so good I had no choice but to carry them on my hike the next day and eat them deliciously at the peak. The restaurant happens to be in the middle of nowhere but it is well worth the trip. Remember to make reservations beforehand as it is very popular. On a side note, I’ve heard others say that the fine dining options on the island (e.g., Varoulko, Petra, Athenian House, etc.) are better than Metaxi Mas, but I personally felt that this restaurant could hold its own any day.
We chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner (without mentioning it to the staff) based on the high reviews, and it definitely lived up to them. The location is tucked off a main road, you’ll need to park nearby and walk down an alleyway to reach it. The space offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We sat on the terrace overlooking the water, which had umbrella coverage and heaters, creating a cozy relaxed vibe. We ordered two starters - the dolmades and roasted white aubergine, and two specials - the moussaka and lamb chops. Everything was well prepared and delicious. Our server noted that the lamb was made with chives instead of garlic to avoid a strong flavour. That seemed consistent across the dishes. While I personally prefer more garlic-forward food, I didn’t really miss it since the flavours were still well balanced and executed. That said, a touch more garlic could have elevated the flavours even further in my opinion. At the end of our meal, we were given complimentary cheesecake, and the kitchen thoughtfully prepared a fresh fruit plate for my gluten-free partner, which was much appreciated.
I was skeptical at first since the restaurants I been to during this trip all had ratings 4.5+ but ended up very disappointing. BUT I am so glad I tried this restaurant. By far the best meal i had this entire week. Food was amazing. I got the grilled mushroom for starter, pork rack steak and lamb shank. Service was very good. They gave free welcome drinks and free dessert. You also get nice outdoor seatings with chill vibes.
My wife found this local eatery after our photo op to the Monastery of Prophet Elias. Small hidden gem. Had no reservations but we arrived early around 6 pm and host welcomed us as dinner starts later here. Had incredible strawberry salad, lamb chops that were cooked and seasoned so well, an amazing steak and a seafood pasta dish that was unbelievably flavorful. Finished off the meal with small cheesecake tasting. Wait staff was very attentive, really thoughtful and checked on us during our meal. If you want an authentic meal with great flavor (and during the days) amazing views, highly recommend. Should we come back to Santorini, this restaurant is on our return eatery list. Thank you for making us feel so welcome!