Guide to eating, drinking and other deliciousness on Tinos
(part 2 - updated 2024)
Our culinary exceptions were high when we arrived on Tinos. Our research revealed that there's a fantastic food culture on Tinos. The locals have great pride in their local produce and in the preparation of this produce in their establishments.
We were not disappointed! We have visited Tinos several times in the past few years and we continue to eat (and drank) very well. And we were treated to warm hospitality where ever we went.
Here's our updated list of where we ate, drank and snacked. There's still so much more to explore, that will have to wait for our return one day.
Mayou all day bar, Isternia Village
I'll start with one of our favourite spots on Tinos. We have continually returned to Mayou on each trip, I think we visited most days during our stays on Tinos. The view from the terrace is truely beautiful and a perfect spot to enjoy our afternoon/evening ouzo with mezze.
They food and drinks from morning until late in the night during their season.
Dinos Traditional Taverna, Kardiani Bay
Our first night on Tinos (in 2020), and Dinos Traditional Taverna was recommended to us. It was already on our list of places we wanted to eat. We arrived to a warm welcome, were seated on the terrace with a beautiful view across Kardiani Bay and the sunset beyond. We enjoyed the food so much we visited a second time during our stay on Tinos.
The food was flavoursome, and a great welcome back to the Greek Islands. We enjoyed fish soup, fava with onions, caramelised octopus with carrot puree and cod fish cooked with vegetables. A refreshingly creamy bowl of vanilla ice cream with toasted almonds arrived on our table after dinner.
We visited Dinos in 2022, and found there had been a shift in the style of taverna. The food was still very good, but was not as traditional and relaxed as we had found it to be during our first visit.
Thalassaki, Isternia Bay | To Θαλασσάκι
Thalassaki in Isternia Bay on the west side of Tinos was the location for our last meal on Tinos. We certainly left the best to last. The restaurant is located right on the water, and we sat watching the sunset while choosing our dishes... so many to choose from.
We finally decided on the grilled cheese with apricots, roasted onions with lemon jam, fava with orange, cod fish with past and grilled baby tomatoes. To finish we had the mastic ice cream with Turkish delight.
Tarsanas, Tinos town | Ταρσανάς
Delicious food in a beautiful location over looking the older port on Tinos (the south end of the port). We dined here twice, first time for lunch and then went back for a dinner at sunset. The food is fresh and simply and deliciously prepared. One of the tavernas you should try while on a Tinos.
Greek salad and baked feta was enjoyed for our lunch.
For our dinner we ate fresh tomato salad, taramasalata, grilled octopus that was thinly sliced and dressed with lemon and herbs and a grilled fish (which we choose when the waiter bought a selection of fresh fish to our table). All this was enjoyed with wine while watching the sunset.
Myrtilo Bistro, Tinos town
One of our favourite spots if you're in Tinos town centre, sitting in the cool of the narrow laneways of Tinos. Try the pancakes with tahini, bananas, honey and walnuts or the yoghurt with fresh fruit and honey. Add a cappuccino freddo to enjoy with your breakfast.
Dimitra's Taverna, Kardiani Village | Δήμητρα
Dimitra's Taverna is found along one of the narrow pathways in Kardiani Village. There are only a few tables around the entrance to her kitchen and along the pathway. The traditional Greek food is lovingly cooked by Dimitra and it was delicious. We ate her artichoke pie, fava, moussaka and finished with her orange pie.