An Instagram Legend!
When my wife Alex and I went to Mykonos last month, we knew we had to eat at Kastro’s – you see, Alex found this iconic photo of their outside dining area – where everyone shows up to take a photo like this!
You see, these tables are placed in a VERY narrow alley, with the Aegean Sea staring back at you…it’s become one of Kastro’s calling cards, but there are so many more!
Welcome To Mykonos Town!
This story begins on the island of Mykonos, a Greek Island that has a well-earned reputation as THE party island of Greece – but there is so much more to love about this place, such as the main village of Mykonos Town!
Welcome To Little Venice!
This part of the town is called “Little Venice”, as these building hug the water just as they do in Venice Italy…and one of those buildings houses the legendary Kastros Restaurant!
Kastro’s has been in business since 1976, but the family has been in the building much longer: it belonged to their grandmother!
You enter the restaurant after walking along the table of many of the other places, as the alleyway in the town are very small and circuitous…for us, we got lucky and were seated in one of the 4 “window” tables, which sit out over the water!
Alex looked directly toward the sunset on the horizon, and I got to see her and the town’s legendary windmills! More on those later, but it was time to eat!
The owner’s Son came to greet us, walked us through all of the day’s fresh fish selections, and we got underway with a collection of Greek spreads including Tarama and Tzatziki – and grilled pita!
The food artistry began with the next dish: Octopus Grilled with a Red Wine Reduction, Pickled Shallots and Beetroot Cream. The playful touch with the reduction and the dabs of cream were a fun touch, and didn’t take away from the incredible flavor of the Octopus.
Alex started with Sea Bass Ceviche, with Lime, Orange, Coriander, Pomegranate and Parsnip…light and fresh, but also full flavored…and the Sea Bass was rich and flavorful.
By this time, the sun was beginning to set, and being over the water gave us a spectacular view!
Next up, I ordered seafood stew, and here is how it was presented:
The dish reminded me of a traditional French “Soup de Poisson” with the bread slathered in a garlic aioli and cheese…really delicious!
Alex ordered a fresh grilled fish: her favorite meal option in Greece! This Fresh Sea Bass Fillet, with Roasted Almonds, Olive Oil & Lime Sauce and Broccoli Coconut Puree.
All of the dishes were full of flavor, fresh and light, and presented as mini-works of culinary art!
The windmills were lit up as the sun began its final show, and what a show it was!
Bravo to Kastro’s for the iconic alleyway, the incredible food and the sensational views…after dark, the entire town lights up as bars and clubs open and people get ready to dance the night away!
Back at our Hotel, the gorgeous Santa Marina Resort, the moon took over the sky – well, until an impromptu fireworks show too over:
This was our second night in Mykonos, and our second straight memorable meal!
We were WOW’d our first night on the island when we ate at Mykonos Social, located at our Resort…click here to see the entire menu, which I called “Culinary Art!”
by the way, there was much more to Mykonos Town than just the food:
Like those windmills!
They were just one part of the island’s magic, and you can see them all here:
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Categories: Art, cookbooks, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Memoirs, nature, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
Oooo this makes all my tastebuds miss Greece
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Hmm, do you get a claustrophobic feeling at all in the alley seats? I would definitely opt for those seats by the water. Incredible views!
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Not really Pete…it’s very narrow but the water is right there and it feels more “open” than it is! Also, it’s always active as people love to get that shot for Instagram! Great to hear from you!
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Wow, John, what a great place to eat. I am so envious. I have never seen octopus served like that, very interesting.
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More to come about the Octopus Robbie, thanks for reading!
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Oh good, I am interested in that dish.
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I am loving your trip to Greece. The alley ways and the sea are captivating. And then there is the food. Our daughter is here from Bend, Oregon. Coming from a high end restaurant and years in Florence, she loved the food in your post!!
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I love Bend! I grew up in Seattle and every road trip to Southern California included Bend, which is a perfect distance to stop!
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What a small world! I’m so glad you stop by beautiful Bend.
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Greece, how fun! When my son was little I often took last minute trips to different Greek destinations, your post brings up some sweet memories. I wonder of last minute trips still is a thing? Have you ever taken one? When you go to the airport and buy a seat at a plane that happens to have one left, just before take-off. When I was younger I often did that, sometimes it turned out to be very exciting.
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I had to check if there was such a thing as last minutes trip nowadays, and there still is. If I leave from Stockholm tonight (closest airport two hours away,) I can be in Greece at an unspecified location, unspecified hotel for 8 days, paying $300 all together plane+hotel. LOL. Not sure I would be as brave today, but it used to be a lot of fun when I was younger.
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I grew up in Seattle – NOTHING is close! From the moment we woke up in Santorini to the moment we went to bed in LA, it was 31 hours!
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I love the idea of “jetting off to Rome on a moment’s notice” – to quote “When Harry Met Sally”…we have done impromptu road trips this last 17 months of covid – because we have a LOT of open space to the east of us (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc) it was the safest way to try and get out of the house after 100+ days of quarantine in place!
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Wow! The food looks as beautiful as the location!
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It was one of our best trips ever!
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Wow! A perfect spot to enjoy that amazing meal.Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks as always for reading and commenting!
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That was an amazing meal, and the waterside tables must be hard to get too. Did you contact them before you went, or were you just very lucky?
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m a planner Pete…this was one of the restaurants I booked well in advance…I do that for about half the trip, and leave half for “a moment’s notice” reaction to what inspires us!
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I guessed you had booked it. Well-planned, John! 🙂
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this is new to me, but a must visit place on my list when I finally get to Greece. that stew!
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the “alley seats” show up all the time on Instagram…it’s the perfect view for their incredible sunsets! Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
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