Wandering through the charming streets of the harbour town of Tinos island in the Greek Cyclades one passes many enticing cafes and restaurants some with attractive outdoor terraces, thus choosing a specific one can be a challenging task.
Here are two well worth a visit.
Kalimera
This family-run cafe is a popular place for home-made pies and cakes, not to mention savory dishes and intriguing drinks.
A cafe since 2018 in the heart of the harbor town of Chora, it was taken over two years ago by the Lagouros family, so is now in its second season. It is managed by friendly brother and sister team, Marialena and George.
Located on a narrow street lined with souvenir, art and clothes shops, there’s lively activity all around, with people enjoying their holidays, simply meeting friends for a chat or on a shopping spree.
The atmosphere here is informal and relaxed. Seated on marble-like tables with soft cushioned chairs, my companion and I felt like being in the back garden of our own home.
It’s not just the food that’s impressive, so are the drinks.
We began with powerful health shots combining ginger with cucumber and lime, served in delightful miniature jars. There’s also a wide selection of refreshing juices, including a detox blend of pineapple, mango, apple and mint. You might want to try ‘Mind Blow,’ a mix of carrot, peach, mango and cinnamon. Or the fresh homemade lemonade.
Christina, the mother in a family of five children, has a reputation for her homemade delicacies so my companion decided to try her chicken and vegetable pie. She wasn’t disappointed. Different to most pies, it is rectangular in shape with a slim veneer of crust glazed with whisked egg brushed along the top, and a generous filling of leek, red pepper, carrots, chicken, mozzarella and cream inside. Christina also makes her own cheese pies, with Anthotyros cheese without salt in her homemade spinach, onions, leaks pie and dill and mint.
Being in the mood for pizza I was delighted to see four different choices, finally opting for feta and mozzarella with peppers. Full after just a few slices, I had to ask for a doggy-bag.
Brunch and all day-dishes also include chicken tortilla, New York pancakes with blueberry, avocado toast and prosciutto sandwich, as well as three different kinds of salads.
There’s no escaping desserts at Kalimera with amygdalota, a type of almond cookie sometimes called ‘Greek macaroons,’ baked here, with almonds, powdered sugar and aroma of rose. There’s also lemon mousse and ice-creams. We chose the cheesecake when we learned it had been baked by Christina. They came as large portions in a glass dish with delicious splashes of marmalade on top.
Marshmallow
Friendly George from Athens is a man of many talents.
Former top athlete, co-owner of the largest gym on Tinos, he also manages ‘Marshmallow,’ a cafe bistro facing the island’s ferry port on the Aegean Sea.
He decided on the name after remembering relaxing moments with friends in California of “s’mores,” the American tradition of roasting marshmallows over an open fire.
Located on the edge of Chora, the cafe features a pavement-level terrace with tables shaded by canopy umbrellas and a first-floor terrace above. Plants in boxes including basil and mint outside serve as added decor.
A former wine bar, it was taken over in November 2024 and opened earlier last year.
Two elements attract the eye inside. The broad countertop is lined with an enticing variety of home-baked cakes, all under glass cloches, such as caramel, apple, carrot, vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate and banana bread. Next to it is a refrigerator containing an assortment of ice creams. A shelf nearby is filled with board games such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Jumani, chess, checkers and Scrabble.
The three-page menu offers plenty of choice, from sweet French toast with cinnamon and fruits to bagel with bacon, cheese and fried eggs. Savory pancakes feature cheddar, ham, bacon, arugula, fried egg and Hollandaise sauce. There’s also classic club and chicken club sandwiches, as well as beef burgers and chicken nuggets with fried potatoes. Among the salads is the Ntakos variety comprising rusk, tomato, feta and capers.
There’s no shortage of drinks at Marshmallow, ranging from bitter and Viennese chocolate to plant based milk and ice cappuccinos. Alcoholic drinks include raki from Tinos, ouzo and various Greek beers.
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