Kimolos: 5 stops for delicious and well-made food on the Cycladic island

Most of us managed to catch a glimpse of Milos's little satellite by taking a boat from the larger island for a day trip. But Kimolos has much more to offer.

From the picturesque, white alleys to its crystal-clear and now world-famous waters, since last year, Kimolos began to appear at the top of lists of foreign organisations and websites as the island "with the cleanest waters in the world."

The Cycladic island also has caves, hiking trails, places "for photography" at almost every corner, and delicious cuisine, starting with ladenia, but it does not end there.

Sardis Restaurant (Beba's)

Sardis Restaurant is one of the island's most well-known and traditional haunts, famous for its homemade food. And so it is since there we eat as the Kimoliates would eat at home.

We tried pastitsada, a generous portion of rooster and pasta, biftekia with crispy and delicious fries, vinegary octopus, and a very tasty ladreau, braised eggplant with basil, which really stole the show despite its simplicity.

Of course, there we also tried the first ladenia of the island, which whetted our appetite to try it wherever else we could see it.

Aliki Kimolos, Kimolos, 840 04, tel. 2287 051458

Kalamitsi

In Kalamitsi, you will find yourself eating by the sea. The stews and laderas have their place of honour there, but it is worth noting that it was also the most value-for-money restaurant we sat at.

We had shrimp pasta for two (it was really for two, not just in words), which was very tasty and well-made. It was well cooked and very tasty, with crispy fried zucchini rings and boiled seasonal greens.

Of course, we also tried the ladenia here, which never disappoints.

Kalamitsi, Kimolos, 840 04, tel. 6974606986

To Kyma

Here, the flavours remain, of course, Greek but slightly modernised. The menu is a little longer than most of the island, but without being confusing.

The truth is many things caught our attention, and we ended up trying velvety fava beans, crispy grilled squid, sauteed octopus smothered in white balsamic and cooked in its broth, and fresh tagliatelle with Cretan crab crumbs.

I'm still dreaming about that last dish. For us, it was one of the tastiest restaurants on the island.

Psathi, Kimolos, 840 04, tel. 2287 051001

Avli tou Samplou

On the main square, you cross the restaurant hall and find yourself in a very well-hidden summer courtyard that most people ignore.

A little further down is a deli with the same name, which sells many goodies, cheeses, meats, etc., all produced by the same family.

And we find the same products in their dishes. We tried fluffy zygouri meatballs and light, tasty, braised zygouri pasta. We accompanied them with a cool cucumber salad with capers.

Kambos Square, Kimolos, 840 0 4, 6984915591

Stavento – Ice cream shop

At a turn in one of the narrow streets high up in the Chora, you suddenly find yourself in an opening with small, yellow tables, most of the time full.

There, you will try the fresh gelato of the day, with its flavours changing daily since they are sold out, and fresh handmade sweets by the evening.

We tried chocolate gelato with almonds and the Don Vito flavour (vanilla with raspberry jam and dark chocolate). They were both very tasty.

Also, the crème brûlée was delicious.

Chora Kimolos, Kimolos, 840 04, 2287 051699

Ioanna Zerva is a columnist for Cantina. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos. 

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