We will be going to Naxos for the first time in June. Does anyone have any restaurants/places to recommend. Any discoveries made on past trips? Places that aren't the typical tourist places. We enjoy eating where the locals eat and enjoying the Greek island life. I've searched the forum and don't find much for Naxos reataurants.

This is likely a totally non-applicable answer to your question, but thought I would share anyway.

We spend 2 nights on Naxos staying at the Birikos which was in a beach resort area outside of Naxos-town, I think the beach area was called Ag. Giorgios. It was in June and it looked like a fairly touristy summer holiday area, which is why this may not appeal to you. The restaurant in the town area that we ate at for both nights (because we liked it so much) was called Nikos Ouzerie & Taverna. I had lobster souvlaki on both nights because it was sooooo good! On the 2nd night we shared some fish soup as an appetizer and it was also really good. Also enjoyed Naxos cheese and then Kitron liquer with dessert. It was a really great little taverna. I'm not sure though that it meets your criteria of not a typical tourist place because there were lots of tourists but it was fun and the food was great!

From my web site, where I post my journals and restaurant information:

Kellari Restaurant
Port area of Naxos
Phone: 0285-22395
Pizza place with Greek food. We had their margarita pizza. We were also served bread. We had dessert and ouzo complimentary of the manager. We purchased two carafs of wine and while enjoying our chat with the manager, he brought us a caraf of wine, compliments from him. Very nice man. $9. A very inexpensive meal indeed!

KAYE OV ZEPI TO AIM NNAKI
Port area
One man was grilling octopus, calamari, cuttle fish, sardines, etc. We dined here two times! The grilled octopus was fabulous, as well as the calamari and cuttle fish. The first night we had two plates of octopus and calamari with beer and wine for about $16; the next night we had three plates: octopus, calamari, and a combination of calamari and cuttle fish. We also tzatziki, 3 carafs of wine and a beer. Paid about $26.

In Apirathos, a hillside town in Naxos, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a taverna. We had a plate of assorted cheese, moussaka (me this time), grilled chicken with potatoes; delicious fresh bread, and a couple of diet cokes. $15.

Monica
http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html

Thanks so very much PurpleNeon and monicapileggi. I will definitely put these in my notes.

PurpleNeon, you stayed at the Birikos? That's where we're staying! How did you like it? We're getting one of the superior apartments because we'll have our daughter and one of her friends with us.

I was there for Easter one year and went to the nearby beach of Agia Anna, the restaurant was on the main street across from the main dock. There was a restaurant serving the traditional lamb dinner and the place was full of Greeks. We were practically the only tourists there.

Hello Wug:

I enjoyed the Birikos. It is a very nice, clean, family run place to stay. It reminded me a lot of a motel in British Columbia that my family vacationed to every year when I was a kid. Not luxurious but a clean, comfortable, relaxing place to stay. There also seemed to be many families. The grounds are GORGEOUS! We could not believe the size of the plants; there were enormous rose bushes, flowers and greenery everywhere. We even spotted a bird nesting in a tall tree right in front of our balcony.

The floor of our room and the balconey was done entirely in marble-which we thought was neat since it would cost a fortune where we are from in Canada.

I'll quote you a bit from my travel journal (we had just spent two nights in a lovely but absolutely closet sized hotel room on Paros):

"The Birikos was very wlecoming and we almost kissed Maria when she showed us to our "apartment". Space! Bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchenette and balcony! Marble floors!....We got ready and had dinner at Nikos Ouzerie/Taverna: greek salad, Naxos cheese, lobster souvlaki (?!) and lamb chops."

There was also a very reasonable and quick laundromat just down the street. Close to is is a little grocery/convenience store - we bought snacks, pistacio nuts & retsina to enjoy while reading books on our balcony. Very nice beach within walking distance. A few shops to browse in.

We only spent 2 nights there before moving on but I really enjoyed this place to stay. It was quiet and out of some of the hustle and bustle we observed elsewhere.

Let me know if I can help further!

Thanks so much PurpleNeon. It's good to hear you enjoyed the Birikos so much. We are definitely looking forward to it! We are getting a superior apartment and the photos make it look very nice. Not luxurious but spacious and comfortable. It's good to hear that it lives up to the photos.

We also stayed at Birikos severl years ago. It is a very nice hotel, situated about 5 KM from Naxos town and is about a five minute walk to Aggia Prokopus beach.
There are several tavernas clustered right at the entrance to the beach. We felt the dining choices were a little limited and preferred to eat in Naxos town. This will require a bus or car ride.
In the old market area of Naxos town we found a bakery that still uses a wood fired stove. The bread there is unbelievable and costs 60 cents for a small loaf and €1.20 for a large one. We visited every day and became regulars.

Our very favourite taverna is Taverna to Kastro which sits just under the wall of the kastro. This restaurant is written up in many guide books and it’s reputation is well earned for good food and personal service from the host, Soulis. It can be tricky to find as there are four different approaches. The most reliable way is to enter from the waterfront. Beside the jewellery store on the main waterfront is a small street with a blue overhead sign that says ‘To Kastro and Museum.’ Follow that laneway until you come to a dead end and turn right, then immediately turn left, to another dead end, turn right and you will come to the bottom of a wide set of stairs. The restaurant is at the top.
This taverna is very popular with tourists and locals alike and they serve the bread from the bakery I mentioned above.
Be sure to go to the right taverna. There are two in the same location one facing a statue in the square and one behind the statue. Taverna to Kastro is the one facing the face of the statue. The other one is overpriced with poor service and small portions. Look for the bearded host/owner Soulis and you will be in the right place.