I have one requirement for a place to make it to my favorite, and I want to keep coming back list. It always boils down to the food (yes, not the shopping). And Hydra has good food in spades. It might have helped that I have a friend with a friend (you know the drill) who loves Hydra and was nice enough to share with us her favorite places to eat so all we had to do was follow her list to enjoy Greek Island life like a local.
Here are her recommendations and our top pics:
1. Isalos
Isalos provides the best welcome to Hydra. It's located directly in front of Hydra Port (where the ferry docks) and you can't help but want to grab a table, order some food, and just enjoy looking out on the harbor.
This was where we had our first meal in Hydra, while waiting for our room at Glaros (which you can read about here).
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| The waffle to share was yummy... |
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| But I've always been an omelette kind of girl... |
The brunch fare more than made up for the sad food available at Pyreaus Port, which you can preview here. But I guess, Clint was too hungry for brunch food.
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| My general observation is that food is generally more expensive in Hydra, compared to Athens, but together with the Island Living ambiance, the small difference is worth it. |
2. Kodylenia's Taverna
Our next meal was on this lovely Greek Taverna which went to on the way to Kamini beach. It's quite a trek so we recommend that you do the same.
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| The view is so beautiful, we even came back after the beach for sunset with dessert. |
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| We had a spread with prawn and rice similar to paella, 2 types of squid and lamb and I'm pretty sure the food was good enough for us to come back on the same day. |
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| It's a good thing we are mostly like minded when it comes to food. |
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| Dessert to share, but I remember the view more. But I'm sure we weren't complaining as we gobbled this down. |
Since no vacation is complete until you have 3 full meals in a day, with unlimited snacks in between... Dinner was at Xeri Elia, a restaurant you need to google to find, because it is hidden somewhere in the middle of the island (not too middle, you can find it on foot, no need to call a donkey), and it's nice to get a chance to explore the small streets of the island.
3. Xeri Elia
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| This is what I mean by hidden, you do through small alleys that twist and turn, then suddenly you find this courtyard. |
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| Something wrapped in Grape Leaves (I am personally not a fan). |
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| But Fried Saganaki I definitely love. |
4. Karamela Zaxaroplasteion (across Anita's)
For Ice Cream and Baklava
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| It was okay. But I had a high bar to compare it too. Nothing beats Hafiz for me. But I never say no to Baklava... |
5. Pirate Bar
Since we are a bit past the partying age, we decided to brunch at Pirate Bar instead, when the rest of the youngsters would choose to go partying here instead. It was still a nice place to see the Island wake up as things start to get busy.
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| One of the few vehicles on the island. This is one of the rubbish trucks. |
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| A more common site are guys pulling carts or donkeys carrying the load. |
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| My favorite meal is always brunch and they have a good spread here. We were even able to take the leftover bread and butter for our beach picnic. |
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| The only thing I won't order on Hydra is their sandwiches. I think it looks sad. Hahaha. |
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| They do Yogurt (they don't call it Greek Yogurt when you're in Greece) and honey quite well. The fruit and muesli is a nice touch. |
Our beach day was probably the only one where we didn't have 5 meals, but I need to come clean and admit that in between brunch and dinner, there was a picnic on the beach, probably a couple of cheese pies we snacked on when we got back, and yes, Pork Souvlaki too... A winner find for €2 that I just absolutely had to try and I was happy I did with no regrets. You can read about that here.
6. Annita's
I have no idea about how I managed to eat dinner at Annita's but I'm sure I managed. Hahaha.The food was similar to the rest, and believe me when I say that when you're there, a weekend is not enough to get sick of it. I think the only difference is that Annita's has set meals, based from what I remember anyway.
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| You never get sick of fried Saganaki and Salad (like yogurt, they don't call it Greek salad here). But you don't need to order a side dish, the set meal already comes with a generous serving. |
I don't think I'll ever get sick of Grilled Meat, Feta with greens (as the feta is always served with a generous portion) and calamari.
To conclude this post, I will end it where it all started. Our last meal was again brunch at Isalos... hahaha.
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| I couldn't leave without ordering another cheese pie. (especially if it comes discounted with the coffee!). |
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| Sucker for a sale that I am, I ordered it to share. Hahaha. |
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| You know the waffles are good, when you order them a second time. |
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| And yes, the (Greek) Yogurt and Honey too! |
This was actually our last meal, before we started our long journey home, via Mati which you can read about here.
Well, Isalos is definitely the perfect place to sit in front of the port, wait for our ferry... I can just say I definitely will be back with Fi. And I'll try not to take too long, because I want to go back before more people discover this island that I feel so at home in. just saying.
Isalos Cafe
hydra attiki 180 40, Greece
Phone: +30 2298 029661
Kodylenia's Taverna
waterfront in the area of Kaminia, Hydra
http://www.hydra-kodylenia.gr/
Open only March to October
Xeri Elia Douskos Taverna
Πλατεία Ύδρας, Hydra 180 40, Greece
Phone: +30 2298 052886
Karamela Zaxaroplasteion (Baklava)
Ikonomou, Hydra Town 18040, Greece
Pirate Bar
Votsi, Idra 180 40, Greece
Phone: +30 2298 052711
Annita's Taverna
Votsi, Hydra Town 180 40, Greece
Hole in the Wall Souvlaki Place in Hydra
also known as Nostimomania (Νοστιμομανία)
https://www.facebook.com/Nostimomania-180246045495173/
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