We happened upon Taverna Eklekton after an invigorating exploration of a Roman cistern and a nearby cave. The tavern was practically the first thing we saw when we drove back down towards Lefkos beach. After a shared glance, we decided to stop for coffee. We ended up staying for lunch and liked it so much that we returned a second time for another late lunch.
Taverna Eklekton @Karpathos
What I loved most about Taverna Eklekton was that you can visit the kitchen and decide right there what you would like to eat.
what’s available in the kitchen @Taverna Eklekton
For our first lunch, we shared beer with soda and ordered a Karpathos salad, which is similar to Dakos salad. The main difference is that the bread is baked in the shape of a bagel and has a spiced taste of anise, fennel, and possibly cumin. We broke up the hard bread with a fork, and the small pieces added a lovely crunch to the salad. It had already been dressed with vinegar and oil and tasted great.
Karpathos salad @Taverna Eklekton
We also shared freshly made stifado, fava beans, and little meatballs in some kind of onion and tomato sauce. On top of that, we ordered the traditional makarounes, a type of rolled, half-open pasta served with fried onions and cheese. Everything was delicious and, even more importantly, homemade. It was such a good meal that we knew right away that we would return.
lunch spread @Taverna Eklekton
meatballs in tomato sauce @Taverna Eklekton
On our second visit, we started with a Greek salad. The portion of feta at Taverna Eklekton was particularly generous, which is always appreciated.
Greek salad @Taverna Eklekton
We then ordered some Dolmadakia, stuffed vine leaves, which were unfortunately rather bland. I missed a little more seasoning and herbs. They were generously sized, though, and filled with plenty of rice.
Dolmadakia @Taverna Eklekton
The Moussaka was much better. It is a dish best shared, as it can be rather heavy with the cheesy white sauce on top. The meat was seasoned with a dash of cinnamon, and the whole dish tasted light and airy. It was fantastic!
Moussaka @Taverna Eklekton
And since we were hungry we also ordered some Briam, which are oven-baked vegetables, and a portion of giant beans. The veggies were a bit bland again, but the beans were a delight.
Briam @Taverna Eklekton
giant beans in tomato sauce @Taverna Eklekton
Should I make my way to Karpathos again, which is always possible, Taverna Eklekton will be on my must-visit list. The restaurant might not be right next to the beach, but being a little off the beaten track adds to its charm. Lovely food, a very friendly hostess, and an overall delight. Yours, Pollybert
