Metaxi Mas

Metaxi Mas Santorini is a popular Greek restaurant in Exo Gonia known for Cretan and Santorinian cuisine, sea-view terrace dining, generous portions, local wine, raki, fava, baked white eggplant, and hearty dishes like beef fillet in Vinsanto sauce and boneless pork chops with orange sauce. It is not in Oia or central Fira, which is part of the appeal: you come here for a quieter hillside setting, traditional food, and a more grounded Santorini dinner than the island’s flashier caldera restaurants.

If you are searching for Metaxi Mas restaurant Santorini, this guide covers what to order, how reservations work, what prices and reviews suggest, how to get there, and who should book a table. For broader trip planning, pair this dinner with my guides to the best things to do in Santorini and getting around Santorini.

Metaxi Mas Santorini: Quick Review

Metaxi Mas is best for travelers who want a traditional Greek dinner without turning the meal into a formal fine-dining event. The restaurant sits in Exo Gonia, close to the church of Agios Charalambos, with indoor seating and an outdoor terrace looking across the island and toward the Aegean Sea.

The mood is relaxed, busy, and unfussy. You will see couples, families, groups of friends, and plenty of travelers who were told by locals or hotel staff to book it. That popularity is deserved, but it also means reservations matter, especially in the main travel season.

What Makes Metaxi Mas Different?

The strongest reason to eat here is the mix of Cretan and Santorinian food. Many Santorini restaurants lean heavily on the view and charge for the setting. Metaxi Mas still has a view, but the menu feels more rooted in Greek cooking: vegetables, grilled meats, seafood, local cheeses, Cretan olive oil, Santorini tomatoes, Assyrtiko wine, Vinsanto, capers, and the kind of dishes that are better shared than staged for a photo.

The name is often translated as “between us,” which fits the restaurant’s style. It feels less like a glossy destination restaurant and more like a hillside taverna that became famous because the food, wine, and setting all work together.

That said, it is no longer a hidden secret. Metaxi Mas is one of the better-known restaurants in Santorini, so the realistic expectation is not a quiet local-only dinner. Expect a busy, popular restaurant with strong food, a warm atmosphere, and occasional peak-season pressure.

Metaxi Mas Menu: What to Order

The official Metaxi Mas menu focuses on Cretan and Santorinian cuisine. If this is your first visit, order across the menu instead of treating it like a one-plate dinner. The appetizers and shared dishes are where the restaurant’s personality shows up best.

Best starters and shared plates

• Santorinian fava with spring onion and capers — simple, local, and exactly the kind of dish you should try on the island.
• Baked white eggplant with tomato sauce, feta, and basil — a Santorini classic and one of the safest orders for vegetarians.
• Kataifi cheese rolls with four cheeses and blackberry sauce — richer and more playful than the usual taverna starter.
• Feta in phyllo with honey and sesame — salty, sweet, crisp, and very easy to share.
• Cretan salad or ntakos — good choices if you want something fresh with Cretan olive oil, tomato, cheese, herbs, and capers.

Best mains

• Grilled beef fillet with Vinsanto sauce — one of the signature Metaxi Mas dishes and a good choice if you want something tied to Santorini wine culture.
• Boneless pork chops in orange sauce with oven potatoes — hearty, aromatic, and more memorable than a basic grilled pork dish.
• Roasted lamb shank with white aubergines, Santorini cherry tomatoes, feta, and basil — a strong pick if it appears on the menu when you visit.
• Grilled octopus with Santorinian fava — a smart order if you want seafood without going full fish-taverna.
• Seafood linguini or seafood giouvetsi — better for travelers who want pasta, shellfish, and a filling main course.

The wine list is another reason to book. Metaxi Mas emphasizes local and domestic Greek vineyards, so ask for help pairing wine with your food. If you are new to Santorini wine, start with Assyrtiko for seafood and Vinsanto if you want something sweet, local, and distinctive.

Reservations, Hours, and Prices

Metaxi Mas Santorini reservations are highly recommended. The official site says to call +30 22860 31323 for reservations from 12:00 to 23:00. Review platforms currently list the restaurant as open daily in the afternoon and evening, but hours can change by season, private events, or weather, so confirm before you go.

For prices, think mid-range to upper mid-range for Santorini. It is not a cheap street-food stop, but it is usually better value than many caldera-view restaurants in Oia or Fira. Starters, shared plates, and house wine can keep the bill reasonable. Seafood, steak, bottled wine, and several courses will push it higher.

If you are planning a special dinner, reserve early and ask for terrace seating. If you are flexible, try a late lunch or early dinner, when the restaurant may feel calmer than peak dinner time.

Metaxi Mas Reviews: What Guests Love and What to Watch For

Metaxi Mas reviews are generally strong, especially for food, views, generous portions, and the feeling of eating somewhere more traditional than the heavily marketed cliffside restaurants. Guests often mention the outdoor terrace, local dishes, raki, friendly service, and value compared with Santorini’s most expensive dining areas.

The watch-outs are predictable for a famous restaurant: it can get busy, service may feel rushed at peak times, and walk-ins can wait. Some travelers also find that the hype raises expectations too high. Go for a relaxed Greek meal, not a silent candlelit tasting menu, and you are much more likely to enjoy it.

Before booking, scan the latest Metaxi Mas reviews and traveler photos on TripAdvisor, especially if you care about recent service patterns, terrace seating, or current prices.

Where Is Metaxi Mas?

Metaxi Mas is in Exo Gonia, a quieter village area away from the busiest parts of Santorini. It sits near the church of Agios Charalambos, and the official directions mention parking near the church before walking down toward the restaurant’s porch.

This location is a plus if you want a break from Oia and Fira crowds. It is a downside if you hoped to stroll over from a caldera hotel. Unless you are staying nearby, plan on using a car, taxi, hotel transfer, or prearranged ride. Santorini buses can work for some routes, but they are not the most convenient way to manage a dinner reservation in Exo Gonia.

If you are building a full evening around the meal, combine Metaxi Mas with a stop in Pyrgos, a winery visit, or a relaxed sunset away from Oia. For seasonal planning, see my guide to the best time to visit Santorini.

Who Should Eat at Metaxi Mas?

Book Metaxi Mas if you want:

• A traditional Greek restaurant with Cretan and Santorinian dishes
• A sea-view terrace without the full Oia price tag
• Local ingredients, raki, wine, and generous portions
• A dinner that feels less staged than many caldera restaurants
• Vegetarian-friendly options like fava, salads, baked white eggplant, mushrooms, and cheese dishes

Skip it if you want:

• A guaranteed quiet table during peak dinner hours
• A restaurant you can easily walk to from Oia or Fira
• A formal fine-dining tasting menu
• A waterfront table directly beside the sea
• A last-minute walk-in with no wait in high season

Final Verdict: Is Metaxi Mas Worth It?

Yes, Metaxi Mas is worth it if you want a Santorini restaurant with traditional Greek food, strong local identity, terrace views, and a more relaxed setting than the island’s most polished cliffside dining rooms. The best way to enjoy it is to book ahead, arrive hungry, share several plates, ask about wine, and avoid expecting a hidden, empty taverna.

For me, the appeal is simple: Metaxi Mas gives you the food side of Santorini, not just the photo side. The island is famous for blue domes and caldera hotels, but dinners like this are what make the trip feel more human.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metaxi Mas Santorini

Is Metaxi Mas Santorini worth visiting?

Yes. Metaxi Mas is worth visiting if you want Cretan and Santorinian cuisine, a relaxed hillside setting, sea views, local wine, and generous Greek dishes. It is especially good for travelers who want something more traditional than a polished caldera-view restaurant.

Where is Metaxi Mas located?

Metaxi Mas is located in Exo Gonia, Santorini, near the church of Agios Charalambos. It is away from the busiest parts of Fira and Oia, so most visitors arrive by car, taxi, hotel transfer, or prearranged ride.

Do you need reservations for Metaxi Mas?

Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner, terrace seating, and high-season visits. The official contact number is +30 22860 31323, and the restaurant asks guests to call for reservations.

What should I order at Metaxi Mas?

Good first-time orders include Santorinian fava, baked white eggplant, kataifi cheese rolls, Cretan salad, grilled octopus, beef fillet with Vinsanto sauce, roasted lamb shank, and boneless pork chops with orange sauce. Ask the staff for wine pairings if you want to explore Greek wines.

Is Metaxi Mas expensive?

Metaxi Mas is generally mid-range to upper mid-range by Santorini standards. It is not the cheapest place to eat on the island, but it often feels better value than many restaurants in Oia or on the caldera edge. Your bill will depend on wine, seafood, steak, and how many shared plates you order.

Does Metaxi Mas have vegetarian options?

Yes. The menu includes vegetarian-friendly dishes such as Santorinian fava, baked white eggplant, salads, grilled mushrooms, cheese dishes, asparagus, chickpea hot pot, and risotto-style options. Vegan and gluten-free travelers should confirm suitable dishes with the staff before ordering.

Is Metaxi Mas close to Fira or Oia?

Metaxi Mas is closer to central Santorini than Oia, but it is not a simple walk from the main tourist areas. It is in Exo Gonia, so plan transportation in advance if you are staying in Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, or one of the beach towns.