Nikolas Taverna - Fira, Santorini, Greece

My friends and I were looking for shelter during a storm coming back from hiking up the nearby volcano.  We were fortunate that it didn't rain during the boat ride to and from the caldera, nor during our two hour hike up and down the caldera.  However, by the time we got back to the shores of Santorini, the heavens opened.  We waited for a break in the downpour outside under awning at a restaurant right at the port, but we didn't want to eat there because I had a place all picked out for lunch.  I hate traveling to a new place and guessing where to eat because inevitably I will end up eating somewhere touristy and terrible.  So we waited and waited.  It stormed for so long that the owners of the place where we were holed up actually closed the restaurant early, asked us to put our glasses behind the outdoor bar when we were done, and left! After a day of hiking and touring around, we were starving and eventually made a run for what turned out to be the last gondola up the mountain.  Then we wandered into the first restaurant that was open and looked warm and halfway decent.  Luckily for us, the taverna served us delicious, comforting meals!

Very garlicky and yummy tzaziki.  

They brought out this chocolatey coffee cake with our tea and coffee orders which was a welcome treat!

Traditional chicken souvalki with rice and potatoes.

Tasty and surprisingly light moussaka.

I had these meatballs with tomato sauce and rice.  I loved the taste of cinnamon in the meatballs.