Where to go: restaurant or tavern? Definitely a tavern, as it is the only place where you can experience the original Greek flavor. There are three types of taverns in Kardamena: psarotaverna (fish), psistaria (meat) and mixed.
The signature dishes of meat taverns include brizola (grilled pork chop), paidakia (lamb ribs), bifteki (meat patties), and kotopoulo (rotisserie chicken). They are best accompanied by marathopites (fennel pies), plenty of vegetables and greens, as well as national drinks. These include:
ouzo — a spicy alcoholic drink flavored with anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. The cost of one bottle (in a store) is about 3–5 EUR;
tsipouro — an alcoholic drink made from grapes, less commonly from quince, apples, pears, figs, or strawberries;
raki — grape vodka with a distinctive tart flavor;
retsina — wine with an unusual pine-like aftertaste;
moschato — sweet Muscat wine;
assyrtiko — white grape wine.
Prices in restaurants and taverns of Cardamena are quite democratic. Dinner for two with wine will cost from 40 to 60 EUR. A snack in an inexpensive cafe will cost 10-15 EUR.
