Here’s the thing about Mykonos: it’s more fun with a group of friends. We had just finished up a slightly quiet, more relaxing 3 days in Santorini before heading to Mykonos, the so-called “party island” where a few of our friends also happened to be holidaying at the same time. Once we got there, I was glad to experience it with a group – especially this group, as they are Mykonos veterans having vacationed there every year for the past 6 years.
While we did our fair share of partying, I think you could do this island any way you wanted to – yes, there is a party vibe going on but you could very well relax on this island if that’s your jam. I actually found it to be more posh than party. Diva, over the top, boujee folks everywhere – and dressed to the absolute nines. Not to mention the décor everywhere is beyond – stone, wood, neutrals – pretty much how I want our next home decorated, and I may have taken more photos of décor than of the actual island. Imagine the outdoor section of Restoration Hardware everywhere you go. Mykonos is definitely a glam town.
So what do you do in Mykonos? Here’s my advice: go to a nice beach club during the day on one of the many fabulous beaches (avoiding Paradise Beach if you’re not ready to rock extreme Vegas style), have a nice lunch scheduled at the beach club restaurant, find somewhere to watch the sunset, have dinner scheduled in Mykonos town, and if you’re into it, party the night away! Y’all know what I really want to talk about though - the food and drink. Here’s my full guide to how to do Mykonos right!
Where to Eat:
Scorpios - Best catch of the day we had on the entire trip. And that’s saying a lot as we did the fresh catch at almost every meal and they were all to die for. It was the sea bream this day and the olive oil/lemon dressing they pour over it is life. I’m going to try to recreate it until it’s nailed.. unbelievable. Also their dip trio and cocktails on the deck are a perfect treat (and super relaxing) while waiting for the restaurant to open.
Kiki’s Tavern - Every person who has traveled here and many locals will recommend this place. It’s not terribly easy to get to but worth the cab ride. The food is fresh perfection. It’s the epitome of clean, fresh food at its most simple, yet it’s most grand. Be prepared to wait. It’s a tiny little place overlooking a stunning beach. There are no reservations and no list. The owner literally takes your name at the door and points at the person you’re behind. Always at least an hour wait but bring your beach towel, swimsuit, and enjoy the view and bottomless boxed wine!
Koursaros - Pick your fresh fish, add some apps and sides, and have a ball with friends for dinner! We had our first mastic liquor here (Greek after dinner digestif... or shot - whatever you’re going for), and when the guy left us the bottle on the table, it got a bit crazy.
Nammos - One of my favorite meals of the trip, and this was actually one we opted out of the fresh fish - only because all the dishes looked delicious and they were! Get the Nammos salad whatever you do. I have literally never had a salad this good, and I plan on making it my life goal to practice recreating it to eat at home every single day for lunch!
Souvlaki Story - Greece’s fabulous version of fast food. Everything in Mykonos is SO nice, modern, and beautiful. That apparently goes for their fast food joints too. Setting that aside, this is the best gyro you’ll ever eat. I recommend the chicken in pita with sauce and ask them to add their little lettuces to it. I did fries on one and no fries on another - I preferred the no fries but do your thing. Fast food at its very finest!
Interni - We had our last dinner here and it was a great meal to end on. If anything, go for the ambiance alone - the courtyard setting is beautiful. I had the sea bass and it had this fabulous truffle broth it sat in that was beyond divine. Tres’ squid ink tagliatelle was also amazing, and I plan to recreate it when I get home. The gnocchi with figs is a must-order appetizer, as is the octopus carpaccio.
Bill and Coo Hotel - As I mentioned before, our friends have done this trip every year for 6 years, so they were our guides. They stay at Bill and Coo every trip, and after a visit to their pool one afternoon, I can see why. The infinity pool and views are beautiful! The restaurant faces it, so if you eat here, you’ll get all the views. I can’t speak for the food as I sadly didn’t have it, but they have great taste in food and said the burgers, sliders, and every bite is amazing.
Ling Ling - Another rec from our friends that we didn’t do. The food here is supposed to be amazing. I saw the place and it looked like loads of the typical Mykonos scene fun. I will normally not recommend things I don’t try myself, but these guys have great taste in food so I trust their judgement to add to my guide.
Bakery - If you have a sweet tooth, this authentic Greek bakery is right in Mykonos town and their treats will make you fall to your knees. Get the mini chocolate croissants and the custard filled philo.
Where to drink:
Nammos - Our favorite beach club of the trip. Quite possibly our favorite day of the trip. Advice: go early to get a chair or you won’t. Some of the reviews of this place are bad, but I quickly learned, you either show up on time (right before they open) or you don’t get a chair. People are DIVAS in Mykonos y’all, and I think everyone who walked in the place thought the whole world revolved around them and their group. I saw so many people get ugly with the guys and gals with the list at the front door. I even talked to one of the guys who seats people, and he said, “Simple as this, show up early and you’ll get a chair. Don’t, and you won’t. We don’t care who you are.” We got there just in the nick of time and got the last couple of chairs left and it was THE MOST FUN, RELAXING DAY EVER! Beautiful beach, best people watching I’ve ever seen, amazing outfits everywhere you look, gorgeous staff, fancy drinks, beautiful water to take a dip in. Pretty much the works! Make sure you have a reservation at the restaurant too - food is unreal!
Scorpios - This place is head to toe gorgeous, fancy perfection. It’s the fanciest of the beach clubs in Mykonos. And different from Nammos as they take reservations for beach chairs in advance and book up sometimes two weeks before so plan accordingly. We did not make a reservation so just hung out on the drop dead gorgeous deck before our lunch reservation. You can still enjoy drinks and bites without having a beach chair and the lunch here was beyond. The decor at this place is unreal - I decided it’s exactly how I want our next home to look. At night, they take separate reservations for their “Sunset Ritual.” We didn’t stay for it and I have no idea what it is, but it sounded like a blast!
Queen - This is a wild one and at night it gets absolutely crazy. We went every night and had a ball. Their cocktails are amazing! If they still have it, get the strawberry one that comes in a coupe. It’s one of the best drinks I’ve ever had!
Argo - Our friends are regulars here on their yearly Mykonos vacation. And I love love loved our time here! Cool vibes, fun music, great bartenders.
Galleraki - Best sunset ever! Tiny little place with sunset views on one side and the famous Windmill views on the other. Get reservations and get there early. Tables are given away quick here at sunset.
Ice Bar - This was a random, ridiculous, silly stop and we were all very reluctant but said, let’s just go in to take a picture. And when we got in there was laughed so hard we were crying and had the quickest 5-minutes of fun ever. This tiny place can fit 8 people at most and it’s an ice bar. They give you obnoxious, furry jackets to put on. It’s a great little drink (or shots 😬) stop.
