Visitors say
The arancini spanakorizo, the schnitzels and the chicken bacon fillet with graviera sause were particularly amazing. Really nice food and service! Congrats
I think this is one of the best restaurants in Mitilini. Food and service are excellent and the prices are very reasonable. Prawn risotto is heavenly and so are the other food. Try also the weekly specials menu!
About
Tucked away near the quiet village of Alyfada, Kokkini Patata — Greek for "Red Potato" — is one of those endearingly named spots that signals a relaxed, unpretentious character before you even step inside. The name alone hints at the kind of honest, no-frills hospitality that defines the best of Lesvian village life, where good food and genuine warmth take precedence over polish. Located in a part of the island that sees more locals than tour buses, stopping here feels like a small discovery in itself.
Visitors can expect the kind of experience that makes rural Lesvos so rewarding: simple, satisfying fare prepared with local ingredients, cold drinks on a warm afternoon, and the unhurried pace that the island's interior villages seem to preserve naturally. Whether it operates as a café, a casual eatery, or a roadside stop for travellers cutting across the island, Kokkini Patata embodies the spirit of the authentic Aegean pit stop — a place where conversation flows easily and there is no rush to move on.
For those exploring the villages and landscapes away from the better-known coastal resorts, places like Kokkini Patata are part of what makes a Lesvos trip feel lived-in rather than packaged. The surrounding area offers the olive groves and rolling terrain characteristic of the island's quieter corners, and a stop here makes a natural complement to a drive through the villages of the island's heartland. It is exactly the kind of place you tell friends about when they ask where you found the real Lesvos.
Before you go
What to expect
The name sets the tone before you arrive — this is a place where you pull up a chair, order something honest and satisfying, and feel at ease within minutes. The crowd is mostly locals, the pace is unhurried, and a cold drink in the afternoon has a way of stretching into a longer stay than you planned. Unpretentious and genuinely welcoming.
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn are ideal; July and August are hotter and busier, though the relaxed atmosphere absorbs the extra traffic well.
How to get there
Kokkini Patata is just a short walk from the centre of Mytilini — close enough to reach on foot from the harbour or the main shopping streets, with no drive needed.
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Visitor Reviews
Jeff Paffett
January 2026
We were lucky enough to be in Mytilene when this restaurant was celebrating the 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau. They created a wonderful and authentic French meal. The owners were so friendly and informative about the food. I can't wait to try their regular menu, the next time I'm in Mytilene. Update: We visited this restaurant again on 10 January and were able to sample their regular menu. We decided to have a few meze and the beef carpaccio was one of the best we've eaten. We had some wonderful, juicy, mushrooms with spring rolls stuffed with smoked aubergines and moussaka croquettes, which was a very interesting twist on the original. @chefvorak and @amalia_maniati made us very welcome. I think this is our favourite restaurant on the island now!
Owner Response
Thank you for your excitement and kind support. We hope to see you again with our regular menu or maybe an another occasional meal 😊
John Patlakas
December 2025
The arancini spanakorizo, the schnitzels and the chicken bacon fillet with graviera sause were particularly amazing. Really nice food and service! Congrats
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words and the photos you shared. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with us.
Ram Lan
November 2025
I think this is one of the best restaurants in Mitilini. Food and service are excellent and the prices are very reasonable. Prawn risotto is heavenly and so are the other food. Try also the weekly specials menu!
Panos DenLeo
October 2025
If there is a must eat place in Mytilene then this is Kokkini Patata (red potato) Located at the fun center of the city (Ladadika) offers a wide choice of meals including vegetarian options. The food is great as it is typical Greek but with a touch that upgrades it. I would love to keep describing it but I rather name two of my favorite dishes and that will explain it - fried olives - moussaka croquettes Go and try it, it worths the visit
Ata Atadil
September 2025
Extremely flavorful food, wonderful hospitality, and truly the highlight of our Lesvos trip! 🎉 We stopped by to reserve a table for the next day, and Chef Mike personally made the arrangement. Even though it was our first time meeting him, he went over the menu in detail and immediately made us feel at home! When dining at the restaurant, we noticed Amalia visiting each table, taking time to share the story behind each menu item, and having a genuine conversation with each guest. It truly felt like dining with good friends! 😊 Every item we tasted was rich in flavor, extremely delicious, and generously portioned! Chef Mike, if you happen to read this: With a longer stay in Lesvos, we would have dined at your restaurant every night without hesitation, just as you said! We instantly became your loyal guests from Florida! We can’t wait to come back and end our dinners with those cinnamon shots again! Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality! 💙
Owner Response
Dear Ata!<br>Thank you for your kind words, thanks for your support and we appreciate your excitement!<br>We try to handle every costumer on a way we like to be handled, with love and professionalism. <br>As you understand we love food, we love cooking and we care our customers. <br>We hope to see you on your next trip and we can talk about that cinnamon shots. Give our regards to your lovely wife, regards<br>Chef Mike
Ceyda Kırbaş
September 2025
The best pasta we ate in a while! My dad do not eat pasta normally, he also loved it. Chicken was also very delicious. You can find love and kindness in this place:) Definitely our dinner spot in Mytilene for the next trip.
Owner Response
Dear Customer, thank you for your nice review and your kind words. We ar delighted to hear that your Dad liked the pasta and you enjoyed your visit to our restaurant. See you next time, hopefully soon :-)
Lucian Luca
July 2025
A Must-Visit in Mytilini! 🌟 If you come to Mytilini, do yourself a favor and eat here! The food is absolutely incredible — every dish is bursting with rich, authentic flavors that will leave you speechless. You can really taste the love and care that goes into the cooking. On top of that, the staff are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet — warm, welcoming, and always ready with a smile. They make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. Amazing food, unforgettable tastes, and truly lovely people. Don’t miss this place! Thank you Kokkini Patata!!!
Ferhat Micoogullari
May 2025
No, no, no, no you shouldn’t miss this place. Very delicious food from my Greek brothers, excellent service, great hospitality, traditional cuisine. Made and served with love!!! definitely we will come back and visit this lovely place again!!
Ozlem Micoogullari
May 2025
Very nice restaurant with nice owners and good food. Imam is one of the best aubergine dishes I have ever eaten. Amalia was very friendly and nice lady. I will come back ❤️
Habiba Allam
April 2024
We were a big group so we tried many things. Main review is that the starters are incredible and even beat the main dishes. The service is also amazing and the owner is incredibly kind and generous. Detailed review: The Kokkini Patata salad was very unique and really good. The Bruschetta is HEAVENLY... Tje mixture of caramelized onions (sweet) with grilled vegetables is very smart and it was my favorite dish. The Zucchini rolls were also great and I would say are a safe bet. Fried olives (we got on the house) were also unique and pretty loved. Feta Saganaki I had mixed feelings about... it was pretty intense but people on the table loved it. it's pretty controversial. The caramelized chicken was a solid 7/10. The home made kebab was was really nice (8/10). The mushroom risotto was a great vegan option! P.S. some pictures feature halfly eaten plates because we were impatient to wait for pictures.
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