Restaurant Elli
Visitors say
The food is excellent ,service is good and the staff is always smiling 😃. The atmosphere was great as you eat drink and relax with friends and locals.
We were at this restaurant yesterday and got the lamb chops, tzatziki, egg plant salad and saganaki, and everything was absolutely amazing. Best food and service in Anaxos by far!
About
Tucked into the laid-back coastal village of Anaxos Skoutarou on the northwestern shore of Lesvos, Restaurant Elli is the kind of neighbourhood taverna that embodies the unhurried spirit of the Greek island summer. The area is beloved for its long sandy beach, shallow clear waters, and sweeping views toward the Turkish coastline and the small islet of Tsonia, and a meal at Elli offers the perfect complement to a day spent by the sea.
Guests can expect the honest, generous cooking that defines Aegean taverna culture — fresh fish and seafood sourced from local waters, grilled meats, and a spread of classic mezedes that pair naturally with a carafe of chilled local wine or an ouzo poured over ice. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, catering to both families settling in after the beach and travellers looking to linger over a long afternoon lunch as the light shifts over the water.
For visitors exploring the quieter, less-touristed northwest of Lesvos, Restaurant Elli represents exactly the kind of authentic, unpretentious stop that makes island travel so rewarding. Anaxos itself sits within easy reach of the medieval town of Molyvos and the petrified forest trails further south, making Elli a natural gathering point at the end of a day of exploration — a place to eat well, rest, and feel genuinely at home on this beautiful island.
Before you go
What to expect
Tables at Elli sit close enough to the beach that you can hear the water while you eat — the food is straightforward and honest, built around whatever the local boats brought in that morning. Order a plate of grilled fish, a spread of cold mezedes, and a carafe of house wine, then let the afternoon dissolve. The crowd is a mix of families shaking off the sand and slow travellers who came for lunch and haven't found a reason to leave.
Best time to visit
Late May through September suits the place best; July and August fill Anaxos quickly, so a weekday lunch or an early evening table is worth planning for.
How to get there
From Mytilene, drive northwest via Kalloni and Petra toward the coast — the road distance is considerably longer than the straight line, so allow roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter. Anaxos is a small village and easy to navigate once you arrive.
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Visitor Reviews
Marcos Ariño
September 2025
Best food experience in Anaxos by far. Charming and phenomenal family run business.
Irina Martis
August 2025
Where is the tomato sauce from pasta bolognese?? A lot of oil instead :( Everything delicious but the bolognese a disappointment.
Yianni
August 2025
The food is excellent ,service is good and the staff is always smiling 😃. The atmosphere was great as you eat drink and relax with friends and locals.
Oliver Hove
August 2025
We were at this restaurant yesterday and got the lamb chops, tzatziki, egg plant salad and saganaki, and everything was absolutely amazing. Best food and service in Anaxos by far!
Andrzej Hladki
July 2025
Amazing food. Natural wood grill. Great pork, lamb, starters!
Paola Carolina Troch Latimer
July 2025
I honestly did not expect to fall in love with lamb chops… but Elli’s changed everything! These were the best lamb chops I’ve ever had - grilled to perfection, tender, flavorful, and absolutely unforgettable. And the crazy part? I’m usually not even a fan of lamb! I went there with a local friend, and now I understand why this place is a favorite. Locals always know best! I paired the lamb with a glass (okay, maybe two...) of Tzipouro, which worked wonderfully. Everything we ordered was spot on: – Stuffed vine leaves - full of flavor and comfort – Classic Greek salad - fresh, juicy, and generous – And of course, a side of tzatziki - that creamy, garlicky yogurt with cucumber and dill that completes every bite. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with kind service and a beautiful setting that makes you want to linger. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Anaxos.
sue Jones
July 2025
I've had Lamb on the Spit chicken on the Spit excellent food homemade fries. Small salad and garlic bread. Hubbie had sausages as well reasonable priced. Bought out yogurt for a free dessert.
sally hutchinson
June 2025
Lovely food ..octopus..then lamb and potatoes..delicious Suggest the two girls working tonight only get paid for half a shift !!..other half was spent sitting down and on their phones !!...me thinks they don't want to be here ! ...and a smile wouldn't go amiss ...couldn't fault the guys though
Debbie Woods
September 2024
Excellent food, the grilled pork from the skewer was amazing. Reasonable price, friendly, family run traditional Greek taverna. Will be revisiting at some point during our holiday, recommend.
John Clarkson
October 2023
Easy to walk past thinking it's just a grill bar but don't you dare. Great people with simply cooked local food both on the grill and from the oven. Go once and you'll be drawn back time after time.
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