Eating out in Megali Mandinia

There are three excellent, friendly, family-run tavernas, plus a cafe, that are open all year round. They all feature traditional dishes using fresh, local produce, which vary according to the season, accompanied by easy drinking wines from the Peloponnese. The views, airy position and good value cooking have attracted people to eat at the village for many years.

The village tavernas and café – we recommend them all:

• Kosteas Anavryti – our closest and the oldest taverna in the village, with slightly more adventurous cooking, a bigger menu and a large, airy balcony overlooking the gorge. Open every evening, except Mondays & Tuesdays and for Sunday lunch from noon.

• Megali Mandinia – great sunsets and views towards Kalamata; country cooking including cockerel and rabbit specials, plus they sell their own delicious honey. Open every evening.

• Sunset – home produced vegetables and meat deftly cooked with nice use of herbs; small and homely with great gorge views from the vine-covered balcony. Open every evening.

• Kali Kardia café – a traditional kafenion good for drinks and lunchtime snacks with views of the mountains from the terrace. Open from morning till late.

Don’t be surprised if you’re not automatically given a menu, a verbal run through of the dishes of the day is the usual approach although menus are on hand if you want to check prices or translations.

Wine lists haven’t reached the village yet, so simply enoy a half kilo karafe of white, rose or red – Greek wines have come a long way since the days of heavily oxidised rural offerings.

If you want a change from the village, there are seaside tavernas within easy reach.  We like the Akrogiallia at Akrogialli and Thalame just along from Sadova beach, as well as those at Kitries.  Kalamata offers a huge choice along the beach front and around the Marina, as well neighbourhood restaurants dotted round the town.