Wonderful breakfasts by the sea, inventive cocktails, flavorful local dishes, amazing sweets in a much-loved destination By food journalist Dimitris Statho
Wonderful breakfasts by the sea, inventive cocktails, flavorful local dishes, amazing sweets in a much-loved destination.
It's the sea breeze, the "openness" of the horizon, the harbor that opened sea routes and brought new people to the city, fresh ideas and magical things from the four corners of the world.
It's Kalamata's seafront that shaped this city's geography and history. Today it shapes the social and gastronomic life of summer and gives nerve and character.
Curated cafés, restaurants that combine gastronomic pleasures with the sea breeze, traditional tavernas literally where the wave breaks, give tempo to Kalamata's summers and create unforgettable experiences.
EGO: Where the Day Begins
We biked and a sweet north wind cooled us. The city was waking up, and the beach was getting ready. Several early-bird types were already enjoying their swim.
We made our first stop at EGO and the day started magnificently. An all-day café-bar-restaurant that made a bet to transform its space into an island of beauty and pleasure. Bamboo, reeds, wood, handmade clay objects create a universe of natural beauty, ideal for relaxation and fun.
The barista prepared us an excellent coffee, the beach with wooden loungers was already "ready," and the kitchen was preparing fresh delicacies. Dishes that honor Messenian gastronomy and local products, with modern touches, are capable of keeping customers all day on EGO's "island." Fresh, crisp salads with sfela and lalangites, mushrooms from Taygetos, Messenian pasta, pasteli with local honey. Meanwhile the DJ took up his post and cocktails with liqueur from Kallikunis's local distillery were a frozen pleasure.
Navariou terminus, Kalamata, Tel.: 2721081740
Pralina: Sweet Moments by the Sea
Cakes with fresh strawberries, delicious ice creams, candied fruits, aromatic syrupy sweets, airy millefeuilles. For twenty years, the people at Pralina patisserie have been sweetening our lives in Kalamata. Fresh, inventive sweets become the centerpiece at parties and celebrations, or simply in moments when we want a sweet, delicious comfort. Pralina is now also on Kalamata's beach with a huge space and comfortable tables in front of the sea, to enjoy their sweets accompanied by the sea breeze. We enjoyed a wonderful profiterole, refreshed ourselves with pistachio ice cream, and as the sun was setting, we gave in to a plate of fragrant loukoumades.
Navariou & Megalou Alexandrou 71, Tel.: 272108130
GinGer: Asian Flavors Meet the Sea
Asian gastronomic choices, combined with an environment decorated with Asia as the axis. Comfortable sofas, modern beach furniture, distinctive decorative items compose an environment that's calm and at the same time welcoming and relaxing. GinGer is located on Almyros beach, a breath away from Kalamata, and becomes the meeting point for lovers of renewed beach life. Delicious bao buns, spring rolls, tempura shrimp with curry sauce, noodles and tasty rolls are basic menu elements, creating the conditions for an ideal meal. At the same time, balanced combinations of cocktails pair harmoniously with the food, while they'll also ideally accompany the evening outing.
Almyros Beach, Kalamata, Tel.: 2721041616
Anasha Seaside: Where the City Gathers
A safe choice for good food, great atmosphere, delicious cocktails. Anasha Seaside brings an air of cosmopolitanism to Kalamata's beach. In its second year of operation, it has already managed to become the talk of the town, where beyond Stelios Barbeás's wonderful dishes, it also hosted some of the season's liveliest parties. Stelios keeps the reins of the kitchen, renewing proposals while keeping some of last year's bestsellers. Especially this year, he's making a light turn toward creative Greek cuisine, with references to the region's local cuisine and beyond. Dishes like Mani's tsouchti with siufichta and mizithra cream, and trahanas with chicken and yogurt figure in the renewed menu, while last year's chilopitaki with shrimp has become a classic and continues to figure in this year's menu.
Navariou 20, Kalamata Beach, 6945696613
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Greek food unique?
Greek cuisine is built on simplicity and quality ingredients. What makes it distinctive is regional variety — every island and mountain village has its own flavors, often unchanged for centuries.
