A stroll around Kythnos’ main town, Hora, includes many stops for photo shoots and Instagram posts. Step into any of the alleys and you will find yourself passing through a passage of picturesque arches, white-washed yards, and blossomed bougainvillea plants, to some clearing, a church yard, or small square.
Then you lose yourself in yet another alley to be led to a further clearing. Margiora, a charming café-wine bar launched two years ago, is situated at one of the many clearings to be found in the maze of the main town’s alleys.
Margiora is housed at an old stately building dating back to 1866. The business is managed by Fontas Dialismas, who hails from Kythnos. The specific property, whose ownership has run through the family, stretches back to his great-grandmother Margiora, hence the business name, who also owned surrounding buildings at the square, which, in older times, housed a doctor’s practice and an inn.
But let’s return to the present. Fontas Dialismas, an architect by trade, always wanted to create something distinctive on the island. After fully refurbishing the old family property, he teamed up with an appropriate group of associates and launched this café-wine bar.
Last year was definitely a peculiar and challenging one, but the lack of tourism activity did provide the Margiora team with the opportunity to identify and address shortcomings. As a result, the place, as of this season, is serving from the morning hours, basing its offerings on Cycladic goods and coffee, supplied by Taf, a Greek roastery. The spot serves handmade pies, made daily. I loved the pumpkin pie with the crisp carob pastry and courgette flowers, the generously portioned kagianas (scrambled eggs) with Tinos louza (cured meat), as well as the delicious sandwich with Mykonos sausage and eggs.
If you would rather get your day off to a sweet start, then I recommend tiganites (deep-fried dough pieces) with Kythnos thyme honey, organic tahini, and crispy peanut butter from Chios. The evening menu, also based on Cycladic principles, is curated by chef Aris Roussos, also responsible for the breakfast menu. The cold tomato soup with chili aroma is very delicious, as are the cod bites with a light skordalia (garlip dip) mousse. The fresh ravioli filled with Syros anthotyro cheese, basil and cherry tomatoes, as well as the seafood giouvetsi (stew with orzo pasta) prepared with ouzo, fennel and caviar, are also interesting selections.
The place, also a wine bar, as mentioned, has also taken great care with its wine selections. The Margiora cellar features over 51 labels from Greek wineries, selected by oenologist Aris Sklavenitis. In another new development introduced this season, Margiora decided to pay greater attention to its drinks list, which led to a partnership with bartender Panos Kanatsoulis of the Mr. Fox bar in seaside Glyfada, southern Athens. He has prepared a list featuring eight signature cocktails and three spritzes. Try the Open sesame with vodka, cardamom, ginger and sesame, the refreshing Cucu-Cucu Paloma, as well as the Margiorini, a good-tasting Negroni variation.
If on Kythnos for a quiet weekend or holidays, a visit to Margiora is highly recommended. Take a seat in the front or back yard, or even at one of the spot’s tables set at the square, to enjoy the serenity and beauty offered by this island. And before you go, visit the spot’s delicatessen for Cyclades goods to take back home.
Margiora, Hora, Kythnos, tel +30 2281031809
