We recently discovered a restaurant that we want to share with you: Porto Bello! This restaurant is the perfect place for a (late) lunch at a typical family-run taverna. The family is incredibly kind, and the quality of the food is truly amazing.

What makes it unique is that, in addition to the traditional Greek cuisine, they also serve Italian dishes. Kostas, the chef, has a passion for Italian cooking. He prepares the perfect pizzas that he learned to make in Italy. Every year, he even participates in a pizza-making contest there. On their menu, you’ll find a combination of Italian and Greek dishes, including various local specialties.

When we were there, there were also Italians present, and they were impressed by how good the food was. It was really wonderful to see! They even said that some dishes tasted just like in their Italian village. Well, that’s the kind of compliment you want to receive!

Check out our Instagram reel about Porto Bello here.

Where to find Porto Bello

In the north of Karpathos, you’ll find the village of Spoa. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Pigadia. From there, it’s just a short distance to the beach of Spoa called Agios Nikolaos.

Agios Nikolaos is a very picturesque seaside with two beaches. In August, it can be busier with locals and their families, but outside of that time, it’s truly the perfect place to get away from the crowds.

Porto Bello is easily visible on your right-hand side as you drive into Agios Nikolaos, just before you reach the parking areas.

P.S. If you love snorkeling, Agios Nikolaos is the place to be! Curious about more great snorkeling spots? Check out our blog about snorkeling in Karpathos.

Must try

If there’s one thing I (Athina) am a fan of, it’s pasta pesto, and it’s truly fantastic here! Of course, you can’t miss out on their pizzas either, because they are delicious! We opted for the pizza with prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, and arugula. You can choose between a large or small pizza size.

Another dish you absolutely must try is the Melanzana Al Forno. This dish features eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. It’s quite similar to lasagna, but without the pasta dough, making it lighter in comparison.

You’ll also find some truly local dishes on the menu, such as Karpathian sardines, cheese, shrimp, and fish. They often feature a catch of the day, serving these freshly caught fish in portions right at the restaurant.

Beach delivery: Porto Bello brings pizza to the beach!

Yes, you heard it right! Porto Bello delivers pizza right to the beach, how cool is that? We’re definitely super excited because it’s truly something unique, a great addition to the island! So, if you’re at Apella beach and want to enjoy a delicious pizza with your friends or family, just give Porto Bello a call to inquire about delivery options.

You don’t have to be at Apella specifically for this, it’s available at other beaches too, but they need to be near Spoa, like Apella and Kyra Panagia, for example.

You can call them at +30 697 630 6433. Just keep in mind that you may not always have reception at every beach, so it’s a good idea to call ahead sometimes 😉

P.S. Orders start from 4 pizzas, and when the restaurant is really busy, Kostas hopes you understand that he may not be able to deliver by boat during those times.