Author: wareontheglobe

Best Restaurants in Naxos Town (Chora): Where to Eat in Naxos, Greece

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I spent part of last summer’s Greek vacation on Naxos, an island in the Cyclades, which I absolutely loved. While its popular and certainly on the tourist circuit, I had trouble finding reliable information on restaurants in Naxos town, or Chora. This post details good restaurant finds in Naxos, Greece.

Naxos’ Chora.

THE NAXOS APOTHECARY

The Naxos Apothecary is an upscale restaurant in Naxos town located close to the Portara, evening offering Portara views from most tables. It is also famous as being owned by the people that own the famous makeup and skin care brand, Korres (Naxos Apothecary is its upscale sister company). The Naxos Apothecary restaurant doubles as a beauty store and serves excellent, modern Naxian fare. This was probably my favorite restaurant in Naxos, possibly tied with To Souvlaki Sou Makis. I wrote a whole post on our dinner here. Food was great, as were the wine and views. I would absolutely return.

Portara views from the Naxos Apothecary.

Amazing Naxian salad at the Naxos Apothecary.

An incredible Naxian peach dessert (peaches were in season during our July visit).

Specifics: Naxos Apothecary Portara: Ariadnis 1, Naxos 843 00, Greece. Open for dinner 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM. Reservations recommended. Credit card accepted.

TO SOUVLAKI SOU MAKIS

I found To Souvlaki Sou Makis online and intended to have lunch here on arrival. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not keep us with the opening hours it posts online. Determined to have a great gyro, I returned the following day for a successful lunch. Very inexpensive and with limited seating indoors and outdoors, we lunched on excellent gyro and a perfect saganaki. Come here for really tasty, inexpensive food. We saw both locals and tourists here.

A pork gyro. This was probably the best we had the entire trip.

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Off-the-Beaten-Path Italy: Matera’s Ancient Streets and Delicious Eats

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Matera was the second stop on our 2025 Italian family trip, and one I’d planned with intention. Tucked into the southern region of Basilicata, this wasn’t my first visit. Dan and I had traveled to Matera back in 2021, and I knew it was somewhere worth returning to, especially if you want an Italy experience that feels completely different from the usual Rome–Florence–Venice (or Amalfi) circuit.

Welcome Matera, Italia. It doesn’t look anything like the Italian hotspots. 

We based ourselves in Matera for a special, and specific, reason: it’s the closest city to our friend’s ancestral hometown of Irsina. That made Matera the perfect home base for a day trip to Irsina, which ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our trip. While Irsina was the reason for our visit, we spent a decent amount of time in Matera itself.

Matera’s Sassi.

If you haven’t been, Matera doesn’t feel like anywhere else in Italy. The cave dwellings, the winding stone alleys, the layered views over the Sassi; it almost feels cinematic (and for good reason). This post walks you through exactly how we spent our time in Matera—what we prioritized, where we ate and drank, and how I’d recommend doing the same if you’re following a similar itinerary.

MATERA, ITALY: A [VERY] BRIEF BACKGROUND

Matera is the second-largest city in Basilicata and easily the region’s most visited, but it feels absolutely nothing like the rest of Italy. It’s  one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, with roots dating back to the 8th millennium BC. Adding to its ancientness, Matera is carved directly into limestone rock and split between two historic cliffside districts known as the Sassi, plus a modern town above.

Matera against a bright blue background. We had great weather when we arrived…

We stayed in the Sassi, and I’d recommend doing the same, unless you have mobility issues, as the Sassi is where you really experience what makes Matera special. Indeed, walking through the Sassi feels like stepping into another time entirely. It feels older and quieter that Italy’s more popular destiations, and a little surreal. The closest comparisons I can make are Petra in Jordan,  Cappadocia in Türkiye, or Mdina in Malta, with its layered stone buildings and dramatic views carved into the landscape.

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Top Rooftop Bars in Panama City: Kanibal Restaurant Experience

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Rounding out my Panama trip, I have to talk about Panama City’s rooftop scene. The city fully leans into rooftop dining, and for good reason. While Panama City is a dense, modern urban hub (not rural), it offers stunning views of both the skyline and the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset. It’s no surprise that some of the city’s hottest restaurants are perched high above the streets. We made a point to book a few during our week-long stay.

Kanibal rooftop restaurant.

One of those spots was Kanibal. Located atop a parking garage (yes, you’re dropped off in a garage and take an elevator up), Kanibal is unexpected and chic. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but the outdoor area is definitely where you’ll want to be for the views.

When we visited, a DJ was spinning during dinner, adding to the lively atmosphere. It’s also very much a “see and be seen” kind of place—plenty of Instagram-worthy moments here. Since we made reservations in advance, we were seated at a lovely table overlooking the Pacific and downtown Panama City.

Our cute, yet tiny, table at Kanibal.

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Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama Review: Worth It or Skip It?

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We spent the second half of a week-long Panama vacation at the The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama, a Marriott Autograph Collection property. We choose this property because we wanted to relax after what was a busy few days in Panama City, complete with day trips. We considered Bocas del Toro or Boquete but opted for The Buenaventura solely due to ease of travel (it is only two hour, highway drive from Panama City). This post reviews our stay at The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama.

The actually postcard perfect beach at The Buenaventura.

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1 Day in Panama City: The Perfect Food Tour Itinerary (Casco Antiguo)

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Panama City, Panama is wonderful destinations in Central America, particularly for foodies. With its mix of historic charm, modern skyline, and diverse culinary influences, it’s a city where you can eat incredibly well—if you know where to look. We spent a week in Panama City last year, and while it’s more modern (and pricier) than many of its neighbors, it isn’t the easiest place to navigate as a first-time visitor. That’s exactly why starting with a food tour turned out to be the perfect introduction.

Dan in Casco Antiguo, ready to eat our way around town.

On our first full day, we explored Casco Antiguo—the city’s colorful historic district—on a walking food tour that combined Panamanian history with some of the best dishes we sampled all week. From a traditional breakfast with hojaldra and steak, to fresh tropical juices, market eats, ceviche at the most famous seafood market, and world-renowned Geisha coffee, this experience gave us a true taste of Panama City. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything we ate, where to find it, and how to recreate this exact Panama City food tour itinerary on your own—perfect if you only have one day in the city or want to explore Panama City beyond the Panama Canal.

A street in colorful Casco Antiguo, Panama City.

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