Why O! Hamos! Tavern Is One Of The Best Restaurants in Milos

Is it wrong that O! Hamos! Tavern was a deciding factor for making Milos a stop on my tour of the Cyclades? I mean, I also came for the authentic Greek charm of this less-touristy island, to explore the Kleftiko caves, and wonder at the unique moon-like landscape of Sarakiniko beach…..but mostly for this charming family-owned restaurant.

After being on Milos just long enough for our warm and welcoming AirBnB host to give us a tour of our amazing abode, I herded my friends out the door. An easy and straightforward 15-minute walk from the centre of Adamas along the edge of the island, O! Hamos! Tavern was probably one of my favourite meals I had my entire Greek adventure. Considering that it’s impossible to have a bad meal in Greece, that’s saying something.

If you’re in Milos and you don’t come here….we can’t be friends because

I can’t be friends with people who aren’t motivated by the prospect of heavenly food.

1/ Beach Proximity

With a 1pm open time, there is a little beach conveniently across from O! Hamos! Tavern where you can soak up some sun and take a quick dip in Milos’ clear waters before heading over for lunch. Papikinou beach is also great to visit post-meal when you’re not fit for anything more taxing than a nap. Lie out on a blanket and bask in the warm rays until you feel those familiar hunger pangs then go back for an encore meal!

2/ Dining Alfresco

Living in a city where there are only 2 seasons – winter and construction – I seize any chance I get to dine alfresco. O! Hamos! Tavern was a self-proclaimed crazy plant lady’s dream! You enter through a leaf-laden doorway into an open terrace with quaint homestyle tables and seats in the midst of a lush jungle with vibrant bougainvilleas and hanging plants draped overhead.

3/ Handwritten menus

I’ve always preferred the process of writing in a journal to typing on a computer so I was kvelling over the handwritten menus! Each item was painstakingly recorded into the thick menu and imparted such a cozy feeling of eating at a family’s home – so much more personal and intimate.

4/ Custom Pottery

One of the most charming and personalized touches at this tavern were how all the serving dishes, plate, and mugs were handmade, red terracotta pottery. The inside of the plates were glazed in white with the name “O Xamos” inscribed on the edge.

5/ Fresh + Authentic Dishes

OH MY HAMOS THE FOOD! Traditional recipes with the occasional twist made with the freshest local ingredients, the cheese (out of this world!) and meat originate from the owner’s own farm. We started with a crisp and colourful horiatiki salad smothered in creamy feta and the aginares milotikes – fried artichoke with eggs fresh green onions and dill. We moved on to the comforting melitzana boulouka which is an aubergine stuffed with minced lamb and goat meat, tomato, onion, and garlic baked in the oven with grated cheese.

6/ Omg, that roasted piglet doh

This dish was so bomb that it required its own section. The gourounopoulo metimezako is a piglet that has been cooked for hours in a molasses-mustard and thyme marinade has me automatically salivating at the mere memory of the tender and succulent meat. It was served with a side of couscous and burst cherry tomatoes which provided a light contrast to the rich flavours.

7/ Relaxed; Not rushed

Dining at popular restaurants can be a hectic feeling sometimes with servers hustling the cheque to you before you’ve even finished your meal. The experience at O! Hamos! Tavern was like having a relaxed meal in the backyard with close family and friends. The staff were so friendly and chill that I got the impression that we could’ve wiled away hours on the balmy terrace just chatting and nibbling at our meals.

Are you drooling all over your keyboard yet? Yea, you and me both! If you are ever in Milos (or are now planning to go), make sure you make several stops at this lush foodie haven.

If you’re trying to figure out how to fit O! Hamos! Tavern into your schedule, check out this 3-day itinerary!

Keep your stalking game strong and follow me @teriaki if you aren’t already!