Shack at Apollo

The tavern "Paraga Kitchen" at the village Apollo of Rhodes is a recent effort of two young people, catering professionals, to create something new in the field of Rhodesian gastronomy. They did not go badly and - despite the fact that the tavern is located 45 kilometers away from the city of Rhodes - in a very short time "Paraga" became a meeting point for all gourmets of the island, locals and visitors!

The village of Apollo of Rhodes is located on the southeast side of the hill of Profitis Ilias, very close to the highest mountain of the island Attaviros, in a green area surrounded by wild pines, cypresses and olive trees. The thousand inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry and beekeeping, in fact here there is a very active women's cooperative "Apollonitisses" with many activities (mainly the production of melekouni).

The "Kitchen Paraga" You can find it at the entrance of the village, in the place where during the Italian occupation the club of Italian officers was housed, and it is in the hands of the families of Efthymios and Sentonas, who offer each visitor the authentic flavors of Rhodesian cuisine.

The first thing that catches your interest in the tavern is good folk taste. The "Shack" is not only a shack and the high pitched roof and a steep walk reminds you of the origin of the building. Careful decoration everywhere. The food is served in earthenware by Rhodesian potters, the breads and pastries are served, impressively on wooden trays on askin and myrtle.

From the fold of the interior, one can see them three wood ovens in a row, where the lentils of "Paraga" are cooked and the place smells of musk.

The meal or dinner starts abruptly with welcome trahana soup and ends with a farewell dessert (yogurt with pastries or spoon pies with honey and walnuts).

Among the delicacies, among others, we singled out: pitaroudia, giaprakia, aubergine patties, caravoli stew, goat with chickpeas, loppia, oatmeal or potatoes, beef stew, lamb opposite and grilled steaks, pancetta, ribs.

The service is family run with warm smiles and it is no coincidence that for all this, about 100 reviews were recorded in the well-known international guide, with scores of 96% excellent and 2% very good.

Something I particularly appreciated is that "Paraga" also works in winter, because it is not possible to talk about Tourism all year round with the majority of tourism companies operating only during peak times. One of the most interesting gastronomic experiences in Rhodes.