Cactus

Cactus is a charming little cafe restaurant fringed by green vegetation along the beachside with the blue waters of the Aegean on one side and the brown barren hills that form a backdrop at the other. It is located in the beachfront of Parikia and close to the port of Paros. Turn left by the windmill near the ferry port and walk for about 400 meters along the seaside which is to the left and Cactus will appear on your right.

The wooden tables painted in cheerful colors, white chairs shaded by pristine white canopies and enormous earthen pots with a burst of flora lend an earthy atmosphere to the place. The breakfast menu includes light or cooked fare. Muesli with fresh milk and fresh fruit, croissants, sandwich (bacon, cheese, tuna or tomato) and continental breakfast are offered a light breakfast, while cooked fare comprises scrambled eggs or baked beans on toast, fried eggs with bacon, beans and mushrooms, vegetarian omelets or tortilla with a filling of Mexican style scrambled eggs, cheese and beans.

The restaurant has been in operation from 1993 and has grown into a reputed eatery among locals and tourists for its diverse menu which incorporates a variety of culinary flavors from around the world. The owners, Vanessa from Sheffield and Yannis, a Paro's local, are personally involved in the day to day running of Cactus and have created a friendly dining atmosphere that is perfect for a family-style dining.

The menu includes Mexican cuisine and Asian cuisine. A well-trained Thai chef creates some traditional Thai dishes and for the less adventurous, the restaurant offers a variety of pastas and traditional Greek dishes, like moussaka (a pie-type dish of eggplant and minced meat), calamari (fried squids), briam (a vegetarian dish made from eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, artichokes and tomatoes) and stuffed tomatoes. The cactus grill throws up a few specialties, including souvlaki, chicken fillet, lamb chops and grilled fresh fish (catch of the day) to choose from. The menu also has an assortment of delicious Mexican and Greek. Open through the week from mid-May to mid-October, Cactus offers Happy Hour chilled and refreshing draught beer every day.