When you want to eat good Greek food in a beautiful setting, then it is here at Hinitsa Tavern. The location is their selling point; you just want to come to sit here day or night, and if the food is half decent then that is two birds killed with one stone. To my eye it looks like the chefs have a nice kitchen to work in and you can partly see inside of it. This is one of the most advanced I have seen in this area. Take a comfortable seat outside whilst you lounge and look over your shoulder to the breathtaking views in the distance. You can literally eat on the bay itself.
Hinitsa is one of the best places to dine in Porto Heli, the culinary level is higher than most tavernas you will come across, so if you are a discerning food focused customer, who cooks a little bit yourself, then this will be ok for you. The food is fresh, expect to see marinated anchovies, with fresh rocket salad, bright green in colour, a tzatziki prepared properly with the yogurt strained. Grandma’s shrimp sautéed in a spicy olive oil, including cherry tomatoes, garlic, clams, and a three-month-aged feta cheese. The seasoning here was excellent, the balance of flavour perfect, equaling to a delicious bowl. Everything cooked to the point exactly. (Thanks Grandma)
Then you have devilish bites of moussaka croquettes, if anybody loves a moussaka traditionally then this is a mini compact version in a couple of mouthfuls. Deep fried with a crisp coating on the outside, accompanied by a tomato paste vinaigrette and chive oil. They are as we say ‘yummy,’ and you may not want to share them!
We asked for some langoustine, which they know here as Crayfish, so we decided to try. I was pleased to see them cleaned properly with slits down the middle. They were cooked slightly over, but you could see the freshness and intention here- A few minutes less and it would have been a triumph. For dessert, the cheesecake was sweet and addictive, it had been made with love. A good ratio between the biscuit base and the filling, it was generous.
Hinitsa Tavern can be on your list for a reoccurring visit, especially if you are staying for a while in the surrounding areas. Take the views, the area, the surroundings, the interiors, and the food all combined, and you are in for a pleasant evening. You can’t go wrong.
