Vegetarian Review of Tambakio, St Paul's Bay, Lindos, Rhodes

There are certain truisms when it comes to the quality of restaurants that I refuse to believe in. One goes something like this: when the view is spectacular, the food usually isn’t. I have been fortunate enough to dine at many restaurants that boast both great vistas and amazing food. Alas, at Tambakio restaurant in Lindos’ St Paul’s Bay, my first on the island of Rhodes, only the setting stroke a chord.

St Paul's Bay, Lindos, Rhodes

First impressions were good. The restaurant was busy on a warm summer day and so I had to wait to get a table in the shade. It was when the all-English, quasi international menu arrived that the first doubts crept into my head. This being my first restaurant back in Greece though- the country I longingly return to every summer- I was happy to ignore my doubts and indulge in my first Χοροατικι σαλαδα since last summer. After all, what could go wrong with a Greek salad and some pita bread with dips? Well, an awful lot, as I was made to find out.

Greek salad at Tambakio restaurant, St Paul's beach, Lindos, Rhodes

One reason why I don’t go to Greek restaurants in London, even though I crave for good Greek food all year, is that the ingredients are what makes Greek food great. With Dutch tomatoes, also known as water bombs, zucchini that are lacking flavour and feta that just isn’t like the one they often (!) serve you in Greece, a Greek salad is just underwhelming- and that’s just one example. Now, when the unbelievable happens and restaurants in Greece seem to offer the same low-quality fare, then I’m flabbergasted.

Pitta at Tambakio - Reviewed by a Picky Vegetarian

That’s what happened at Tambakio and two other restaurants I dined at i Lindos (reviews coming soon). Okay, it’s a beach restaurant on a very touristy island, and I know you’re tempted to repeat the truism I mentioned at the outset, but that’s no excuse for serving absolutely mediocre food. Of course, I only had two dishes- Greek salad and the pitta selection- but when the ingredients aren’t good, a vegetarian like me will never be a happy customer.

I almost forgot the service. No wonder- they almost forgot me. But at a beach restaurant I don’t expect superb service. So I’ll leave it at that!

3 /10

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