Good and cheap food in Kalamata

There’s a saying “You are what you eat” – does it also apply to countries and regions? I think you learn so much about a country when you look at what is eaten and drunk. Looking for good and cheap food in Kalamata, we definitely found what we were looking for.

Of course, it does not remain with the food alone, we have of course also looked at what drinks are offered and tried one or the other glass.

Kalamata olives

Kalamata is surrounded by a rural mosaic of olive groves that stretch to the horizon. The city is known not only for its breathtaking scenery and historical sites, but especially for its olives and the olive oil extracted from them, which is synonymous with quality and taste worldwide.

The Kalamata olive, is unique for its distinctive almond shape and its purple-black color. It is often called the “Queen of Olives” and is characterized by its fleshy, fruity aroma and its slightly salty note.

An olive of this quality does not grow everywhere. The special conditions of the region, with its mild winters and hot, dry summers, provide the perfect breeding ground for olive trees. The cultivation methods, often passed down from generation to generation, have stood the test of time.

The oil pressed from Kalamata olives is a real “liquid gold”. The extra virgin olive oil of the region is rich in healthy fatty acids and antioxidants and charms with its intense, fruity aroma with a slightly peppery note in the finish. It is not only suitable for cooking, but also excellent for refining dishes or simply as a dip for fresh bread.

We were in Kalamata on a street festival, where local producers and traders have presented their offer and could try there countless varieties of olive oil and olives. Whether pure, refined with herbs or fruits, the offer was huge and I have never tested so different oil. Some have convinced me taste so that I would have liked to take the beautiful bottles.

If you do not have the opportunity to taste the olives and oil at a street festival, you should definitely go to the big market. There the products are also offered. They simply enrich every meal in Kalamata.

Kalamata tomatoes

For me, it is always exciting to see what is produced in a region. At a stand at the street festival, tomatoes were on offer. These come from the region and are grown on a large plantation.

The tomatoes from Kalamata, are characterized by their ruby red color and their plump, juicy texture. They develop a particularly intense and sweet flavor, perfectly balanced by a light acidity, due to the sunny climate and the nutrient-rich soil of the region. In their variety they range from small, sweet cherry tomatoes to large, fleshy fruits.

Here, too, was the opportunity to taste the tomatoes during the street fair. What can I say, the tomatoes had taste. No watery tasteless greenhouse tomatoes were offered, but small tasty sun-ripened fruits. What a difference!

The vendors at the Kalamata market also had a wide range of different tomatoes on offer, and they were very reasonably priced.

Tsipouro not ouzo

Tsipouro is a strong liquor, which is highly appreciated and enjoyed in Kalamata. Here they swear by Tsipouro and not Ouzo, as we know it from Germany as the Greek schnapps. Of course we did not want to miss the schnapps after a good meal in Kalamata.

It is a clear schnapps, traditionally distilled from the pomace (the remains of wine pressing, such as skins, stems and seeds of the grapes). The alcohol content is usually between 40 and 45% by volume, but can be higher.

The production of Tsipouro has a long tradition. It is believed that the technique of distillation was further developed and refined by the monks on the holy Mount Athos in Macedonia in the 14th century. Farmers later began to produce tsipouro by distilling this strong liquor from the leftover wine after the harvest. This tradition has continued to this day and is an integral part of Greek drinking culture and hospitality.

Tsipouro comes in different varieties: some are mild and others have a stronger anise flavor. It is customary to serve tsipouro in small glasses, accompanied by a selection of “meze” (small snacks).

Dining in Kalamata: Restaurant Εcπέρια

Restaurants directly on the sea always have the stamp with us: expensive, only for tourists. But directly by the sea (separated only by the road) we have experienced the exact opposite in the restaurant Εcπέρια.

We sat in a large garden area and were greeted super friendly. The menu was fortunately also in English, however, hardly anyone on site knew English or German during our visit. Our Greek knowledge is limited to a few words, so communication with hands and feet was announced.

Our choice was a mixed seafood platter and a portion of sardines. The seafood platter came in a variety of styles, which later turned out to be sizes. The food was excellent. The fish and seafood fresh, so no frozen stuff prepared exactly to the point. Price wise, we would have paid double for the same quantity and quality at other places for sure. We were very satisfied.

Address:

Navarinou 230,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Da Luz Bar & Grill Kalamata

Directly from the beach you can enter a wooden terrace that belongs to Da Luz. I was working and Patrick used the time to eat a seafood platter there. The price was a little higher than in the restaurant Εcπέρια. However, Da Luz is also closer to the city center and is thus certainly more frequently visited by holidaymakers.

It tasted great and the overall atmosphere also fit a great day at the beach.

Address:

Navarinou,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Uncle John

In the middle of Kalamata, somewhat hidden away from the main road, we found a place at Uncle John at lunchtime. Around us people spoke only Greek, tourists hardly stray there. I would say now, it sat almost only workers from the immediate vicinity there.

Visually, the restaurant is built like a snack bar, but you are served at the table. The menu was very meat-heavy and surprisingly inexpensive. We already suspected that the portions are rather small – a complete misjudgement. Our ordered dishes were large and very good. The meat was excellent and since I just love bread and good tzaziki I was more than satisfied.

For me, this restaurant visit was the most authentic food I ate in Kalamata during our time there.

Address:

Amvrosiou Frantzi 5,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Food in Kalamata: Kardamo Restaurant

Following a tip from a hotel employee, we visited Kardamo, which was only about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

Quite a stylish restaurant where you really need to make a reservation in the evening hours. A look at the menu showed us that the dishes were a bit more expensive. There was not the traditional Greek food but rather dishes that had a slightly more modern touch. It tasted very good. I enjoyed the atmosphere, but also realized that I prefer traditional cuisine after all.

Address:

Sidirodromikou Stathmou 21,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Kalamata’s Open Market

Fancy some fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat? Then it is best to go to the central market of Kalamata. Here you can buy from the farmers from the area and quite inexpensive.

For us, who always like to cook ourselves in vacation apartments, the visit to the market is always something special. In Kalamata, I was thrilled to be able to buy there so some of the olive oils that I had previously tested at the street festival.

The central market is only closed on Sunday. From Monday to Saturday you can go shopping there from 8-14 and additionally on Thursday and Friday also from 17-20.30.

Address:

Spartis 31,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Sweet food in Kalamata:Ζαχαροπλαστειο Cioccolatto pastry & decor

The urge for something sweet was great and so we were drawn to a bakery, which is not like a typical bakery in Germany. Here I could not buy bread or rolls. There were exclusively small cupcakes.

I could hardly decide whether I would rather eat something fruity or something chocolatey. Each tartlet just looked tempting. However, there were so many different treats on offer that I didn’t want to try each one either.

Our choice finally fell on the chocolate category. And wow, I have rarely eaten something so good and so intense tasting piece of cake. And good that we had not bought more, one made so full….

In terms of price, the cupcakes were comparable to a piece of cake in a German “standard bakery”. Qualitatively, however, I found the offer much better.

Address:

Aristomenous 91,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Spinos coffee

With the cake actually belongs a coffee. At Spino’s coffee we bought excellently roasted coffee beans and took them home.

We had already drunk the coffee a few days earlier at an event and the quality completely convinced us.

The store then completely captivated me. Here I could buy not only coffee, but also sweets, tea, mugs,…. A treasure trove for gifts, souvenirs and personal use. And so not only 2 packages of coffee, but also several white nougat bars and cups wandered into our shopping bag.

Address:

Aristomenous 15,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland

Website

NOTOS GREEK CRAFT BEER

A tip for all those who still feel like a cold beer in the evening. In NOTOS there are always 6 different beers on tap and additionally a lot of different bottled beers.

NOTOS BEER HOUSE a nice pub that also offers rare Greek beers from Greek microbreweries.

We opted for the beer on tap. Various NEMA beers are served here from the Mani Brewery, which is located on the Peloponnese. The Summer Ale with its fruity taste tastes wonderfully light. It was exactly my beer and rounded off the evening perfectly.

Address:

Amfias,
Kalamata 241 00,
Griechenland