Our lunch at Tarsanas, was a super quick pit stop break- it was getting late in the day because we spent most of it bike riding around the island. (Which is a must do). Verging on 4pm, we were hungry from the calorie burning. You are not short of restaurants with views on Spetses island, but what is sparse are quality offerings to match them. Tarsanas has a completely fresh menu- No frozen prawns, no frozen squid, no dreaded dots next to the items making your heart sink with disappointment. They also have a fresh fish counter and if you want to pre order your fish or have a special request, you can tell them beforehand, and it can be prepared exactly to your liking. Also considering the seasons and respecting them, here you will be able to see what is available naturally as it is all placed on display.
Located in the Old Harbour, in the summer you can sit outside with the waves beneath your feet, and when winter starts to show you can eat inside. I am convinced from this fleeting lunch that a dinner should be on the cards. I did not order a lot of food, but it was enough to know if it was worth spending an evening here. The squid was not as tender as Ouzeri Tou Psara’s, but it was up there as the next acceptable one, if I am playing my ‘squid game.’ (This is where I go from taverna to taverna and just order grilled squid then rate it). And you can feel good knowing you are not sat waiting for the kitchen to defrost it. Kitchen nightmares right there… We also took some basic vegetables (potatoes, carrots, greens etc).
I would be interested to return for a dinner in the summer season, with the light of the night overlooking the harbour, fresh fish and seafood brimming from your plate to share with friends and family. It is already creating a picture in my mind, and I want to come back to get the full effect from this restaurant. Tarsanas, I will see you again soon.
