The Newest Greek Spot, Violi, Debuts With Greek Hospitality
Mercato’s newest restaurant, Violi, might be bringing a touch of Mykonos to Naples, but the connection goes deeper than the décor. Both places share a strong love for good food and true hospitality. That’s really Violi’s whole pitch: a Greek taverna built on fresh seafood, bright flavors, open-air seating, and a “come as you are” atmosphere that feels genuine, not fussy.
At the heart of it all is the Greek tradition of philoxenia—literally “love of the stranger.” In ancient Greece, visitors were treated with the highest respect because you never knew when a god might show up in disguise. While Zeus isn’t dropping by for dinner at Mercato anytime soon, Violi leans into that same spirit of warmth and generosity.
The space itself is inviting: a 1,500-square-foot patio filled with pink flowers and an interior with (already coveted) cozy booths, a long bar, and warm, modern touches. It’s designed for a Greek (and Naples) tradition of lingering, sharing, and enjoying each other’s company.
Leading the kitchen is Athinagoras Kostakos, an award-winning Greek chef and winner of Greece’s version of Top Chef. He has cooked at some of the country’s top restaurants and now partners with DineAmic Hospitality’s David Rekhson and Luke Stoioff—known for Chicago’s LYRA and Violi’s first iteration in Oak Brook, IL. Their experience shows: for a brand-new restaurant, the service has been impressively smooth.
The menu leans heavily on fresh seafood, sustainable proteins, and local vegetables, all prepared simply and from scratch. Standouts include smoky baba ganoush, charred octopus, and tender souvlaki and the lamb chops. Their flaky spanakopita and pastitsio (Greek lasagna) with short-rib ragù are also earning rave reviews. For dessert, go for the sokolatopita (a dark chocolate cake with hazelnut praline and chocolate-coffee custard).
A quick note: some happy hour cocktails are batched and can’t be modified, but at $9, they’re hard to complain about. Overall, pricing feels surprisingly reasonable for Naples. If you’re curious what all the buzz is about, Violi is absolutely worth a stop.
Violi
9110 Strada Pl. #6145, Naples
Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 3 PM - 11:00 PM, Friday & Saturday: 3 PM - 1:00AM
Happy hour: 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Website
(239) 427-1443
Originally published in The Naples Florida Review. Read the full edition here.