Mykonos is famed for its vibrant nightlife, but sometimes you just feel like losing the crowds and recuperating some inner tranquillity. Araxame, which translates roughly as ‘sit back and relax’, is an old-fashioned café, popular with locals (who know how to chill), in the inland village of Ano Mera, which is barely touched by tourism. Come here for a glass of wine or ouzo, served with
mezedes (savoury snacks similar to tapas), or an after dinner sweet treat – syrupy homemade Turkish-inspired desserts, made by the owner, Irene Stavrakopoulou. The interior is like stepping into another dimension, with birds in cages, scales and ships’ lanterns, or you can sit under the stars on the terrace.
