Our Story

Debbie and Stratos came to Naxos in 1996 and opened the first Picasso on a small, quiet street in Naxos Town. From the very beginning, the goal was simple: serve fresh, authentic Mexican food made with care. Even in those early days, ingredients like cilantro, limes, avocadoes, spicy peppers and jalapenos were not easy to find on the island, but we made sure our kitchen was always stocked. Our sizzling fajitas quickly became a favorite, and everything was homemade.
After four successful years, Picasso moved to a larger corner location in Naxos Town. With more tables and a bigger kitchen, we were amazed and grateful to see the restaurant fill with guests night after night.
But we had always had a dream—to open a restaurant on the beach where people could enjoy great food while sipping margaritas by the sea. That dream became reality when we found the perfect spot on Plaka Beach. When we arrived in 2004, Plaka was still very quiet, through perseverance and dedication, we continued to grow and create the welcoming atmosphere Picasso is known for today.
Over the years, the Picasso family has grown. Our daughter became part of the story as well, and it has been a great pleasure to see her grow up with the restaurant and work alongside us.
We are also proud that two of our longtime team members became part of the Picasso family in a very special way. Maria, our front-of-house manager, and Ilias, our cook are now part owners of the restaurant.
The Picasso story also reached beyond Naxos. In 2015, we were proud to open a Picasso in White River, South Africa, together with our friends John and Lynn.  In 2022, we continued the journey by opening Picasso Athens in Halandri, bringing our Mexican flavors to the city and welcoming guests all year round.
Throughout the years, Picasso has also been proud to support the local community in Naxos by sponsoring events and helping organize sporting events on the island, including the Duathlon, the Kids Duathlon and Mountain Bike races.
Now, as we celebrate 30 years, we are deeply thankful to everyone who has been part of our journey. From the locals to the visitors from around the world who return year after year, and to the many wonderful people who have worked with us and helped make Picasso’s smiling service famous.
Thank you for being part of the Picasso story. 🌵🌮🍹