Hatzikelis

Hatzikelis is a seafood tavern open since 1982 at Solomon Alhadef 9, in the Jewish Quarter of the Old Town of Rhodes, Greece. The quarter, known for its square with the sea-horse fountain and the Kahal Shalom synagogue nearby, is quieter than the main tourist lanes, which gives the restaurant a more local feel. The cuisine is Greek seafood, and the dishes most often named include smoked aubergine, shrimp in ouzo sauce and stuffed calamari. The smoked aubergine is a classic meze, the shrimp in ouzo sauce reflects the Greek habit of cooking with anise spirit, and the stuffed calamari is a hearty main. Prices sit in the middle bracket. Visitor reviews are mixed on value, and one recurring note is that menu and bill prices should be checked, especially for fish sold by weight, so confirming costs before ordering is sensible. The dining room is an informal tavern with outdoor seating on the quarter's lanes, a relaxed pace and a moderate noise level. Dress is casual. The drinks list follows taverna custom, with Greek wine by the carafe, beer and ouzo. Booking is advisable in summer, and visitors can confirm a table in person; the quarter's location a short walk from the central Old Town squares makes a visit in passing straightforward. Dinner is the busiest period, and lunch is easier. Because the surrounding streets are cobbled and the medieval walls restrict vehicles, most diners arrive on foot after parking outside the city gates. Visitors interested in Rhodes' Jewish heritage often combine a meal here with a visit to the synagogue and the Jewish Museum, both within a few minutes' walk.