On our motorbike ride around the island of Kefalonia, all of the senses are heightened.  The warm, if not hot hairdryer wind passes by and the wonderful scent of herbs toasted by the hot sun spilling off the mountains. I just can’t get over the strength of the scent of sage, rosemary and oregano.

En route we passed through Karia. It is a tiny village perched on a mountain range on the north of Kefalonia and on a hairpin bend we found Rosie’s café.

Rosie’s café almost doesn’t look like a café, in fact more like someones small home perched on the bend, looking down a steep valley. The attractively painted house and pretty terrace area dotted with hand crafted sofas and cushions looked like it had been put together by an artist. It caught our eyes and so we decided to investigate.

Rosie in fact is not an ‘artist’ in the sense of being trained or qualified in Art and Design, but she has a natural creative eye. She told us that her father was a decorator and a craftsman in metal work.

Rosie, now in her fifties is in fact an Economist. Born in Greece but emigrated with her family to Nigeria as a child,  returning to Athens at the age of 18. She decided to move to Kefalonia seven years ago and began working with her husband, a herbalist, forming an Organic Herb company. They produce lavender, rosemary, oregano and sage.

Their herbalist business is growing and the sophisticated café is a little known gem, popular with locals and with tourists exploring the lesser known area of this beautiful island.

Photos of Rosie’s café

Sofas and seats made from re-cycled pallettes

Cherries marinating to use for flavourings.

Tony in chilled mode….aaah.