Why Aristotle Onassis Sent a Private Plane to Corfu
Hidden in the heart of Corfu Town lies a tiny shop with a big story—so special that even Aristotle Onassis once sent a private plane just to taste its butter.
In Corfu—Kerkyra, as the locals call it—there’s a small, almost unnoticeable shop tucked away in the narrow streets of the Old Town.
Barely 9 square meters, spread across two tiny rooms, with just a few tables outside, it’s known simply as Alexis’ shop, or Alexis Periklis.
You might easily walk past it without a second glance. But here’s why you shouldn’t.
We often stop here for butter, rice pudding, and—more often than not—galaktoboureko, the beloved Greek dessert filled with semolina cream and soaked in syrup.
The shop first opened in 1926 as a fruit store. Later, it evolved into a dairy shop when the Periklis family began raising their own animals. Today, the current owner—Alexis himself, now elderly, small, thin, and recognizable by his mustache—can still often be found behind the counter.
“All the products come from my cows,” he says. No need for modern labels like “organic” or “bio”—for him, authenticity is simply a way of life.
Step inside, and it feels like time has stood still. The interior, the recipes, even the atmosphere have remained almost unchanged for nearly a century. In the evenings, neighbors gather outside, sitting together for long, relaxed conversations—the essence of Greek daily life. Meanwhile, the walls continue to fill with photos and magazine clippings of famous visitors who have passed through.
And then there’s the butter.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll notice a large cone of fresh butter on the counter—rich, golden, and unmistakably traditional. This is the famous Corfiot butter that caught the attention of Aristotle Onassis.
According to local stories, while living in London, he would send a private plane to Corfu so his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, could enjoy this butter fresh for breakfast. Since then, locals sometimes refer to it as “Onassis’ favorite.”
The butter’s deep yellow color comes from the cows grazing freely on Corfu’s unique vegetation—something the owner proudly points out as the secret behind its flavor.
Another distinguished visitor was Konstantinos Karamanlis, one of Greece’s longest-serving prime ministers. Alexis recalls how, during Easter visits to Corfu, his father would prepare fresh yogurt in a clay pot and personally deliver it to Karamanlis’ hotel.
As for us, we rarely leave without a piece of galaktoboureko. It’s hard to resist.
So what’s the real secret behind these products? “The fresh milk we use is the secret of everything,” says Mr. Kostas Alexis, continuing the family tradition.
Get ready to taste a small but unforgettable piece of Corfiot gastronomic history.
Tip: For a true local breakfast, try bread with butter and honey—simple, authentic, and absolutely delicious.
Address:
Alexis Periklis’ Shop, Aghiou Vasiliou 12, Corfu Old Town