Restaurant Guide Crete, Greece
Where to eat on Crete? Where to drink on Crete?
Two of the most common questions I receive are “where should I go and eat on Crete?” or “where can I go for drinks?”.
…Because I get it, when coming on vacation to Crete there’s a chance of only finding and eating at the most touristy places, that are not only often expensive but often also lack in taste. After being on Crete for some time now, I have become a Crete expert and have tried lots of various kinds of restaurants, bars, cafes, ice cream spots etc. I don’t want you to experience the bad food side of Crete, because Crete has so much to offer when it comes to food. That is the reason why I in this post am going to give you my personal recommendations for various foods and drinks to get on Crete!
Information about the list:
The list will be updated frequently with new places.
Since I’m based in Chania, most of the places will be of Chania and/or the west side of the island.
Many of these restaurants have meat, poultry, fish and veg options but since I don’t eat meat and poultry I can’t give an opinion about the meat and poultry dishes of these restaurants. I trust my companies’ (Greek meat eaters) opinions about these places though and if they say it’s really good and worth putting on the list (in combination with my own review of the rest of the dishes we’ve eaten) then the restaurant has been added to the list.
Photos from “The Horiatiko” in Platania, Chania.
Greek Food, Restaurants / Tavernes:
Chrisostomos: located close to the Old Harbour of Chania. This tavern has received various acknowledgements and prices for the restaurant and it’s one of my favourites. A small but very charming tavern with traditional Cretan food. They had some delicious, Greek, vegetarian and vegan dishes too. Be sure to book a table before getting here. This one’s popular!
Tamam: located in the old town of Chania. A charming Turkish-Cretan restaurant with delicious food. A little bit more pricey compared to other Greek tavernas and during the high season you need to book a table to eat here.
Mesostrato: located in the old town of Chania. A traditional Greek restaurant with various dishes - meat, poultry and veg options. Beautiful, old building and here, even big companies of people can eat together.
Throumbi: located on Ntaliani in the old town of Chania. It is a restaurant with meze concept and the meat and their saganaki are very good here. This is a popular place even among the Greeks so try to book a table before going.
To Horiatiko: located in Agia Marina. Compared to many other restaurants in the tourist areas of Chania, “to Horiatiko” was a restaurant I’ve returned to many times during my stay in Agia Marina in September 2021. They have great Greek food, big servings and not overpriced either.
Kouzina E.p.e: located on Splatzia square in Chania. They make home cooked, traditional Greek food every single day and serve it during the day. You can find a big variety of dishes with both meat, fish or vegetarian and vegan dishes. Since everything is home cooked the menu can vary a bit depending on the day you go. This is a great spot for Greek, traditional, home cooked food if you want to eat it during the day (for instance for lunch).
Kapari: a traditional Greek restauant located on street Zimvrakakidon in central Chania. They had some really good dishes and I first and foremost want to recommend their fried feta cheese with tomato marmalade. It was amazing. One bad thing was that they unfortunately didn’t have that many fun vegetarian or vegan main dishes.
Drosostalia: located in the village of Armenous approx 20 km from Chania. Drosostalia is a place the locals know about and a restaurant that is different. This is traditional restaurant and here you get huge sizes of food for cheap prices. This does not mean the food lack in taste and quality though. The food is amazing and when going here, you will return home feeling full for sure.
To Stachi: vegetarian and vegan Greek taverna close to the Old Harbour of Chania. This is a place for you who would like to try typical Greek dishes but veg style, like moussaka, pastitsio etc. They have great veg options!
To Faragi Tavern: located in the village Deliana, close to the beginning of the Mesaflion-Deliana Gorge. A lovely Greek, traditional tavern with delicious homemade food of various kinds. I loved their Greek vegetarian and vegan dishes. They have the cutest garden with an outdoor seating and an area for kids to play too.
Grambousa Restaurant: one of my favorite restaurants located in Kaliviani. It’s a fine dining experience of traditional Cretan cuisine, and except for having a beautiful restaurant interior wise (wooden with traditional elements), the food is home made and made in (and with) traditionally Cretan ways and ingredients. You have a beautiful view over the sea and their own garden from their outdoor serving. See a video review of Grambousa restaurant here.
Gialites: super cute, family owned restaurant in Livadia (not far from Elafonissi). They have a charming backyard where you are seated, and compared to many other restaurants, in this one everything is homemade and made from scratch. They don’t have a menu but have “dishes of the day” and create delicious food in big servings too. They had some great vegetarian options, and their “domatokeftedes” (tomato- and feta cheese fritters) were delicious!
Oinohoos: located in Topolia, Kissamos, which is approx 40 km from Elafonissi Beach. This restuarant is located on the road, if returning from Elafonissi to Chania, having a beautiful view over the mountains. We stopped here after a long day at the beach, and were hungry and needed food. My boyfriend and our friends chose meat and I went for a Greek vegetarian moussaka! It was delicious, and compared to many other tavernas in Greece I was happy they had traditional Greek meat recipes but in vegetarian version too.
Raki Ba Raki: probably one of the most known restaurants in Rethymno, serving Greek traditional food but with a twist. I really liked that they also had vegan options, and their veg moussaka was very delicious. Nice charming place interior wise too.
H Aulh (Η αυλή): located in the center of Heraklion and known as a Greek meze, family run tavern that were a little bit hard to find but which ended up impressing us. Supposed to be like a back garden, with charming Greek, traditional decorations. The service was warm and wonderful and all of the food was fresh and delicious. Very good prices too considering the size of food and quality!
Photo from Thalassino Ageri in Haleppa, Chania.
Greek Fish and Seafood Restaurants/ Tavernes:
Thalissino Ageri: located in the area of Haleppa in Chania. It’s a typical Greek fish and sea food restaurant with typical Greek dishes (like kalamarakia, grilled squid etc). This is one of my favourite fish and sea food tavernas located by the sea. It’s just as beautiful to sit here during the day for lunch as it is for dinner. Compared to the restaurants located in the center of Chania, this one is not over crowded and more calm to sit. The restaurant also has better prices.
To Maridaki: located next to Splatzia square in Chania. It’s a rather small restaurant but which has created a big and good reputation. We have visited this taverna five times already, and it’s because of the great quality of their food, the delicious plates, the big sizes of servings and that you actually don’t have to spend a fortune to eat here (like many places with sea view). It’s located next to the road, so it can be bit loud during summer time, but their food is so delicious that we think it’s worth it.
Glossitses: located in the old harbour of Chania. This is a typical Greek fish and sea food restaurant with typical Greek fish and sea food dishes, in combination with some of their own. You sit in the harbour, having sea view. Since it’s located in the old harbour, this place is often crowded.
Neoria: located in the Old Harbor of Chania. This is also a typical Greek fish and sea food restaurant with sea view over the harbor. Similar to the previous restaurant, but this one only had the typical, traditional dishes. Since it’s located in the old harbour, this place is often crowded.
Patrelantonis: located in Marathi, with the beach infront of the restaurant, you’ll have a beautiful view of the sea or your kids playing in the sand. I didn’t have high expectations because I thought this would be a typical, touristy fish and sea food restaurant but we loved every single dish of theirs and they weren’t overpriced either. Just as nice to eat here during the day after a day at the beach as it is to come in the evening at sunset.
Greek Meze:
Fix: located in the centre of Chania, on a square in Splatzia. They call it a “kafeneio”, café, but it’s just as nice going in the evening for an ouzo or beer and get some meze to it. Their food is simple, but many locals - and especially Greek students - go here, since the prices are cheaper.
H Avli ton Thavmaton: located in the centre of Chania, on square Splatzia. It has acute, charming outdoor serving that is very popular in the summer season. Go here for a beer, wine or ouzo and eat with some Greek meze on the side. Their Cretan boureki was really delicious and then I really liked their fried zucchini with graveria cheese (a Greek cheese similar to parmigiana).
To Steno: located in a small alley in the old town. It’s a small, simple place with a rather small menu. Just as nice to get here only to drink an ouzo or beer with or without meze, as it is to only come here for meze. The shop is small and it doesn’t seem like they have a big staff so it can take some time to get your food, but if not in a hurry, I definitely recommend this for some Greek meze.
Mezedosxoleio: located on Chatzimichali Ntaliani street, which is one of the main “meze” streets in Chania. Here you can find many various places for meze but many of them are unfortunately not that good. It’s not my favourite meze place but I still want to recommend Mezedosxoleio as an option, at least for their vegetarian and vegan meze. “Mezedosxoelio” is translated to “meze school”, hence the charming elementary school interior of the shop. Their “kolokithokeftedes” (zucchini crockets breaded with cornflakes) were very delicious and they have other veg meze that are recommended when wanting meze rather than a big meal at a restaurant. Stay away from their pancetta though. I personally don’t eat meat, but my boyfriend and friends said it wasn’t good.
Throumbi: located on Chatzimichail Ntaliani in the old town of Chania. It is a restaurant with meze concept and the meat and their saganaki are very good here. This is a popular place even among the Greeks so try to book a table before going.
H Aulh (Η αυλή): located in the center of Heraklion and known as a Greek meze, family run tavern that were a little bit hard to find but which ended up impressing us. Supposed to be like a back garden, with charming Greek, traditional decorations. The service was warm and wonderful and all of the food was fresh and delicious. Very good prices too considering the size of food and quality!
Photo from the old Marconi’s, located in the Old Harbor of Chania.
Drinks:
Pallas: located in the Old Harbour of Chania. Pallas is one of the more luxurious and pricey restaurants around Chania which also can be shown on the interior of the place, the service and their quality of food and drinks. Their cocktails are a bit more pricey compared to other places, but they are really delicious.
Synapsis: located in the center of Chania, on street Chalidon. It’s an outdoor bar with nice music and good vibes, and even if the bar hasn’t any good views (like the sea view from the harbor), Synapsis is a cool place. They have some innovative and really good drinks and cocktails too, and is in general a cool pre-party/clubbing place to go to.
The Monastery of Karolos: in the old town of Chania you can find an old monastery becoming a bar AND club at night. This is one of the hottest (uhh….popular) places in Chania for sure. The place isn’t big though and it can at times get very crowded… and sweaty. Their cocktails aren’t the best, but if you go for a more simple drink and enjoy the good music, cool interior cool and your company, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.
Sfiga: a rather newly opened bar and club located on road Kalergon, not far from the Old Harbour of Chania. Even if the place don’t have a nice view (like, sea view), I like this place. The bar has an outdoor serving, serving delicious cocktails, and if you like to, you can also afterwards go into their indoor club where they often play a variety of good old classic hiphop, rnb and pop (did anyone say Destiny’s Child and Black Eyes Peas?), mixing with Greek pop. The club is small, but their music is good and… it has good air-condition! Thank you for that!
Boheme: located in small alley of the popular and crowd full Chalidon street, but still having a calm, cozy vibe over the place. This place has the cutest little inner garden, and I love to sit here during the day for work and coffee as I do for a cozy, more chill drink in the evening. Their cocktails are well made, creative and it’s one of my top places to go if I want to go out for a more chill drink/ cocktail.
Swing Thing: could be one of the smallest but most known cocktail bars in Heraklion, playing jazz and having a cool vibe. It’s not what I usually go to but this is a few minutes walk from the Lion Square and their own signature cocktails are fun, creative and worth trying out. I liked it a lot!
The left photo: The Greek toast from Estrella in Koum Kapi, Chania. The right photo:
Coffee, Breakfast and Brunch:
The Jar: charming place in the center of Chania in the Park of Peace and Friendship. Compared to many coffee/brunch places in Chania (and especially the Old Harbor), the Jar has good, worthy prices for the delicious food you get, and I love that you are surrounded by nature while still being in the city. There’s even a pond filled with turtles right next to the cafe! Their omelettes are delicious and when not knowing what to pick, I always go for the omelette with smoked salmon. But if wanting something else or more “extra” there are lots of delicious options to choose from and their pancakes are a really good idea. No matter if you come for coffee in the morning, weekend brunch, work or a drink in the evening, The Jar is cozy, has a nice vibe and is always welcoming. It’s also ok to bring your dog friend, and I love that! Tap here for video.
Estrella: a franchise located in various places in Greece, and this one in Chania is located in Koum Kapi, just by the sea. I like Estrella because they don’t have the “same-kinda-insta-material-breakfasts” you see everywhere. They have both sweet and savory dishes like burgers, waffles, pancakes, bagels, toasts, smoothies etc, in both vegan and non vegan versions, but also in new taste and ingredient versions. My absolute favorite is their Greek toast. It’s truly divine. I’ve eaten it before and it still completely makes me heart melt. See a video review of Estrella here.
Phyllo: located in the old town of Chania offering delicious and more creative options of classical and known breakfast and brunches. They have delicious food options that look pretty too. Being located int he Old Town of Chania makes it the perfect “instagrammable” place. The place is small though and don’t have that many seats so try to be there on time to get one.
Senal: located in the Old Harbor of Chania. It’s a bit further up, by the square, so you don’t have clear sea view though. Senal is a cool, trendy place for food, drinks, cafe or breakfast/brunch. Due of its location, it’s usually very crowded and is slightly more pricey than other places.
Qalyan: located in Koum Kapi, and is the place I usually go to during the day to work on remote. It’s located in the harbour, having sea view and has a nice modern outdoor seating that I like. In the evenings Qalyan is a popular place to go for a drink and shisha.
Ntourountous: a fairly new bakery with cafe on square 1866 that has a big offer of things. On the first floor they have a bakery with pita, sandwiches, coffee and even delicious and more creative desserts for takeaway, while on the second floor you can go to their cafe and be served their options or even choose something from their menu. The service is very polite and professional there.
Boheme: located in small alley of the popular and crowd full Chalidon street, but still having a calm, cozy vibe over the place. This place has the cutest little inner garden, and I love to sit here during the day for work and coffee as I do for a cozy, more chill drink in the evening. Their brunch options are a bit more luxurious takes on classics.
Koukouvagia: located at the top of the Prophet Elias Hill of Chania, having view all over the sea and Chania. Just as beautiful to sit here during the day as it is in the evening. Koukouvaya is known for it’s super moist chocolate cake, but they also have many other desserts. Or if you prefer breakfast and brunch, they have that too. The place isn’t cheap, but the locals love it and it’s usually full.
Carte Postale: just like Koukouvaya, Carte Postale is located at the top of Prophet Elias Hill of Chania, having view all over the sea and Chania. Beautiful views over Chania both during the day and evenings. They have both great breakfast/ brunch options as they have desserts.
Oxou Nou: located in the area of Haleppa by the sea. A cute cafe that is very nice as a work spot too. They have some vegan options too for those who need.
Veneti: It’s a franchise bakery located in many places around Greece. The one in Chania is located on street Karamli, approx 3 km from the city center. They have great quality desserts, pastries, bread, pita, sandwiches etc. We usually pass by this bakery when wanting food with us for various road trips or picnics we go on.
Fraoules: located in Rethymno on street Eleutheriou Venizelou, by the harbour. This place is a cafe (with breakfast/brunch) during the day and serve drinks (and becomes a club) in the evenings. Due of its location, it’s usually crowded.
Bankery: located in the center of Rethymno on street Dimitrakaki. This place has the food, the cakes and the breakfast and brunches, meaning that if you are in a company with lots of different personal wishes and desires when it comes to food, this place (probably) has it all.
Photo from Pallas in Chania. That dessert was amazing.
Dessert:
Pallas: located in the Old Harbour of Chania. Pallas is one of the more luxurious and pricey restaurants around Chania which also can be shown on the interior of the place, the service and their quality of food and drinks. I am not a dessert person, but I would come to Pallas just for dessert. They have amazing ones.
Kayak: located in the center of Chania, on street Chalidon. Kayak is Greece’s most famous ice cream company and here you can come and buy ice cream of various flavours. It’s rather pricey though.
Koukouvaya: located at the top of the Prophet Elias Hill of Chania, having view all over the sea and Chania. Just as beautiful to sit here during the day as it is in the evening. Koukouvaya is known for it’s super moist chocolate cake, but they also have many other desserts. Or if you prefer breakfast and brunch, they have that too. PS. the servings of desserts are huge.
Boheme: located in small alley of the popular and crowd full Chalidon street. This place has the cutest little inner garden, and I love to sit here during the day for work and coffee as I do for a cozy, more chill drink in the evening. I got the chance of trying out one of their desserts once, and it was extremely delicious.
Méli: an ice cream bar located in the centre of Rehtymno with some amazing ice cream flavours and some amazing quality of ice cream. They have a view seats in their outdoor serving so if you prefer taking a seat and drink a coffee and eat an ice cream that’s possible. Otherwise, buy a cone with optional ice cream flavours and take a stroll around the city while eating it.
Ntourountous: a fairly new bakery with cafe on square 1866 that has a big offer of things. On the first floor they have a bakery with pita, sandwiches, coffee and even delicious and more creative desserts for takeaway, while on the second floor you can go to their cafe and be served their options or even choose something from their menu. The service is very polite and professional there.
The left photo: grilled mushrooms sandwich from Grill and Bread. The right photo: my favorite souvlaki with grilled halloumi and mushroom gyro from Delish.
Street Food:
Delish: located in the center of Chania on Tsouderon street. This is by far my favourite place for street food souvlaki. I have eaten here, what feels like, a hundred times, and I always pick the souvlaki with mushroom gyro and grilled halloumi (+ potatoes, tomato, red onion, yoghurt and sriracha). The meat-options are supposed to be really good too, some of the best in Chania, and if looking for big servings of street food, which is delicious and have great price, this is definitely my favorite. Also know, that Delish don’t only have the traditional Greek souvlaki with Greek pita bread but also have more Arabic versions and food, like with Arabic pita, hummus, baba ganoush and tabbouleh. Yum! See a video review of Delish here.
Pork to Beef Wild: located in Chania, on street Daskalogianni, and this is definitely one of the best sandwich places in Chania. This is a very popular place by locals - and tourists - so during some hours it can be crowded and you need to be a bit patient to receiver your food. Their sandwiches are extremely delicious though so I think it’s worth the wait.
Chop: one out of many street food sandwich places in Chania for those of you who want to try something else than souvlaki or Greek food. Burgers, sandwiches, dirty fries, you get it. It’s that kind of food and we love it.
The Koumpes: located on street Panagouli, approx 15’ walk from the center of Chania you can find this souvlaki place. You can either take it takeaway or eat in their seating area. What I liked about this place is that they had many version of souvlaki, even for those who don’t eat no meat. I tested their souvlaki with fried calamari and it was really delicious. I can definitely go back for this one when I want a souvlaki or some kind of streetfood.
Funky’s Pizza: located in the middle of Chania center, at the crossover of street Chalidon and Chatmichali Giannari. They have the best pizza slices and every time we go out, we always end our nights at Funky’s. A slice costs approx 1.50 euro and is a delicious street food pizza. They have both meat and vegetarian options.
Papa’s: located in the center of Chania on street Mousouron, next to the big agora. This place has by far the best burger in Chania. It’s so delicious, and all the reviews on google might seem too good to be true, but I love this place. Their fried potatoes are rather pricey but they are really delicious. I think they first smash them and then fry them. Amazing. Love it.
Grill and Bread: located in the center of Chania on street Andrea Papandreou. This is a sandwich place with grilled sandwiches of various kinds. They don’t have many veg options, but the one I have tasted with mushrooms, graver (a Greek delicious cheese) and fried potatoes, definitely gets a thumbs up!
Grigoris: a franchise located on many places around Chania and Greece. They have coffee, smoothies juices, tiropita and other pita, sandwiches, salads and any kind of food and drinks you want to take with you “on-the-go”. Their pita and sandwiches are fresh and delicious.
Everest: a franchise located on many places around Chania and Greece. Like Grigoris, this one have many takeaway foods like coffee, smoothies, juices, pita, sandwiches, salads etc.
The left photo: sushi and bao bun with shrimp from Bao Tao. The right photo: the vegetable moussaka from “The Well of The Turk” in the Old City of Chania.
International:
Bao Tao: located on street Kissamo in the center of Chania. It’s my favorite sushi place in Chania (of the places I have tried at least). Very fresh and delicious food, and not overpriced as some other sushi places in Chania are. I have also tried their shrimp bao bun, and even if it isn’t made exactly like traditional bao buns, it is very delicious. PS: I don’t recommend their noodle and rice dishes. Only the sushi!
Falavela: located in the center of Chania on Apokoronou street. This is a falafel place with delicious falafel dishes of various kinds; in pita bread, salads, on plate, and having Middle Eastern dips such as hummus and baba ganoush to the food too. It’s a fun, colourful shop with mostly vegetarian and vegan options.
The Ginger Concept: located on Kallinikou Sarpaki in the Old City of Chania. It’s just a small walk from one of the busiest restaurant streets in Chania, but still when coming here you feel a romantic, calm vibe. Their interior is beautiful and I love to sit here during the day for work, as much as I love coming in the evening for a romantic dinner with my babe. They serve outdoor all-day in the most picturesque square of Chania Old City. Coffee, brunch, cake or dinner - your choice!
The Well of the Turk: a beautiful and charming restaurant in the Old City of Chania, opposite of the Ginger Concept (mentioned above), serving Turkish food. We really enjoyed our dinner here that was mostly based on various Turkish meze. I chose their vegetable moussaka which was a big meze, as more of a main and it was delicious and a great vegetarian option. We really loved their tabouleh salad too.
Pulse: an all vegan restaurant locates in the harbor of Chania. They have traditional Greek classics (like moussaka) just as more modern and creative versions. I took my boyfriend who is an all-eater to this restaurant and even he liked this. They have done a good job!
Fu Asian Bistro: located on street Epimenidou, which is close to the Old Venetian Harbor and Koum Kapi. It’s a small place but with a big menu. Noodles, wok, fried chicken, other chicken dishes, duck, meat, seafood, sushi and so much more. We have been here a few times and are in love with their noodle dishes. Their Pad Thais (I take the one with shrimps) is really delicious! Their sushi is perhaps just a little bit more expensive compared to other sushi places in Chania, but still good! No matter, the other dishes are really delicious and you get big servings of food here. Good to know, they didn’t have many vegetarian options (and almost not a single vegan option) which was sad since their food was so good and it would have been interesting to see what vegan and vegetarian options they would make.
Wasabi Asian Fusion: is located in Rethymno and is a simple sushi place with takeaway where I’ve been a few times now. The sushi is fresh and good for the price and amount you get.
Waka Sushi: very delicious and fresh sushi in the center of Herkaklion. We were happy with the variation of sushi when taking their “combo 3”. Big sushi pieces and very fresh ingredients. Probably one of the best sushi I’ve eaten on Crete. The noodle wok didn’t have much flavor in our opinion so we wouldn’t choose their woks. The sushi was delicious though and I want to come back just for that!
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