Greek restaurants in Crete
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A
Sarri's
Tucked away in the back streets, Sarri's is a good spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the shady garden terrace. Check the daily specials board.
reviewed
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B
Othonas
The touristy-on-the-outside but decent Othonas is recommended for traditional Cretan food. It's a member of Concred and uses quality produce.
reviewed
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Kafeneio
Just above the small square you'll probably see local black-clad gents under the mulberry tree of the old-style Kafeneio, where apart from the local myzithropita (cheese pie) with honey you can normally get a basic meal like local sausage, or on weekends traditional wild goat or lamb tsigariasto or vrasto (boiled), charged by the kilo. And lots of raki.
For a glimpse of traditional Sfakian village life, it is worth veering right off the main road to arrive at a small square flanked by four kafeneia and statues of local resistance heroes.
reviewed
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Kali Kardia Taverna
Kournas is a traditional village of white-washed houses, a few stone homes and a couple of kafeneia. You can get a delicious meal at the Kali Kardia Taverna on the main street. Owner Kostas Agapinakis is known for his award-winning sausages, excellent apaki (smoked pork) and meats cooked on the grill outside the taverna. If you are lucky you might get to try his delicious galaktoboureko (custard pastry) while it is still warm.
reviewed
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Gargadoros
This stylish restaurant opposite a relatively quiet beach on the way to Almyros is a recent and promising addition to Agios Nikolaos' dining scene. It's light and cheery with colourful chairs and tables and a relaxed feel. The food is well executed, with modern takes on traditional dishes and emphasis on Greek and Mediterranean flavours. It's a longish walk from town along the beach front (there's a path).
reviewed
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C
Avli
This former Venetian villa is the place for a romantic evening out, or at least one with maximum ambience. The nouveau-Cretan-style food is superb and there's an idyllic garden courtyard bursting with pots of herbs, bougainvillea canopies, fruit trees and works of art. The sleek wine bar in the adjacent old stables boasts more than 400 Greek wines.
reviewed
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D
Syntagies
Housed in one of Iraklio's few surviving 1920s neoclassical mansions, this elegant place has original painted ceilings (including damaged sections from WWII) and tables in the flower-filled courtyard garden. There are well-executed classic Greek/Cretan dishes alongside international cuisine. The pastrami pastries are stand-out starters.
reviewed
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Zisi's
Locals swear by Zisi's for cheap, quality Cretan food, particularly the charcoal-grilled meats and the 25 or so daily trays of home-style dishes. It's a little out of town along the stretch of beachfront hotels and resorts (on right just before the Creta Palace), but is worth the trip. Kids will love the playground.
reviewed
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E
Ela
This 14th-century building was a soap factory, then a school, distillery and cheese-processing plant. Now Ela serves up a decent array of Cretan specialities, such as goat with artichokes, while musicians create a lively ambience. The tacky board outside tells you it's in every guidebook but the accolades are not undeserved.
reviewed
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F
Thalassografia
This excellent mezedopoleio is the place to watch the sun set and try some fine mezedes, as well as a few pastas and more hearty meals. It's a casual place with a breathtaking setting under the fortezza, taking in views over the sea. The grilled sardines are excellent, as are the creamy mushrooms.
reviewed
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G
Migomis
Overlooking Voulismeni Lake from up high, Migomis is one of the classic and pricier lakeside eating places. The cuisine is Greek/international and the views and ambience are impressive, complete with the baby grand piano. The fancy menu includes ostrich, and has Asian influences. There's also a baby grand piano.
reviewed
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Nykterida
This highly regarded establishment just outside town has been around since 1933 and was converted to the German club during WWII. It has been graced over the years by the likes of Churchill, Melina Mercouri, Andreas Papandreou and Anthony Quinn (who the owner's father taught how to dance for Zorba the Greek).
reviewed
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Kyma
On the waterfront as you enter town, with the fish tank in the front, Kyma has a good selection of mayirefta, its own meat and fresh local fish supplied by the owner's brother. Try the tsigariasto (goat in wine) or the rabbit. If you are up for a splurge, try the langoustine spaghetti.
reviewed
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H
Portes
Affable Susanna from Limerick cooks up Cretan treats with a difference at this superb restaurant in a quiet street in the Old Town. Try her divine marinated gavros (little fish), stuffed fish baked in paper, tasty meatballs with leak and tomato, or pretty much anything from the specials board.
reviewed
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I
Peri Orexeos
Right on the busy Koraï pedestrian strip, this restaurant offers excellent modern Greek food with creative takes such as creamy chicken-filled kataïfi (angel-hair pastry) with creamy chicken, huge salads, and solid Cretan cuisine. There's also a wicked chocolate dessert.
reviewed
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Polyfimos
Tucked away off the Hania road behind the police station, ex-hippy Yianni makes his own oil, wine and raki and even makes dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice) from the vines that cover the shady courtyard. The food is excellent and service from the affable Savvas delightful.
reviewed
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Porofarango
At the start of the Imbros Gorge, the friendly family taverna Porofarango has a big balcony with great panoramic views of the gorge and serves good-value Cretan cuisine and generous raki. The meat is usually its own and it often has wild goat. Try the special tsigariasto pork.
reviewed
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J
Fanari
West of the Venetian harbour, this welcoming waterfront taverna serves good mezedes, fresh fish and Cretan cuisine. The bekri mezes (pork with wine and peppers) is excellent, or try the local speciality, apaki (smoked pork). The homemade wine is decent, too.
reviewed
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K
Ippokambos Ouzeri
Many locals come to this classic Iraklio haunt at the edge of the tourist-driven waterfront dining strip. Take a peek inside at the fresh trays and pots of mayirefta such as baked cuttlefish, and dine at one of the sidewalk tables or on the promenade across the road.
reviewed
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O Zaharias
This pleasant and well-respected eatery just off the main highway on the road to Falasarna has traditional dishes such as avgokolokytho - an egg dish made with zucchini, tomato and olive oil. The large Obelix and Asterix-inspired mural was painted by the owner.
reviewed
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kantina
Right on Krios Beach - at the eastern end of Koundoura about 9km from Paleohora - there is a kantina that serves excellent and cheap Cretan food; try the kalitsounia (pastries filled with cheese or wild greens) or Sfakianes pites (pancakes) with honey.
reviewed
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L
Iordanis Bougatsa
Continuing the business started by his great-grandfather in 1924, Iordanis churns out endless trays of delicious creamy bougatsa (filo pastry filled with myzithra cheese sprinkled with a little icing sugar). It's opposite the bus station.
reviewed
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M
Doloma
This unpretentious restaurant tucked behind the harbour is half-hidden amid the vines and foliage surrounding the outdoor terrace. The traditional cooking is faultless. Pick from the various trays of mayirefta (casseroles and bakes) cooked daily.
reviewed
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N
Dionysos Taverna
One of the oldest tavernas in town, the popular Dionysos is known for top-grade food, particularly its excellent mayirefta. There is a good range of vegetarian dishes and grills. It has a roomy interior and tables spread across the main street.
reviewed
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Piperia
Right on the beach just before town, this is one of the best restaurants in Kalyves, with a great selection of Cretan specials and seafood. The menu includes dishes made from organic produce and oil, including an exceptional organic Greek salad.
reviewed
