Restaurants in Crete
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Giakoumis Taverna
This is one of our favourites among the tavernas clustered around the 1866 market side streets. There's a full menu of Cretan specialities and vegetarian options. Turnover is heavy, which means that the dishes are fresh, and you can see the meat being prepared for the grill.
reviewed
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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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Mona Liza
At Mona Liza, around the corner from the Loggia, Nikos Skartsilakis is legendary for his 'crema' ice cream made from sheep's milk, as well as his excellent sweets. Try the galaktoboureko (custard pastries), the walnut pie, or vrahaki, chocolate with almonds.
reviewed
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Oriental Bay
This beachside taverna is one of the best options on this side of the village. In addition to a range of cheap vegetarian choices, such as green beans and potatoes, there are dishes such as 'rooster's kiss' (chicken fillet with bacon) and 'drunk cutlet' (pork chop in red wine).
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Balcony
The finest dining in Sitia is on the 1st floor of this charmingly decorated neoclassical building. It has an eclectic menu of fusion cuisine, from Cretan to Mexican and Asian-inspired dishes from the charmingly feisty owner-chef (and ex-singer) Tonya's travels. Service can be patchy.
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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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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.
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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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Nikos
While it lacks the ambience of the seafront eateries, no-frills Nikos on the main street is a good choice for fish and lobster because it generally catches its own. There are outdoor tables under a canopy across in the square. Service can be erratic but the food is very reasonably priced.
reviewed
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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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Pigadi tou Tourkou
Features from this former hammam, including the well it's named after (Well of the Turk), are incorporated into the cosy design of this popular restaurant, which has dishes inspired by Crete, Morocco and the Middle East. The service can, however, be indifferent and prices have crept up.
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Lions
Eating in Matala is hardly an experience in haute cuisine, and little to distinguish any of the tourist joints on the waterfront. Overlooking the beach, Lions has been popular for many years and the food is better than average. It is also a good place for a drink as it gets lively in the evening.
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Terzakis Ouzeri
On a small square opposite the Agios Dimitrios church, this excellent ouzeri has a good range of mezedes, mayirefta and grills. Try the sea urchin salad or, if you're really game to try a local speciality, ask if they have ameletita (unmentionables, fried sheep testicles).
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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.
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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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To Mati tis Limnis
There are a number of tavernas around the lake, but few of the older rent rooms above the tavernas were operating. The shady To Mati tis Limnis on the quieter end of the lake makes good traditional dishes such as rabbit stifado (braised with onions) or filling mizythropites (cheese pies).
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Barko
This place has gone upmarket since moving to flashier premises opposite the beach. There are still excellent Cretan-style dishes but the menu includes more creative Mediterranean-style cuisine such as a light risotto with pumpkin and anthotyro (a soft whey cheese). There's a decent wine list, too.
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).
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I Sterna tou Bloumosifi
The old stone taverna I Sterna tou Bloumosifi has a pleasant courtyard garden and is widely known for its excellent Cretan cuisine. For starters try the gavro (mild anchovy) wrapped in vine leaves, or the garlic and herb mushrooms, and then move on to the hilopita (tagliatelle) with rooster.
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I Kalitehnes
This colourful little place tucked in a backstreet among hardware stores and tyre shops has great-value organic food, such as okra and potatoes and spicier falafel and kebabs introduced by the Egyptian owner, as well as its own tasty bread. The Turkish squat toilet, however, takes the exotic a little too far.
reviewed
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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.
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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.
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Pavlis
Ierapetra has an excellent tradition of rakadika, relaxed evening hang-outs where a carafe of raki or wine comes with half a dozen or more tasty tid-bits, making it a good value slow dining experience. Try Pavlis , near the port, where for around €3 per carafe you get six or seven plates of excellent mezes.
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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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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