Must-see restaurants in Rethymno Province

  • Garden Arkoudenas

    Rethymno Province

    One of the most enjoyable places to experience traditional Cretan cuisine and hospitality is this vibrant taverna set among fruit trees and adjoining…

  • Taverna Iliomanolis

    Rethymno Province

    At the top of Kotsifou Gorge, mountainside Taverna Iliomanolis serves superb homestyle Cretan food. There’s no menu, but you’ll be invited into the…

  • Taverna Sideratico

    Rethymno Province

    In an appealing location away from Spili's touristy centre, this delightful taverna sits on the main road 500m south of town. There's no menu, so you'll…

  • Taverna Nest

    Rethymno Province

    For honest-to-goodness farm-to-table fare, report to this upstairs terrace where home-cooked meals are served in ample portions and with big smiles…

  • Raki Baraki

    Rethymno

    Rustic, colourful and lively, this is a fantastic place to while away the evening over mezedhes (appetisers) like flavoursome grilled mushrooms with…

  • Taverna Panorama

    Rethymno Province

    One of the oldest restaurants in the area, Panorama could not be more aptly named: on the shaded terrace, intoxicating views stretch towards the Libyan…

  • Taverna Karavostasi

    Rethymno Province

    With veggies straight from its garden and local wine from the barrel, this taverna on pint-sized Karavostasi beach offers homemade dishes that are…

  • George & Georgia’s

    Rethymno Province

    Husband-and-wife team George and Georgia serve up satisfying homestyle Cretan food at this cheerful, hopping place. Expect scrumptious oven-roasted dishes…

  • Vrisi

    Rethymno Province

    Set below the main road, this stylish restaurant creates delicious Cretan cuisine with panache. Dishes like chicken with honey and mustard, fig and…

  • Arodamos

    Rethymno Province

    This big restaurant in a modern stone house in the upper village is highly regarded for its hearty mountain fare and gracious hospitality. Local…

  • Meli

    Rethymno

    Stop by Meli for its delicious array of fresh goat's-milk ice cream, in flavours ranging from ricotta and fig to yoghurt and pomegranate to its signature…

  • Taverna Fantastiko

    Rethymno Province

    With its sweeping pastoral views and fantastic Cretan cuisine, there's no false advertising going on with the naming of this hilltop taverna. All dishes…

  • Taverna Aetos

    Rethymno Province

    This traditional taverna in the upper village has a giant charcoal grill out the front and fantastic mountain views out the back. On offer are such…

  • koo koo

    Rethymno

    The place to head if you need respite from traditional Greek food, this contemporary cafe does a menu of all-day brunch fare. Expect the likes of smashed…

  • Veneto

    Rethymno

    In a 14th-century manor house that doubles as a boutique hotel, Veneto oozes historic charm from every nook and cranny. The kitchen adds a contemporary…

  • Ta Skalomata

    Rethymno Province

    In the upper village, Skalomata has provided sustenance to locals and travellers for about 40 years. When you peel your eyes away from the view through…

  • Sleepy Dragon

    Rethymno Province

    Named after Agios Pavlos' rocky peninsula that resembles a reclining dragon, this contemporary open-air cafe is all about its clifftop patio with views…

  • Yiorgos Hatziparaskos

    Rethymno

    Established in 1948, Yiorgos Hatziparaskos is one of the last traditional filo masters in all of Greece. Assisted by his wife, Katerina, and son,…

  • Avli

    Rethymno

    This well-established Venetian villa serves creative Cretan food with a side of romance. Farm-fresh fare steers the menu, resulting in dishes with bold…

  • Alekos Kafeneio

    Rethymno Province

    An excellent choice for lunch, this little taverna has a small but superb daily selection of traditional mayirefta (ready-cooked meals). There’s no menu,…

  • Thalassographia

    Rethymno

    With cascading terraces from fortress to sea, this is where locals head for dinner and unbeatable coastal views. The eclectic Mediterranean menu offers up…

  • Tasomanolis

    Plakias

    Tasos and his Belgian wife, Lisa, preside over this nautical-themed family taverna towards the far end of town. Park yourself on the colourful patio to…

  • Faros Fish Tavern

    Rethymno Province

    This no-frills family-run fish taverna is usually packed to the gills, and for good reason: the owner himself drops his nets into the Med, so you know…

  • Psaropoula

    Rethymno Province

    The steep climb up to this family-run taverna is worth the effort for the outstanding views alone: there's a commanding outlook over the translucent…

  • Makan

    Rethymno

    Not your average takeaway joint, Makan is more of a designer souvlaki bar, with a contemporary-chic interior yet old-school prices. Here you can build…

  • Mojo Burgers

    Rethymno

    With a divey graffitied interior and a large menu, Mojo’s delivers some of the best burgers and hot dogs this side of the Atlantic. Try the Alabama Mama,…

  • Gaias Gefseis

    Rethymno

    For loukoumadhes (doughnut-like concoctions drizzled with honey and cinnamon), follow your nose to Gaias Gefseis. This bakery creates some of the city’s…

  • Taverna Kastro

    Rethymno Province

    The flower-festooned courtyard is a great place to sit, but it’s what’s on the plate that will truly wow you. Classic Cretan recipes get a modern makeover…

  • Cafe Platia

    Rethymno Province

    Perched above the Venetian fountain, this scenic taverna is run by a well-regarded husband-and-wife culinary team. It has a fairly basic menu, but its…

  • Taverna Knossos

    Rethymno

    Most tout-fronted tavernas in the Venetian Harbour focus on folkloric ambience rather than food quality. Owned by the amiable Stavroulaki family for half…

  • Taverna Rousolakos

    Rethymno Province

    Just up from the car park at Preveli Beach, this friendly taverna is perfect for a post-beach feed. It's within a centuries-old stone building and does a…

  • Platia

    Rethymno Province

    Set in a square just up from the harbour, this cafe-bistro-bar is popular with locals. Excellent breakfasts (€6 to €10) offer everything from yoghurt and…

  • To Xehoristo

    Plakias

    If the picture menu doesn't get you salivating, then the aroma emanating from the charcoal grill will likely do the trick. No matter whether you grab a…

  • Taverna Christos

    Plakias

    This established taverna has a romantic tamarisk-shaded terrace right next to the crashing waves, and lots of interesting dishes that you won’t find…

  • Panorama

    Rethymno Province

    Watch the boats bob in the port while enjoying excellent fish and homestyle food high on the terrace of this former carob warehouse. In business since…

  • Corner Souvlaki Creations

    Plakias

    Normally with gyros you're given the same ol' choice: chicken or pork, but here you can fill your pitta with anything from grilled lamb and prawns to…

  • Castelvecchio

    Rethymno

    In a Venetian-era building a bone toss from the fortress, chic yet chilled Castelvecchio is perfect for date night – especially if your date is a plate of…

  • Onar

    Rethymno Province

    Even after 30-plus years in business, Onar still hasn’t lost its grip on the crowd. There are plenty of other tavernas with romantic views over the port,…

  • Porto Parasiris

    Rethymno Province

    This upbeat, colourful harbourside patio is a great place to relax. Meals have a creative edge – try pork with dried fruit or chicken with lavender…

  • Taverna Kipos

    Rethymno Province

    The tree-shaded and flower-filled patio here offers a peaceful setting for both classic taverna fare and international cuisine. It shares space with…