Tholos

Tholos is a grill and seafood restaurant at Agion Deka 36 in Chania's Old Town, set behind the cathedral, on the Greek island of Crete. Its defining feature is the building itself: the dining room is a roofless Venetian stone shell, with the old masonry walls forming an open-air enclosure. Eating here feels like dining in a ruin, and the setting is the principal reason visitors seek the restaurant out. The cuisine is Cretan grill and seafood, with a menu centred on grilled meats, grilled fish and traditional Cretan salads. The grilled meats are typical of island taverna cooking, such as lamb, pork and sausages cooked over charcoal, while the fish is served by weight or as a daily catch depending on the market. Cretan salads, built on tomato, cucumber, olives, caper leaves and barley rusks with local cheese and olive oil, complement the heavier grilled dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed and social, with a casual dress code and a noise level that is moderate to lively in summer when the open space fills. Because the room has no roof, weather affects the experience, and visits are best in the warm, dry months from late spring to early autumn. Prices are mid-range, with a typical meal costing roughly EUR 20-30 per person with drinks. House wine and tsikoudia are the standard pairings, and local Cretan wines are usually available. Reservations are recommended in summer, when evening tables fill; the restaurant operates mainly in the evening, and seasonal hours should be confirmed locally. The address on Agion Deka places the restaurant a short walk from the Venetian harbour, the Municipal Market and the Splantzia quarter, so it fits easily into an evening in the Old Town.