Arismari & Varsamo

Arismari & Varsamo is a Cretan taverna at Lysimachou Kalokairinou 10 on the seafront side of the Old Town in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, close to the square by the Historical Museum of Crete. The restaurant specialises in fire-cooked Cretan dishes, and its cuisine is described simply as Cretan. The best-known dish is arni ofto, lamb marinated with herbs and cooked over fire, a preparation tied to the island's pastoral cooking tradition. The menu also lists a Cretan salad and a range of grilled local meats, which makes it a good choice for visitors who want to try meat from the island's mountain pastures. Sharing a platter of grilled meats with salad is a common way to order. The dining style is that of a traditional taverna: unfussy, hearty and aimed at a mixed crowd of locals and travellers. There is no dress code, and the noise level is moderate, rising on busy evenings when the Old Town fills up. As in most Cretan tavernas, local wine and raki are the natural accompaniments, and a small bottle of raki is often brought at the end of a meal. Prices sit in the mid-range at roughly EUR 20-35 (USD 23-40) per person, and Tablejourney lists a rating of 4.2. The listing does not give opening hours or a reservation number, so visitors should check on arrival or ask at nearby businesses before making a special trip. In peak summer, arriving early for dinner or choosing a weekday improves the chance of a table without waiting. The seafront location is convenient for combining a meal with a walk to the Venetian harbour and the Koules fortress, and for visiting the Historical Museum, which makes the taverna a practical stop in a day of sightseeing in Heraklion.