Hovoli

Hovoli is a budget grill taverna on Daskalogianni Square in the Old Town of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, near Eleftherias. It serves Greek grill food and is open every day from 10:00AM to 1:00AM, which makes it one of the more flexible options in the centre for visitors who eat at unusual hours, whether a late breakfast, an afternoon meal or a post-sightseeing dinner. The menu centres on charcoal-grilled meats. Signature dishes include grilled sausages and chops, simple charcoal-grilled meat plates and a Cretan salad of tomato, cucumber, olives and cheese that usually accompanies them. The cooking is straightforward and aimed at filling, affordable meals rather than elaborate presentation. The dining style is casual, with seating suited to the square setting and the lively movement around it. There is no dress code, and noise follows the activity of the square, rising in the evening. Drinks include beer, local wine and raki, and the grill suits a relaxed table of friends or a family with children. Prices are low, at about EUR 10-20 (USD 11.50-23) per person, making it a good value choice in the centre of Heraklion. Tablejourney lists a rating of 3.9, lower than several nearby restaurants, so expectations should be those of a simple grill rather than a destination restaurant. Reservations are by phone on +30 281 022 0320, and the venue's website is https://hovoli.gr. Booking is rarely essential, but a call ahead helps for groups or on busy summer evenings. The central position makes it easy to combine a meal with a visit to the nearby Lions Square, the Venetian Loggia and the Archaeological Museum, and the long opening hours help travellers fit meals around museum visits and day trips. Late evening is a reasonable time to find a table after the main dinner rush has passed.