Ippokampos

Ippokampos is a seafood ouzeri at Sofokli Venizelou 3 on the waterfront promenade facing the Venetian harbour in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. An ouzeri is a casual Greek eatery built around small plates served with ouzo, tsipouro or raki, and Ippokampos describes itself as a typical example on the busy harbour promenade. The cuisine is Greek seafood. Signature dishes include grilled octopus, fried calamari and the fresh fish of the day, which is typically chosen from what is available and often priced by weight. Starters and seafood plates are usually shared in the middle of the table, which suits groups and makes it easy to taste several dishes. The dining room and terrace follow the promenade, so the atmosphere is breezy, informal and sociable, with a view toward the old Venetian harbour and the Koules fortress. There is no dress code, and noise levels reflect the passing foot traffic of the promenade. Ouzo and raki are the traditional pairings with seafood, and local white wine is also commonly ordered. Prices are in the mid-range, about EUR 20-35 (USD 23-40) per person, and fresh fish ordered by weight can raise the bill, so asking the price before ordering is sensible. Tablejourney lists a rating of 4.4. The venue is open daily from 12:30PM to 11:30PM. No reservation number appears in the listing, so visitors should arrive in person or ask nearby for contact details; arriving before 7:30PM in summer helps secure a promenade-side table. The harbour location makes it a natural stop after walking to the Koules fortress or visiting the nearby Arsenali, and the same stretch of promenade has several other fish restaurants, so visitors can compare menus before sitting down. Sunset is a popular time to dine, when tables facing the water fill first.