Kafeneio O Tempelis

Kafeneio O Tempelis is a traditional Cretan kafeneio at Milatou 6 in the Old Town of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. A kafeneio is the old-style Greek coffeehouse, a social institution where locals gather to talk, play cards and drink, and this one adds a menu of meze to the drinks. It is open daily from 12:00PM to 3:00AM, so it works as a lunch stop, an evening gathering place and a late-night venue after other restaurants in the Old Town have closed. The food follows the Cretan kafeneio tradition of small plates designed to accompany drinks. Signature dishes include Cretan meze served with raki, dakos (barley rusk topped with tomato and soft cheese) and fried local cheese. These are modest, inexpensive dishes, and the usual approach is to order two or three plates to share while drinking. The atmosphere is old-fashioned and informal, with no dress code and a noise level that varies from quiet in the afternoon to sociable later at night. Raki is the central drink of the kafeneio, often served in small carafes, alongside Greek coffee, beer and local wine. The price range is low, about EUR 10-20 (USD 11.50-23) per person, and the venue is best viewed as a place to soak up everyday Cretan social life rather than for a formal meal. Reservations are by phone on +30 281 022 9009, though the informal format means advance booking is seldom needed except for larger groups. The location on Milatou street keeps it within walking distance of the main Old Town sights, including Lions Square and the Venetian harbour, and it makes a practical stop for visitors who want an authentic, low-cost setting for a drink and a snack in central Heraklion at almost any hour.