Lola

Lola is a casual restaurant at Kydonias 21 in the Old Town of Heraklion, Crete, built around Mediterranean small plates and a list of Cretan wines. It serves from lunch until 1:00AM six days a week, which makes it useful both for a midday meal and for a late supper after the Old Town's other kitchens have closed. The cuisine is Mediterranean small plates with a strong local accent, and the format encourages sharing: diners typically order several dishes for the table rather than individual main courses. Signature items include small plates paired with a glass of Cretan white, a Cretan cheese board and plates built from local vegetables. These dishes lean on island produce such as graviera and myzithra cheeses, olive oil and seasonal greens, and suit visitors who want to sample Cretan flavours without committing to a heavy taverna meal. The dining room is informal and relaxed, with no dress code; the atmosphere is easygoing and sociable, and noise levels are moderate, rising later in the evening. The beverage programme centres on Cretan wines, many of them made from native varieties such as Vidiano and Vilana among the whites, and offers an approachable way to explore the island's growing wine scene by the glass. Prices are mid-range, around EUR 20-35 (USD 23-40) per person depending on how many plates are ordered. No reservation process is published, and walk-in dining is the norm, though groups and summer weekend evenings may benefit from asking ahead in person or by phone. Its position on Kydonias street places it close to Lions Square and the Venetian harbour, so it fits easily into an evening walk through the Old Town.