Parasties

Parasties is a grill taverna at Chandakos 81 in the Old Town of Heraklion, Crete, set in a listed neoclassical building dating from 1903 and facing the square opposite the Historical Museum of Crete. The restaurant is defined by its open wood fire, over which meat is grilled and vegetables are baked, giving the cooking a smoky character that distinguishes it from the many seafood and meze places closer to the harbour. The cuisine is Cretan grill, drawing on island produce and the long local tradition of cooking meat over embers. Signature dishes include smoked steak from the open wood fire, grilled Cretan lamb chops and local vegetables baked in the wood oven. Portions are generous and the menu leans toward meat, although vegetable dishes make a good accompaniment. The dining room takes advantage of the period architecture, with high ceilings, tall windows and a traditional feel, and outdoor tables look toward the museum square in warmer months. The mood is relaxed and sociable rather than formal, with no dress code beyond ordinary smart-casual clothes. Noise levels are moderate and rise when the tables fill in the evening. Prices are at the upper end of Old Town taverna dining, roughly EUR 35-60 (USD 40-69) per person depending on the cuts of meat ordered. Cretan wines by the carafe or bottle and tsikoudia suit the grilled dishes well. No formal reservation details are published in the available data, but booking ahead is sensible for dinner in July and August and on weekends, when the best tables on the square are taken first. Its position beside the Historical Museum makes it a convenient lunch or dinner stop for visitors exploring the Old Town on foot.