Petousis Taverna

Petousis Taverna is a traditional Cretan taverna at Kydonias 20 in the Old Town of Heraklion, open daily from 12:00PM to midnight. Kydonias is one of the central streets of the Old Town, lined with tavernas and cafes, and Petousis sits among them as a place offering the classic Cretan repertoire. The cuisine is traditional Cretan, built on local meat, vegetables, cheeses and olive oil. Signature dishes include Cretan lamb cooked with stamnagathi, a bitter wild green that grows on the island's hills and is considered a regional delicacy, boureki, a baked pie of courgette and cheese, and grilled fresh fish. Together these show the range of the island's cooking, from mountain to coast. The dining style is that of a casual taverna: simple tables, a menu of familiar dishes and a steady flow of customers through the day thanks to the long opening hours. There is no dress code and the mood is relaxed, with noise levels rising at lunch and in the evening, particularly when outdoor tables on the street are in use. Prices are mid-range at roughly EUR 20-35 (USD 23-40) per person. House wine and tsikoudia are the usual drinks, and the long opening hours make it possible to eat at off-peak times between the usual lunch and dinner rushes. Reservations can be made by phone on +30 281 028 0380, and the taverna also has a website at petousis-tavern.gr. Booking is not usually essential outside peak summer evenings and weekends, but a call ahead helps for larger groups. The central position puts it within a few minutes' walk of Lions Square, the Venetian harbour and the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, Crete.