Triaina

Triaina is a taverna on the west side of the Old Town of Heraklion, Crete, in the Chandakos street area. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00PM to 1:00AM and closed on Monday, a schedule that allows for a long lunch or a late dinner and means visitors should plan around the weekly closure. The cuisine is Greek and seafood, in the traditional taverna manner. Signature dishes include grilled fish, a spread of meze plates and grilled octopus, all of which fit the Greek habit of ordering a range of dishes for the table and eating slowly over several courses. The cooking relies on straightforward preparation of fresh ingredients, with the catch of the day and seasonal vegetables shaping what is on offer, and no chef lineage or awards are recorded. The dining room has a casual taverna character, with no dress code and an easygoing atmosphere; noise levels are moderate and rise on weekend evenings. The drinks list is typical of a Cretan taverna, with local wine, beer, ouzo and tsikoudia, rather than a specialised wine programme. Prices are mid-range at about EUR 20-35 (USD 23-40) per person, although fresh fish ordered by weight can raise the final total. Reservations can be made by phone on +30 281 034 1883, and a call ahead is sensible for dinner on weekends and in July and August. Its western Old Town position puts it near Chandakos street and a short walk from the Historical Museum of Crete and Lions Square. It offers a quieter alternative to the busiest harbour restaurants for visitors who prefer a neighbourhood setting in Heraklion.