Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea, an island of extraordinary diversity where ancient civilizations, rugged mountains, fertile plains, and some of Europe's finest beaches converge. Home to the Minoan civilization, Europe's oldest advanced culture, Crete offers millennia of history alongside world-class natural beauty.
Cretan cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world and central to the broader Mediterranean diet. The island's larder — Cretan extra virgin olive oil, wild greens (horta), legumes, local cheeses, lamb, seafood, and ancient grains — defines the cooking. The combination of outstanding raw ingredients and a culture of slow, communal meals makes eating in Crete a genuine pleasure.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Peskesi
Widely considered the best restaurant in Heraklion for authentic Cretan cuisine with a modern, elevated approach. Set in a beautifully restored old Heraklion mansion, Peskesi sources ingredients entirely from Cretan farms, olive groves, and vineyards. The menu revives forgotten Cretan recipes using traditional techniques — slow-cooked lamb with wild greens, dakos elevated with rare cheeses, snails in olive oil and herbs. The wine list is exclusively Cretan.
Kapetan Haralampi 6-8, Heraklion 71202
Avli Restaurant
Set in a lush courtyard garden in the heart of Rethymno's old town, Avli is one of the most awarded restaurants in Crete. The garden setting with fairy lights, bougainvillea, and stone walls creates a magical atmosphere. Chef-patron Maria Kokkini uses traditional Cretan recipes with sophisticated presentation. The cheese selection and dessert menu are exceptional. Attached to the Avli Lounge boutique hotel.
Xanthoudidou 22, Rethymno Old Town, Rethymno 74100
Erganos
A much-loved traditional Cretan taverna in central Heraklion serving the authentic working-class Cretan food that locals actually eat. The menu is handwritten daily and changes with the season — expect slow-cooked meats, fresh vegetables cooked in olive oil, legume dishes, and whatever the farmer brought that morning. A true mageirio (home-cooking restaurant). No pretension whatsoever.
Georgiadi 5, Heraklion 71201
Thalassino Ageri
The finest seafood restaurant in western Crete, set in an old stone warehouse on the water's edge east of Chania's harbour. Chef Nikos Skaltsas is known for presenting the freshest catch with exceptional skill. Live fish and shellfish tanks, octopus drying in the sun outside, and impeccable fresh shellfish platters define the experience. The sea urchin salad is legendary.
Vivilaki 35, Chania 73100
Portes Restaurant
The flagship restaurant of the GDM Megaron hotel, with panoramic views of Heraklion harbour and Koules fortress. Chef Stelios Trilikis creates dishes that honour Cretan ingredients through a refined modern lens. Exceptional wine list featuring rare Cretan producers from the Peza, Dafnes, and Sitia denominations.
GDM Megaron Hotel, Beaufort 9, Heraklion 71202
Tamam
A beloved institution in Chania's old town, Tamam occupies a restored Ottoman hammam (bath house) with original domed ceilings. The menu is one of the most varied in Chania, blending Cretan, Turkish, and Middle Eastern influences reflecting the island's layered history. Excellent vegetarian options. The stuffed vine leaves, spiced lamb, and eggplant dishes are outstanding.
Zambeliou 49, Chania Old Town 73100
Ela Cretan Restaurant
A genuinely good traditional taverna in Chania's old town serving proper Cretan food without the tourist-trap pricing common in the harbour area. Owned by a local Cretan family, the cooking is honest home-style with excellent dakos, fresh grilled fish, and lamb dishes. Local raki served as a welcome and farewell gesture.
Kondylaki 47, Chania 73100
Elia & Diosmos
A wonderfully atmospheric mezedopoleion (meze bar) in a stone-walled space in central Heraklion. The menu is built around small sharing plates of Cretan specialities — perfect for grazing through a long Cretan lunch or dinner with several rounds of raki. Extensive selection of local cheeses, cured meats, and Cretan dishes.
Odós Handakos 11, Heraklion 71202
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Greek
Mediterranean
Traditional Cretan
Seafood
Cretan
Cretan Breakfast
Cretan Street Food
Ice Cream
Mezedes
Traditional Mountain Cretan
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Loukoumades
Fresh fried honey doughnuts served hot with Cretan thyme honey, cinnamon, or carob syrup. The quintessential Greek street sweet.
Find it at: Stalls near Heraklion 1866 Market, harbour areas
Bourekia
Fried pastry parcels filled with Cretan mizithra cheese and fresh mint — a Chania speciality found at market stalls and bakeries.
Find it at: Chania Municipal Market bakeries, old town bakeries
Dakos
Cretan rusk topped with crushed tomato, crumbled mizithra or feta, olive oil, and oregano — the Cretan bruschetta. Found in every taverna.
Find it at: All tavernas and cafés as a starter or snack
Souvlaki and Gyros
Grilled meat on skewers or wrapped in pitta bread. Universally available and inexpensive. Good for a quick hot lunch.
Find it at: Souvlaki shops near markets and beach areas
Kalitsounia
Small fried or baked pastry pockets filled with fresh Cretan mizithra cheese and herbs. Also made sweet with honey for Easter.
Find it at: Bakeries and pastry shops throughout Crete
Spanakopita and Hortopita
Crisp filo pastry pies filled with spinach and feta (spanakopita) or wild Cretan greens and herbs (hortopita). Sold by the slice.
Find it at: Bakeries throughout Crete
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Heraklion 1866 Market
The main covered food market of Heraklion — olive oil, honey, cheeses, herbs, fresh produce, meat, and fish. Best all-in-one market for Cretan food shopping.
Where: Heraklion
Chania Municipal Market
One of the finest market buildings in Greece (1913). Butchers, fishmongers, olive oil stalls, cheese sellers, and spice merchants in a cross-shaped historic building.
Where: Chania
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Eat where the locals eat — restaurants with food photographs outside, especially near harbours, are almost universally tourist traps
Greeks eat very late — dinner at 21:00–22:00 is standard; arriving at 19:00 means an empty restaurant
Order mezedes (shared small plates) for a more authentic Cretan dining experience — it is how locals eat
Complimentary raki and a dessert at the end of a meal is a Cretan tradition — accept with gratitude
Most restaurants do not rush diners out — lingering for two hours over a meal is expected and welcomed
Always order the house wine in traditional tavernas — it's almost invariably local, inexpensive, and excellent
In small villages, there may only be one taverna — it will be genuinely local and almost always excellent
Reservations are strongly recommended at fine dining restaurants in Heraklion and Chania from June to September
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |