An unpretentious Cretan taverna in the Splantzia neighbourhood of Chania old town, away from the tourist throngs of the harbour. Genuine Cretan home cooking including slow-baked lamb, rabbit stifado, and fresh horta. Lovely small courtyard for summer dining under a grapevine.
Kriti Restaurant at Apokoronou 24 in Chania occupies a quiet position in the Splantzia neighbourhood — the most authentic and least tourist-focused quarter of Chania's historic old town. While the Venetian harbour a few streets away draws the majority of visitors, Splantzia retains a neighbourhood quality that the waterfront has largely lost, and Kriti Restaurant benefits from this location by catering primarily to Chania residents and the smaller number of visitors who make the effort to explore beyond the harbour. The cooking is classic Cretan home cooking with no modern embellishment: rabbit stifado (braised in red wine with pearl onions, cinnamon, bay leaf, and cloves) is the standout dish and one of the finest versions of this Greek classic available in Chania. Lamb kleftiko — slow-baked lamb wrapped in parchment with garlic, lemon, and herbs — is another staple that the kitchen handles with confidence. Wild greens (horta) boiled and dressed with Cretan olive oil and lemon juice provide the clean, bitter vegetable note that is an essential counterpoint to the rich meat dishes. The courtyard garden at the back of the restaurant is one of Splantzia's pleasures: shaded by a mature grapevine in summer, it provides a cool and quiet outdoor space that perfectly suits a long Cretan lunch. Service is unhurried and warm. No reservations are taken, and the relaxed pace of the neighbourhood means walk-ins are generally accommodated. The restaurant operates Monday to Saturday from noon to 22:00. Average spend is around €20 per person, making Kriti one of the more affordable quality restaurants in Chania's old town.
Good to know
- Reservations
- No booking needed
Location
Apokoronou 24, Chania 73100
35.5158, 24.0212 View on map
Highlights
- Situated in Splantzia — Chania's most authentic neighbourhood, away from the harbour tourist circuit
- Exceptional rabbit stifado braised in red wine with pearl onions and cinnamon — a Cretan classic
- Lovely courtyard shaded by a grapevine in summer — one of the best outdoor dining spaces in Chania old town
- Slow-baked lamb kleftiko and wild greens (horta) in the best Cretan home-cooking tradition
- Walk-in only — no reservations needed, reflecting the neighbourhood taverna ethos
Tips for visiting
- The rabbit stifado is the dish to order; it takes time to prepare so is usually available at both lunch and dinner but ask on arrival.
- Request the courtyard table for lunch on warm days — the shaded grapevine makes it ideal.
- Walk-ins are fine; arrive before 13:00 for lunch to ensure the full menu is available.
- Pair the rich stifado with a simple horta (wild greens) to balance the richness of the braised meat.
- Splantzia square nearby is worth exploring before or after eating — a more authentic Chania neighbourhood than the harbour.
Accessibility
The restaurant is in the Splantzia neighbourhood, reached via cobbled old-town streets. The main dining room is on the ground floor. The courtyard garden is accessed through the dining room interior. The cobbled approach streets may present difficulties for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Splantzia neighbourhood in Chania?
Splantzia is in the eastern part of Chania's old town, a five-to-ten-minute walk from the Venetian harbour. It is quieter and more residential than the harbour area, with a mosque-turned-church, a shaded square, and fewer tourist-focused businesses.
What is rabbit stifado?
Stifado is a traditional Greek and Cretan braise in which meat (most commonly rabbit or beef) is slow-cooked in red wine with a large quantity of pearl onions, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, and allspice. The result is a deeply flavoured, aromatic dish.
Does Kriti Restaurant take reservations?
No reservations are taken. The restaurant operates on a walk-in basis and the pace of Splantzia neighbourhood means tables are generally available. Peak summer evenings may involve a short wait.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes. The restaurant has a courtyard garden at the rear shaded by a grapevine, available during the spring-to-autumn season. It is one of the more pleasant outdoor dining spaces in Chania's old town.