A small street food stall and eat-in spot near Heraklion's 1866 Market serving traditional Cretan street food — bourekia (fried pastries with cheese and mint), kalitsounia, and freshly made pies. Perfect for a quick authentic snack between market browsing. Incredibly inexpensive.
Ta Skinakia is a small traditional street food stall and eat-in spot near Heraklion's famous 1866 Market (Stoa tou Venizelou), serving the Cretan pastries and fried snacks that form the backbone of the island's street food tradition. The 1866 Market is the great covered market of Heraklion — a long, arched bazaar of cheese sellers, olive merchants, spice traders, and produce vendors that has served the city since the 19th century and remains a genuinely working market rather than a tourist attraction. Ta Skinakia sits in the orbit of this market and feeds the people who work and shop there: stall-holders, market workers, shoppers, and the locals who pass through on their daily errands. The signature items are bourekia — small fried pastries typically filled with anthotyros cheese and fresh mint that are among the most distinctively Cretan street foods, with the mint and cheese combination producing a flavour that is both familiar and completely specific to Crete. Sfakiani pita (the Sfakian cream pie) made with fresh sheep's milk cheese and honey is another defining item. Olive paste (tapenade-style) spread on country bread is a simple accompaniment to the fried items. Fresh cheese pies in various sizes round out the menu. The format is standing room or minimal seating — this is fast food in the original sense, designed for eating on the move while browsing the market. Prices are exceptionally low: a full snack of two or three pastries costs around €3–5. Operating Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00, Ta Skinakia is a morning and lunchtime establishment aligned with the market's working hours.
Good to know
- Reservations
- No booking — eat standing or take away
Location
1866 Market area, Heraklion 71201
35.3380, 25.1318 View on map
Highlights
- Traditional Cretan street food at its most authentic — serving the workers and shoppers of Heraklion's 1866 Market
- Bourekia (fried cheese and mint pastries) — one of the most distinctively Cretan street food items
- Sfakiani pita (Sfakian cream pie with sheep's milk cheese and honey) — a regional speciality
- Among the most inexpensive eating experiences in central Heraklion (€3–5 for a full snack)
- Open from 08:00 — ideal for a market morning snack before exploring Heraklion
Tips for visiting
- Visit while browsing the 1866 Market — the two experiences complement each other perfectly.
- Arrive early (before 10:00) for the freshest pastries straight from the fryer.
- Bourekia with anthotyros and mint are the essential order — taste something genuinely and specifically Cretan.
- Market hours are morning-focused (08:00–15:00); arrive at midday if a late start is unavoidable.
- Bring cash — small market-adjacent food stalls typically do not accept card payments.
Accessibility
Ta Skinakia is in the 1866 Market area of central Heraklion. The market street (Odós 1866) is a narrow covered arcade that may be busy and crowded during morning market hours. The stall operates at pavement level. The market arcade has limited width for wheelchair navigation during peak hours.
Frequently asked questions
What are bourekia?
Bourekia are small fried or baked pastries made with thin pastry dough and filled with anthotyros cheese and fresh mint (or other fillings). They are a distinctively Cretan street food, particularly associated with Heraklion and the Chania region.
What is the 1866 Market?
The 1866 Market (Stoa tou Venizelou) is Heraklion's historic covered market on Odós 1866, a long arched street lined with stalls selling Cretan cheeses, olives, spices, fresh produce, and local products. It is a working market rather than a tourist market.
Is Ta Skinakia suitable for sit-down eating?
Primarily no. Ta Skinakia is designed for standing or takeaway eating — pastries eaten on the spot or taken away. Minimal seating may exist but the ethos is street food rather than restaurant dining.
What are the opening hours?
Ta Skinakia operates Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00, aligned with the 1866 Market's working hours. There is no evening service.