Restaurants & Cafés

A lovely village taverna in Nippos with a wide selection of very typical Cretan dishes and a fantastic mountain view. Be warned about the mixed grill: it's enormous, and two people can only manage it if they don't order too many appetizers. It's incredibly flavorful, though. They also usually have special meat dishes on skewers. Just ask for the "specials."

Closest tavern in Fres, right next to the church, with very friendly staff and delicious, authentic food. In summer, you can sit and eat in the square in front of the church. If you're lucky, there are owls living in the church tower.

In Agios Pantes there is a small tavern right next to the pharmacy where you can sit in the garden. You sit a little bit on the street and therefore not very comfortable. But the food is good.

In the small gyros snack bar in Agios Pantes you can get very tasty gyros made from pork or chicken in large portions. You can enjoy the gyros plates under the cozy giant tree, the pitas are only for takeaway.
You always pass by To Perasma when you drive from Agios Pantes to Melidoni.

At the Rogdia taverna, you can get typical Cretan small dishes of very good quality. The taverna has a lovely little terrace with a great view of the sea and, in the evenings, of the sunset.

A small, unusual tavern nestled under tall plane trees and between two streams. Pleasantly cool and serving good, somewhat unusual food.

A very nice tavern with very good food, whether fish or meat. Large portions. Live music on Saturdays. Always make a reservation at the weekend. Not quite as busy during the week. The staff are always quick and attentive.

Our current favorite taverna is Sta. Pedaladika in Rethymno. It's a bit of a drive, but well worth it: The menu is small, but they offer several dishes not listed, which the friendly owners are always happy to explain in detail. You absolutely must try them. Cretan cuisine with a twist. Plus, it's a lovely spot in the heart of Rethymno. Reservations are easy to make, even by phone, and are recommended, as the place is always packed.

But be careful: Always go to the taverna with the horse stickers; the neighboring tavernas are known to try and poach customers.

In the village square of Litsarda there is a small, excellent taverna. They offer many small dishes and daily specials. The seating in the village square is very pleasant, and sometimes in the evenings you can watch the sheep being herded into the barn.

Goeorgopoulie is a tourist resort right on the sea. It's always very busy in the summer, and the tavernas in town offer rather basic Cretan cuisine. There's a slightly more secluded fish taverna with a beautiful sea view. The prices are a bit higher, and the food isn't quite as typical, but they do serve fish. It's best to book in advance (you can do this via Google).

Located in Chania's Old Town, this tavern serves delicious small meze dishes, as well as grilled main courses. It's always very busy, and you'll need a bit of luck to get a seat.
https://www.instagram.com/lithino_emez/

Behind Chania's old market hall, there are several small streets with very good little restaurants. Inopieio offers pleasant seating, very friendly service, and good food, but is a bit more expensive by Cretan standards.

To Maridaki offers a wide selection of seafood dishes, typical Cretan appetizers, and fresh daily specials (a look at the glass counter is worth it!). The restaurant is rather simply decorated, but frequented by many Greeks and is therefore always busy.