What & Where to Eat in Crete

 One of the most enriching parts of any trip to Crete is definitely the local cuisine. Greek food is some of the best in the world — but Crete has its own unique ingredients.

With local cheese, olive oil, nuts, honey, phyllo pastries, pies, and proteins such as sheep, goat, snails, and lamb, you’ll never be hungry in Crete! 

Fresh, seasonal, and full of taste and authenticity, the Mediterranean diet is perhaps one of the healthiest in the world. These are the four best restaurants in Crete, one for each of the regions.

Heraklion: Peskesi 

• Location: Kapetan Haralampi 6-8, Heraklion
• Phone #: +30 28102 88887
• Reservations: reservations@peskesicrete.gr
• Rating on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5

This place is great both for lunch and dinner and it is popular both with locals and tourists. 

Cretan cuisine is at the forefront in this restaurant which manages to combine traditional ingredients and local cooking methods, sprinkled with the fragrance of Cretan herbs. Be sure to book a table at any time of the year.

Chania: Chrisostomos

• Location: Deukalion and Ikarous, Chania
• Phone #: +30 28210 57053
• Reservations: chrisostomos_restaurant@outlook.com
• Rating on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5

Chrisostomos is one of the most traditional places to taste the authentic flavors of Crete and discover some fantastic local dishes, many of them still cooked only at home.

Their menu includes a great selection of dishes from the indomitable region of Sfakia, pies baked in a wooden oven, abundant use of thyme honey, and savoury Cretan cheeses.

Rethymnon: Avli Rustic Fine Dining

• Location: Xanthoudidou 22 & Radamanthios, Rethymnon
• Phone #: +30 28310 26213
• Reservations: info@avli.gr
• Rating on TripAdvisor: 4/5

When in Rethymnon, Avli is the place to go in order to discover the most authentic tastes of Crete.

Set in the romantic herb garden, the restaurant offers authentic cuisine and one of the richest wine lists on the island. They have a unique Cretan menu as well as interesting cooking classes to learn everything about how the Cretans cook.

Agios Nikolaos: Karnagio

• Location: Konstantinou Paleologou 24, Ag. Nikolaos
• Phone #: +30 28410 25968
• Reservations: only by phone
• Rating on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5

Karnagio has turned into another must-visit landmark in Agios Nikolaos, so much so that you need to be ready to wait in line if you don’t book in advance.

Products are sourced from local farmers and are transformed into unique, colorful, Cretan dishes with a superb twist of originality.