The best restaurants Crete

One comes here especially for the tiny cobbled and flowery street at the top of the old town which houses a few restaurants. This one is at the very end. Greek and Cretan culinary specialities are at the top of the menu. The service is attentive and one dines in the freshness and calm. The atmosphere is very friendly, orchestrated by the Valaris family with the mother in the kitchen. You are welcomed with ouzo and at the end of the meal fruit is offered. The prices are very correct. The family, owner of vineyards, offers the wine of their production.

Nestled in the cliffs overlooking the picturesque Agios Nikolaos lake, Migomis is housed in a historic building dating from the late ^19th century. The breathtaking view over the lake is all the more enchanting in the evening, when the lights of the city are reflected in the deep waters of the lake. Here, we dine to the delicate sound of the grand piano... The cuisine is international and accompanied by 135 references of wine. You'll come for the view, the stilted but not excessive atmosphere, but above all because this address is an institution that we warmly recommend.

50 meters from the harbor, since 1984, there is a small, preserved and friendly tavern with a cheerfully colored garden. In the kitchen, Shona and Dimitris carefully prepare authentic Greek and Cretan dishes. We recommend the baked pork seasoned with honey and mustard, the octopus or the rabbits (raised by Dimitris in his farm) with wine. In the evening, the BBQ is bustling to the delight of the guests who will enjoy grilled meats, fresh fish and octopus. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, far from the flow of tourists, a beautiful address!

A large, charming restaurant, established in 1993, that spans the cobblestone street and a lovely courtyard. The mix of authenticity and modernity works wonderfully in this Venetian setting, and it is surely among the tastiest dishes in the city. It serves recipes from Greek and Cretan cuisine that have been turned into gourmet dishes. The menu changes frequently, guaranteeing freshness and seasonal renewal for the regulars who come in large numbers. The service is impeccable, distinguished and friendly. We recommend going there to dine under the stars.

The oldest tavern in Plaka! The dishes and the name of the establishment come from Maria, the grandmother of the current managers. While the cuisine is traditional, Cretan, tasty and very well presented, the decoration is modern and features beautiful architecture. The baked fish served with vegetables is a simple and traditional dish that we warmly recommend because it has the taste of good family cooking. And at the end, try Maria's surprise dessert, it's delicious! Good service.

Here products from the botanical garden are served and the cuisine is inspired by the Cretan diet. So you can enjoy original vegetarian dishes with local herbs and seasonal fruits. Cretan cooking classes are also held here, and every Monday at 7pm in the amphitheatre of the garden, traditional evenings are held. There is a nice little shop on site with lots of books and products derived from the aromatic plants in the garden.

This small, traditional café offers a pleasant place to wait for the ferry in a typically Cretan atmosphere. It serves delicious breakfasts, mezzedes, waffles, homemade cakes and a wide range of drinks. Opposite the pier, the terrace offers a bird's-eye view of the island of Spinalonga. All this in the shade of a majestic old pine tree, to pefko in Greek, which gives its name to the establishment. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious rakomelo, a typical blend of raki and honey. An ode to Cretan life!

Rethymnon has the deserved reputation of having very nice places to eat, and missing this one would be a mistake. First for its enchanting setting, whether you eat outside in the beautiful flowered alley or inside in a small rustic courtyard organized around a pretty well (in Greek pigadi) which gives the restaurant its name. Then for the cuisine, tasty, sophisticated but of Cretan inspiration, perfect alliance of tradition and creativity. Finally the dishes are served with friendliness and professionalism at a more than reasonable price.

Cretan cuisine, improved not to say creative, with extra virgin olive oil exclusively. This restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Rethymno. You can enjoy a wide variety of mezzedes as well as the succulent baked lamb mouse, Greek version, with potatoes and wild vegetables from the Cretan mountains, among others. The staff is friendly and welcoming, just like the owner Yourgos, who is known throughout the city. Close to the port, the restaurant is located on a busy street of Rethymno, one of the most animated in the area.

Ippokratis, the proud owner of the place, opened its doors in 2015. Built on the waterfront, this establishment is suspended over the Aegean Sea. It features international cuisine based on quality meats and fresh fish. Some dishes are out of the ordinary like the black angus served surf'n'turf. You can also try the octopus or the grilled salmon. This unique place is even more enjoyable at sunset when the golden rays are reflected in delicious cocktails. A splendid place in short!

One of the taverns that border the sea, offering full view of the fortified islet of Spinalonga. It is very famous for its fresh fish and shellfish: pasta with shrimp and seafood, octopus or grilled shrimp are on the menu, among others. You can also taste good dishes of the Cretan cuisine. The atmosphere is family and quite friendly. If you opt for fresh fish, check the menu and ask for the price per kilo. It also offers rooms and apartments for rent at a very reasonable price (from 30 €).