Mediterranean cuisine restaurants Chania - Chania

4 km from Hania, in the direction of Kastelli, the regional road leads directly to the village of Kato Daratso and to Dopo, an establishment whose owners know that the setting and atmosphere are as important as the quality of the food. Modern decor with vintage touches, flowery plots inside, impeccable cleanliness and service, a warm welcome and a menu that is both faithful to the Cretan tradition and innovative. Among the delicious dishes, we recommend the ofto (Cretan mechoui), the homemade pasta, the chickpea salad. A very good address.

To Adespoto literally means "in the vagabond's house". Located in a beautiful garden, it is a very romantic place that combines stone, wood, an abundance of plants, flowers and the sound of guitars. Here the best musicians of the region come together to enthusiastically play improvised acoustic music. To accompany the live music, enjoy vegetarian dishes, Greek and Cretan dishes of the day with a good local wine. Everything is fresh and the atmosphere is warm, for a successful evening.

In the small enclosed courtyard, covered with vines, they serve Italian meat specialties such as scalopine, pasta, fresh grilled fish daily, delicious pizzas baked in the traditional oven and several tempting formulas (lunch or dinner). There is also a cozy room with a muffled decor, white tablecloths and an equally careful service. Ideal for a romantic gourmet dinner. The service is meticulous and the wine cellar refined. Ask for advice from Mr. André who comes from Naples and speaks French fluently.

In an exceptional setting, on a terrace of the old port of the city of Hania, on the edge of the Venetian walls, with a full view of the sea, this restaurant-wine bar offers moments of relaxation during a meal or an aperitif-dinner. Stylish, respecting the rules of hospitality and good Mediterranean cuisine, the establishment has become a reference for lovers of quality Cretan wines and the dishes that accompany them. Among them, the mixed salads, remarkably fresh and tasty. A good address.

Not easy to find but the place is worth it! Good reputation for several years, it is an authentic family business and far from the crowd: mom is in the kitchen, son in the dining room and everyone in a courtyard in the shade of a superb fig tree. The specialities are Cretan and international but the whole reputation of the house is made around the lamb and pork baked with tomato, feta and mushrooms, sprinkled with white wine sauce. In the evening it is a friendly atmosphere with soft light and soft music.

Since 1982, they have been serving excellent assortments of Cretan mezzedes . This is the great specialty of the house in addition to the fresh fish served all day long in front of the sea. Meat, Cretan and Greek specialities, grilled lamb skewers, snails... are also offered. Special mention for the pork accompanied by grilled mushrooms and Graviera cheese. All topped with a butter and parsley sauce (the portion is very well served to the point of delighting two people). Ideal for contemplating the boats on the large air-conditioned terrace.

In the heart of the historic Platzia, this chic bistro offers a simple and refined menu in an elegant yet casual setting. The chef revisits the great classics of international and Mediterranean cuisine and has already won over locals and those in search of authentic, gourmet cuisine. Ideal for those who love great wines and delicate dishes. Alternatively, you can sit peacefully under the ancient plane tree and enjoy your coffee or cocktail. The establishment offers brunches, snacks and various desserts.

At the foot of the hotel of the same name, the Porto Veneziano restaurant is a promising new address in town. First of all for its unique location, on the edge of the quay and with a view of the entire port of Hania. Then by the service, sincerely friendly and attentive. And finally by the dishes which, if they are for the most part in the great classics of hotel catering, allow themselves some tasty escapes towards local specialties. A fusion cuisine without excess.

We come here a little by chance, when we try to avoid the rabble-rousers and the touristic affluence of the old town. In the bend of a quiet little street at the top of the city, this restaurant has set up its tables, in the cool. The cuisine is inspired by old grandmother's recipes, Cretan above all. One is welcomed with ouzo and at the end of the meal a cake is offered, often accompanied by a raki. The family owns vineyards and offers a wine of their own production. The atmosphere is friendly and family oriented.

Located in the heart of Hania's historic center, this tastefully decorated all-day café/bistro, distinguished by its white tablecloths and courteous staff, offers a varied range of dishes for an excellent breakfast or brunch, lunch or dinner for couples or friends in search of tranquility, good taste and good food. The establishment also offers relaxing moments to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail. The pastries on offer (strawberry tart with a scoop of ice cream, among others) are also very good.

This establishment on Akti Tombazi, next to the former Grand Arsenal, is easily spotted by its wooden tables, spread out along the flagstone path that runs alongside the sea to the Koum Kapi district. With its motto "the history of a place is learned around a table", Chalkina offers traditional Cretan cuisine (meat pie, snails, chevron with lemon sauce, coq au vin, etc.). The restaurant is also renowned for the variety of meats on offer: organic black pork, black angus, dry-aged beef.

Theodosi is a modern restaurant on the ground floor of Hôtel Alexis. An escape Ideal for one evening away from the tourist sites from mass. Greek and Cretan creative cuisine served à la carte, we strongly recommend the chicken fillet with smoked pork and pork chops with honey and thyme. The owners had a restaurant in Vancouver, Canada for years, giving an original mix to the already carefully prepared dishes. Fresh fish on the menu and magnificent sea views as well as on the city of Hania.

Located just outside Hania, in the small village of Agios Ioannis, this iconic café has been unearthed by connoisseurs of authentic Cretan cuisine. The establishment is famous for its stews, lamb chops with herbs and lemon (succulent), and various traditional vegetable dishes (stuffed tomatoes and peppers, among others). The fried potatoes are homemade... In short, all the secrets of Stella^Mpolanaki, the soul of the establishment and cook, on your plate. We'd love to go back.

Kertos is a fish and seafood specialty restaurant. On the promenade of Nea Chora, quietly, facing the sea, you can enjoy lunch and dinner, especially for seafood. Polite servers, good atmosphere, reasonable price: no reason not to go! In July and August you will need to think about booking because it is rare to find space, especially when you are in small group.

The Amphora restaurant has been in the harbour for about years, and it is the only one here that does not need rabatteurs. Its main quality in addition to the direct view of the port is the dishes cooked according to the ancient Cretan tradition. There's also fresh fish in everyday life, but today we've decided to taste the lemon stamnagathi lamb. The stamnagathi is a wild plant that grows on the rocks near the sea, only in Crete. It's a little dish available in the menus of other restaurants. In the plate, it looks like spinach, but the taste is different. Their famous recipe for fish soup is still kept secret; We only know that it's a broth of different fish that kaminraum with celery, olive oil and lemon. Dessert is available to all clients: it is a small glass of Greek yogurt teeming with candied grapes. A real treat and servers have lots of stories to share. Please note that there are a dozen nice rooms to rent in the hotel of the same name, just above the restaurant (see heading accommodation).

This tavern is located within the walls of a 16th century ruin, under cool and welcoming trees. The collapsed roof of the Venezia Loggia has never been rebuilt and people now eat outdoors. During the day, the restaurant is a pleasant break in the shade of the trees, while in the evening you come to listen to live traditional music and enjoy good food accompanied by a Cretan beer or a glass of homemade wine. An establishment and a good-natured atmosphere, for a pleasant culinary moment in Hania.

The owner of this mezzedopoleio, originally from Macedonia ("perperas" means butterfly in Northern Greece), having succumbed to the charms of Crete, has been in Hania for some time and shares his love of cooking with his customers. In his establishment, a little removed from the tourist flows, you can taste very good small dishes and traditional Greek food, prepared from day to day. Sit under the wall trees and taste, among others, the best raki of Hania. Some evenings with live music, without microphones!