Mediterranean cuisine restaurants Iles grecques

With a full view of the bay of Mochlos, only a few kilometers from the beach, this tavern is well worth a visit. It is a family tavern, tastefully decorated in a dark yellow ochre tone, where the owners and staff are calm and friendly. Sit on the beautiful, shady terrace and enjoy the authentic, home-made Cretan cuisine. The quality of the raw materials and the know-how of the managers are the guarantee of a succulent meal with Cretan and Mediterranean flavors.

An excellent address to taste the inventive Cretan cuisine from the beginning of May to the end of October. Ideal for a romantic dinner on the roof terrace overlooking the old port and the Venetian ramparts. The chef, a native of Crete, uses only fresh produce from the island and herbs that grow on the hotel roof (hence the name of the restaurant). The panoramic view and the professional service of the staff are appreciated. The menu changes regularly. Remember to make reservations, especially for dinner in season.

In a relaxing atmosphere, this all-day café-restaurant is the ideal place to meet up with friends or to spend pleasant moments, far from the crowded tourist circuits and the noise of the city. The brunch, composed of home-made bread, is a reference, the dishes are succulent. Among the specialities are pasta with carrots with mushrooms and pieces of chicken fried in white truffle oil, with fresh thyme and a bit of garlic, all served with grated local cheese. The prices are unbeatable and the staff is very friendly.

Set back from the tourist flow, O Tembelis (the lazy one) is a must when visiting Heraklion. It's a café/mezzedopoleio where you can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes prepared daily to accompany the excellent fresh raki... Take a seat on the chairs that cover a good part of the esplanade in front of the establishment and let yourself be carried away by the friendly atmosphere. Dishes include homemade sausages, stews, mushrooms... To round off the meal: doughnuts with a scoop of ice cream.

This pretty tavern is nestled in a quiet location in the old village of Malia. This restaurant of traditional Greek cuisine and mezzedes distils a cosy atmosphere in a beautiful handcrafted setting. An address a little apart in Malia, to be preferred in high season to try to avoid the crowds and the mediocre taverns of the tourist centre. We like the warm and quiet atmosphere, the successful and unpretentious but tasty cuisine. A good address, tastefully decorated and pleasant, with all the basics of a good Greek meal.

Olga was the first name of the deceased grandmother who, in 1977, left it to her son Stathis to carry on here (in this museum) the Cretan culinary traditions that she had successfully served in her best years. At present, her son and his daughter work in the dining room, with a smile on their faces, while mummy works in the kitchen for our happiness. The dishes are prepared with great care and with raw materials of impeccable quality. Moreover, the view is simply splendid from the shaded terrace with local fragrances.

Since 1924, this café has been synonymous with Heraklion's history. In its early days, the establishment, which measures no more than 15^m2, served coffee to market traders. Over the years, raki and ouzo, accompanied by a few delicacies, brought together a clientele who flocked to the small tables to catch up on old times. Today, three young chefs are carrying on the tradition with succulent dishes. Don't leave before you've tried the zucchini dumplings and goat's cheese stew... You'll be back again and again, jostling for a seat.

Faros Restaurant offers good Cretan cuisine prepared according to traditional recipes and has been serving it for over 30 years. You will also find some international specialties, pizzas, among others. But locals and discerning visitors alike come here especially for lamb, the restaurant's specialty, and fresh fish grilled on charcoal. It's a very affordable, family-run address where you can literally eat with your feet in the water. Ideal for families as there are children's games and the beach is right next door.

The restaurant's tranquil setting contrasts with the large number of tables on the terrace, which are often packed to capacity. The restaurant has become one of the island's most popular addresses, thanks in part to the variety of dishes on offer, from local cuisine to homemade pizzas. The family-run operation does not detract from the charm of the place, as the staff help to make the meal enjoyable. It's also a ouzerie, where you can try this traditional alcohol.

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.

Charming little restaurant with a shaded terrace with your feet in the water on the beach of Ammoudi (not far from the city centre). Here reigns a beautiful atmosphere between bar and gastronomic restaurant. An annex of the famous Ble Katsoralakia restaurant where you can enjoy seafood as well as a salad, but also succulent traditional mezzes and some inventive recipes. An excellent address for a very pleasant dinner with friends in a typically Greek atmosphere. The menu is very varied and the prices are reasonable.

Alexis Taverna is a small and unpretentious family tavern, like the ones you can find everywhere in Crete. The food is very simple but tasty, and is also family style. You must try the excellent seafood risotto. There are no big restaurants in the village of Malia anyway, you have to be satisfied with a simple, efficient and inexpensive cuisine - and a restaurant where the service is, as at Alexis, well done. You will certainly return there several times during your stay in Malia.

The Ristorante Italiano sign of this restaurant refers to pizzas baked over an olive wood fire. Apart from that, here is a Cretan address as we like them, offering traditional local cuisine. As for the decoration, it's rustic but whatever, here is the most romantic address on the walk, offering a beautiful view as a bonus. Opt for the famous Cretan snails(Κοchlioi), offered à la carte and which have nothing to do with ours: an opportunity to discover a deliciously prepared Cretan speciality.

Vritomartes is another restaurant of Cretan specialties and fish, right in the heart of the port as it is literally located on the water! Open from March 25 to the end of October, this establishment is also accessible by sea. Coveted by tourists for the calm and the magnificent view it provides, it is advisable to book in high season. You can enjoy Greek and Cretan musical evenings and a quiet and gentle atmosphere. Taste the shells and especially the gyalisterés, a shell found in Greece and Crete.

A traditional tavern in a rustic village setting. The owner studied in Belgium and speaks very good French. He will make you discover a local and tasty cuisine, as we like it. Alekos cooks everything with his olive oil, as it should be in any self-respecting establishment in Crete! He collects his snails himself under the surrounding mountainous rocks and prepares them with a pinch of garlic. The wine in carafe comes from the Lylarakis estate. A greedy stage not to be missed if you are passing through.

This beach restaurant offers classic seaside tavern and snack dishes. The manager and waiters are very pleasant. As an added bonus, you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas to spend some time on the beach in front of the restaurant, for a few extra euros. Ideal for a relaxing afternoon, or for a drink in the evening, as the food itself is not particularly worth the detour. But we appreciate the location and the opportunity to grab a bite to eat during a beach day.

Traditional Greek cuisine for this family-run restaurant, which is already 25 years old, as we love them at the water's edge. You will enjoy tasty seafood pasta, octopus or squid grilled over a wood fire, fresh fish to choose from in the entrance window (as always with fresh fish, confirm the price per kilo before ordering to avoid salty additions), steamed mussels, grilled lamb chops... Impeccable, quick and polite service. Kostas and his family have been at it for ages.

This family tavern looks like it's straight out of a 1960s movie. It opened in 1953, and since then it has been treating its customers to the same traditional good food. In the shade of the large tamarisk trees, facing the sea, you can enjoy grandmother's cooking: veal simmered in a tomato sauce, roasted goat's cheese with artichokes (in season), rabbit in sauce, snails with rosemary... and a variety of dishes (taste the zucchini flowers stuffed with rice). Nothing but the traditional, cooked of the day. Delicious!

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.

This tavern, located on the waterfront and facing the island of Spinalonga, invites you to taste very fresh fish. The owner of this tavern also owns the Megaro tavern in Elounda. The fish comes from the same nets, thrown by the family boats. Between two courses, you only have to go down a few steps to bathe in the transparent sea. The addition of salt is a bit salty, but it is well worth it because the dishes are really good quality and quite copious.

The terrace of this establishment, located 2 minutes from the Aristea Hotel, is almost on the water. The restaurant's winter room is housed in one of the oldest buildings in the village, giving the place a sought-after authentic character. The cuisine is traditional, especially the fresh fish specialities, which are renowned: the varied fish platter, shellfish and seafood salad, lamb stew, veal stew with vegetables, grilled prawns... are among the favourite dishes. Very reasonable prices.

Charm and romance guaranteed. This is the restaurant of the Hotel Pallazzo Di Corina. It has the Greek "organic" label. On the large terrace in the square you can taste, among other things, the following house specialties, depending on the season: "Mitato" lamb with honey, yoghurt and thyme, saganaki kavourma, boureki (meat puff pastry) or stuffed zucchini flowers. Also a la carte, fish, shellfish and seafood, a mix of traditional Cretan cuisine and more creative and contemporary options. Professional service and friendly atmosphere.

Romanticism guaranteed with a unique sunset in this fish restaurant on the beach. Very good address with a large and beautiful terrace by the sea. Lunch and dinner are served in an idyllic setting. Here we are very far from the Nordic breweries along the main street higher up in a bewildering noise. The establishment also has a cocktail bar. You can relax while admiring the exceptional view.

This tavern is housed in a very old forge, hence the name Sideradiko (forge). Renovated but retaining all the charm of an old workshop, it offers tasty dishes of successful traditional cuisine: goat's cheese, chicken or vegetables are excellent. Enjoy snails with Cretan couscous and tomato sauce, stew and, above all, yoghurt with honey for dessert. High-quality food in pleasant surroundings, with impeccable service and reasonable prices.

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.

A family-run taverna with a great reputation, located in the port of Plaka. It serves excellent fresh fish all year round, and you'll meet plenty of locals, which is always a sign of quality and authenticity. It's the ideal place to enjoy a Greek-style lobster worthy of the name! Excellent fried anchovies and grilled calamari seasoned with olive oil and oregano, fresh salads and more. As always with fresh fish, ask for the price per kilo before ordering, as the bill quickly rises.

Located in a beautiful stone house, the restaurant enjoys a magnificent view of the sea and the mountains. Run by Dimitri and Kostas, it is warm and offers an à la carte selection of fresh fish and seafood. A home-made cuisine prepared on a daily basis with local products that will delight those who come in search of the authenticity of Cretan, Greek and Mediterranean flavours. To taste:apaki (smoked Cretan sausage marinated in vinegar), saffron risotto, pasta with shrimps and mussels, lamb with rosemary and feta..

This is probably the oldest tavern in the city. Of course it serves traditional Cretan specialties cooked with local olive oil, including fresh grilled fish, the famous rosemary snails, rabbit, mussels in tomato sauce and sheep's cheese. It is a family affair with Mum in the kitchen, the son in the dining room and his brother who runs the Hotel Zafira just behind the tavern, where you can stay all year round. Deckchairs are free for restaurant and hotel guests.

On the road to Vai, 700 m before the beach, is this restaurant of Cretan cuisine. It is an old building dating from 1709, in which the families of the shepherds of the monastery of Toplou lived. It has been rebuilt without losing its authenticity and offers traditional cuisine. Try the Xigalo, a sour cream cheese served with stuffed vine leaves... And don't forget the lamb cooked in a ceramic pot with potatoes, eggplant and cheese.

A traditional restaurant for 30 years. Their mezzedes (dishes) are true masterpieces, by the taste, presentation and quality of the raw materials: fava, tzatziki, eggplant salad, grilled cheese, dried white bean salad, beetroot salad, puff pastry, cheese fritters, taramossalata (cod egg purée), stuffed vine leaves. The restaurant is large, nicely furnished in traditional Greek style, and has an olive garden with vines. The menu is in French and the service is impeccable.

George Mamatzakis was a chef in major hotels (including the Hilton in Athens) before opening his own restaurant here near Agapi Beach. He offers interesting à la carte menus: fresh fish, shellfish, Greek specialities, excellent grilled meats... No particular decor, we come here for its atmosphere, the quality of the raw materials and the chef's know-how. The staff is very attentive and welcoming. Very good value for money.

This typical Cretan rakadiko is located opposite the Avli Restaurant: It's his little sister… In other words, it's the more relaxed version of the great Avli, where you drink raki by sharing small dishes or mezze that are simmered on the spot before our eyes. Good alternative to eating well if you want to stay light or if Avli is complete as often in the full season. Ideal for a small traditional evening, between drinks and good dishes. Ingredients come from small local producers, most of them organic.

The best fish restaurant in the village at moderate prices and with a view. On a large and very pleasant terrace right on the waterfront, you can choose fish and local specialities in the window. Everything is very good, the dishes are generous, the service is a little slow but really friendly, the French speaking waiter takes the time to detail each dish. This allows you to contemplate the boats and the crystal clear turquoise water while having a very good time. In addition to fish, seafood and a variety of other dishes are served.

In front of St. George's church, you can spot this charming tavern: a subdued atmosphere in an old house with a very nice shaded garden and an interior space decorated with care. Bougainvilleas, palm trees and a lot of flower pots make the evenings even more summery. You come here to eat fresh fish (more expensive per kilo) which is spread out on the pretty little caique in front of the entrance. Several dishes inspired by Greek-Cretan cuisine are also offered, as well as various dishes and salads. Perfect for a romantic dinner.

This is a Greek restaurant known for its particularly warm welcome. On the stove side, it will offer you a quality Greek cuisine. In the kitchen, they prepare delicious dishes, and all for a very affordable price. In short, a very good traditional address in Kamari that it would be a shame to miss. The decoration is also very pleasant, with a special mention for the walls decorated with old rural objects and the multitude of plants and flowers which bring a welcome touch of serenity to this place.

The dishes are inspired by typical Sifnos dishes, but the aim here is not to repeat the classics. With the help of his close-knit team, Alexandros is trying to reinvent and finally create the future of a traditional cuisine that lacks inventiveness. Try eggplant salad with pomegranate and feta seeds or salted cheesecake. The products are fresh and of good quality since it is Alexandros' father who grows them on his farm. He also organizes very interesting tours with tasting.

A regulars' tavern specialising in fresh fish since 1984, but also serves delicious dishes prepared by the owner's wife and sister. Scala offers a more refined cuisine than elsewhere (and, rarely, innovative desserts), in a more intimate setting, and offers the highest panoramic terrace in Matala, perched on its small cape and closing the bay to the west. Access to the sea below is via small stairs. Beautiful view and quality dishes of the day. Booking is almost obligatory in high season, but you won't regret it.

In a small street parallel to the Paleologou, a pretty little garden under fig and lemon trees shelters this family tavern-ouzerie where you can eat for a reasonable price typical Cretan cuisine of excellent quality. An address that is especially appreciated by the locals even out of season. The secret is the ingredients that come from the owner's mountain farm. A real breath of fresh air, simple and unpretentious, but so authentic and sincere. The raki and olive oil also come from the same farm.

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.

In a rustic setting (stone and wood) we taste very original garlic bread and pizzas are prepared on site, with a homemade pasta. They are cooked in olive wood fire in a traditional brick oven before our eyes. Beyond the pizzas at the wood fire, traditional Cretan cuisine of quality.

Psychro has suffered from the organized tours that only go through the village at full speed... But if you have decided to rent a car to visit the Lassithi Plateau at your own pace, we advise you to have lunch or dinner at the Stavros tavern. The cuisine is simple and family-friendly and the products used come from the owners' farm. The dishes are tasty: lamb with lemon and herb sauce, soft and delicious, grilled meats, salads and various dishes, among others. Pleasant mezzanine, friendly and efficient service.

It never stops... Open all day long from breakfast, from 10 or 11 am, to the evening with a cocktail bar. The two terraces overlook the port: perfect for a drink in front of the sunset. It serves wine and 24 different cocktails, as many letters in the Greek alphabet. Its name comes from the first three numbers on the bar codes of products made in Greece. One of the best places on the island to eat as well: all the ingredients are fresh and most of them are organic.

As far as the setting is concerned, the restaurant has a huge terrace spread over two floors. Sea view guaranteed at each plate. The music is extremely well chosen, a mix of jazz and pop in remix chill immediately pushes us to relax and our gaze is quickly lost on the incredible panoramic sea view that the Compass offers on the bay of Chora. View disturbed only by the waltz of the ferries.... which will delight the youngest.

The magnificent shaded terrace of the Dolci overlooks the western flank of Kastro, offering the ephemeral epicurean sitting at his table a remarkable view and tranquility. Kastro is a unique place, but the jazzy atmosphere and the dominant position of the Dolci will make you discover it from a different angle, sunny, calm, soothing and of course gourmet. Salad 7 martyrs (in homage to the church of the 7 martyrs of Kastro), fresh mussels with orange sauce and flower petals, revisited pasta and risottos, or homemade ice cream.

This beach restaurant is a must in Lindos. You'll be sure to stop off here during a swimming session on the village's main beach. Deckchairs are available to guests free of charge. All the Greek classics are on offer in the kitchen, even if the tourist pressure doesn't make it a first-rate establishment. But the setting makes up for a break on the beach, if only for a drink or a coffee with your feet in the water.

A very good address for Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Giovanni and his team try to keep the dishes authentic, simply prepared but always very tasty. Pizzas, pastas and seafood are on the menu, with a little luck you can try the pasta al nero di seppia, a delicious dish with squid ink. The place is charming at the end of the Spianada square and its large kiosk offering a view of the old fort and the marina below. If you miss the cucina italiana , this is the place to come and eat.

In summer, its lush courtyard is one of the most pleasant places on the island. This establishment, open all year round, is worth a visit. Surrounded by olive trees and in the shade of three eucalyptus trees, you can taste specialities from the Ionian Sea. Beautiful menu with many corfiote dishes, originating from the neighbouring island, such as sofrito (beef and garlic sauce), bourdeto (fish in red sauce) and pastitsada (chicken and beef in sauce with pasta), but also dishes specific to Paxos such as tsilichourdopita, a pie with lamb giblets...

The must-see Rousios farm is located high up on the Sfakia plateau at the entrance to Samaria. This is where all the ingredients served in his tavern come from, including thyme honey. Some of these products are available for purchase. This is a typical Cretan speciality tavern with a large, shaded terrace, a rustic decor and a very relaxed atmosphere. Olive-wood-fired grills, traditional dishes, fish... You'll be spoilt for choice. Wifi free of charge. Rousios also offers rooms for rent.

Frequented by locals and, above all, students of Rethymno, this mezzedopoleio makes no concessions on the quality of the dishes offered. Located in the heart of the historical center, it is an ideal address to enjoy traditional Cretan and Greek cuisine at a very good price. Among the dishes: the Cretan brusquette, marinated anchovies, steamed mussels... Doughnuts with chocolate sauce offered generously at the end of the meal. Excellent value for money. With a little luck, you can also attend a live music evening.