Mediterranean cuisine restaurants Iles grecques

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.

During your visit to Rethymnon, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a meal at Mr. Othonas, the owner of this renowned family taverna. The tastefully decorated Othonas Taverna has been serving traditional Greek and Cretan dishes prepared daily with local products for 35 years. The quality of the dishes, which remain faithful to the culinary traditions, is a reference point for the restaurant, with some innovative touches. The must: feta cheese with figs and molasses. Very friendly staff. Reservations are recommended.

If you like hiking, your steps will take you to Adravastoi, a tiny village near Palaikastro, in the Zakros region. Here you can sample Cretan cuisine in a friendly, family-run tavern: stuffed zucchini flowers and vine leaves, grilled meats, veal and lamb stews, wood-fired lamb. The owner, Mr. Yannis, is friendly and welcoming. At weekends, in high season, it's a good idea to book or call ahead to avoid unpleasant surprises.

On the beach of Plaka, this superb restaurant with its elaborate decoration offers an ideal setting to stay for more than just a meal. On the kitchen side, here again of the very high level. The use of fresh Naxiot and Cretan products has created a unique gastronomic place, creating a fusion cuisine of these regions. The result of this culinary originality is exquisite, the service impeccable and the setting simply magnificent facing the sea. It also has a concept store next to the restaurant for a few shopping sprees.

A magnificent restaurant with a careful decoration and a modern design. As for the cuisine, the bar is also high. A traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, but often revisited with a modern touch. The dishes are successful and well prepared, the salads are copious. The eggplant Napoleon, to give just one example, is simply succulent. Petros and his brother Michalis, the owners, who are originally from the Parian Islands, buy only from local producers and fishermen and select the best products.

It is one of the best Greek taverns on the island. Rich and inventive menu thanks to the inspiration of Yorgos who works in the kitchen with talent. It offers some traditional Greek dishes but above all homemade specialities: taste its "Fava" with caramelized onions and fresh mint or beetroot with goat cheese and nuts. Map in French. The friendly Karine (French-speaking) gets up early to bring back the best products on the market. Leave some space for dessert because they are just as good. Very cheap. Takeaway meals.

A restaurant with unique specialties on the island, quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd, with a beautiful terrace and a view of the sunset. The French-speaking staff serves dishes as they are offered in Cyprus, but also many traditional local or Greek dishes. The cuisine is homemade, using fresh, top quality produce, and is divided between a wide variety of vegetarian starters and main courses, starters and traditional dishes such as moussaka, a classic of the house, seafood and grilled food.

With its sublime view over the caldera from the slopes of the village of Oia, Petra is the perfect restaurant for a honeymoon. The cuisine? Greek gastronomy revisited with a successful experimental touch. Here's an extract from the tasting menu: calamari with pistachio, lobster with leeks and lemongrass, prawns with wild mushrooms served in their own bisque, trout with onions and pickled celery, monkfish with celeriac, truffle and bergamot, honey ice cream... All served with sublime paired wines. A real firework display!

A warm welcome awaits you in this authentic tavern where you will taste the dishes of the day proposed by the owner (no menu). You won't be disappointed and the bill will delight all purses! A good address to change from the local trout and taste the famous Cretan snails! And, outside of meals, the tavern turns into a small café-ouzerie where you can meet during the day or in the evening to share a drink or coffee and discuss the day's events. A pleasant stopover if you're passing through the area.

One of the first tavernas you will find at the entrance to the sandy beach on the left, which guarantees you a splendid view of the famous caves by day and night. There is a bar on the panoramic terrace. Taste the local moussaka, cuttlefish risotto or seafood spaghetti. As for the wines, we recommend the house white wine which is very good. Dimitris is the friendly owner who speaks a little French. Relaxed atmosphere. Live music concerts. Fresh fish every day (watch out for the price per kilo!).

This is the oldest tavern in the small village of Myrtos. Its owners run the hotel, also the oldest in the village. In the morning, breakfast is served to hotel guests, but you can always have a coffee or quench your thirst... As soon as the sun goes down, the establishment transforms into a mezzedopoleio offering a variety of dishes from traditional Cretan cuisine. Evenings are often festive, with dancing and singing accompanied by Cretan musicians.

Akrogiali is the oldest tavern in the Kato Zakros region. Founded in 1898, it was taken over in 1991 by Nikos and his wife Tania. Since then they have been offering Cretan meals based on local products (meat, cheese, vegetables) and good fish and shellfish. At 5 meters from the beach, almost with your feet in the water, you will taste at the Akrogiali (which means "at the end of the sea") good dishes carefully prepared. The owner, Nikos, speaks French. He also owns the Athena and Coral residences where you can stay.

Open since 1958, this traditional family tavern offers Greek and local specialities made with fresh products: tomato keftedes, fava, caper leaf salads. A local wine list accompanies this authentic cuisine. Its shaded terrace facing the church of Kamari, and its position away from the sea front, make it an authentic place. The 9th of July and the 24th of September are very busy days and a folk dance show is held because of the religious celebrations in the area.

If you really want to be in the local atmosphere, this is the place to go. Every year, the quality is always there in this restaurant, which is mostly frequented by locals and is located a little away from the centre. The restaurant is frequented by Greeks, fishermen, for whom Apostolis has been cooking for almost 30 years. Fish specialties, local wine, sea view. A good address for lovers of fried food and seafood. And in the end, the bill is never too high. Excellent value for money and very friendly staff.

You can see his large terrace on the beach of Livadia. Adonis worked in Montreal for 15 years before setting up his restaurant in Parikiá. In 1980, he opened Cavo d'Oro and since then, he has enjoyed welcoming French speakers from all over the world to discover his specialties such as pizzas cooked over an olive wood fire, fresh homemade pasta, seafood spaghetti, risotto à la provençale and fresh fish from Paros. You will be spoilt for choice between five sizes of pizzas on the menu!

To Spitiko is a way of saying "like at home", at Patricia's, a French expatriate in Paros after a crush on the Cyclades. The creator of this small haven of peace provides the service while, behind the stoves, her husband is passionate about cooking traditional recipes, thanks to the products gleaned from their local and organic producers as much as possible. The place is very pleasant and the cuisine delicious to enjoy in summer on the terrace with sea view (and sunset!) and in winter in a room with fireplace.

Family establishment since 1980. On a pleasant terrace, you will enjoy the magnificent view of the bay of Aegiali and the large. Prices of fresh fish are always reasonable, as is Amorgos meat, or the spaghetti to lobster. You will also find vegetarian dishes.

One of the best restaurants in Lindos, it sprawls over three floors, but you won't be disappointed by the climb once you reach the top: the view of the Acropolis is memorable. Preferably go there at dusk and enjoy the panorama from the rooftop. The dishes are not disappointing either: we recommend that you share with several of the mezzedes. They are excellent, copious and more economical. The atmosphere at Stephany's Taverna is relaxed and friendly. Favour the place to spend a warm evening with a view.

In an old green garden full of palm trees and flowers. A relaxation area to enjoy coffee, wine, ice cream or meals under the vines. Excellent cuisine. It is also recommended to visit the wine cellar which is a museum with more than 200 bottles, mainly from local production. A veritable vaulted cellar 10 m underground for 400 years, now open to the public. Live music on Tuesday and Wednesday at 22 pm. Bar-restaurant in the centre near the square, in the small street down next to the Pelican hotel. An address for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

This restaurant is in a truly picturesque location on Porto Roxa beach on the west of the island, ideal for sunset. Access is through a magnificent wild landscape. Away from mass tourism, just 5 km from Agios Léon (follow the signs), you can enjoy a variety of reasonably priced dishes: salads, pastas, pizzas and grilled meats. Specialties include rabbit with oregano and stuffed chicken. The setting is spectacular. And as a bonus, you can enjoy the deckchairs on the beach!

Greek-Cretan cuisine restaurant and pizzeria on the port located between Hotel Elysée and Hotel Flisvos near the water to admire the small fishing boats. Pleasant, clean and shaded terrace overlooking a small flowerbed and the small port. Nevertheless, the cuisine here is traditional: rabbit has been a speciality of the owner for twenty years. There are 5 to 6 dishes of the day in summer, including some fish dishes, snails... Fresh home-made tiramisu is systematically offered all year round. Warm welcome.

A dream decor at the Pirates of the Caribbean both inside and outside for this multi-colored, atypical restaurant. Here you feel relaxed immediately when you arrive, the view is splendid, we eat on the edge of the relaxing water. Fresh daily fish chosen in the window, but also original dishes. There is a wide selection of Cretan entries, five varieties of soups, various grills, Greek dishes… on the back of reggae music, of course. The atmosphere is so representative of Matala that we cannot miss it.

This Venetian building is perfect for a drink near a small urban beach. But En Plo also offers decent dining services. Fish or grilled meat dishes, tasty salads and a wide range of wines are likely to make your meal unforgettable as the secluded and quiet setting, with the sea in front of you, envelops it in magic. En Plo also serves excellent local wine and cocktails at fair prices.

This choice tavern overlooks the port of Bali, and Greek dishes are served in the shade of the beautiful terrace overlooking the bay and part of the port. As the décor attests, fish and shellfish are king here. The octopus salad is very successful, grilled squid or swordfish as well. A pleasant way to gain height and admire the sea while accompanying a glass of raki or a cold beer with some of the dishes on offer. The prices remain reasonable despite the tourist boom.

It was in an 1830 building that the first generation of Archontoula began to serve its customers. The Miliens love this establishment and meet there as a family, on the rustic terrace, in the shade of the bougainvilleas. You can opt for the vast and spacious interior room, which retains the 19th century charm with its cement tiles, high ceilings and old village pictures. On the menu, a generous and copious traditional cuisine: mountain lamb, pork tenderloin with honey, grilled vegetables, local cheeses, mussels with saffron..

A recently decorated restaurant located on the central square of Fira. From its open kitchen, you can see the numerous Greek dishes made home, mainly with meat and vegetables. It also makes it possible to put water in your mouth and choose more easily what you want. Good value for money.

Going down to the old port, between Donzelot Street and Zavitsianou Street, you will find this lovely tavern sheltered by a large patio. Nothing will disturb a meal that only the boats accompany. The place has a warm atmosphere thanks to the colours of the furniture and the hospitality of the waiters. The Greeks mix with the tourists in one of those cacophonies that one gets used to with a smile. Right in front of the port, with a beautiful view, one goes there rather to have lunch and to watch the maritime life.

Small family tavern held by an expert in Cretan cuisine in a small courtyard planted with trees. She's on the edge of the road, but it's more quiet than on the harbor. For a quiet evening.

With a bit of luck, you will find a table with a view of the Caldeira here without making a reservation, which is still difficult because there are a lot of people. Fanari's major asset is its panoramic and plunging view on the Caldeira from one of its 3 terraces. On the kitchen side, you will of course taste local specialities such as stuffed tomatoes Santorini style or lamb kleftiko, but also grilled fish or spaghetti with lobsters. If you type, Loukas, the chef and owner, loves Paris.

The exceptional setting at the edge of the port and the octopuses drying in the sun will make many salivate. The welcome remains very warm for this institution in the small port of Ammoudi, below Oia. Fresh fish purchased directly from local fishermen on the quay, lobster, Greek salads. A delight to eat with your feet in the water with an exceptional sea view. The place is also famous for its terrace on the first floor and its aperitifs at sunset. Just be careful with the bill if you catch fish by the kilo. Prices are rising fast.

The Avli restaurant is a small oasis set in the courtyard of an old house: one appreciates the setting, above all. It offers very good Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, at very reasonable prices, hence the rush that can explode in high season: we recommend booking in the early evening. Otherwise, it's better to get there late to escape the well-informed crowd. Try a traditional dish, such as lamb stamnas, cooked for several hours in the oven. Take a look at the long list of wines to taste Greek grape varieties.

A charming couple welcomes you in this small restaurant located in the main square of the pretty village of Kritsa. Traditional Greek dishes are served here: souvlaki, mixed meat, fried meatballs, cheese puff pastry, kebabs... all accompanied by dakos (toasted bread with tomatoes, feta, oregano and Kritsa olive oil). Don't leave without tasting the stuffed vine leaf salad prepared by the boss's mother. You can also have breakfast there. The products in the kitchen and the wine are homemade. Menu in French.

Family tavern owned by Nikos Platanakis. Traditional cuisine is prepared here, using melting vegetables from the garden. The owner, will make you taste the best homemade paximadi of the region. The son, who is very charming and speaks excellent French, will perhaps show you around the kitchens so that the women who officiate there will lift the lids of all the pots of the day: green beans in tomato sauce, lamb or rabbit stew....

Opened in 1965, it was the first restaurant in this place called also «fisherman's square». This was the meeting of the fishermen who were feeding fresh fish daily. At the corner of the port, recognizable with its terrace, you can easily find this family restaurant. Taste seafood specialties and fresh fish. Be careful, as always with fresh fish in Greece: check the price per kilo so you don't have a bad surprise at the time of the addition that can rise very fast.

Family tavern, by the sea, in the heart of the central port of Bali. On the two terraces you can taste dishes of Greek and Cretan cuisine. Οone comes here especially to taste the fish of the day, shellfish, fresh seafood. Lobster spaghetti, grilled sea bream, mussels, lobsters, red mullet are delicious but quite expensive. Other specialties: meats and snails. Prefer the terrace on the^1st floor overlooking the port. Check the menu for the price per kilo of fish to avoid unpleasant surprises.

This is a good place to eat real Greek mezzedes, homemade(mizzithropitaki with cheese or spinach, dolmadakia vine leaves, keftedakia meatballs, hydropitakia with spinach) and various snacks and salads. Olive oil and raki are homemade, as for any self-respecting address, and wines from famous Cretan and Greek estates are available. And all this at low prices! With its shaded terrace, this establishment is a simple and authentic Greek brasserie, just the way we like it.

Overlooking the sea at the foot of the Venetian fortress, the Thalassographia offers a splendid view and basic but good Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is housed in an old Venetian building that has recently been converted and renovated. For a meal, a coffee or a drink, the establishment is a guaranteed inspiration for your postcard break! The waterfront is trendy and enjoys a good reputation. The wind is more agitated there than anywhere else but the location, a little isolated, promises you an appreciable calm in Réthymnon.

This tavern opened its doors in the first building built in Elounda in 1906. It is a family tavern located in the town square by the sea. The locals proudly recount that Victoria Hislop, author of The Island of the Forgotten, whose plot is set on Spinalonga Island, is said to have sat there. A restaurant of fish, shellfish, fresh seafood and Greek specialties, copiously and generously served. The tavern has a varied wine list of wines from the regions of Crete and Greece.

Alla & Alla is the kind of place you'd expect to find on vacation: a friendly atmosphere, where you can eat well without breaking the bank! Take a seat on Kaillambi alley, a stone's throw from the Fontaine aux Lions, and enjoy dishes prepared with quality ingredients: the salads are fresh and the small dishes inevitably attract a glass of chilled raki. Opt for the mixed grill dish for a meat-based meal. Bulk wine is of good quality. Efficient service. On the menu, solutions for vegetable lovers too.

Established in 1978, Kri Kri is a Greek cuisine restaurant offering excellent grilled meat (especially lamb chops grilled over a wood fire), fresh fish and various mezzedes of excellent quality. From its spacious and well-shaded terrace, with a panoramic view of the picturesque bay of Ormos, you can enjoy, among other things, grilled swordfish served with steamed vegetables and lemon sauce, with 500 ml raspberry and blueberry cider. Ask for advice on local wines. Impeccable service.

Traditional Cretan cuisine from father to son since 1930. Among the most popular dishes, baked lamb with potatoes, gamopilafo (pilaf with lamb: the typical dish served at weddings in Crete). The tavern is also recommended for its grills. In season, every Saturday, from 8 pm, the Cretan evening begins with traditional dances to the rhythm of the lyre and lute. The tavern is a real folklore museum where you can also buy local products to take away. Very good address.

Distinct from the classic taverns in the surrounding area, this restaurant offers modern Cretan cuisine in a chic lounge atmosphere with a view of the blue sea. The restaurant offers quality dishes and the beach bar offers snacks and breakfasts all day long. Contemporary decoration and trendy music on the beach. Very pleasant setting for a cocktail by the sea. Slightly higher prices for this unique place in Agia Pelagia.

On the beach, this is a place not to be missed in Kato Gouves. Both beach-bar and restaurant, people come here for the lounge atmosphere that reigns all day long and that becomes more festive in the evening. At the edge of an almost private beach with comfortable deckchairs, you come for breakfast, a coffee break, lunch at noon... The sunset invites you to a romantic dinner at around 8 pm. It is an elegant place as we like them, offering a light refined cuisine, at quite reasonable prices.

One of the best addresses in town. A good family restaurant that is dedicated to welcoming its customers at lunch and dinner, facing the sea. Excellent Cretan cuisine cooked over an olive wood fire, in an elegantly renovated setting. Different dishes of the day, usually organically grown. It is prepared with olive oil... but it is also a restaurant of meat, salads and fish. The traditional Cretan dishes are highlighted, with succulent snails, octopus and pieces of lamb. Very affordable prices. We'll be back, with pleasure.

This tavern is well located, a little out of town, a few meters from the sea, on the peninsula to the east. You can't miss it: a small caique is in front of the entrance of the establishment! It serves traditional Greek and Cretan cuisine and fresh fish (depending on the arrival). The dishes are prepared on a daily basis. Among the specialties: kleftiko (lamb with vegetables and cheese in the oven), octopus with wine, cheese fritters, grilled lobster, sardines... You can digest on the small beach in front of the restaurant.

If you are looking for quality, elegance, freshness and a breathtaking view of the sea, 7 Thalasses is the ideal address. It is the restaurant of the Thalassa boutique hotel and since 2000 it has placed Rethymno among the best gastronomic destinations in Crete with its menu. It offers Mediterranean and Cretan cuisine: fresh fish and shellfish platters, delicious salads, dishes for lovers of the flavors of the sea. First class wine list. Reservations are recommended.

This restaurant serves typical Cretan dishes flavoured with the island's many herbs. The waiters are professional and will advise you very well, both on the choice of wines and on the refined dishes. We also offer meat roasted over a wood fire, slowly cooking in front of your eyes. Some dishes are covered with a bell to keep them warm but, above all, the inside is covered with herbs which, thanks to their aroma and flavour, give the meat a unique aroma and taste. Do not miss this experience, which is highly recommended.

Very popular with locals and visitors alike, people come here to enjoy the authentic flavors of top-quality raw materials: grilled meats, salads, doughnuts with vanilla ice cream... and, of course, chicken in sauce, a unique dish. Here, in the center of the village lost in nature, traditional cooking classes are given in French: contact neighbors Mireille or Pierre on +30 697 562 6830 or +30 697 99 12034.

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).