Crete is Greece's largest island and by far the most popular tourist destination in the Greek archipelago. The island is home to Europe's oldest settlement in Knossos and has been a cultural hotspot since prehistory. This rich background is imprinted anywhere you look, from the buildings and the landmarks to the people and the land itself, Crete is a true kaleidoscope of history, culture and tradition with roots lost in mists of time. The island is surrounded by amazing coastlines and its mainland is virtually only mountains, creating a unique and exciting landscape where sea meets land.
Crete spans 260 km from east to west and is 60 km to its widest point. Across the island, tourists can find a wide range of activities and a diverse array of attractions. The island is known for its water sports activities, amazing restaurants, world-class spas, fine wines and spirits, and, of course, the famous Greek hospitality. Crete's climate is the perfect example of Mediterranean weather; mild and pleasant the weather on the island allows tourists to enjoy Crete all-year round. A top holiday destination loved by many.
Local cuisine
Anemomylos is a famous Greek meze and BBQ restaurant in Elounda. It is most known for its kleftiko dishes, roasted meat and wide variety of meze. This restaurant is child-friendly and very welcoming.
Another meze and Cretan specialty restaurant, Spyros taverna in Gouves leaves no one hungry. Run by Spyros himself, the taverna serves Greek delicacies at low prices. Among the menu you will also find tasty fish and pasta dishes, plus a few unusual recipes, too.
Known as the restaurant where the famous TV series Who pays the Ferryman? was filmed, the Ferryman Taverna has remained virtually unchanged over the years and still serves some of the best Greek and Cretan dishes around. Located at beautiful Lassithi, the restaurant remains true to tradition and serves food prepared only with locally produced ingredients, by Cretan born and raised cooks.
The Akrogiali taverna is an authentically Cretan, family run restaurant at Lykos beach near Sfakia. The Akrogiali is located right on top of a pristine, secluded beach and serves Greek and Cretan food made using locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant offers organic milk, yogurt and cheese produced less than 1 km from the restaurant itself and excels in encapsulating the essence of what makes homemade Mediterranean food so great.
The Glossitses restaurant in Chania is a casual Greek eatery going far beyond the typical meze dishes expected by most tourists. This restaurant combines modern and traditional influences, décor and music to create a unique, authentically Greek dining experience. The food is a mix between Greek and international cuisine and restaurant is child-friendly and open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night bites.
British
Kaaren's restaurant in Elounda is a contemporary British bistro that brings a taste from home to Mediterranean Crete. The restaurant offers great value for money and is much loved for its unique and uplifting aquamarine neo-colonial styled décor. Kaaren's is visited by homesick Brits who wish to eat British food and locals who want to try something different. The restaurant's scope is international as is its menu, with spicy savoury dishes and delectable muffins and chocolate cakes.
The Lemon Tree Restaurant is a cosy British restaurant located in Sitia, a mountain village in eastern Crete. Combining locally-inspired décor and top quality in terms of food presentation, the Lemon Tree is a very popular place. The restaurant's owners, Mark Cardnell and Anita Pridmore, also offer personal chef services and can create bespoke menus for large groups on request.
Dunes Bar & Grill is a friendly British restaurant in Almyrida. Owned, run and staffed by British people, the Dunes is in perfect touch with what British tourists need and want while on holiday in Crete. This is the restaurant to grab some homesickness-curing bites and meet other Brits abroad. The Dunes boasts large portions and has a pretty patio with a pool at the back. Favourites include fish and chips, muffins, cakes and a large selection of British beers, ales and lagers.
The Stonewell Pub & Restaurant is a diverse bar restaurant in Malia. Serving genuine British cuisine as well as Greek dishes to tourists and locals alike, the Stonewell has become the favourite eatery for Malia's partygoers. The food is quality especially if washed down with a delicious cocktail and the atmosphere is reliably fun and lively.
European
Located right on the beautiful beach, Agia Pelagia, Zorbas Restaurant is a well-known contemporary Greek restaurant. The Zorbas follows the latest gastronomic trends to serve top end European food with a definite Greek character. The Zorbas is a self-styled family run taverna that also serves numerous Greek and Cypriot dishes.
A traditional Mediterranean restaurant exemplifying the numerous benefits of the Mediterranean diet, Vegera serves Italian, Hispanic, and, of course, Greek delicacies in a cosy atmosphere. The restaurant has gained enormous praise from international reviewers and is a safe bet for a fab meal.
Vachus is a local restaurant specialising in healthy Mediterranean food. Picking only the best ingredients, the Vachus specialises in hearty portions at great prices.
International
Skorpios restaurant in Gouves is a laid-back eatery just meters away from the busy Gouves beach. Appealing to tourists and locals alike, the portions served at Skorpios can be described as stingy and the prices are attractively low, even by local standards.
The Alchemist is a unique eatery that serves exotic as well as familiar foods in the vein of modern gastronomy. The Alchemist stands apart from the myriad of restaurants serving international cuisine thanks to its ultra-modern cooking approach and nod to its traditional Greek roots.
Lotus Eaters is an award-winning international restaurant in Elounda. Considered by many as one of the best restaurants in Crete, Lotus Eaters employs veteran chefs who create unique recipes and delectable dishes. The restaurant offers fine dining without the usual hefty prices. The Lotus Eaters is ideally located on an elevated terrace, giving diners a beautiful view over the bay of Elounda.
Faithful to its name, Babel is a truly international bar restaurant at Elounda. This low-key eatery is especially popular with late night partygoers and early morning surfers in search of great food on the go, including burgers, kebabs, ice creams and much more.
Thea (literally meaning good view) boasts an impressive menu and equally impressive view over Elounda's beach. The menu is not particularly extensive but each dish is executed with care. This is one of the most popular restaurants in the area, widely praised by numerous reviewers and international critics. For that reason, you may need to book your visit in advance or arrange for a table through your travel agency to ensure you get the chance to eat at the Thea while visiting Crete.
Eva Taverna at Malia is a highly rated international eatery that is open almost 24/7 throughout the year. The Eva has gained TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence and several five out of five reviews on international culinary magazines and publications. This is a family-run restaurant with family values at its core, which caters to young and old alike.
Fine dining
The taverna Dounias in Chania is highly rated for its Cretan cuisine. The restaurant follows the ideals of the Slow Food international movement and reinvents Greek classical dishes, which are guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
Local fish dishes are Swell Restaurant's forte. This top-end seafood restaurant goes far beyond typical tourist-oriented menus to offer an unsurpassed gastronomic experience. The food is created by Michelin star chef, Lefteris Lazarou, a rare sight as Greece boasts only half a dozen Michelin star chefs.
Porto Rino is one of the highest rated restaurants in Greece and arguably one of the most famous top-end restaurants in Crete. The restaurant serves unpretentious Greek food and homemade dishes that satisfy even the most demanding food critics. Porto Rino is so popular that you need to book your table well in advance (or arrange with your travel guide) to ensure you'll get to experience it.
Asian
The Pan Asia is one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Crete. Open daily after 5pm, Pan Asia is one of the busiest Asian restaurants in Crete, attracting tourists and locals who fancy a taste of the orient. While all recipes served in Pan Asia are created with the European palate in mind and are quite mild, you can request for spicier versions.
Beijing to Bali Chinese & Indonesian is a diverse Asian restaurant and perhaps the only place to eat good Indonesian food in Crete. The restaurant's menu is diverse and extensive, covering many Asian cuisine favourites from all across the orient. The food is created with local and European visitors in mind, so not too spicy.
Suki Yaki is an authentic Chinese and Thai restaurant that isn't afraid to serve Asian food as it is supposed to be; unadulterated and spicy, eaten with chop sticks and accompanied with authentic Asian music. The restaurant is famous across the island for its tasty duck dishes and delicious dim sum.
Cafe & snack bars
Serving coffee, sandwiches and crepes on the go, Del Mar Snack Bar in Elounda caters to active beachgoers during the day and partygoers through the night. This popular takeaway eatery is also family-friendly and boasts cooks who pay surprising attention to detail considering its casual set-up.
A Greek taverna at heart, Mam's house is a warm and welcoming restaurant serving tasty Greek food on the go (as well as international dishes). Mam's is open throughout the day and night during the peak season, serving hearty portions to hungry tourists on the move.
A reinvented traditional taverna, David Vegera is a bistro that is not afraid to create new dishes. The restaurant serves food daily after 18:30 (and up 'til morning), catering to evening diners and partygoers alike. While the restaurant's menu could be considered traditional Greek, it includes certain novel dishes that aren't found anywhere else in Crete.
A popular snack bar and café, Medusa in Agia Galini serves hearty breakfasts and delicious snacks and is located right on Agia Galini's beach.
Seafood
Its name meaning legend, Mythos restaurant is a famous seafood restaurant serving all kinds of delicious fish dishes. Including recipes that range from Greek and European to more international seafood dishes, Mythos' seafood menu is arguably the most extensive you'll find in Crete. Once a humble fish taverna, Mythos has grown to become Crete's prime seafood restaurant, with no frills and no pretence; just great food served and a great atmosphere.
Taverna Pelagos specialises in all kinds of traditional and modern fish dishes. The Pelagos has lately been recognised as one of the most popular Greek seafood taverns in Greece. Pelagos' dishes are made using fish caught by local fishermen just mere metres away from the restaurant.
Neromilos (often misspelled as Neramilos) is a seafood tavern as genuinely Greek as it gets. Located in the popular village of Sissi, the Neromilos specialises in Sissi-caught fish dishes. Fishermen and fishing enthusiasts can also bring their own freshly caught fish to be cooked here and the expert cooks of Neromilos are always eager to cook up something new and exciting.
Ergospasio restaurant at Elounda is a popular seafood tavern with a majestic view over Elounda's bay. Ergospasio specialises in seafood meze dishes served with local tsikoudia drinks.