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In Chania and the district of Chania the guests can find excellent traditional tavernas and restaurants. They are located in the Chania town (in the Venetian Old Town, the Koum Kapi and the Nea Chora), the waterfront and the traditional villages. Below are some tavernas and restaurants which we believe worth trying. Of course there are still so many which we do not know.
 Karnagio (Old Town, Katexaki Square 8, Cretan specialities, 2821053366)
It is a restaurant where you must go. It is quite appealing since it has tables near the sea but it has also very tasteful plates; good range of seafood (try the grilled cuttlefish) and classic Cretan dishes, plus a fine wine list. It is located half way between the bottom of Halidon Street and the Porto Veneziano Hotel in a small square, just next to the Neoria.
Tamam (Old Town, 49 Zambeliou str., specials vegetables, 2821058639)
This restaurant is housed in old Turkish baths, in a very atmospheric place. Here you can try many Cretan dishes; a superb selection of vegetarian specialities such as the spicy avocado dip on potato, inspired dishes such as a divine pastrami, feta and tomato concoction and the excellent Beyendi chicken.
Pigadi (Well) of the Turk (Old Town, 1-3 Sarpaki str., near the Splantzia square, 2821054547)
It is a former 19th century steam bath, with a well from which it is named after (well means pigadi in Greeks). The British owner of this restaurant offers dishes inspired by Crete, Marocco and the Middle East, including specialities such as aubergine (eggplant) meatballs with yogurt.
Kariatis (Old town, Italian Restaurant, 12 Katechaki square, 2821055600)
It is a restaurant with a variety of dishes, Greek and Italian wines, with nice interior design.
Monastiri Taverna (Old Town, Akti Tombazi, greek mezedes)
One of the few waterfront restaurants it dishes up fish and excellent Cretan fare.
Ela (Old Town, 47 Kondylaki str., specials, 2821074128)
Here there are served Cretan specialities and local musicians create a lively ambience on summer evenings. The building is dating from the 14th century and over the centuries it has been a soap factory, a school, distillery and cheese-processing plant.
Tsikoudadiko (Old Town, 31 Zambeliou str., Cretan specials, 2821072873)
It has tasteful Cretan dishes in a delightful roofless plant-filled shell of a Venetian building. The special creamy baked potatoes with ham and cheese are excellent. There is usually live acoustic music.
Mahalas (Old Town, Akti Miaouli & Sparti, 2821055492)
It is a fine mezedopoleio with a wide range of meze and an excellent range of ouzos. You should try the house special of mixed seafood and the meat meze platters. Some tables outside have nice views on the sea.
Faka Taverna (Old Town, Katehaki square, 2821042341)
It is a somehow quiet restaurant. Here you can find tasteful Cretan dishes such as rice or artichokes and broad beans.
Akrogiali (Nea Chora, 20 Akti Papanikoli str., 2821071110)
Many locals regard Akrogiali as the best seafood restaurant in the city. The fish is always fresh and the accompaniments are fine. There is also a great view of the sunset in the evening.
Apostolis Taverna (Old Town, 6 Akti Enoseos str., 2821043470)
It is located in the quieter eastern part of the Venetian harbour and it serves fish and Cretan dishes. There is also a good wine list and a view over the harbour.
Iordanis Bougatsa (Chania centre, 96 Kydonias str.)
Iordanis continues the tradition started by his grandfather in 1924 and serves the delicious creamy bougatsa.
Nykterida (Korakies, Chania suburbs, on airport road; 2821064215)
If you want to lash out this is reputedly the best in Chania with Churchill, Anthony Quinn, Melina Mercouri and Andreas Papandreou to have been some of its famous visitors. It is located in the quieter eastern part of the Venetian harbour and it serves fish and Cretan dishes. There is also a good wine list and a view over the harbour.
- Tavernas and Restaurants in the villages of Chania
Destijl (Agia Marina, special dishes and drinks)
This is possibly the most famous multi entertainment space in Chania. It is mainly used as a club after midnight but it is also a coffee-bar and luxury restaurant until midnight. Regarding the restaurant, the dishes and the drinks are very special, so that the prices are quite high.
Destijl is built on the edge of the sea, with palm-trees and sofas in its courtyard, offering great views on the Sea and the island of Agii Theodorou.
Mylos tou Kerata (Platanias, grilled fillets, 28210685778)
It is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the waterfront district of Platania and Agia Marina. It is located in an old water mill. The atmosphere is nice, the menu and wine list extensive with a huge range of grilled chicken, lamb and beef fillets. There is a small stream with ducks in the courtyard.
Maria's Restaurant (Stalos, Cretan and Sea food, 2821068888)
It is served Cretan and Mediterranean food on a plant-filled terrace. The restaurant is located on the eastern edge of Agia Marina.
Myrovigli (Ano Stalos, Cretan food and grills)
It is served traditional Cretan food on a lovely taverna with great balcony with great views. The taverna is located near the square of Ano Stalos, 1.9 km south of the Stalos village (on the hills behind).
Drakiana (Drakiana, Cretan specials, 2821061677)
It is placed under the plane trees platania on the ruined village of Drakiana on the banks of the river. It is located 3 kms north of the village of Platania. Here it is served excellent traditional cuisine with special meat dishes like suckling pig on the spit. It can be reached by the dirt road running inland past Mylos tou Kerata.
Piperia (Kalives, Cretan specials, 2825031245)
It is placed on the beach just before Kalives and it is one of the best restaurants of the district, with Cretan specials and seafood.
Psaros (Almirida, seafood, 2825032138)
It is placed on the far end of the beach in Almirida and it has fresh fish and friendly staff.
Eftixia (Kolymbari, Cretan specials, 2821061677)
Eftixia is a traditional restaurant with excellent kalzone and pies of meat.
Diktinna Taverna (Kolymbari, fish taverna, 2824022611)
This fish taverna is located on the main street and it has a wide range of good fish dishes and nice sea views.
Palio Arhondiko (Kolymbari, seafood and snacks, 2824022124)
This taverna is located on the beach and serves excellent snacks/mezedes and special seafood dishes.
Milos tou Tzerani (Kolymbari, snacks-mezedes, 2824022210)
It is a cafe-bar on the edge of the sea and it is a fine place for a coffee or an evening drink. There are offered also snacks and mezedes.
Restaurant Makedonas (Kastelli Kissamou, home-cooked dishes, 2822022844)
It is located west of the Kastelli square. You can try authentic home-cooked food. Beef potatoes in tomato sauce are recommended by the owners.
Papadakis Taverna (Kastelli Kissamou, fish dishes, 2822022340)
It is a traditional fish taverna at the western end of the seafront promenade. You should try the kakavia (fish soup).
Stimadoris (Kastelli Kissamou, fish dishes, 2822022057)
It is the best-regarded fish taverna about 2 km west of town, just before the fishing harbour. The fish is always fresh since the owners of the taverna are local fishermen.
Kellari Taverna (Kastelli Kissamou, Cretan Specials, 2822023883)
It is right on the beach and it has an extensive range of home-cooked Cretan dishes and fresh fish.
Kastelli (Kastelli Kissamou, mains, 2822022144)
It is located on the square, just opposite the bus station, in Kastelli. Here you can find dishes such as pork stew and casseroles.
To Akrogiali (Kastelli Kissamou, seafood, 2822031410)
It is a fish restaurant with excellent fresh seafood, served on a terrace with the waves almost lapping your table legs. It is located east of a seafront soap factory-but don't let the location to put you off.
Sun Set (Falassarna, 2822041204)
The Sun Set is a taverna in the end of the long beach appropriate for fish and classic Cretan food.
Galasia Thea (Falassarna, home-cooked dishes, 2822041421)
Galasia Thea is located on the top of the cliff in Flasarna with great views on the beach and the sea. It is an ideal place for coffee and home-cooked dishes.
Samaria Taverna (Sfakia, home-cooked dishes, 2822041204)
Samaria Taverna has a good selection of home-cooked and vegetarian dishes as well as the common grills.
Polyfimos (Sougia, 2823051343)
It is located behind the police station. Yannis, an ex-hippy, makes his own oil, wine and raki. The traditional food is fine.
Taverna Rembetiko (Sougia, Cretan dishes, 2823051510)
It is located on the road to Chania. The menu includes Cretan dishes. The taverna is famous for its atmosphere and its good Greek music.
Kyma (Sougia, home-cooked dishes, 2823051670)
The taverna Kyma is located on the waterfront, with many mice home-cooked dishes, fresh local fish and meat. The goat in wine and the rabbit are very tasty.
Dionysos Taverna (Paleochora, home-cooked dishes, 2823041243)
It is one of the oldest tavernas in the town and it is known for its excellent home-cooked dishes. There is also a good range of vegetarian dishes and grills.
Third Eye (Paleochora, vegetarian dishes, 2823041234)
There is a full vegetarian menu and an interesting range of Greek-Asian fusion dishes run by a Greek-New Zealand couple. It is located inland from the sandy beach.
Caravella (Paleochora, Greek dishes-seafood, 2823041131)
Here there are offered fresh Greek dishes and great, fresh seafood. The restaurant overlooks the old harbour. The restaurant is located in the old town seafront, south of the ferry jetty.
Oriental Bay (Paleochora, vegetarian and special dishes, 2823041322)
It is a beachside taverna, at the northern end of the Pebble beach, with cheap vegetarian choices and special dishes such as 'rooster's kiss' (chicken fillet with bacon) and 'drunk cutlet' (pork chop in red wine).
Portofino (Paleochora, pasta and pizzas, 2823041114)
It is a beachside restaurant on the port side with pasta dishes, pizzas and crepes. It is located on the pebble beach.
Calypso (Paleochora, pasta specials and vegetarian dishes, alternative cuisine themes, 2823083019)
There is a lot of quality here with daily soup, salad, and pasta specials, and vegetarian dishes. Sometimes there are organised international cuisine themes with Indian, Mexican and other ethnic cuisines.
Grammeno Taverna (Koundoura, Paleochora, traditional Cretan Food, 2823041505)
The taverna is located three km west towards Koundoura, another small seaside area. It is offered excellent Cretan traditional food.
Sarakiniko (Gavdos, fresh fish, 2823041103)
It is operated by the fisherman Manolis who serves daily fresh fish.
Akrogiali (Gavdos, fresh fish and traditional food, 2823042384)
It is located in Korfos beach and it is served fresh local fish and own goats for Cretan dishes.
Theophilos Taverna (Gavdos, home-cooked dishes, 2823041311)
It is located above Agios Ioannis beach; excellent home-cooked dishes are served.
Poseidon Taverna (Georgioupolis, fish taverna, 2825061026)
You can try excellent seafood dishes here in a lovely courtyard. The taverna is located down a narrow alley to the left as you come into the village.
Taverna Plateia (Georgioupolis, grills, 2825061567)
Here you can find a great range of traditional dishes and grills. It is located south off the main swuare.
Fanis (Georgioupolis, Greek specials, 2825061374)
Fanis serves Cretan dishes and t is famous for its fresh local fish and meat. It is located on the riverbank.
Pavlos Taverna (Loutro, grills)
The Pavlos taverna is recommended for the best grills which are offered here.
Notos Taverna (Loutro, mayirefta and mezedes-snacks)
The Notos taverna is recommended for its mayirefta and mezedes-snacks. |
