Although Greek food is famous worldwide, avid travelers often find marked differences between flavors and cooking methods while island-hopping around the country. One such culinary destination in Greece, a must-visit for gourmands planning a sailing trip using Ferryscanner, is Crete. The best places to eat in Crete have a homely ambiance and serve delicious Cretan food, converting every meal into an unforgettable memory.
No less than other island attractions, Cretan food provides incredible insight into local traditions and lifestyles. Therefore, indulging in the regional cuisine at the best restaurants in Crete is an unmissable opportunity to taste age-old recipes cooked using the freshest of indigenous ingredients.
Migomis Piano Restaurant
Address: Nik. Plastira 20, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00
Migomis Piano is a favorite among tourists due to its advantageous position overlooking Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos. The centrally located restaurant in Crete has a traditional ambiance with a splash of contemporary style. Migomis offers both indoor and alfresco dining. The latter is forever in demand as it promises spectacular views of the surroundings.
Taking space in a building dating back to the 1890s, Migomis is open from April to October. During this time, they have daily piano recitals that add a lyrical element to dining at what is among the most stunning places to eat in Crete. The owners also have a café nearby that is open year-round. Boasting an extensive menu, Migomis plates Cretan, Greek, and Mediterranean fare. When eating here, the sauteed beef skillet, fish of the day, cold strawberry soup, and grilled calamari are the must-haves.
Peskesi
Address: Kapetan Haralampi 6-8, TK, Iraklio 7012 02
If it is an atmospheric setting you desire, Peskesi in Heraklion should be your number one choice among all the best places to eat in Crete. Serving authentic Cretan food since 2014, the restaurant occupies a 19th-century traditional building. Once the residence of Captain Polyxigkis, a local freedom fighter, the house’s interiors now have a rustic meets fashionable feel. Indoor and courtyard seating, mood lighting, tiled flooring, and pastoral stone walls help in creating the perfect background for a romantic dinner.
The menu at Peskesi is as exquisite as its décor. Firmly believing in the farm-to-table concept, Peskesi uses ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheese, and honey grown and produced at its own organic farm. If wishing to taste some genuinely flavorful Cretan specialties, try the foukaki – fried pork with pita, smoked ham with sundried tomatoes, strapatsada – Cretan scrambled eggs, and Kreokakavos – roasted pork with honey and thyme. Complementing the food is Peskesi’s wine list that features a wonderful selection of bottles from regional wineries.
Chrisostomos
Address: Deykalion and Ikarus, Chania 731 32
Chrisostomos is a charming eatery situated near the harbor of Chania. It takes great pride in serving old-style Cretan recipes passed down over generations. An award-winning, picture-perfect restaurant in Crete, Chrisostomos is particularly known for hand-kneading its bread and using a wood oven that gives the dishes an authentic rural flavor.
To promote the community and guarantee an honest representation of Cretan food, the diner uses ingredients sourced mainly from the Sfakia region. Furthermore, it is among the best restaurants in Crete for lamb dishes. However, their moussaka, beef stew, snails, and cuttlefish with fennel and olives are equally enjoyable. Popular with the locals, it is best to make a reservation at Chrisostomos a couple of days in advance.
Taverna Dionysos
Address: EO Rethimnou Irakliou, Rethymno 741 00
It is pertinent to remember that not all the best places to eat in Crete are near the water. Taverna Dionysos is a family-run, roadside Cretan restaurant hidden away in the mountain village of Myrthios. A meal here includes panoramic views of Plakias Bay and the Libyan Sea. Inside, the terrace restaurant has typical island décor with shells in jars and colorful paintings on walls.
The food at Taverna Dionysos, prepared using olive oil and ingredients from around town, is genuine to its very core. Epicureans wanting to relish the true flavors of Crete should not miss out on the meatballs, snails, and stuffed courgette flowers when eating here. For entertainment seekers, the taverna hosts karaoke on Sunday afternoons that is an absolute hoot. Moreover, owners Poppy and Stavros are incredibly good-natured and go out of their way to make every customer as comfortable as possible.
Ferryman Taverna
Address: Akti Olountos, Schisma Elountas 720 53
Do you fancy a bit of celebrity spotting? If yes, head straight to Ferryman Taverna, one of the best restaurants in Crete, to relish local food. The family-owned modest eatery on the edges of Elounda Bay is extremely popular with the jet-set crowd. When it first opened in 1974, the eatery was known as Vasilis Taverna. However, it changed its name to Ferryman after the area became a location for the popular 1970s TV series Who Pays the Ferryman? Today, while the restaurant’s fame continues to rise, it still maintains a classic persona.
Taking charge in the kitchen of Ferryman, where the majority of the food is handmade, is chef Michael Ntounetas. Under his watchful eyes, everything from the pita bread to the kebabs gets a contemporary gourmet spin. At the same time, the staff caters to every gastronomic whim of their guests. So, with views of Spinalongla in the distance, diners at Ferryman Taverna get to enjoy specialties such as grilled prawns, dakos, smoked aubergine dip, lamb chops, and octopus. While slightly on the expensive side, the Ferryman is excellent for any celebratory meal during your holiday in Crete.