Trip Planner
Our personal recommendations — pick what suits you and explore.
Restaurants
In Heraklion city
Top pick
Peskesi
Heraklion Old Town
4.8 (15,374)
Traditional Elevated Farm to table
Celebrated farm-to-table Cretan cuisine — book ahead.
Top pick
7 Thalasses
Nea Alikarnassos
4.7 (2,512)
Seafood
Seafood specialist near the airport in Nea Alikarnassos.
Antipodas
Korai St., Heraklion
4.5 (4,251)
Traditional Great value
Creative Cretan small plates at great prices.
Apiri Greek Eatery
Old Town, Heraklion
4.7 (3,527)
Elevated Family-friendly
Refined modern Greek cooking — and a rare kids' menu.
Erganos
Heraklion
4.6 (2,872)
Traditional Great value
Reliable Greek favourite in central Heraklion.
Kafeneio O Lakkos
Heraklion
4.5 (1,678)
Small plates Great value
Cosy small-plates kafeneio in Heraklion, open till 1am.
Lemoni Tavern
Kornarou Sq., Heraklion
4.9 (277)
Traditional Great value
Generous portions of local cooking at friendly prices.
Psarotaverna Ouzeri Kavouras
Nea Alikarnassos
4.7 (558)
Seafood Small plates
Fish taverna & ouzeri in Nea Alikarnassos.
Psistaria Kenourgia Porta
Heraklion
4.8 (545)
Grill house Great value
Old-school grill house in Heraklion, great value.
Sfouggaras Fish Taverna Ouzeri
Nea Alikarnassos
4.9 (260)
Seafood
Fish taverna & ouzeri with fresh seafood in Nea Alikarnassos.
Thigaterra - The Art of Slow Food
Heraklion
4.7 (3,346)
Elevated Slow living
Slow-food dining in Heraklion — thoughtful, seasonal menu.
30-45 min drive from Heraklion
Top pick
Aloni Traditional Cretan Restaurant
Agioi Deka
4.9 (744)
Traditional
Outstanding traditional Cretan cooking in South Crete.
Top pick
Avli in Malia
Malia
4.9 (4,922)
Elevated Farm to table
Elegant courtyard dining in Malia — nearly 5,000 reviews.
Gianni's Taverna in Kiparissi
Kiparissos
4.8 (1,648)
Traditional Candlelit, no electricity
Classic taverna in Kiparissi under ancient olive trees — candlelit, with no electricity.
Kavourina
Ligaria
4.6 (398)
Seafood Great view
Seaside taverna near Agia Pelagia, great for fresh fish.
Kosmas Traditional Taverna
Stamnoi
4.8 (1,400)
Traditional
Traditional taverna in Stamnoi under a leafy vine trellis — 4.8 stars.
Kritika Votana
Nivritos
4.9 (221)
Traditional
Herb-themed taverna in Nivritos — worth the detour south.
Logari
Kato Gouves
4.9 (718)
Traditional
Beloved local taverna with a leafy garden setting — 4.9 stars.
Semeli Restaurant - Cafe
Choudetsi
4.8 (543)
Traditional
Taverna-cafe in Choudetsi — check it's reopened before visiting.
Stou Kouroupi
Loutraki
4.9 (368)
Traditional Great value
Casual favourite in Loutraki with great value and big flavours.
Taverna Krassopsychia
Krasi
4.9 (2,170)
Traditional
Taverna in Krasi known for its wood-fired meat dishes — 4.9 stars.
To Kleidi
Katalagari
4.6 (432)
Small plates Open late
Small plates and mezedes in Katalagari, open late.