Food

Restaurants You Should Visit

ILIOMANOLAKIS

The best choice for cuisine in South Crete. A wide variety of cooked food, you choose what you want over the pots. Just seeing the restaurant kitchen with all the cooked food in front of you is enough. Plus the very good prices and the treat with seasonal fruits and local raki. Very close to Plakias, at the exit of the Kotsyfos gorge in the village of Kanevos

MATHIOS COFFEE SHOP

Continuing south we pass Spili and following the road to Kerame, we meet the village of Drimiskos. There, in the unique cafe under the plane tree, you will find Mathios. With a little patience and in a human way, ask him to make you something to eat, and to drink a raki. It can give you sensational French fries, the best mizithra you've ever eaten, bulbs, wild greens, local eggs or even fried rabbit, all made in a small gas cooker. Generously offering you the magic of authentic Cretan cuisine that makes "a little" a lot.

MANOLI'S CANTINE

LEMONOKIPOS

The name of this place, Lemonokipos translates from Greek as Lemon Tree Garden. And no wonder! This restaurant featured a lovely garden overlooking the main Mikrasiaton Square in the Old Town.

So, do have a seat at the wooden table under the foliage of lemon and pomegranate trees!

You can come here just for a coffee (in this case, order their symbolic Lemon Tart) or for a full meal, their choice of seafood is outstanding!

The menu is made of Cretan and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, featuring fresh local ingredients. They have also a great interior sitting space.

If you’re a wine lover, check their cellar with an extensive collection of carefully selected Cretan and Greek wines.

AVLI

I will never grow tired of recommending booking a table at Avli, probably the most enchanting garden in town, home to fabulous cuisine and authentic Cretan hospitality.

Their impressive menu features fresh local products presented with creativity and impeccable touches of taste… in every meaning.

If you want to splurge in unique flavors, do try their slow-cooked wild goat with honey, thyme, and petimezi (grape molasses).

Avli is also one of the finest boutique hotels on the island, and they also offer a wonderful a-là-carte breakfast both for guests and those who are not staying with them.

Their breakfast menu will allow you to experience the authentic Cretan breakfast once eaten on the island. This is definitely one of those places you should experience at least once when in town.

LA CASA DI HARIS

The pizzeria has a pleasant interior design with some interesting details, like a big painting of the ancient Greeks cooking pizza.

Yet, flavors are definitely Cretan, try their Cretan pizza with smoked pork and chicken apaki (a locally curated meat) topped with Kefalotyri and dry Anthotyro cheese.

… and if you want to try something sweet, head to Hari’s Creperie

If you’re in the mood for some authentic Italian flavors, check La Casa di Hari's.

As a matter of fact, people come from all over Crete to eat here! They have amazing homemade pizzas and pasta dishes.

And it’s possible to watch all the processes of cooking from your table. They use fresh local ingredients that add a fantastic taste to each dish.

Here, pancakes and waffles are not just a dessert, but a piece of art!

All amazingly decorated with different toppings, fruits, syrups, chocolates, and cookies. The menu is full of choices.

They also serve savory waffles and pancakes with salami, cheese, bacon, and other ingredients.

If you’re up to it, go for my favorite: Hari’s Special, a waffle with all the possible toppings, including but not limited to ice-cream, fresh strawberries and bananas, chocolate cookies, white and dark chocolate, and even caramelized pop-corn!

Both places, and pizzeria and creperie, are always busy, so it can take a long time to get your order, but it is 100% worth it!

TAVERNA DRYMOS

If you decide to go for a hike in the gorge of Agios Antonios (also known as Patsos gorge), then you must stop at Drymos Country Taverna for a real Cretan meal.

Well actually, this tavern is worth a visit anyway, but after exploring the gorge, you will definitely be so hungry that their giant portions will be ideal.

Once you step into the huge open shed you will travel back in time and experience the Cretan rustic life of the previous century.

Old wooden tables, chairs, and sofas with ornamented covers, a big fire stove with meat cooking, and work tools hanging on the wooden pillars… a postcard of everyday life in any Cretan Village. On one side of the taverna, you’ll see the mountain river with small waterfalls and ducks swimming around. You can also find a mini-zoo and a children’s playground, so it’s a perfect place for families too.

TAVERNA GOULES

One of the top-rated restaurants in the Rethymnon region, Goules Taverna, lives up to its impeccable reputation.

The tavern presents a selection of old-time recipes with traditional Cretan traits, including plenty of herbs and tasty spices from the surrounding countryside.

A menu that features the local motto of a little bit of all, including plenty of fragrant Cretan olive oil and strictly fresh products.

Their salads to die for, and certainly add to the experience of a wonderful road trip ride through the local landscape.

This is just a selection of the places I enjoy and where I usually meet with friends when having a night out in Rethymnon.

The old town, as well as the region, has so many restaurants, tavernas, and places to try the delicious local food that you wouldn’t know which one to pick.

Hopefully, this guide has given you an idea about the best restaurants in Rethymnon… and where you’ll have your next Cretan meal!