Must-see restaurants in Rethymno Province

  • Garden Arkoudenas

    Rethymno Province

    One of the most enjoyable places to experience traditional Cretan cuisine and hospitality is this vibrant taverna set among fruit trees and adjoining…

  • Taverna Iliomanolis

    Rethymno Province

    At the top of Kotsifou Gorge, mountainside Taverna Iliomanolis serves superb homestyle Cretan food. There’s no menu, but you’ll be invited into the…

  • Taverna Sideratico

    Rethymno Province

    In an appealing location away from Spili's touristy centre, this delightful taverna sits on the main road 500m south of town. There's no menu, so you'll…

  • Taverna Nest

    Rethymno Province

    For honest-to-goodness farm-to-table fare, report to this upstairs terrace where home-cooked meals are served in ample portions and with big smiles…

  • Raki Baraki

    Rethymno

    Rustic, colourful and lively, this is a fantastic place to while away the evening over mezedhes (appetisers) like flavoursome grilled mushrooms with…

  • Taverna Panorama

    Rethymno Province

    One of the oldest restaurants in the area, Panorama could not be more aptly named: on the shaded terrace, intoxicating views stretch towards the Libyan…

  • Taverna Karavostasi

    Rethymno Province

    With veggies straight from its garden and local wine from the barrel, this taverna on pint-sized Karavostasi beach offers homemade dishes that are…

  • George & Georgia’s

    Rethymno Province

    Husband-and-wife team George and Georgia serve up satisfying homestyle Cretan food at this cheerful, hopping place. Expect scrumptious oven-roasted dishes…

  • Vrisi

    Rethymno Province

    Set below the main road, this stylish restaurant creates delicious Cretan cuisine with panache. Dishes like chicken with honey and mustard, fig and…

  • Arodamos

    Rethymno Province

    This big restaurant in a modern stone house in the upper village is highly regarded for its hearty mountain fare and gracious hospitality. Local…

  • Meli

    Rethymno

    Stop by Meli for its delicious array of fresh goat's-milk ice cream, in flavours ranging from ricotta and fig to yoghurt and pomegranate to its signature…

  • Taverna Fantastiko

    Rethymno Province

    With its sweeping pastoral views and fantastic Cretan cuisine, there's no false advertising going on with the naming of this hilltop taverna. All dishes…

  • Taverna Aetos

    Rethymno Province

    This traditional taverna in the upper village has a giant charcoal grill out the front and fantastic mountain views out the back. On offer are such…

  • koo koo

    Rethymno

    The place to head if you need respite from traditional Greek food, this contemporary cafe does a menu of all-day brunch fare. Expect the likes of smashed…

  • Veneto

    Rethymno

    In a 14th-century manor house that doubles as a boutique hotel, Veneto oozes historic charm from every nook and cranny. The kitchen adds a contemporary…

  • Ta Skalomata

    Rethymno Province

    In the upper village, Skalomata has provided sustenance to locals and travellers for about 40 years. When you peel your eyes away from the view through…

  • Sleepy Dragon

    Rethymno Province

    Named after Agios Pavlos' rocky peninsula that resembles a reclining dragon, this contemporary open-air cafe is all about its clifftop patio with views…

  • Yiorgos Hatziparaskos

    Rethymno

    Established in 1948, Yiorgos Hatziparaskos is one of the last traditional filo masters in all of Greece. Assisted by his wife, Katerina, and son,…

  • Avli

    Rethymno

    This well-established Venetian villa serves creative Cretan food with a side of romance. Farm-fresh fare steers the menu, resulting in dishes with bold…

  • Alekos Kafeneio

    Rethymno Province

    An excellent choice for lunch, this little taverna has a small but superb daily selection of traditional mayirefta (ready-cooked meals). There’s no menu,…

  • Thalassographia

    Rethymno

    With cascading terraces from fortress to sea, this is where locals head for dinner and unbeatable coastal views. The eclectic Mediterranean menu offers up…

  • Faros Fish Tavern

    Rethymno Province

    This no-frills family-run fish taverna is usually packed to the gills, and for good reason: the owner himself drops his nets into the Med, so you know…

  • Psaropoula

    Rethymno Province

    The steep climb up to this family-run taverna is worth the effort for the outstanding views alone: there's a commanding outlook over the translucent…

  • Makan

    Rethymno

    Not your average takeaway joint, Makan is more of a designer souvlaki bar, with a contemporary-chic interior yet old-school prices. Here you can build…

  • Mojo Burgers

    Rethymno

    With a divey graffitied interior and a large menu, Mojo’s delivers some of the best burgers and hot dogs this side of the Atlantic. Try the Alabama Mama,…

  • Gaias Gefseis

    Rethymno

    For loukoumadhes (doughnut-like concoctions drizzled with honey and cinnamon), follow your nose to Gaias Gefseis. This bakery creates some of the city’s…

  • Taverna Kastro

    Rethymno Province

    The flower-festooned courtyard is a great place to sit, but it’s what’s on the plate that will truly wow you. Classic Cretan recipes get a modern makeover…

  • Cafe Platia

    Rethymno Province

    Perched above the Venetian fountain, this scenic taverna is run by a well-regarded husband-and-wife culinary team. It has a fairly basic menu, but its…

  • Taverna Knossos

    Rethymno

    Most tout-fronted tavernas in the Venetian Harbour focus on folkloric ambience rather than food quality. Owned by the amiable Stavroulaki family for half…

  • Taverna Rousolakos

    Rethymno Province

    Just up from the car park at Preveli Beach, this friendly taverna is perfect for a post-beach feed. It's within a centuries-old stone building and does a…

  • Platia

    Rethymno Province

    Set in a square just up from the harbour, this cafe-bistro-bar is popular with locals. Excellent breakfasts (€6 to €10) offer everything from yoghurt and…

  • Panorama

    Rethymno Province

    Watch the boats bob in the port while enjoying excellent fish and homestyle food high on the terrace of this former carob warehouse. In business since…

  • Castelvecchio

    Rethymno

    In a Venetian-era building a bone toss from the fortress, chic yet chilled Castelvecchio is perfect for date night – especially if your date is a plate of…

  • Onar

    Rethymno Province

    Even after 30-plus years in business, Onar still hasn’t lost its grip on the crowd. There are plenty of other tavernas with romantic views over the port,…

  • Porto Parasiris

    Rethymno Province

    This upbeat, colourful harbourside patio is a great place to relax. Meals have a creative edge – try pork with dried fruit or chicken with lavender…

  • Taverna Kipos

    Rethymno Province

    The tree-shaded and flower-filled patio here offers a peaceful setting for both classic taverna fare and international cuisine. It shares space with…

  • Maria Kostas Taverna

    Rethymno Province

    Come here for the home cooking and dine on the patio hung with gourds and overflowing with flowers. You’ll likely find Maria in the kitchen stuffing…

  • En Plo

    Rethymno

    One of several tavernas right at the water’s edge below the fortress, En Plo does dependable faves like shrimp spaghetti and grilled salmon but shows its…

  • Yianni’s

    Rethymno Province

    Just south of the Venetian fountain, this friendly place has a big roadside terrace, reliably good traditional cooking and a decent house red. Try the…

  • Mandalos

    Rethymno Province

    On the shady main square, Mandolos is a well-regarded taverna. Dig into big portions of local standards like slow-cooked goat while relaxing under the…

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