# Crete Restaurants: Where to Eat Across the Island > Where to eat in Crete, region by region: Cretan tavernas, cafes and specialities across Chania in the west, Rethymno on the south coast, Heraklion in the north and Lasithi in the east. | | | |---|---| | Regions | 4 | | On arrival | Water & bread | | After the meal | Free raki | | Guide covers | Tavernas & cafes | **Cretan cuisine centres on fresh mezedes, grilled fish and meat, salads with feta and local olives, and a free bottle of raki at the end of the meal — and how you eat it changes as you cross the island's four regions.** Chania in the west, Rethymno on the south coast, Heraklion in the north and Lasithi in the east each have their own harbour tavernas and village kitchens; this guide sets out the specialities to look for and routes you to a full restaurant list for every region. ## Cretan food & specialities _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ _Photo: Dishes and tavernas across Crete_ Cretan tavernas build their menus on fresh, local ingredients and generous portions. Expect **tzatziki**, **Greek and Cretan salads** with feta, tomato and local olives, **spinach pies**, **zucchini balls** and **taramosalata** (fish roe) among the appetizers. Main courses run to **moussaka**, **pastichio**, **stifado** (beef stewed with onions), **keftedakia** (meatballs), **chicken souvlaki** and **gyros**, and grilled fish such as sea bass, dorade, swordfish and sardines. The bread comes fresh and in one piece, and the fries are usually home-made and crispy. Two customs repeat across every village: a free bottle of cold water and small appetizers when you sit down, and a free bottle of **raki** — often with a dessert or fruit — at the end of the meal. Raki mixed with honey is called **rakomelo**. ## Chania: the west Chania, the western region, has its tavernas spread from the town beaches to the villages of the Apokoronas. In **Almyrida** a whole row of seafront tavernas and cafes serves fish, original salads and grilled meat, while smaller villages such as **Afrata** keep simple, friendly square-side kitchens, and beach spots like **Agios Onoufrios** grill the fresh fish you pick in the kitchen. See the full list on the [Chania restaurants](https://fly2greece.net/chania-restaurants.html) page. ## Rethymno & the south coast Rethymno reaches down to the Libyan Sea, and much of its dining sits on the south coast. The harbour of **Agia Galini** lines its port and beach with tavernas serving grilled fish, Greek salad and local wine, and further along the coast **Agios Pavlos** looks out over the sea from hillside terraces. Browse them all on the [Rethymno restaurants](https://fly2greece.net/rethymno-restaurants.html) page. ## Heraklion & the north Heraklion, the central region and home to the island capital, has its most-loved village tavernas on the north coast. **Agia Pelagia** lines its bay with harbour tavernas and cocktail bars — places like Bravo, Mouragio, Cochili and Oregano — known for grilled fish, chicken dishes and generous free raki. Find the full selection on the [Heraklion restaurants](https://fly2greece.net/heraklion-restaurants.html) page. ## Lasithi & the east Lasithi, the eastern region, centres on the lakeside town of **Agios Nikolaos**, where cafes and snack bars ring the Voulismeni lake and the seafront boulevard. The south coast around **Agia Fotia** adds relaxed beach tavernas with sea views. See where to eat on the [Lasithi restaurants](https://fly2greece.net/lasithi-restaurants.html) page. ## Frequently asked questions **What is traditional Cretan food like?** Cretan tavernas serve mezedes and grills built on fresh, local ingredients. Common dishes in this guide include tzatziki, Greek and Cretan salads with feta, spinach pies, zucchini balls, keftedakia (meatballs), moussaka, pastichio, stifado (beef stewed with onions), chicken souvlaki and gyros, taramosalata (fish roe) and grilled fish such as sea bass, dorade, swordfish and sardines. Bread is usually served fresh and in one piece. **Do Cretan tavernas really give free raki?** Yes. Across the villages in this guide it is normal to receive a free bottle of raki, the local spirit, at the end of a meal, often with a dessert or a plate of fruit. Many tavernas also bring a free bottle of cold water and small appetizers when you sit down. Rakomelo is raki mixed with honey. **Where are the best restaurants in Crete?** This guide reviews places by region. Chania in the west covers villages such as Almyrida, Afrata and Agios Onoufrios; Rethymno and the south coast cover Agia Galini and Agios Pavlos; Heraklion in the north covers Agia Pelagia; and Lasithi in the east covers Agios Nikolaos. Each region links to its own restaurant page. **Is eating out in Crete expensive?** The tavernas reviewed in this guide are generally inexpensive with generous portions. Many serve large plates, home-made crispy fries and free water, and finish the meal with a complimentary raki or dessert. --- Source: [Crete Restaurants: Where to Eat Across the Island](https://fly2greece.net/crete-restaurants.html) — fly2greece.net, an independent guide to Greece written and photographed by Hans Huisman since 2000. Reviewed July 2026.