Heraklion Restaurants: Where to Eat in Central Crete
The tavernas the author knows best in the Heraklion region line the beachfront of Agia Pelagia, with more good tables in the resort villages of Gouves and Analipsi on the north coast. This guide covers where to eat across central Crete, from the Agia Pelagia dining scene to Xilino Tavern in Gouves and Ela Messa in Analipsi. Hire a car to explore Crete at your own pace, covered in our Crete car hire guide.
- Region
- Central Crete
- Main dining
- Agia Pelagia
- On the beach
- Bravo, Mouragio
- Also good
- Gouves, Analipsi
Agia Pelagia
Agia Pelagia has a good choice of tavernas, kafenions and restaurants, most of them right on the main beach and none of them really expensive. Bravo is a taverna on the main beach run by Antonis, who also owns the Attalos apartments; the author rates its chicken giros, pastichio and Caesar salad, and praises the free raki and the welcome. The Home, in the main street a short walk from the beach, is the former Irini restaurant and serves breakfasts, omelettes, salads, burgers, pasta, fish and chicken with Illy coffee. More shops, small take-away restaurants and cocktail bars stand near the Capsis Hotel.
Mouragio
Mouragio is the fourth taverna from the start of the Agia Pelagia beach. The author returns for its fried courgettes, tuna salad, gyros and chicken, and rates its swordfish fillet and lamb chops among the best on the coast. The cook is the husband of Stella, who runs the front. Since 2019 the taverna has been modernised, with a bar, take-away food and ice cream, so the cooking is now simpler and faster. The author scores it 8 out of 10.
Xilino Tavern, Gouves
Xilino Tavern sits on the seafront of Gouves, 18 km east of Heraklion, with comfortable seats by the water. It serves Greek and international dishes, grills, fish, pizzas, breakfasts, omelettes, crepes and snacks. The author had an English breakfast and a good cappuccino here, served with whipped milk, and scored the taverna 7 out of 10.
Ela Messa, Analipsi
Ela Messa stands on the beach boulevard of Analipsi, a quiet resort village next to Chersonissos. The coffee is strong and good, and the service is friendly, though a cappuccino comes with whipped cream and without the usual biscuit or glass of water. The author scores it 7.5 out of 10. Analipsi also keeps a well-run family restaurant near the beach that serves a good-value Greek plate.
