Where to eat in Chania? Where not to eat! Thankfully it’s hard to have a bad meal in Crete. The local produce is amazing and the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. However, there are a few tourist traps that local people avoid (as a rule if you are right on the water in Chania Harbour then you are there for the view and not the food). Below are some of my absolute favourite places to eat and visit and I believe they are currently the best restaurants in Chania
Overall Best Restaurant in Chania – TAMAM
Tamam is somewhere I have been going since I was a kid and have so many great memories. If friends or family are visiting from abroad then this is one of my go to places to take them.
Some of the highlights include: delicious yet inexpensive house wine, amazing salads and all sorts of Cretan delicacies. The restaurant opened in 1982 and is situated in what was once a Turkish bath house.
The place is still run by the same family that started it and the service feels warm and natural. You atmosphere is relaxed and not formal. However, there is a definite aura to the place and the building itself is worth visiting for. The tables are quite small and close together but this only adds to the intimate atmosphere. Reservations are a must especially in summer.
Best Restaurant Outside of Chania – BOTANICAL PARK OF CRETE
Chania is not just a city but also the name of the local region. One of the highlights of Chania are the white mountains. One of my top places to visit in the region is the restaurant at the Botanical Park of Crete. You do have to drive to get there but the view and the food are so worth it.
What I normally like to do is wonder around and explore the gardens first (they have over 20 hectares of land) and build up an appetite. Then sit back, relax and enjoy the incredible views. The vegetables, herbs and fruits all come from the botanical park and you really can taste the difference.
Best Option for a Traditional Breakfast – BOUGATSA IORDANIS
Its not really a restaurant as such but it deserves a mention because bougatsa is one of my favorite breakfast pastries and a big part of the Cretan culinary experience. It is made from flakey phyllo dough and either filled with custard or creamy cheese, sprinkled with sugar.
You can either choose the original with cheese or go with custard, both are best eaten when warm. You can eat it there or take it to go and sit by the harbour which is what I like to do.
I hope you get to visit Crete in person and sample some of the delicious food we have to offer. Please get in touch if you are looking for a guide to show you the hidden gems. You can read over 250 five star reviews here. This page tells you more about the range of experiences that we offer.
Garry
