The 12 best restaurants to eat in Heraklion

For your holidays in Crete, enjoy it to eat well! Then discover the best restaurants in Heraklion

During your holidays in Crete , you will certainly pass through the capital, Heraklion. This port city represents the birthplace of civilization in Europe. Built on the side of a hill, the city was unfortunately destroyed during the Second World War. Today, there are only few traces of its architectural past.

But yet, the inhabitants kept the traditions and customs so dear to the largest of the Greek islands. Among the city's prides, there is obviously a succulent food. So during your stay, don't miss the best restaurants to eat well in Heraklion. You're gonna enjoy yourself!

1. Peskesi

Peskesi, it’s 10 years of experience and research to make you taste the best flavors of Greece . This restaurant in Heraklion is based on the traditions and natural products of the ridge territories. The goal of the cooks is to pass on the aromas of old.

At the origin of Peskesi, it is a family that holds a farm. They harvest raw materials and put them directly on your plate for a 100% local dish.

2. Kouseineri

Kouseineri Restaurant is located in the centre of Heraklion. Recently renovated, space is worthy of the largest steak houses American. As soon as you arrive, you will feel the typical atmosphere of the aristocracy of New York . So, good taste, elegance and hospitality mix to make you spend an excellent time with your loved ones.

In addition to the atmosphere, the Kouseineri is above all a place where you can eat well in Heraklion. For this, the restaurant offers a wide range of meats per kilo, such as the beef coast or the faux-filet. And among the traditional dishes of the establishment, taste the wagyu of the sea, the pork stock for two people or the chicken with beer. After your lunch, don’t hesitate to sit at the bar to digest.

3. Merastri

Located a little outside the city centre, Merastri is one of the restaurants in Heraklion not to be missed. Since 2006, the institution has won the Gourmet Award every year. This promises you absolutely succulent food.

The restaurant guarantees respect to the letter of the Greek tradition. The dishes are cooked using a wood oven to provide you with 1 001 flavors. And pasta is prepared by hand through a special recipe. Indeed, they are plunged into a broth and are then served with dry Anthotyro.

For your menu, taste the scrambled eggs with cream, chortopites, lamb meat with potatoes, and of course the cretan wine.

In addition to excellent cuisine, Merastri is also characterized by its exceptional service in the image of the population. So dessert is offered with a shot of raki.

4. Paralia

Heraklion being a port, you must taste the fish that the city has to offer you. So for this, go to Paralia, one of the best places or eat in Heraklion. The hotel offers exceptional quality home cuisine. Set on the terrace to enjoy a beautiful view of the sea while eating the dishes of Paralia.

Guests can enjoy a fresh fish or excellent mussaka. And don’t hesitate to accompany your menu with a white wine. At the end of the meal, a raki is offered to you with some small sweets.

5. Erganos

Among the unmissable restaurants in Heraklion, there is Erganos. This tavern transports you into pure ridge tradition, through its decoration, and above all, its cuisine. Here you will feel like landing in a local house with woven curtains, plates hung to walls, and coils placed at the corner of the fireplace. In addition, traditional music and songs accompany you for your meal.

Once you’ve been filled with the atmosphere, it’s time to taste the delicious dishes prepared by the chefs. For this, enjoy the cheese pie with honey, sarikopites, fried lamb or meat and dolmas pasta.

6. Ntoré Gastronomy

To be sure to eat well in Heraklion, go to Ntoré Gastronomy. The hotel offers you the best of Cretan cuisine during your stay in the capital of the island.

Ideally located next to the archaeological museum, the restaurant serves typical Greek dishes. To prepare delicious menus, the chef exclusively uses raw materials from small local producers. Among the meals we suggest daurade, salads or ravioli.

In addition to exceptional food, you have a very rich wine card with whites or reds, without forgetting rakia.

7. Vourvouladikon

This restaurant in Heraklion welcomes you in a warm atmosphere with a staff listening to you throughout the meal.

Do not hesitate to take several dishes to taste everything. And good news if you're hungry, the menus are served with important quantities.

Among the must-sees, opt for the pork stock and its citrus juice, the grilled vegetable cube with cheese and parsley or pie feta and pepper. For vegetarians, the hotel offers a wide range of menus between fresh salads or zucchini balls.

Be careful, the Vourvouladikon being the victim of his success, it is best to book upstream to have a place.

8. Athali

Athali is detained by the Samariti. They come from one of the oldest families in Skafia. His members had an important role in the history of the Crest.

Particularly proud of their origins, the Samariti transmit customs through their cuisine. Thus, by going to this restaurant, you will discover authentic skafian dishes.

And to surprise you, the chefs add some variations to bring a little modernity to their traditions. So to enjoy it, we suggest the season boiled herbs, the rolling goat or the skafiano sausage. If you follow these recommendations, you are certain to eat well in Heraklion.

9. Peninta Peninta

Within the central market, between the various shops, is Peninta-Peninta. After exploring this beautiful colorful bazaar, enjoy in this establishment offering you the best of the island’s cuisine. Thanks to the talent of its cooks, this restaurant in Heraklion transforms raw materials from the region into absolutely delicious dishes.

In addition to food, the bar also offers a wide variety of beverages. So if you’re thirsty, you’ll have a choice between many beers, ozo, raki, fine drinks and cocktails.

10. Herb’s Garden Restaurant

Located on a terrace, Herbs Garden offers an exceptional view of the old port and the Venetian fortress. Opened in the summer, between early May and late October, this restaurant in Heraklion offers refined cuisine while you admire the panorama. These are precisely the dishes that make all the fame of the establishment.

You can enjoy fresh fish and seafood, soft meat and seasonal salads. To these menus, chefs add the island’s herbs to give even more flavours.

11. Granary

This café in the heart of Heraklion welcomes you in a warm and refined atmosphere. Here you can enjoy salads, gyros and sandwiches, as well as good pancakes. To offer you quality dishes, the establishment is based on selected raw materials with care.

So, don’t hesitate to go the eyes closed and especially enjoy!

12. Cooking with love

After visiting the various monuments of the city, eat in Heraklion in the restaurant Cooking with love . With only a few tables, the hotel transmits a very friendly atmosphere. This is partly due to the kindness of his guests. They offer you traditional, family, copier, and above all, cooked with love.

So to enjoy it, order typical Greek dishes, such as salads, beef, mussaka or a delicious dessert yoghurt.