Cretan cuisine is an important part of the island’s culture and charm, and one of the things that visitors remember most. Food is an important part of life in Crete, so you’ll find places to eat in almost every corner of the island. Chania is no exception, with countless options both in the city centre and in the surrounding villages, from traditional tavernas and restaurants to street food and brunch spots.
I’ve put together some of my favourite options to help you easily find whatever you’re looking for.
Breakfast
Phyllo Breakfast & Brunch is one of the most popular places for brunch in Chania Old Town. It is located on a beautiful street and serves original dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, interesting flavour combinations and a modern approach.
Try to arrive early, as it is a small place and gets very busy.
Bougatsa Chania and Bougatsa Iordanis are two of the best places to try traditional Chania bougatsa, which is commonly eaten for breakfast. Chania-style bougatsa is made with thin phyllo pastry and local mizithra cheese and is usually served with sugar and cinnamon.
For more brunch inspiration, check out my complete guide: Where to eat Brunch in Chania: 6 spots locals love.
Street Food
Delish Food Streat Story is one of the standout souvlaki spots in central Chania. You’ll probably spot it by the long queue that often forms outside. There are plenty of options, including pork and chicken gyros and souvlaki, as well as vegetarian choices with halloumi or mushrooms. You can eat there or get your food to take away, as many locals do.
Alterna Canteena is the perfect place to grab something to eat after a night out, even if it is already past midnight, as it stays open until the early hours of the morning. Alterna serves sandwiches in handmade bread filled with different kinds of meat or vegetables, along with delicious extras such as caramelised onions, fries and vegetables.
If you’re in the mood for a burger, head to Stou Manou Burgers, a relatively new place in a another part of central Chania, on one of the city’s shopping streets. The menu has only four or five burgers, but they are all delicious, and there is a vegetarian option too. The best part, though, is its urban courtyard and the overall atmosphere.
If you’re looking for pizza by the slice, Funky’s is a solid choice. It is in a central location close to the Old Town and has plenty of different flavours to choose from. You can order either a slice or a whole pizza at a very reasonable price. It is not really somewhere I would choose for a sit-down meal, though. I’d say it’s much better for takeaway.
Traditional Kafeneia
The traditional kafeneio has a special place in everyday life in Crete, and I think you should visit one if you want to get a fuller picture of Crete.
In Chania Old Town, you’ll find Kafeneio Bourbos, set on a quiet square with simple tables, traditional drinks such as raki, beer, ouzo, tsikoudia and wine, and a menu of classic meze dishes including meatballs, Cretan salad, fries and grilled pork belly. It’s the perfect place to eat traditional food and feel like a local.
There is also a more modern version of the traditional kafeneio in Splantzia Square. Kafeneio Fix offers a more contemporary take on the traditional kafeneio that combines tradition with a modern approach. You’ll find the traditional drinks here too, along with a good selection of dishes for different tastes.
Tavernas & Restaurants
Oinopoieio is one of the classic restaurants of Chania Old Town. It is housed in an old winery – hence the name – and serves a traditional menu, with a focus on both flavour and presentation. Remember to order the grilled vegetables with Sfakian pie.
You’ll see Tamam mentioned in almost every travel guide to Chania, and for good reason. It is a very distinctive restaurant serving traditional Greek dishes influenced by Ottoman and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. You can try dishes such as dolmadakia, hünkar beğendi, fava and many other delicious traditional dishes. Make sure you book a table, as it is very popular, especially during the busiest months.
If you’re looking for a more upscale restaurant, choose Salis at the Old Venetian Harbour. Here, you’ll have the chance to try more refined dishes, along with an extensive selection of wines.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, Stachi Slow Food is an excellent choice. It is a family-run restaurant serving traditional dishes made without meat or dairy products. The dishes are made with fresh, local ingredients.
Mitsos BBQ is the place to go if you want to try grilled meat. Located in Kounoupidiana, it has a large menu with all kinds of meat cooked on the grill or spit, as well as salads and traditional appetisers. If you love meat, don’t miss it!
Tsitsiridis Taverna, in the village of Askifou, gives you the chance to experience the truly traditional Cretan taverna experience. Nektarios, who has quite a commanding presence, will come over to welcome you. From there on, you can simply leave it to him to decide what to bring to the table. Of course, if there’s anything else you’d like or have any allergies or intolerances, you can simply let him know.
Ntounias, near the village of Drakona, is another well-known traditional taverna. It is particularly famous for its meat dishes, many of which are slowly cooked in clay pots over the fire. These dishes are well worth trying.
Seafood & Fish
You can’t visit Chania without trying some fresh fish and seafood.
Maridaki, in central Chania, serves delicious seafood dishes such as shrimp risotto, as well as fish soup and fresh fish. You can either eat there or get your food to take away.
For a more typical Chania seafood experience, head to the fish tavernas around Nea Chora harbour, such as Kaiki, which serves fresh fish and seafood alongside tasty appetisers.
There’s just something special about eating fresh fish with a glass of ouzo right by the sea.
Desserts
I couldn’t finish this list without recommending a couple of places for dessert.
Sketi Glyka, in the Old Town, is one of my top choices, with refined individual desserts. It is also housed in a lovely space where you can sit down and enjoy your dessert with a coffee or another drink.
Oneira Glyka (Sweet Dreams), a pastry shop in the city centre, is a more traditional choice if you want to try some of the sweets commonly found in Crete and elsewhere in Greece.
Remember to try their freshly made ice cream – you’ll thank me later.
And that brings my list to an end. I hope I’ve covered pretty much everything you might be looking for.
One last little tip: choose places where you see locals eating too. They probably know a thing or two.😉
