The 6 Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Heraklion, Crete

The largest city of the amazing island of Crete attracts thousands of tourists every year, due to its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The visitor of Heraklion will wander around the archaeological site of Knossos, historical and cultural museums, the legendary fortress of the city and, of course, the wonderful nearby beaches. In order to cope with all that, in terms of physical stamina, you need to start your day with a rich breakfast!

Old harbor of Heraklion, Crete © Tango7174/WikiCommons

Baguette

A baguette kind of breakfast

Baguette is a fast-food place on Ethnikis Antistaseos highway. Don’t hesitate to visit it, because of the previously mentioned ‘fast-food’ description. Fast isn’t always the opposite of quality, and this applies to our case. Baguette will make your day with freshly made baguettes (what else!), toasts, sandwiches, fruit salads, croissants, waffles and pies! It doesn’t matter if you’re on a diet, if you’re a vegetarian or if you prefer something sweet or salty. Baguette has it all, quick and with quality local ingredients!

Price: Budget

Opening times: Μοnday-Friday 7 am – 9 pm, Saturday: 7 am – 7 pm, Closed Sundays

Watch out for: the baguettes and the fruit salads

Baguette, 49 Ethnikis Antistaseos highway, Heraklion, Greece, +30 2810327010

Οmelette with wild organic artichokes Courtesy of Peskesi

Svelto

‘Quick’ breakfast by the cathedral

Svelto is located close to the famous Saint Minas cathedral, in the city of Heraklion. Its name, meaning ‘quick’ in Greek, and its sign, a green vespa, represent the unique character of this place that is based on speed, flexibility and adaptability to the circumstances. Open from very early in the morning, Svelto will serve you coffee or juice, accompanied with pies, fresh sandwiches, salads or traditional pies (try the famous mizithropita, cheese pie with local mizithra cheese, or chortopita, mixed greens pie with local greens – ‘chorta in Greek – ).

Price: Budget

Opening times: Monday-Friday: 7 am – 9 pm, Saturday: 8 am – 3 pm, Closed Sundays

Watch out for: the authentic mizithropita and chortopita

Svelto, Katehaki & Amaltheias street, Heraklion, Greece, +30 281 024 4548

Fresh Cretan dakos with local cripsy cracker, olives and tomatoes Courtesy of Peskesi

Casa Streat

Cozy setting, homemade delicacies

Casa Streat is an all day cafe and restaurant, located on Steliou Kazantzidi street. Its interior design is warm and modern. The comfortable spaces of the restaurant constitute a pleasant setting to start your day while enjoying a warm or cold coffee, a fresh orange juice, a homemade croissant, a donut, a pie or a muffin.

Price: Budget

Watch out for: the homemade croissants and the muffins

Casa Streat, Stelios Kazantzidis street, Heraklion, Greece , +30 2810333555

A dose of Cretan hospitality

Lambros is a friendly family cafe-restaurant that instantly surrounds you with warm Cretan hospitality right from the minute you enter it, located next to the sea in the area Tertsa. Highly recommended place to start your day while in Heraklion, with a view of the beach and delicious homemade delicacies, like yogurt with fresh fruits and the traditional dakos.

Price: Mid-range

Opening times: 8 am – 12 pm

Watch out for: the traditional Cretan dakos dish

Lambros Cafe Restaurant, Tertsa, Heraklion, Greece, +30 2895 061437

Elegant atmosphere at Peskesi Courtesy of Peskesi

Authentic Cretan cuisine

Peskesi is located on Kapetan Haralampi street, in the city of Heraklion. Its name is of Turkish origin and is commonly used in the folk Greek language and Cretan dialect, with the meaning of an unexpected gift as sign of friendship and/or hospitality. Peskesi is a friendly restaurant indeed, with always smiling and helpful staff and a nice atmosphere! It serves dishes based on the philosophy of the Cretan cuisine, prepared and cooked using fresh biologically produced local ingredients. If you come by for breakfast, you will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh Cretan pies, freshly cut salads or sweets. Of course, it is highly recommended to visit it also for lunch or dinner, as well as in order to try a fresh cocktail created with local ingredients!

Price: Mid-range

Opening times: 10 am – 2 am

Watch out for: the Cretan pies and the salads

Peskesi, 6-8 Kapetan Haralambi street, Heraklion, Greece, +30 2810288887