The Best Restaurants In Rethymno, Crete

Crete
Crete | © jarekgrafik/Pixabay
Evangelos Tsirmpas

Rethymno is the third largest city in Crete, with about 35,000 inhabitants. The Fortezza, the Lighthouse, the old harbor and the Venetian loggia are just some of the sights that can be found here. For the best dining options in the area, check out our guide.

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Goules

Goules serves a great combination of traditional and modern cuisine. Try the chicken in tomato sauce, the pork and some of the local wine and raki. The restaurant’s design is beautiful and the staff is always smiling, making you feel right at home.

Restaurant, Mediterranean, $

Pigadi is located in a beautifully decorated and situated in the heart of the old city of Rethymno under the castle Fortezza. The dishes are all homemade and well presented, based on the traditional Cretan cuisine with some interesting modern influences. Some of the best options include grilled vegetables with honey.

Avli

Restaurant, Mediterranean, Greek, Contemporary

© Peter Wheeler / Alamy Stock Photo

Avli is located in the old city of Rethymno, in a Venetian mansion dating back to 1530. Chef Michalis Chasikos is responsible for the high quality gourmet flavors of the restaurant. Don’t forget to call first to make a reservation because the restaurant is usually busy, making it hard to find a table.

To Avgo Tou Kokora

To Avgo Tou Kokora or ‘Rooster’s Egg’ is a restaurant-bar open from early in the morning till late at night, with a varied menu. It organizes special traditional nights with local Cretan music, a genuine cultural experience not to be missed while in Rethymno.

Exantas

You will find Exantas restaurant on the 25th kilometer of the new highway from Rethymno to Heraklion. This restaurant, on the northern part of Greece‘s largest island, will generously offer you relaxation and peace, a wonderful view and delicious traditional food. The restaurant’s dishes are based on ingredients (honey, meat, milk, vegetables) of their own production, ensuring high quality and authentic taste.

Taverna Tou Zisi

Restaurant, Greek, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$
This spacious venue is made of stone and the interior design is warm and welcoming. Zisis is a certified restaurant that offers incredible tastes at unbelievable prices. Some of the most special culinary options are grilled meats, dakos, ntolmadakia, smoked pork and Cretan pies.

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