Chania is brimming with great places to eat, from family-run taverns tucked away in the narrow streets of the old town to creative eateries set in charming tree-lined courtyards and seafood restaurants along the waterfront. We tried several restaurants there and were won over by the diversity of Cretan cuisine, from traditional slow-cooked dishes to more contemporary fare.
Check out our selection of the best restaurants in Chania, complete with photos and tips.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best Restaurants in Chania: Our Top 3 Picks
Before we share our tips for choosing a restaurant in Chania, here are the places we’ve tried and liked best:
- Astrea Garden Restaurant: for a creative and romantic dinner in a tree-lined courtyard.
- Koutourouki Restaurant (unfortunately closed): for a taste of home-style Cretan cuisine in a small, authentic tavern.
- Kouzina E.P.E. Restaurant: for a simple, traditional lunch in a charming square frequented by locals.
WHERE TO STAY IN Chania
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
The old town and the Venetian port
Hotel Azade – See prices, photos and availability
Halepan quiet area
Lagon Life Spirit Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Nea Chora, with the long beach
AeliosDeign Hotel- See prices, photos and availability
Our tips for choosing a restaurant in Chania
Do I need to book in advance?
In Chania, the most popular restaurants fill up quickly during the high season, especially those with a unique setting, such as an inner courtyard or a seaside location. We recommend booking as early as possible for dinner, weekends, and more upscale dining experiences. The Astrea Garden Restaurant, for example, is one of the places you’ll want to book in advance. For small taverns, which sometimes have very few tables, it’s also best to plan ahead or arrive early: we’ve found that they fill up quickly in the evening.
Where to eat?
- The narrow streets of the old town: a great place to grab a bite to eat after a stroll, they’re home to both tourist spots and small, authentic taverns.
- Around the Greek Orthodox cathedral: a lovely tree-lined square, near a 17th-century underground fountain, where locals have lunch.
- The Tabakaria neighborhood: right on the waterfront, a great spot for a seafood meal.
Where can you go for a gourmet dining experience in Chania?
Chania is home to several restaurants that break away from the traditional taverna model, offering a modern take on Cretan cuisine, local ingredients, and contemporary influences. Some of these restaurants are located in courtyards or historic buildings in the old town.
Astrea Garden Restaurant (a favorite we tried)
One of our most memorable dinners in Chania was undoubtedly the one we enjoyed at Astrea Garden Restaurant. The tree-lined courtyard, lit by small lights, blends stone walls with the ruins of an old building: depending on your table, you dine beneath a bird of paradise, a banana tree, or a lemon tree. The menu breaks from tradition. For appetizers, Cretan breads, olive oil, and tomato purée, followed by a starter featuring veal, tuna, panko, capers, lemon cream, tuna mayonnaise, and arugula pesto.
We then shared a Black Angus ribeye served with corn, asparagus, green beans, and a Gorgonzola sauce, as well as a pan-seared sea bream, prosciutto powder, cauliflower in various textures, and a lemongrass fish stock emulsion. For dessert, a homemade dark chocolate ganache with almond crumble and red fruit coulis. The service is friendly and the wine list well-stocked, featuring local, French, imported, and sparkling wines: our full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from the Heraklion region, with a long finish, revealed lovely notes of red berries on the aftertaste.
Good to know before you book:
- Reservations recommended in high season.
- The tables in the courtyard, shaded by the trees, are the most pleasant.
- Perfect for a romantic dinner or a special evening.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: a 10-minute walk from the Old Venetian Port, just a stone’s throw from the Museum of the Greek National Football Team
- Restaurant type: creative cuisine.
- Outdoor seating: yes, dining in a tree-lined courtyard.
- Price range: €20–€50 per person, excluding drinks
- Cretan specialties: yes, reimagined in a menu that breaks away from tradition.
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended here
Our selection of other gourmet restaurants
We’ve also found a few other places in Chania that offer a more refined dining experience, chosen for their ambiance or their take on Cretan cuisine.
- Mon.Es Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): a great spot in the city center for a more gourmet dining experience, set in a Venetian building and featuring contemporary Cretan cuisine. See details here
- Salis Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): The menu features creative cuisine, wines, and local ingredients—a great choice if you’re looking for a more contemporary take on Cretan cuisine. See details here
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Where can I eat Cretan specialties in Chania?
To experience traditional Cretan cuisine, look for small taverns and restaurants that highlight local ingredients: olive oil, slow-cooked vegetables, fava (mashed broad beans), stuffed zucchini flowers, and sauce-based dishes prepared on the spot.
Koutourouki Restaurant (a favorite we tried) – unfortunately closed
Koutourouki Restaurant was a small, traditional tavern tucked away in an alley near the tourist district, with absolutely none of the feel of a tourist trap. With very few tables, friendly staff, and local cuisine that seemed to be entirely prepared by the owner, we immediately loved the intimate atmosphere of this authentic spot.
As for the food, we thoroughly enjoyed the fasolakia, green beans and potatoes simmered in olive oil and tomato sauce—tender and flavorful—followed by spetzofai, a Greek dish made with sausage, tomatoes, and peppers, whose taste evokes a long, hearty simmer. Looking for simple, traditional home-style cooking? This is the spot we’d recommend for an unpretentious meal, far from the big tourist crowds. Unfortunately, this lovely restaurant has closed permanently. It is now mainly part of our culinary memories of Chania, but we recommend checking its opening hours before adding it to your itinerary.
Good to know before you book:
- Very few tables
- Home-style, traditional cuisine, without any frills.
- Perfect for an authentic meal without any fuss.
Kouzina E.P.E Restaurant (a favorite we tried)
Want to sample traditional Cretan cuisine? Head to Restaurant Kouzina E.P.E., which offers both à la carte dishes and daily specials prepared on-site and displayed in the showcase: dishes in sauce, ready-made meals, and gratins. The restaurant is popular with locals and boasts a pleasant setting on a lovely tree-lined square near a 17th-century underground fountain and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chania. We sampled the fava, a traditional split pea purée, a fresh Greek salad made with olive oil, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, feta, peppers, onions, capers, and oregano, kolokithoanthi gemisti, zucchini flowers stuffed with rice, as well as grilled chicken served with halloumi and roasted vegetables. We washed it all down with a local beer from a Cretan microbrewery. We really enjoyed the family-friendly, relaxed, and sunny atmosphere: a great spot for a simple and tasty lunch.
Good to know before you book:
- Les plats du jour sont présentés en vitrine: pratique pour choisir.
- A spot popular with locals, with a relaxed atmosphere.
- Perfect for lunch in a tree-lined square.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: a tree-lined square near the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chania.
- Type of restaurant: traditional cuisine, daily specials.
- Outdoor seating: yes, tables on the square.
- Price range: €10 to €20 per person, excluding drinks.
- Cretan specialties: yes (fava beans, stuffed zucchini flowers).
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended here
Our selection of other restaurants with local specialities
Here are some other places we’ve picked out for their ambiance or their reputation for local cuisine.
- The Well of the Turk Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): set in a historic setting, serving Greek, Cretan, and Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. See details here
- Tamam Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): a well-known historic spot located in a tourist area less than 5 minutes from the Venetian Old Port and the Maritime Museum of Crete. See details here
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Where can I eat by the sea in Chania?
Seaside restaurants are among the most popular in Chania, especially for fish and seafood. Be sure to make a reservation, especially during the high season.
- To Maridaki Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): for a more casual meal featuring seafood. See details here
- Pallas Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): a beautiful, upscale restaurant with a view; the rooftop is open from April through October. See details here
Where can I go for a romantic dinner in Chania?
For a romantic dinner, we recommend choosing restaurants with courtyards, historic settings, or seaside dining in the evening light.
- Astrea Garden Restaurant (a favorite we tried): for its tree-lined courtyard lit by twinkling lights, nestled between stone walls and the ruins of an old building.
- Mon.Es Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): for a more gourmet dining experience in a Venetian building.
Where can you eat with kids in Chania?
When dining with children, choose restaurants with straightforward service that offer dishes easy to share or plenty of space to sit comfortably.
- Kouzina E.P.E. Restaurant (a favorite we tried): the daily specials are displayed in the window, making it easy to choose quickly, and the place has a family-friendly atmosphere.
- To Maridaki Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): for a casual meal featuring fish and seafood. See details here
- Bougatsa Iordanis (selected by our Travel Team): for a sweet or savory treat that will delight both kids and adults. See details here
Restaurants open on Sundays in Chania
Opening times may vary according to the season. Always check opening times before booking, especially out of season.
- Astrea Garden Restaurant: Open Sundays from noon to midnight
- Kouzina E.P.E. Restaurant: Closed on Sundays
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Where can I eat quickly or on a budget in Chania?
For a simpler meal, look for places that offer daily specials, local takeout, or traditional snacks. This is also a good option if you ’re visiting Chania for the day.
- Bougatsa Iordanis (selected by our Voage Team): a local institution where you can enjoy a bougatsa for breakfast or as a snack. See details here
- Kouzina E.P.E. Restaurant (a favorite we tried): featuring daily specials displayed in the window, so you can choose at a glance.
- To Maridaki Restaurant (selected by our Travel Team): for a simple yet delicious meal featuring seafood. See details here
DISCOVER Chania
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Crete
- Best of
What to do in Crete
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful cities
Most beautiful beaches in Crete
Best archaeological sites
Best museums
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Crete
Driving tips
- The must-dos
Attractions in Chania
Attractions in Rethymnon
Attractions in Heraklion
Matala
Balos Lagoon
Spinalonga Elafonissi
SHE MADE THE TRIP AND WROTE THE ARTICLE Morgane
