The 9 Best Restaurants in Chania for the most Demanding Taste Buds
We love Crete and Chania for many reasons and one of them is the local products and food.
In this article, we select the 9 best restaurants in Chania. Therefore, if you are preparing a trip to the beautiful island of Crete, then it’s time to find out where to eat the most delicious food when you visit Chania. Lovers of quality cuisine and fresh food, prepare your cutlery because today we will take you on a gastronomic journey to the 9 best restaurants in Chania for the most demanding taste buds.
To Stachi — Zucchini flowers stuffed with rice and aromatic herbs Photo Credit: To Stachi
To Stachi
Type of cuisine: Greek
Suitable for: Vegetarians & Vegans
Signature dish: Stew with giant beans, onions, olive oil, and aromatic spices
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One of the best restaurants in Chania with a different philosophy. All dishes are cooked with organic ingredients and are based on Cretan cuisine. Primarily, it is located in the old port but does not look like a classic tourist restaurant. Moreover, its healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes are what make it stand out. As such restaurants are hard to come across, it is so unique. Finally, they offer great choices for a healthy diet. Ideal suggestions for your meal are, for example, the moussaka with almond milk, pastitsio with Zeas pasta, or the wonderful stew with giant beans.
Vegan summer salad at Serenissima Restaurant Photo Credit: Serenissima Restaurant
Serenissima restaurant
Type of cuisine: Mediterranean
Suitable for: Groups, Families, Couples
Signature dish: Rossini burger with foie gras
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High-quality restaurant, one of the best in Chania. Excellent service and flavorful Mediterranean dishes with unique twists. Consequently, a dinner at Serenissima, is a complete experience and not just a meal.
Slow-cooked lamb shank with confit garlic-flavored mash potato and sautéed red sour-cabbage in apple vinegar at Pallas Chania Photo Credit: Pallas Chania
Pallas
Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek, European
Suitable for: Groups, Families
Signature dish: Beef fillet, accompanied by baby potatoes, mushrooms, smoked pancetta, and grilled asparagus
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Outstanding food and mesmerizing views. Two elements that you will definitely find in Pallas, a restaurant that stands out for its cuisine but also for its very nice location. The menu contains many options such as fresh cod fillet with a salad of boiled vegetables, asparagus, and celery root puree. Moreover, mouthwatering beetroot salad with boiled beets, balsamic cream, walnuts, fresh cauliflower, and manouri. Furthermore, delicious chicken tagliatelle with rocket pesto, extra virgin olive oil, and mushrooms. Finally, you can enjoy a remarkable dessert such as a delicious apple pie with apple puff pastry, cream with apple pie aroma, cinnamon crumble, and butter caramel.
Chopped tuna with Cretan flavors and barely rusk crumble at Mon.Es Restaurant Photo Credit: Mon.Es Restaurant
Mon.Es
Type of cuisine: European, Greek
Suitable for: Groups, Vegetarians, Vegans, Couples
Signature dish: Honey pancetta with molasses and celery root puree
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One of the best restaurants in Chania that is hidden from plain sight. Mon.Es is an amazing place. With low atmospheric music and polite staff. Gourmet dishes will satisfy even the most demanding customer. The handmade pasta is the pride of the store as well as the honeyed pancetta with molasses and celery root puree. With influences from Cretan cuisine, with pure Cretan products and all cooked with extra virgin olive oil of their own production.
Dolmadakia: traditional wine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs accompanied by yogurt at Chrisostomos Restaurant Photo Credit: Chrisostomos Restaurant
Chrisostomos
Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Suitable for: Groups, Families
Signature dish: Lamb with potatoes
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Crete and good food go together, so whether you are a visitor or a permanent resident Chrisostomos is the ideal choice. A purely traditional restaurant awaits you next to the old port of Chania to enjoy the delicious delicacies. The menu is full of traditional dishes such as chicken yiouvetsi, moussaka, and giant beans which are cooked in a traditional wood oven. You will have the opportunity to enjoy fantastic traditional dishes such as Cretan salad with tomato, cucumber, mizithra, Cretan gruyere, rusks, onion, olives, capers, and pickled peppers. There are so many Greek and Cretan mouthwatering dishes waiting for you to devour.
Traditional chickpea soup at Perperas Restaurant Photo Credit: Perperas Restaurant
Perperas
Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Suitable for: Groups, Families & Vegetarians
Signature dish: “Drunken” chicken
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An alternative choice of restaurant with a strong element of Cretan culture. It is located in the old town and its traditional appearance immediately makes it quaint. Affordable prices combined with quality create the ideal setting to be included in the best restaurants of Chania. The large variety of dishes of the day but also of appetizers that accompany the white wine. Traditional recipes with rich flavors and aromas. Nevertheless, it is an ideal restaurant if you want to taste traditional food in a different place than usual.
Fresh salmon fillet with sweet potato mash at Kariatis Restaurant Photo Credit: Kariatis Restaurant
Kariatis
Type of cuisine: Italian & Japanese
Suitable for: Groups, Business Meetings, Vegetarians & Vegans
Signature dish: Sushi
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In the old port of Chania, there is a kitchen with an Italian aroma. The modern decoration invites you to visit it. Entering the space, the polite staff welcomes you. In 2014, sushi recipes were added to the list, and since then it has stolen the show. One of the best restaurants in Chania with excellent selections. However, the filling and tasty portions are the main features of the store. There are plenty of ideal dishes to try on your first visit such as the Kariatis salad, for the main course ravioli truffle or tuna carpaccio. Nevertheless, whatever you choose, you will definitely be left with a positive impression and it is worth it.
Magical apple pie at Oinoa Wine Restaurant Photo Credit: Oinoa Wine Restaurant
Oinoa Wine Restaurant
Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Delicatessen, European
Suitable for: Groups, Vegetarians, Vegans
Signature dish: Mussels with Kozani yolk sauce
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A particularly popular place, and one of the best restaurants in Chania. Why? Firstly, Oinoa is located in a quiet corner near the sea. Secondly, the friendly staff answers every question, with a big smile. Thirdly, the pleasant atmosphere prevails in the interior, but also in the yard. Fourthly, the special way of baking each dish creates a new taste experience. Fifthly, the food is prepared based on quality and fresh ingredients. Finally, special flavors come in harmony with the wine of your choice, as the restaurant has many different wine options to accompany your meal. Whether you choose to be there at noon or in the evening, one thing is for sure. Specifically, you will love the atmosphere, the food but also the wine.
Trachanoto with mussels, shrimps, and octopus at Arismari Restaurant Photo Credit: Arismari Chania Restaurant
Arismari
Type of cuisine: Cretan-Mediterranean, Greek Cuisine, Seafood, European
Suitable for: Groups, Families, Couples, Vegetarians
Signature dish: Sioufichta and dakos cheesecake
Website here
One of the best restaurants in Chania, located on the ground floor of the only Venetian mansion on the facade of the port of the Old Town of Chania, which was built in the 15th century and remains unchanged over the years. That is where you will find «Arismari from the Cretan land» and dine. However, you will surely wonder where its name comes from and how this name is linked with the Cretan land. “Arismari” is how Cretans call the aromatic plant rosemary that thrives in this place and flavors some of the traditional recipes. In particular, you can enjoy local and pure products of the Cretan land, overlooking the port of the Old Town of Chania. Therefore, do not forget to try great dishes such as Sioufichta and dako cheesecake, which are the must-taste dishes on the menu.
Elissos Chania Experiences & Blog Article
Let us guide you around through the beautiful Venetian town of Chania and show you all the historic monuments, explain the history and cultures that are entangled in this scenic town, and finally, let us take you on a “tasty” tour of all the Cretan delights that are local to Chania! All of our Chania and Crete experiences are here.
Moreover, to create your own personalized experience, fill out this form and we’ll get back to you with a tailor-made proposal.
Finally, for all the new visitors wanting to travel to Chania for the very first time, our blog article “Chania, the Magical Venetian Town of Crete” is the perfect way to get to know the town!