Heraklion Restaurants

This was a magic little find on my first night here on Crete. I needed to eat, it was about 10 pm, a bit blustery and the evening air rapidly cooling and all of a sudden here was this waterfront taverna with a really welcoming glow to it, not too busy but with a definitely local look to it. Yep, right choice - cheery staff, great food, reasonably priced beer (Ach - if I remember correctly I only had ONE - AND AN EARLY NIGHT!!! - Bejeez I must of been tired!!).

The waiter brought my bread and realizing that I was perhaps foreign offered me BUTTER!! "The English ALWAYS ask for butter," he says. HA! Butter is what you put on toast!!

As I was leaving the place was filling up - or perhaps it was because I was leaving ;) Nice place, nice people.

Got this one right :)

Favorite Dish: The Paraglia Special - a major meze for one - absolutely delish!! Tarama, Tzitziki, Humous, Mussels, Squid, Octopus, Tuna, Big Prawns, Olives and all the salad bits. Superb bread, oil. vinegar and lemon and BEER - just over 10 euros, a positive feast!! Then to finish things off a complimentary plate of melon and the ripest ever black cherries (my shirt front has never recovered from them - but I'm not complaining!!)

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"We used the Plantation restaurant on most occasions, I liked the layout plus the fact you can eat out in the open at the rear of the ship enjoying the weather and sunsets.
We never had any problems with the Plantation,the staff were always helpful and worked very hard and long hours.
The menu was different everyday,normally themed (Asian,Greek,French etc)
Plenty of different choices,smoothies for breakfast ,full breakfast or cereals,the choice is yours.
The restaurant was kept clean always and most tables were kept clear of dishes etc.
They have a hygiene policy was very good,as soon as you enter the restaurant you must use the cleaning gel provided, use the tongs provided and not fingers.
The only minor moan is ,the travel Agent implied that all soft drinks were free! this is not the case coffee, tea, fruit juices are.but not fizzy drinks.
I personally think this is something ocean Village should address.

Favorite Dish: "Rogan Josh Curry"

"Papadakis" tavern in Rogdia village, at 6km west of Heraclion. A village hanging from a hill ,a superb Cretan cuisine served against an amazing view of Heraclion city and port. As a friend of mine said"it is the only time when i got to eat great food in a place with a view"!

Favorite Dish: Choose between a lot of appetizers like fried rabbit,stuffed zuccini flowers,snails(god,i don't eat them but some people find them great),meatballs(not like the ones you've tasted so far),Cretan cheese,"dakos" salad(tomato,skim-milk cheese,oregano,olive oil served on a barley bread roll),fava beans etc.
And drink good quality "raki"(it is the Cretan variant of ouzo).And nicely roasted meat for the main dish.(i believe fish is not their highlight)

Souvlaki shops in Heraklion town centre never close, feeding locals and tourists 24/7, 365 days a year. The same is true of other cities in Crete and Greece, as fast food has become a basic necessity and souvlaki shops stay open all night, along with chemists’ and service stations.
You can buy a pitta gyros or pitta souvlaki that you need both hands to hold and which is guaranteed to fill you up for several hours. It will cost you only 2.50 Euro.
If you want to try a different flavour should order a “psomaki me souvlaki” or a “psomaki me gyro” (small loaf with souvlaki or gyros), a combination first offered in Heraklion by Thraka souvlaki shop: a small grilled loaf with the bready centre removed, filled with meat, tomato, onion, yoghourt and chips. A pitta souvlaki in fact, but with bread instead of pitta.

The best view by far! Marina cafe is the ideal place for daytime to have a cafe or refreshment and a light snack, viewing the majestic Koules castle and all the small boats on the marina of the old port.

Favorite Dish: Have a cold coffee and relax in the scenery of an old cretan - mediterreanean port.

Pagopiion is a bistrot on the beautiful st. Titus sq. It is open all day long until late and you can have here a cold beer, coffee and if you want to eat, you can choose from its eclectic dish menu.

Favorite Dish: What makes Pagopiion really special to me is the place where it is located. On my favourite st. Titus sq. which is beautiful day around. However Pagopiion is worth visiting for itself. An eclectic place on its interior and on its dishes as well.

Heraklion is appreciated in Greece as having nice seafood restaurants, the so-called "ouzeri". The best ouzeri for me is "Vardia" on the port. Eat here roasted octapus and squib and shrimps and fried small fish "marida". Accompany them with a greek salad and ouzo.
Make it on a late lunch at about 3-4 o'clock and afterwards have a coffee a sweet dessert and then go to sleep! Beloved habits!

Favorite Dish: All the seafood served. My favourite is squib, but try them all.

Fast food to remain tuned with your life back home! Goody's is the greek reply to the Mac Donald's and it is very successful throughout Greece.

Favorite Dish: You don't need my recommendations. You probably know what you like here and what not.