From smoky village grills to rooftop meze at sunset – this is the real taste of Crete.
Heraklion isn’t just the beating heart of Crete – it’s a city that tastes like memory. Like fire-roasted lamb, like fresh sea salt, like raki that burns your throat and warms your soul.
Wander just a few streets from the tourist zones and you’ll discover a different Heraklion – one where grandmothers still stir century-old recipes, where locals linger over lunch for hours, and where food isn’t just eaten – it’s celebrated.
These are the restaurants and tavernas where Cretans themselves go when they want to eat well. If you want to experience Crete like a local – like family – then start here.
1. Peskesi – Cretan farm-to-table, elevated to art
