7 Thalasses (Heraklion)

7 Thalasses, meaning "7 seas", is a restaurant with two locations, in Heraklion and Rethymnon, specializing in fish and seafood dishes. Some of the specialities featured in both menus are fisherman's pasta, seafood risotto, carpaccio, steamed mussels, grilled octopus, fish soup and salmon fillet. The Heraklion location also offers sushi options for dinner. Their signature dessert is the crunchy mille-feuille with vanilla cream.

• Web:

  www.7thalases.gr

• E-mail:

  info@7thalases.gr

• Address:

  Iraklitou & Irodotou 1, Heraklion, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2810 342 945

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–midnight

• More info:

  Second location at Stamathioudaki 89, Rethymnon

Agia Fotia Taverna (Rethymno)

The tavern is located on a secluded beach in the bay of Agia Fotini, near Kerames village. Open in the 1960s, it still keeps its original style and is beautifully located next to the sea. It serves fresh fish and local food and drinks at reasonable prices.

• Web:

  www.agiafotia.gr

• E-mail:

  info@agiafotia.gr

• Address:

  Agia Fotini, Kerames, Rethymno, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2842 061 288

• Opening hours:

  Open from April through October

Alana (Rethymno)

Alana restaurant, featuring 100 seats and a spacious garden, is located in the heart of Rethymnon old town and was one of the first taverns of the area. They serve healthy Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine, always using the best local market products. On the menu, there are different types of salads, grilled and cooked meat, fish and pasta dishes, all with reasonable prices.

• Web:

  www.alana-restaurant.gr

• E-mail:

  info@alana-restaurant.gr

• Address:

  Salaminos 15, Rethymno, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2831 027 737

• Opening hours:

  Summer: daily noon–midnight. Closed for winter

Almyra Seaside Food & Cocktails (Agia Pelagia)

Located at the picturesque and windless cove of Agia Pelagia, Almyra Seaside Food and Cocktails is a restaurant and beach bar with a view over the endless blue of the Cretan sea. They serve typical Mediterranean food, like seafood risotto, moussaka, and Dakos, a Cretan speciality made with dried bread, tomatoes, and cheese. During the summer, they organise parties and special events.

• Web:

  www.almyracrete.gr

• E-mail:

  almyraseaside@gmail.com

• Address:

  Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2810 811 388

• Opening hours:

  May–October: open all day

Apostolis (Chania)

The Apostolis restaurant always procures the freshest fish straight from the fishing boats, which means the menu reflects the season and the catches of the day. Some examples of dishes you might find here are Lobster pasta, fish soup, stuffed calamari, shrimps, scallops and whitebait.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/apostolis_restaurant

• E-mail:

  apostolisrestaurant@hotmail.com

• Address:

  Akti Enoseos 10, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 043 470

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–1am

Argoulias (Lasithi)

The guest house restaurant Argoulias at Tzermiado enjoys unrestricted views of the Lassithi Plateau and the mountain range of Dikti. It has an upper room where you can enjoy breakfast with coffee, local herb teas, fresh juices, homemade sweets and alternative sandwiches. In the lower room, there is the restaurant, which offers a menu based on the Cretan culinary tradition.

• Web:

  www.argoulias.gr

• E-mail:

  reservations@argoulias.gr

• Address:

  Jermiadon (Tzermiadon), Lasithi Plateau, Lasithi, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 6972 234 275

Apollo Club (Malia)

Apollo Club is an urban club right in the heart of Malia's party street. It's open every night during summer and the DJs usually play hip-hop, grime, R&B, trap, dancehall and garage music. Check out their website to learn about the latest events.

• Web:

  www.apolloclubmalia.com

• E-mail:

  info@apolloclubmalia.com

• Address:

  Dimokratias 110, Malia, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 6948 859 581

Fagotto Jazz Bar (Chania)

Fagotto Jazz Bar is one of the oldest and most popular jazz bars in Chania. It is housed in a beautiful Venetian building of the Old Town that dates back to the 15th century. While drinking a cocktail or a beer served from the saxophone beer tap, you can enjoy jazz, swing and blues music in the background. Small scale and atmospheric live music shows also take place here quite often.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/fagottojazzbar

• E-mail:

  fagottojazzbar@gmail.com

• Address:

  Aggelou 16, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 071 877

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9pm–late

La Brasserie

Every week, this small, colourful bar on Korai street organises live concerts and themed nights, such as karaoke nights, Latin music evenings and LGBTQI+ parties. The full bar offers wine, beer and cocktails, while the food menu includes light snacks and some Greek specialities.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/la_brasserie_heraklion

• Address:

  Korai 5, Heraklion, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 281 400 1418

• More info:

  Locals call La Brasserie "La Bras" or simply "La"

Palm Beach Club (Hersonissos)

Since 2012, Palm Beach Club is a popular day and night destination, situated just a few steps away from the beach of Hersonissos. It features two swimming pools, 3 full bars, a lounge area, a terrace, as well as a dance floor under the stars. Open during summer, it frequently hosts parties and special events.

• Web:

  www.palmbeachclub.gr/en

• Address:

  Machis Kritis, Hersonissos, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 6974 638 305

Sinagogi (Chania)

Open during the summer season, Sinagogi is an open-air bar in the centre of Chania. The location is unique because, as the name suggests, it is located in an old synagogue. The bar specialises in cocktails and sometimes organises DJ sets and live music performances.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/sinagogi

• E-mail:

  sinagogi@gmail.com

• Address:

  Parodos Kondilaki, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 095 242

The Bitters Bar (Heraklion)

The Bitters Bar is a speakeasy-style location with a decor inspired by the 1920s. The bitters referred to in its name are spirits flavoured with herbs and spices, which were once used for medical purposes. Nowadays, they are used in cocktail preparation. Here you'll find both classic cocktails such as Martini, Daiquiri and Bloody Mary, as well as house specialities. They also have wines, beers, stronger alternatives like whiskey and rum, and some non-alcoholic beverages.

• Address:

  Idis 25, Heraklion, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 6981 033 702

Café du Lac (Agios Nikolaos)

Café du Lac in Agios Nikolaos city centre features a terrace with a wonderful view of the lake Voulismeni. To start the day off right, you can choose from a vast array of breakfast items like pancakes, bacon and eggs, sandwiches, bowls, pastries and more. The cafe also has light meal options and at night it turns into a bar specialising in cocktails.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/dulac_cafebar

• E-mail:

  dulaccafebar@gmail.com

• Address:

  28is Oktovriou 17, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2841 026 837

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–2am

Fabrica (Hersonissos)

Situated in the picturesque village of Koutouloufari and housed in a 17th century building, Fabrica is a cafe-bar and creperie. They offer a variety of Greek and Mediterranean dishes, as well as cocktails, beer and, of course, hearty crepes that can be served with ice cream.

• Web:

  www.jmfabrica.gr

• E-mail:

  info@jmfabrica.gr

• Address:

  Alexi Minoti 6, Koutouloufari, Hersonissos, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2897 023 981

Kentrikon Cafe (Chania)

Kentrikon Cafe is located in the old town centre of Chania. It is located in a historic two-storey building and, despite the modern decor, it retains its old charm. During summer it turns into a restaurant offering Greek food and it hosts live music nights.

• Web:

  www.kentrikon-restaurant.gr

• E-mail:

  info@kentrikoncafe.gr

• Address:

  Bettolo 6, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 041 442

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–11pm

Koukouvaya (Chania)

Situated 5 km from the city centre of Chania, Koukouvaya is worth the ride at least for the panoramic view that you can enjoy from its terrace, which overlooks Chania bay and the old Venetian harbour. Its name means "the owl" in Greek and the decor of the interiors is inspired by these fascinating nocturnal creatures. The cafe serves snacks and salads prepared with fresh local ingredients, as well as mouth-watering homemade desserts and a variety of beverages with or without alcohol.

• Web:

  www.koukouvaya.gr

• Address:

  Alexi Minoti 1, Venizelos Graves, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 027 449

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–1am

Livingroom Lounge Café (Rethymno)

Livingroom Lounge Café is an elegant and trendy venue in Rethymno, located on the beautiful seafront promenade. It is open all year round and offers sweet treats accompanied by coffee and fresh juices, as well as savoury snacks including finger food, salads, burgers, pizza and cold dishes. After dark, DJs and cocktails liven up the evening.

• Web:

  www.livingroom.gr

• E-mail:

  livingroom@livingroom.gr

• Address:

  Eleftheríou Venizelou 5, Rethymno, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2831 021 386

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–late

Sintrivani Cafe (Chania)

Renovated in recent times, the Sintrivani Cafe is beautifully located at the Old Venetian port of Chania, with tables offering a view of the sea. They serve a variety of drinks like juices, coffee, beer and cocktails. They also have a food menu that includes, among other things, burgers, pizza and salads, plus ice cream, waffles and other desserts.

• Web:

  sintrivani-cafe-restaurant.business.site

• Address:

  Akti Koundourioti 1, Chania, Crete

• Phone:

  +30 2821 074 274

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–3am