Heraklion, the capital of Crete, sits poised between the Prefectures of Rethymno and Lasithi. The towering grandeur of Mount Psiloritis reigns over its western confines, while its eastern border is defined by the sharp, craggy outlines of Mount Dikti, also known as the Lasithi Mountain.
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From both the perspectives of cuisine and wines, Heraklion has it all. We encourage you to experience the culinary heart of Crete in this city, the island’s largest, which offers visitors a dazzling choice of dining and wine-tasting options.
TOP 5 FOODIE EXPERIENCES
From seafood delicacies in relaxed settings to innovative takes on traditional dishes, the city’s mouthwatering cooking traditions and evolving cuisine caters to every palate. Immerse yourself in the warm, hospitable atmosphere that is characteristic of Heraklion, and let your taste buds explore the authentic flavors of this enchanting Mediterranean destination.
Venture just a short 15-minute drive from Heraklion’s bustling center to discover Olive and Mint (in Greek, called Elia kai Diosmos), a charming restaurant offering authentic New Cretan cuisine. Here, you’ll find dishes prepared using fresh local ingredients and organic vegetables, ensuring a taste experience that stays true to traditional Cretan recipes while introducing contemporary twists. Olive Mint’s delightful menu evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting you to a simpler time through its culinary creations.
Standing atop the Lato Boutique Hotel, Herb’s Garden offers stunning panoramic views of the Venetian harbor, providing the perfect setting to savor a menu brimming with Mediterranean and local dishes. Open daily from 1:00 PM until late evening, between early May and late October, this rooftop gem is the ideal spot to sample fresh fish, seafood, tender meats, and refreshing seasonal salads. Enjoy your meal with a side of ouzo, raki, or a glass from their selection of Cretan wines.
Tucked away in the lush municipal park of Nea Alikarnassos, a suburb of Heraklion, 7 Thalasses (which means seven seas) provides a delightful seafood dining experience in a relaxed, summery setting. The restaurant’s enchanting atmosphere features white chairs, vibrant flowers, and expansive windows that offer a view of the lovely courtyard. Here, you can savor an innovative take on traditional dishes. Indulge in their delicious lobster spaghetti, Spanish paella, or fresh tuna fillet, paired with a glass of local wine from their meticulously chosen collection. To finish your meal, treat yourself to one of their irresistible desserts for a satisfyingly sweet finale.
Situated in the bustling heart of Heraklion at Agios (Saint) Titos Square, Pagopoieion (ice factory) is a unique bar-restaurant that frequently hosts art exhibitions, poetry and literature lectures, music concerts, readings, and other cultural events. Open year-round, Pagopoieion provides a cozy indoor setting in winter and relaxing outdoor seating in summer. Their diverse menu includes a variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner, as well as an extensive wine selection and delicious salads.
Delve into the heart of the Cretan diet at Peskesi Restaurant, where traditional Cretan flavors are revived using genuine and natural local ingredients. Centrally located in Heraklion Old Town, this eatery offers a comprehensive experience that emphasizes the quality, diversity, and value of the Cretan lifestyle. Peskesi’s founders transformed a traditional Cretan house, preserving ancient techniques while incorporating modern aesthetics and functionality. The result is an impressive dining space featuring stone walls, arches, and medieval decorations, where you can savor the essence of Cretan cuisine.
In terms of topography, Heraklion presents the smoothest, most inviting landscape on Crete. Especially in its central part, the geographical relief unfolds an array of spots ideally suited for viticulture. Today, Heraklion’s vineyards are the most advanced on the island, with two-thirds of them having earned the designation of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) title. In the summertime, the north-facing vineyards breathe in the relief brought by the Meltemi winds and deftly keep away from the baking effects of the warm southern gusts.
The more mountainous vineyards can be found in Peza, with some reaching an impressive altitude of 800 meters. The region’s primary white varieties include Vilana, Dafni, Plyto, Moschato Spinas, Athiri, Thrapsathiri, Malvasia Aromatica, and several international grapes. Vilana is the most widely planted variety in Crete and gives rise to refreshing, fruit-forward wines.
The family-run Daf Wines winery sits in the foothills of Dafnes, from where it derived its name. This family’s devotion to viticulture spans over a century, with their first recognition achieved by Evangelos Douloufakis in 1952 at the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki. Today, the baton has been passed to the third generation. Noteworthy among the winery’s labels is the trilogy “Aspri Gi,” its name honouring the white soils that dominate Dafnes. The white wine is a refreshing blend of two Cretan varieties—Muscat of Spina and Vidiano. The rosé version is made from Muscat of Spina and Liatiko, while the red wine, created from Liatiko, is characterised by its fruity aroma and mild tannins. The winery is open to visitors by appointment.
The enterprise and history of the Boutari winery in Cretan land commenced in 1989 with the acquisition of the Scalarea Estate in Skalani, Heraklion. The estate was revitalised with vines in 2015, and a state-of-the-art winery with impressive hospitality spaces was created. The winemaking complex is complemented by three luxurious dwellings known as Scalani Hills Residences. Distinguished among the estate’s labels are the aromatic and balanced “Fantaxometocho,” a perfect marriage of Chardonnay and Assyrtiko, the full-bodied and rich “Scalarea White” from Vidiano and Athiri varieties, and the “Scalarea Red,” a highly-commended blend of Kotsifali and Syrah. The winery operates as a visitor destination.
In the village of Siva, the Silva Winery, built by the Daskalaki family in 1998, stands as a tribute to the region’s rich mythology. The village’s name harks back to the deity Siva, also known as Dionysus, who was widely worshipped in the surrounding territory. The resurrection of a 90-acre vineyard began in 1998, organically farmed at an elevation reaching 500 metres. Beyond this, 20 acres in the coastal region of Fodele are cultivated, alongside an additional 50 acres of cooperative vineyards at altitudes between 600 and 750 metres. The estate’s labels include noteworthy offerings such as the ‘Psithiros’, made from Moschato Spinas, the ‘Enstikto’, crafted from Vidiano that delivers a robust body and an oily texture, and the sweet ‘Emilia’, produced from sun-dried grapes of the Liatiko variety, aged for ten years in French oak barrels. The winery welcomes visitors.
The tale of the Gavalas Estate arches back to 1906 when the first vineyards were planted by Emmanouil Gavalas in the Boria Monofatsiou region. In 2001, the vineyards were brought under the regime of organic cultivation and presently, their total expanse reaches 150 acres. Notable among the estate’s labels are the ‘Vilana’ white wine, which ferments in stainless steel tanks, and the red ‘Mandilari’ and ‘Kotsifali’. The winery is open to visitors.
The Digenakis Winery is at the heart of Crete’s most prolific wine region, Peza. Here, the Digenakis family has developed a contemporary and welcoming space that ambitiously merges high-quality wine production with other forms of cultural and artistic expression. Their vineyard stretches across 35 acres, with collaborations established with other grape growers in the area. The vineyard’s labels offer exceptional varieties, including the delicate ‘Bios Protos’ from Vidiano grapes, ‘Marisini White’ from Muscat of Spinas, and the robust ‘Kotsifali Livades’ red, each brimming with complex flavours. The winery is open to visitors.
Alexia Amvrazi knows Greece like few others. She’s the Editor-in-Chief of the International edition of Travel.gr, the co-author of the guidebook ‘111 Places in Athens You Must Not Miss’, the former presenter of a 10-year daily radio show about Greek life at AIR FM and, for the past 15 years, the mastermind behind the always up-to-date Fodor’s Athens guide. She has a knack for recognizing beauty and potential and is a true citizen of the world.
