Melba is a cafe in Lions Square, Heraklion.
Editorially verified August 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Waffles or crepes, eaten out on Lions Square
Tip: Right on Plateia Venizelou, so it fills with families in the early evening and stays open past midnight.
Address: Plateia Eleftheriou Venizelou, Iraklio 712 02, Heraklion
ML Espresso Bar is a third-wave coffee counter on Eleftherias Square in Heraklion, rotating single-origin beans through espresso and filter.
Signature drink: Ethiopian filter
Order: A filter coffee, whichever origin is on that week
Tip: A takeaway-first counter on Eleftherias Square, open from seven in the morning until eleven at night.
Crumb Healthy Living Lab bakes gluten-free and sugar-free for a health-minded Heraklion crowd, with specialty coffee and a plant-heavy brunch.
Signature drink: Specialty coffee
Order: A gluten-free bake with a flat white
Tip: The kitchen labels sugar-free and gluten-free bakes clearly, which is still rare in Heraklion.
The Whistler Espresso Bar is the Agiou Titou coffee stop in Heraklion that turns cocktail bar after dark, where free snacks arrive with every drink.
Signature drink: Espresso
Order: An espresso and a plate of nibbles
Tip: Small pavement terrace on Agiou Titou, busiest in the hour before dinner when it switches to drinks.
Mare Coffee Bar & Food is the seafront coffee stop in Heraklion, doing freddos, juices and sandwiches with the Cretan sea a few metres away.
Signature drink: Freddo cappuccino
Order: A freddo cappuccino with the sea in front of you
Tip: Seafront position on Sofokli Venizelou. Come for coffee rather than a full dinner and it never disappoints.
626 All Day is the city-garden cafe off Idomeneos in Heraklion, open from nine for coffee, brunch plates and a glass of wine after work ends.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: Brunch in the garden, with a filter coffee
Tip: The garden is the reason to come. Ask for a table outside rather than in the indoor lounge.
Pagopoieion serves coffee under old ice-factory beams on Agios Titos square in Heraklion, with art shows and poetry readings through the week.
Signature drink: Greek coffee
Signature: Mushroom risotto, Beef tartare, Cretan wines
Order: Mushroom risotto, with a glass off the Cretan list
Tip: The old ice factory on Agios Titos square works as breakfast room, lunch stop and wine bar, so time your visit to the mood you want.
