Phyllosophies is a cafe in Lions Square, Heraklion.
Editorially verified August 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Bougatsa with myzithra, honey and walnuts
Tip: The recipe traces to a bougatsa master from Smyrna, and the phyllo is still opened by hand every morning.
Address: Plateia Eleftheriou Venizelou 33, Iraklio 712 02, Heraklion
Melba holds a corner of Lions Square in Heraklion, running waffles, crepes, freddo coffee and ice cream for families until well past midnight each night.
Signature drink: Freddo espresso
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.
Think Tank is the espresso and wine bar of central Heraklion, a neoclassical room on Idaiou Androu with specialty coffee and Cretan bottles.
Signature drink: Specialty espresso
Order: The house espresso, then a glass of Cretan white
Tip: Book the terrace in advance. The room hosts wine tastings, and the same team runs both counters.
Granary pours Taf Roastery coffee in the heart of Heraklion, an espresso bar and eatery serving Mediterranean plates and Greek wine by the glass.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: Filter coffee and a plate off the day menu
Tip: One of the few Heraklion rooms that genuinely works as a cafe, an eatery and a wine stop in turn.
Hacienda works a third-wave coffee programme in Heraklion, with homemade sweets and avocado toasts served beside Agia Ekaterini square in the centre.
Signature drink: Third-wave espresso
Order: An avocado toast and a long black
Tip: There are several Hacienda branches across the city. The Agias Ekaterinis room is the one in the old town.
Central Park is the all-day cafe on Arkoleontos in central Heraklion, running from an eight in the morning espresso through to a half eleven last order.
Signature drink: Espresso Guatemala
Order: Central Breakfast for two, with bread and village sausage
Tip: The two-person breakfast comes with homemade bread, croissants, village sausage and eggs, and stretches to three at a push.
Frankly My Dear is the specialty coffee and brunch room on Karterou in Heraklion, doing freddo espresso, salmon toast with avocado and fresh juices.
Signature drink: Freddo espresso
Order: Salmon toast with avocado, and a freddo espresso alongside
Tip: It sits on Karterou beside Agia Aikaterini square, five minutes uphill from the Agora.
Melba holds a corner of Lions Square in Heraklion, running waffles, crepes, freddo coffee and ice cream for families until well past midnight each night.
Signature drink: Freddo espresso
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.
