€€€€BakeryLions SquareDaily 06:00-00:00
Phyllosophies has worked Smyrna phyllo on Lions Square in Heraklion since 1922, filling its bougatsa with fresh cream or sweet myzithra to order.
OrderBougatsa with myzithra, honey and walnuts
TipThe recipe traces to a bougatsa master from Smyrna, and the phyllo is still opened by hand every morning.
€€€€CaféOld TownDaily 07:00-23:00
ML Espresso Bar is a third-wave coffee counter on Eleftherias Square in Heraklion, rotating single-origin beans through espresso and filter.
OrderA filter coffee, whichever origin is on that week
TipA takeaway-first counter on Eleftherias Square, open from seven in the morning until eleven at night.
€€€€BrunchOld TownDaily 09:00-00:00
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.
OrderBrunch in the garden, with a filter coffee
TipThe garden is the reason to come. Ask for a table outside rather than in the indoor lounge.
€€€€MediterraneanOld TownDaily from 09:00
Pagopoieion serves coffee under old ice-factory beams on Agios Titos square in Heraklion, with art shows and poetry readings through the week.
OrderMushroom risotto, with a glass off the Cretan list
TipThe 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.
€€€€CaféOld TownDaily 06:30-23:30
Hacienda works a third-wave coffee programme in Heraklion, with homemade sweets and avocado toasts served beside Agia Ekaterini square in the centre.
OrderAn avocado toast and a long black
TipThere are several Hacienda branches across the city. The Agias Ekaterinis room is the one in the old town.
€€€€CaféOld TownDaily 09:00-17:00
Crumb Healthy Living Lab bakes gluten-free and sugar-free for a health-minded Heraklion crowd, with specialty coffee and a plant-heavy brunch.
OrderA gluten-free bake with a flat white
TipThe kitchen labels sugar-free and gluten-free bakes clearly, which is still rare in Heraklion.
€€€€CaféOld TownDaily 08:00-23:30
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.
OrderCentral Breakfast for two, with bread and village sausage
TipThe two-person breakfast comes with homemade bread, croissants, village sausage and eggs, and stretches to three at a push.