Cretan meze€Old TownMon-Sat 18:00-00:00; Sun closed
Chagiati is the backstreet Heraklion mezedopoleio on Erotokritou, grilling sardines and pouring raki for a room that stays stubbornly local.
Signature: Grilled sardines, Dolmades, Mixed grill
Order: Grilled sardines with a carafe of raki
Tip: Dinner only, and closed Sundays. The room is small enough that a walk-in after 21:00 usually means waiting outside.
Mediterranean€€Old TownDaily 09:00-04:00
Dish Bar has worked its corner of Agios Titos square in Heraklion since 2007, running Mediterranean plates early and a busy cocktail room late into the night.
Signature: Beef carpaccio, Cocktails, Mediterranean plates
Order: Beef carpaccio with truffle mayonnaise
Tip: It sits a few metres from Agios Titos church, and the room turns from restaurant into a cocktail bar later in the evening.
Mexican€€Old Town
El Sur brings Mexican food and sushi to Arkoleon in central Heraklion, a loud multicultural room pouring margaritas and mojitos to Latin music.
Signature: Tacos, Sushi, Margaritas
Order: Tacos and a margarita, or the sushi for a change
Tip: One of the few kitchens in Heraklion doing Mexican and sushi under one roof, a short walk from Lions Square.
Mediterranean€€Venetian Harbour
Mare Coffee Bar & Food works the Heraklion seafront from breakfast through to late drinks, with juices, sandwiches and a terrace facing the water.
Signature: Breakfast plates, Sandwiches, Coffee
Order: Yogurt with nuts and honey, or a sandwich by the sea
Tip: Right on the Sofokli Venizelou seafront, which makes it a better daytime stop than an evening one.
Brunch€€Old TownDaily 09:00-00:00
626 All Day runs a garden lounge off Idomeneos in Heraklion, serving brunch plates and comfort food from nine in the morning until midnight.
Signature: Brunch plates, Comfort food, Wine
Order: A brunch plate, eaten out in the city garden
Tip: It sits on the corner of Meramvelou and Idomeneos beside the Olive Green Hotel, with a garden that stays cool in August.
Mediterranean€€Old Town
Granary is the all-day eatery and espresso bar in central Heraklion, pouring Taf Roastery coffee alongside Mediterranean plates and Greek wine.
Signature: Specialty coffee, Mediterranean plates, Greek wines
Order: Specialty filter coffee and whatever is on the day plate
Tip: Named for the Venetian grain store that once stood opposite the Ducal Palace, and it keeps a wide Greek wine list.