Pagopoieion is a mediterranean restaurant in Old Town, Heraklion.
Editorially verified August 1, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Mushroom risotto, Beef tartare, Cretan wines
Must 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.
Address: Papagiamali 1, Iraklio 712 02, Heraklion
Krasas is the Ikarou grill house that Heraklion falls back on, running gyros and skewers until three in the morning at prices well under a tenner.
Signature: Gyros, Grilled meats, Chips
Order: A pita gyros with everything, eaten standing
Tip: Open until 03:00, which makes it the default stop after a long evening on Ikarou.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Krasas is the Ikarou grill house that Heraklion falls back on, running gyros and skewers until three in the morning at prices well under a tenner.
Signature: Gyros, Grilled meats, Chips
Order: A pita gyros with everything, eaten standing
Tip: Open until 03:00, which makes it the default stop after a long evening on Ikarou.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
