23 editor picks in Heraklion.
23 cafe places in Heraklion we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Heraklion | Cafe across every city.
The Whistler Espresso Bar sits on Agiou Titou in Heraklion, pulling specialty espresso through the day and mixing cocktails deep into the night.
OrderAn espresso by day, a cocktail after dark
TipOn Agiou Titou, so it doubles as a coffee stop between the church and the Venetian Loggia.
The Whistler Espresso Bar works both shifts on Agiou Titou in Heraklion, specialty coffee through the day and cocktails with free nibbles at night.
OrderAn espresso martini, once the coffee shift ends
TipFree nibbles arrive with the drinks, which is a habit more Agiou Titou bars could copy.
Think Tank is the quietest drinking option in central Heraklion, a neoclassical espresso and wine bar that turns into a rooftop cocktail spot after dark.
OrderA glass of Kotsifali on the terrace
TipReserve the terrace in advance. It is the calmest drinking terrace in the old town and it fills fast.
Think Tank is the wine bar Heraklion drinkers name first, a neoclassical room on Idaiou Androu pouring Cretan and Greek bottles by the glass.
OrderA Vidiano by the glass, with whatever snack is out
TipA sommelier picks the list and the room hosts tastings, so ask what has just been opened.
Think Tank is the espresso and wine bar of central Heraklion, a neoclassical room on Idaiou Androu with specialty coffee and Cretan bottles.
OrderThe house espresso, then a glass of Cretan white
TipBook the terrace in advance. The room hosts wine tastings, and the same team runs both counters.
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.
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.
Frankly My Dear is the specialty coffee and brunch room on Karterou in Heraklion, doing freddo espresso, salmon toast with avocado and fresh juices.
OrderSalmon toast with avocado, and a freddo espresso alongside
TipIt 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.
OrderWaffles or crepes, eaten out on Lions Square
TipRight on Plateia Venizelou, so it fills with families in the early evening and stays open past midnight.
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.
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.
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.
OrderAn espresso and a plate of nibbles
TipSmall pavement terrace on Agiou Titou, busiest in the hour before dinner when it switches to drinks.
Crumb Healthy Living Lab is the Heraklion bakery to know if you avoid gluten or sugar, with clear labelling and a plant-leaning brunch menu.
OrderA gluten-free cake with specialty coffee
TipOne of very few Heraklion bakeries that labels gluten-free and sugar-free clearly on every item in the cabinet.
Crumb Healthy Living Lab is the Heraklion bakery coeliacs and sugar-avoiders end up recommending to each other, well away from the tourist streets.
TipUseful if you avoid gluten. Check the cabinet labels rather than asking, because they mark every item.
The Whistler Espresso Bar is the Agiou Titou room in Heraklion that does two jobs well, specialty coffee by day and cocktails with snacks by night.
TipCome in the hour before dinner, when the coffee shift ends and the bartenders start work on the drinks list.
Frankly My Dear is the specialty coffee and brunch room on Karterou in Heraklion, doing freddo espresso, salmon toast with avocado and fresh juices.
OrderSalmon toast with avocado, and a freddo espresso alongside
TipOn Karterou beside Agia Aikaterini square, five minutes uphill from the noise of the Agora.
Central Park serves the biggest Greek breakfast in central Heraklion, a shared spread of bread, croissants, village sausage, eggs and tomatoes.
OrderCentral Breakfast for two, with village sausage
TipThe two-person breakfast brings homemade bread, croissants, village sausage, eggs and tomatoes, and it comfortably feeds three people.
Think Tank serves brunch under the specialty coffee programme in central Heraklion, on a neoclassical terrace that fills up fast in high summer.
OrderThe house espresso with a plate of pancakes
TipBook the terrace ahead. Brunch runs alongside the wine list, so a late one can drift into an afternoon glass.
Hacienda works a third-wave brunch in Heraklion of avocado toasts, pancakes and protein plates, served beside Agia Ekaterini square in the old town.
OrderAvocado toast and a long black
TipSeveral branches operate across Heraklion, so confirm which one you are meeting people at before you set off.
Think Tank is the specialty coffee benchmark in Heraklion, a neoclassical espresso and wine bar on Idaiou Androu with its own resident barista.
OrderThe house espresso, pulled by the resident barista
TipA sommelier works the wine side of the same room, so a coffee visit can easily turn into a Cretan tasting.
ML Espresso Bar pours third-wave coffee on Eleftherias Square in Heraklion, rotating single origins through espresso and hand-brewed filter.
OrderA filter of whichever Ethiopian is on that week
TipThe counter is small and built for takeaway rather than sitting down with a laptop.
Hacienda follows a third-wave brief across several Heraklion branches, opening at half past six for espresso, filter and a full brunch menu.
OrderA long black, with an avocado toast alongside
TipSeveral Hacienda branches operate across the city, so check which one you are heading for before you set out.
Frankly My Dear is the Karterou specialty coffee bar in Heraklion, working freddo espresso and filter alongside a full brunch and cocktail list.
OrderA freddo espresso, with a fresh juice alongside
TipThe Karterou room is a five-minute walk uphill from the Agora and much quieter than the square cafes.
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