Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining Heraklion.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Heraklion.
Peskesi is the Cretan kitchen Heraklion gets judged by, rebuilding near-lost island recipes with produce grown on the restaurant's own farm.
OrderSfakiano lamb, then the carob mousse to finish
Book3 to 5 days in summer ahead
TipAsk for the olive oil tasting. The kitchen is supplied by its own farm at Haraso, and the oils are poured alongside rusk.
The Walls is the most technical cooking in Heraklion, a garden dining room inside the Venetian ramparts, run as a modern Greek gastrobistro.
OrderCrab-stuffed samosas, then the duck
Book1 week at weekends ahead
TipThe dining room sits inside the Heraklion Tennis Club grounds by the Venetian walls, so allow time to find the gate.
Herb's Garden is the Heraklion rooftop for an occasion dinner, plating contemporary Greek food above the Venetian harbour from April to October.
OrderFresh fish with a Cretan white, watching the fortress
Book3 days, longer for a rail table ahead
TipRooftop of the Lato Boutique Hotel, and seasonal: the team moves downstairs to Brillant from November to March.
Brillant is the winter dining room of the Lato hotel in Heraklion, running Mediterranean and Cretan cooking from November until the roof reopens.
OrderThe winter Cretan plates the kitchen builds each season
Book2 to 3 days ahead
TipBrillant is the winter half of the Lato hotel operation. From April the same team moves up to the Herb's Garden roof.
Thigaterra is the Slow Food table of the Heraklion coast, cooking Greek producers and Cretan sea catch on the Ammoudara strip west of the city.
OrderThe seasonal vegetable plates the menu is built around
Book3 days, confirmation required ahead
TipReserve at least three days ahead. The kitchen asks for confirmation before it holds a table, which weeds out no-shows.
Merastri is the wood-oven address in Heraklion for an unhurried Cretan dinner, from lamb closed in the fire to a long list of island bottles.
OrderArnaki ofto, milk-fed lamb held in the wood oven
Book2 days, more at weekends ahead
TipDinner only from 18:00, and the courtyard tables go first at weekends. The Cretan list is worth an extra glass.
Parasties has cooked Cretan food over live fire in the centre of Heraklion since 1999, and is one of the city's steadiest special-occasion rooms.
OrderSmoked steak straight off the open wood fire
Book2 days ahead
TipSit where you can see the open kitchen. Staff will walk you through a mostly Cretan wine list if you tell them what you ordered.
Lola is the sharpest small-plates cooking in central Heraklion, a compact room on Kydonias where Mediterranean technique meets Cretan produce.
OrderA spread of small plates and a glass of Cretan white
Book1 to 2 days ahead
TipClosed Mondays. The room is small and popular with locals, so book if you want a table after 21:00.
Kouzeineri is where Heraklion goes for a serious steak, a charcoal kitchen near Agiou Titou square with a Greek wine cellar to match the meat.
OrderPork hock, or a steak off the charcoal
Book2 days at weekends ahead
TipTables sit out on Agiou Titou square, and those are the ones worth a booking.
Sir Papafigos is a small, ambitious kitchen by the Heraklion harbour, plating shared courses in a dining room that seats a few dozen people.
OrderA run of small plates built for sharing
Book2 days ahead
TipThe kitchen is shut on Wednesdays and only opens for lunch at weekends, so a Saturday or Sunday table is the easier one to book.
Guided tour · 8 hours
Taste 15 wines from Crete at a wine tasting for no more than 6 people from Heraklion. Go to a gourmet restaurant for an olive oil tasting and immerse yourself in the a...
3 hours
Watch the sun come up over the Lasithi Plateau from a hot air balloon, then celebrate back on the ground with sparkling wine and a real Greek breakfast. One of the bes...
Private tour · 8 hours
Explore Crete's rich history and flavors on a tour of Agarathos Monastery, an olive farm, and a boutique winery. Enjoy tastings, a local meal, and panoramic views.
Editor picks in Heraklion include Peskesi, The Walls, Herb's Garden, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.