Ippokampos is the seafront ouzeri Heraklion sends visitors to, grilling the day's catch and pouring raki at pavement tables across from the water.
OrderWhatever came in that morning, grilled whole
TipTables spill across the promenade opposite the water, and the seafront ones go first on a summer evening.
Kastella is the seafront fish taverna in Heraklion where the day's catch is cooked simply, sold by the kilo and eaten facing Sofokli Venizelou.
OrderFresh fish by the kilo with a Cretan salad
TipAsk for a table on the sea side; the road side gets the traffic off Sofokli Venizelou.
Ouzeri tou Terzaki has poured raki in a quiet port alley in Heraklion since 1978, sending out mezedes, moussaka and whatever the boats landed.
OrderA spread of mezedes, then the grilled fish
TipThe alley off Plateia Agiou Dimitriou is easy to miss. Aim for the port end of Lochagou Marineli and look for the chairs.
Sir Papafigos works a small-plates menu near the old harbour in Heraklion, opening in the evening on weekdays and running long lunches at the weekend.
OrderA run of small plates built for sharing
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.
Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa serves seafood mezedes and daily fish on the harbour side of Heraklion, with a terrace pointed at the Venetian fortress.
OrderSeafood mezedes, then lobster spaghetti to share
TipThe terrace looks over the harbour to the fortress, which is worth waiting for an outside table in summer.
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.
Kastella puts the day's fish on the Heraklion seafront at taverna prices, sold by the kilo and cooked simply with a Cretan salad alongside it.
OrderFresh fish by the kilo with a Cretan salad
TipAsk for a table on the sea side; the road side gets the traffic off Sofokli Venizelou.
Ouzeri tou Terzaki is a 1978 port-alley ouzeri in Heraklion where the mezedes arrive in waves and the raki keeps arriving alongside them all night.
OrderA spread of mezedes, then the grilled fish
TipThe alley off Plateia Agiou Dimitriou is easy to miss. Aim for the port end of Lochagou Marineli and look for the chairs.
Ippokampos is the pavement ouzeri on the Heraklion waterfront, all grilled fish, octopus and shrimp eaten a metre from the passing seafront traffic.
OrderWhatever came in that morning, grilled whole
TipTables spill across the promenade opposite the water, and the seafront ones go first on a summer evening.
Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa is the Heraklion harbour table for a long seafood lunch, with mezedes, lobster spaghetti and the Venetian fortress in view.
OrderSeafood mezedes, then lobster spaghetti to share
TipThe terrace looks over the harbour to the fortress, which is worth waiting for an outside table in summer.
Mare Coffee Bar & Food works the Heraklion seafront from breakfast through to late drinks, with juices, sandwiches and a terrace facing the water.
OrderYogurt with nuts and honey, or a sandwich by the sea
TipRight on the Sofokli Venizelou seafront, which makes it a better daytime stop than an evening one.
Mare Coffee Bar & Food is the seafront coffee stop in Heraklion, doing freddos, juices and sandwiches with the Cretan sea a few metres away.
OrderA freddo cappuccino with the sea in front of you
DrinkFreddo cappuccino
TipSeafront position on Sofokli Venizelou. Come for coffee rather than a full dinner and it never disappoints.
The Dodo Cocktail Bar pours on the Sofokli Venizelou seafront in Heraklion, cheap by old-town standards and pointed straight out at the water.
OrderThe Mojito Pirata, with the sea in front of you
DrinkMojito Pirata
FoodSnacks
TipOne of the cheaper cocktail lists on the Heraklion seafront, and a seasonal one: it runs roughly April to October.
Mare Coffee Bar & Food does breakfast on the Heraklion seafront, yogurt with honey, sandwiches and juices with the Cretan sea a few metres away.
OrderYogurt with nuts and honey, facing the water
TipThe seafront terrace is the point. Come for breakfast or a mid-morning coffee rather than a full dinner.
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