Foodie exploration: 6 of the best restaurants in Chania city

Chania boasts amazing gastronomic treats – from traditional tavernas to sophisticated restaurants. Here are six of the best to tempt your tastebuds.

Chrisostomos (Ikarou & Defkalionos str)

This award-winning taverna hides its treasures just behind the harbour at the eastern end. Favourites include lamb tsigariasto – a traditional dish from southern Crete, goat with mizithra cheese, sfakianopita, and healthy greens like stamnagathi with olive oil and lemon. Fresh, healthy and delicious.

Ginger Concept (36, Kallinikou Sarpaki str.)

The Splantzia district of Chania is one of the city’s most fashionable areas and a handful of restaurants and cafes have led the way. One of the most elegant and creative is Ginger Concept, not far from Splantzia Square. With superb mezze-style dishes including chicken and chorizo croquettes, beef carpaccio and prawns with avocado, this is Mediterranean cuisine (think ‘new Cretan’ with Italian/Portugeuse/Spanish) at its coolest and contemporary best.

Tamam (49, Zampeliou str.)

A popular Old Town delight, Tamam’s menu takes inspiration from Chania’s Ottoman past and serves great Greek and Cretan staples and many with an oriental twist. Mint-topped salads, kebabs and casseroles, are regular favourites along with mezze dishes like smoked pork and mushroom filo. Squeeze into a pavement table and watch the world go by.

Evgonia (120, Milonogianni str.)

For a slice of real Chania life as lived by the locals, head up Milonogianni Street from the city centre to savour Evgonia’s excellent traditional dishes like chicken pilafi, lamb with oven potatoes, and horta with lemon and olive oil. There’s always a fish of the day and owner Nektarios is happy to make recommendations, or head to the kitchen to explore. This is fine authentic Cretan cooking and whatsmore, half the price of the harbourside establishments.

Strata (54, Portou str.)

Hidden in the Old Town down the tiny alleyway called Portou, Strata, with its outdoor tables under a vine-covered roof, is everything you could wish for in a taverna – authentic traditional Greek and Cretan favourites in a delightful setting. Dishes like lamb kleftiko, beef with goat’s cheese, and Crete’s creamiest moussaka, mean once tasted, you’ll be coming back for more.

Achilleas Fish Taverna (Akti Papanikolaki, Nea Chora)

It takes a bit of getting to on the western edge of town, but the delights of Achilleas – a Chania institution – are worth the trip. The octopus, calamari, shrimps and sea urchins don’t come fresher than at this family-run fishy favourite set beside the Nea Chora beach. Great portions, good value and excellent service combine here and the bottled white house wine is spectacularly good.

Cover image: Ginger Concept