If you’re planning a trip to Crete and wondering what to eat in Chania, get ready — this city is a paradise for food lovers. Cretan cuisine is one of the healthiest and oldest in the world, based on olive oil, mountain herbs, fresh vegetables, handmade cheese, and slow-cooked meats. Whether you’re dining at a family taverna or a modern restaurant, the food in Chania is authentic, rustic, and unforgettable.
This guide will show you 10 traditional Cretan dishes you absolutely need to try in Chania — plus the best local restaurants where you can taste them.
🥗 1. Dakos (Cretan Barley Rusk Salad)
A classic starter made with barley rusk (paximadi), topped with grated tomato, mizithra cheese, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. It’s fresh, crunchy, simple — and full of flavor.
📍 Where to try it:
- To Stachi (Vegetarian, homemade style)
https://maps.google.com/?q=To+Stachi+Chania - Glossitses (Traditional port taverna)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Glossitses+Chania
💶 Price: €€
🧀 2. Kalitsounia (Cretan Cheese or Herb Pies)
Little handmade pies filled with soft cheese, wild greens, or herbs. Sometimes baked, sometimes fried, sometimes served with honey.
📍 Where to try it:
- Tamam (Old Town fusion taverna)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Tamam+Restaurant+Chania - Kouzina E.P.E (Homemade & local)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Kouzina+E.P.E+Chania
💶 Price: €
🍚 3. Gamopilafo (Wedding Pilaf)
A rich rice dish cooked in broth from slow-boiled goat or lamb, served with lemon and butter-style “staka” cream. Traditionally eaten at weddings — now found in restaurants year-round.
📍 Where to try it:
- Thalassino Ageri (Seaside seafood + meat menu)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Thalassino+Ageri+Chania - To Maridaki (Local taverna, very authentic)
https://maps.google.com/?q=To+Maridaki+Chania
💶 Price: €€€
🫒 4. Apaki (Smoked Pork)
Thin slices of smoked pork marinated in vinegar and local herbs — served as a meze or side dish.
📍 Where to try it:
- Boheme (Modern Greek brunch & dinner)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Boheme+Chania - Well of the Turk (Greek–Middle Eastern fusion)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Well+of+the+Turk+Chania
💶 Price: €€
🧈 5. Staka & Stakovoutiro
A creamy, buttery cheese sauce unique to Crete, made from sheep/goat milk fat. Served with eggs, bread, meat, or pilaf.
📍 Where to try it:
- Oinopoieio (Wine & local dishes)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Oinopoieio+Chania - Strata Taverna (Old Town classic)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Strata+Chania
💶 Price: €€
🥔 6. Boureki (Zucchini & Potato Bake)
Layers of zucchini, potato, mint, and local cheese, baked into a soft, creamy pie. One of the best vegetarian dishes in Crete.
📍 Where to try it:
- To Stachi (Organic, vegetarian Cretan)
https://maps.google.com/?q=To+Stachi+Chania - Chrisostomos (Wood-oven cooking, near the port)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Chrisostomos+Chania
💶 Price: €€
🔥 7. Antikristo (Fire-Roasted Lamb)
Meat roasted the ancient shepherd way — slow-cooked over open flames on wooden stakes. Simple and spectacular.
📍 Where to try it:
- Ntounias (Village taverna, slow-food, outside Chania)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Ntounias+Taverna+Chania - Taverna Vasiliko (Local meat specialist)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Taverna+Vasiliko+Chania
💶 Price: €€€
🧀 8. Graviera Cheese
The signature cheese of Crete — nutty, buttery, slightly sweet. Served in salads, fried, or with honey.
📍 Where to try it:
- Salis (Modern Cretan, seafront)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Salis+Chania - Pallas Wine Cellar (Harbor fine dining)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Pallas+Chania
💶 Price: €€
🥞 9. Sfakian Pie (Sweet Cheese Pie with Honey)
Thin pastry filled with soft cheese, lightly fried, and served with Cretan honey. Dessert and breakfast in one.
📍 Where to try it:
- Ta Chalkina (Music taverna with traditional food)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Ta+Chalkina+Chania - Stoli (Small, family-run, authentic)
https://maps.google.com/?q=Stoli+Chania
💶 Price: €
🥃 10. Tsikoudia (Cretan Raki)
Not a dish — but a must-try. A strong grape-based spirit served free at the end of most meals, usually with fruit or sweets.
📍 Where to drink it like a local:
Every taverna — especially family-owned places. If they don’t bring raki, you’re probably in a tourist trap.
💶 Price: Usually free ✅
🍽️ How to Eat Like a Local in Chania
✔️ Order shared plates (meze style)
✔️ House wine is almost always excellent
✔️ Don’t skip the free dessert + raki tradition
✔️ Fresh fish is sold by weight — ask before ordering
✔️ Avoid tavernas with photo menus outside
✔️ Best meals are often in small side streets, not the harbor
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