It’s hard to really comprehend how good the food in Crete is until you’ve tried it for yourself in Greece! Cretan food has all the traditional Greek treats that you love, with their own special flavors and twists. These include dishes local only to the island and things you can try all over Greece. Here’s our take on the best food in Crete and plates you absolutely can’t miss!
Travelers Guide to the Best Food in Crete
1. Greek Salad
I don’t think there was a single day that went by during our visit to Crete that we didn’t have a fresh salad. This style of salad is not just a local favorite, but also very popular throughout Greece. I know what you may be thinking… how good can a salad really be?
Unless you’ve had a REAL Greek salad though there’s no way you’ll understand how good it truly is. First, tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, onions, and olives are piled onto each other in a large bowl.
A generous chunk of feta cheese is added and topped with Cretan olive oil and fresh herbs. Yum!
Cretan Food Tip: The difference between Cretan salad and a traditional Greek is that Feta is swapped for a soft cheese made on the island. Despite being in Crete, we typically went for the feta anyway because the cheese was used in many other dishes.
2. Dolmades
If you’ve never had dolmades ,you’re sorely missing out! It’s essentially seasoned rice wrapped in grape leaves, but there are many different variations too how these appetizers are served. They can be warm or cold and with meat or just rice.
Some dolmades come with a side of yogurt dipping sauce, or even just a squeeze of lemon. No matter how they’re prepared, this popular part of the Cretan food scene is hands down one of our favorite. Not to mention, they make the perfect afternoon snack to go with a large glass of Mythos beer.
3. Saganaki
We had never heard about Saganaki before our journey through the best food Crete Greece, but we quickly became fans of this cheesy dish. Hold on though cheese lovers. If you thought Cretan Cuisine was all about the feta, think again!
Saganaki is a large chunk of Cretan cheese that’s masterfully breaded and fried. That’s right, it’s just a scrumptious, gooey, plate of fried cheese.
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4. Dakos
Dakos is a specialty Cretan food and can be found on nearly every menu on the island. The fun thing about this plate is that each of the best restaurants in Crete really has its own take on it.
The Dakos below is one of the most unique versions that we had. Made of bread, crushed tomatoes, olives, and a mountain of Cretan cheese, this is a heavy but yummy start to any meal.
5. Kolokithokeftedes
I won’t even pretend to know how to pronounce Kolokithokeftedes, but I’m happy that didn’t stop us from ordering them. Our waitress at a small cafe in Chania told us that Kolokithokeftedes was their house specialty, and made fresh daily.
So how could we not give this Cretan food a shot? Small balls of zucchini and spices are pressed and fried, leaving the inside soft with a crunchy exterior. I think we made the right choice!
6. Gyro
Now for one of the most well-known items of the best food in Crete and Greek food in general. The world-famous gyro! After arriving late at night on a flight we took to the streets of Heraklion around 11pm to find a gyro.
I will proudly say that within an hour of being in Greece we were sitting at a small cafe enjoying one of our favorite foods. If you’ve never had a traditional gyro it consists of a thick warm pita, shaved meat from one of the wheels above, tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and a handful of french fries!
You can really find a good gyro anywhere from Santorini to the big city of Thessaloniki. Just make sure you visit during lunch or dinner so it’s spinning warm and fresh.
You can also order a gyro as a plate when ordering food in Crete. It basically comes as a deconstructed gyro with the meat, veggies, and fries separate.
7. Moussaka
I know I say this a lot, but Moussaka is one of my favorite dishes in the world. I’ve had it at home in the states and even tried to make it before myself when I had a craving.
However, it’s just never the same as eating it at a local restaurant in Crete. The meal combines a layer of sliced potatoes, eggplant, seasoned ground meat, all topped with a thick cream sauce. So good!
8. Beef Stifado
Beef stifado is essentially stewed beef with onions. The interesting part of this food in Crete is it has many variations such as lamb stifado, goat stifado, and even octopus.
Make sure not to overlook the onions, which explode with flavor and really make the dish! Served with a very generous portion of crispy fries, this is one of the heaviest meals during our last trip.
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9. Stuffed Tomatoes
Any vegetarian or vegan travelers looking for a go-to meal in Crete? Here’s something that should be on your list! On the menu, they are labeled as tomatoes but often come with stuffed peppers and wedged potatoes.
They are cooked all together in a thin tomato sauce. Filled with seasoned rice, this veggie Cretan food is actually quite filling.
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10. Pastitsio
Think of Moussaka mixed with mac & cheese and you’ll have the perfect image of pastitsio. Cooked in a big sheet pan or individual bowls, this was our favorite guilty pleasure out of all the best food in Crete that we tasted!
It’s typically baked with seasoned minced meat and consists of the same thick cream topping as Moussaka. Honestly, it may be worth a trip to Greece just for this.
11. Stewed Lamb
When I think of all the Cretan food we ate, this stewed lamb in a wine sauce with mountain greens might have been the most flavorful. Lamb is commonly found all over Greece, and I am still regretting that we waited till our last day to try it!
It was easily one of the most delicious things we ate on our recent visit to Paros Island. Learn from our mistakes and order this amazing meal on your next trip to Crete!
12. Stuffed Eggplant
If you’re an eggplant lover like us, this dish is a must-try and stacks up against any other Cretan food. The inside of the eggplant is cut open and stuffed with large chunks of Feta cheese, before being cooked together in a light sauce.
It’s best eaten with a side of local bread to scoop up the sauce, or to smush the eggplant on like a sandwich! Is a Cretan diet starting to look good to you yet?!
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13. Boureki
The Crete food specialty of Boureki is a MUST TRY when on the islands. The one we ordered was filled with potatoes, onions, zucchini, and amazingly soft Cretan cheese. Baked in a large pan, this heavy vegetarian meal is packed with layers of flavor.
14. Fried Honey Balls
What would a day on Crete be without something sweet? Nothing like finishing a meal with a little dessert!
Fortunately, our fried honey balls came complimentary after our meal. So what is the best part of it? The globs and globs of local Cretan honey dripping across the top.
Drinks to Go With Your Cretan Food
15. Freddo Espresso
Onto the drinks! When ordering a regular (or iced) Greek coffee, get ready for a big jolt in a small cup. The Freddo can be seen at cafes and the best restaurants in Crete in summertime.
Every small convenience store we went into had a high-end coffee maker, so you won’t have any issues finding your morning iced espresso. The only thing you’ll have to question is with sugar or not!
16. Cretan Beer
Mythos, the beer of the gods! I actually have no idea if that’s a saying. However, I do know that drinking Mythos while overlooking Vai Beach Palm Tree Forest or the pink sand of Elafonisi Beach will make you feel the same way. This beer is light and refreshing, making it perfect for a summer day with all the best food in Crete Greece.
Yet, there are more amazing beers to try that are more local to the island. Some of our favorites include Charma, Brink’s, Lyra, and Kasta.
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17. Crete Wine
To completely indulge yourself with the best food in Crete Greece, you’ll have to drink at least one glass of wine a day. Local wine cost only a few euros for a half craft, and pairs with almost any part of the Cretan diet.
Pick from the red or white house wine, sit back, and enjoy your meal! If you’re looking for something more special to pair with your Crete food, try a Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, or Kotsifali. You can even visit wineries like Douloufakis for a unique experience.
18. Raki
Now for a heavy hitter! Raki is a huge part of Cretan cuisine and typically drank after every meal. Don’t worry, you won’t have to go out of your way to find it. Raki is often brought out as a gift from the house once your meal is finished.
Be sure to slow down and sip on your raki and not take it like a shot. It’s meant to be enjoyed after all that heavy Cretan food.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of the best food in Crete Greece? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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