5 of the best restaurants in Crete for local food in the north
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We visited Northern Crete on a sun-drenched babymoon – the kind where you’re balancing cravings for long, lazy lunches with a hunger for new places and a little adventure. We found all of that and more in this wild and beautiful stretch of the island.
From rustic beachside tavernas to elevated menus with a modern Mediterranean edge, Northern Crete is full of flavour. Below, we’ve rounded up five of the best restaurants in Crete in the north for local cuisine that genuinely capture the island’s magic.
Northern Crete is a landscape of contrasts – from the Venetian charm of Chania in the west to the sleek marina-side glamour of Agios Nikolaos in the east. In between are fishing villages, mountain towns and hidden coves where tradition still thrives. Food here is central to life – expect lashings of olive oil, impeccable fresh seafood, fragrant wild herbs and wines you’ve never heard of but won’t forget.
Whether you’re dining with your feet in the sand or beneath the arches of a 14th-century building, there’s an authenticity to every meal that feels distinctly Cretan. These are some of the best restaurants in Crete on the northern part of the island.
If you love foodie travel you might also like to read our luxury foodie guide to the Cotswolds. But if it’s the Greek islands that you’re most fascinated by take a look at these stunning honeymoon spots in Mykonos and Paros, as well as our luxury travel guide to Kamari, Santorini.
And if you’re looking for unique, luxury resorts for the ultimate Greece island stay you can read about our trips to outstanding hotels Oku, Kos and The Wild Hotel by Interni for some seriously enticing accommodation inspiration.
Have you been to an incredible eaterie in northern Crete which isn’t on our list? Contact us and let us know so we can add them to our list of the best restaurants in Crete in the north.
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We sat under whitewashed eaves, sipping crisp rosé with views across to Spinalonga island.
The Blue Door Taverna at Phaea Blue Hotel
A breathtaking restaurant with incredibly friendly and knowledgable staff.
Breathtaking restaurant
Set within the Phaea Blue hotel in Elounda, The Blue Door Taverna is a breathtaking restaurant with incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff.
We sat under whitewashed eaves, sipping crisp rosé with views across to Spinalonga island, as the light shifted gold. The dip tray — a staple of Greek tradition — was pitch-perfect, with creamy taramasalata, smoky aubergine and the most delicate tzatziki. But the standout was the salt-baked sea bass: perfectly cooked and ceremoniously cracked open at the table. A dish that definitely came to mind when picking out some of the best restaurants in Crete in the north to add to this list. It’s rustic done right — simple food elevated by setting, service and the kind of sea breeze you want to bottle and take home.
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For elevated dining with a view, Amar is a must-book.
Amar at Minos Palace
Mediterranean classics with finesse.
Refined but relaxed
Refined but relaxed, Amar is Minos Palace Resort’s flagship restaurant, perched above Mirabello Bay.
The menu here leans into Mediterranean classics with finesse. Our highlight was the deconstructed baklava — paper-thin pastry layered with spiced nuts and golden syrup, finished with a flourish of creamy ice cream. But the silky beef pappardelle gave it stiff competition, rich and comforting without being too heavy. We also discovered Vidiano here — a sumptuous, dry white Cretan wine that paired perfectly. For elevated dining with a view, Amar is a must-book.
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The best of local produce with nutritionist-led cooking.
Elie’s Beach House
Colourful, nourishing dishes that still feel indulgent.
Nourishing and indulgent
Part of the Porto Elounda resort, Elie’s Beach House brings a fresh concept to the island, combining the best of local produce with nutritionist-led cooking. The result? Colourful, nourishing dishes that still feel indulgent.
The Nutritionist’s Club sandwich was a clever, flavour-packed riff on a classic; the tuna crudo fresh and zingy; and the Glow Bowl a vibrant, wholesome standout. Designed in collaboration with British nutritionist Emily English, this beachside spot is a welcome new take on holiday dining — health-conscious without feeling too worthy.
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Dramatic interiors with exquisite food.
Pallas, Chania
Food, and an exceptional view, to savour.
Savour every bite
If you’re heading to Chania, Pallas needs to be at the top of your dinner list, and is next on our list of some of the best restaurants in Crete in the north. Housed in a restored neoclassical building on the Old Venetian harbour, it combines dramatic interiors with exquisite food.
We dined on bruschetta brioche topped with Cretan prawns, nduja and a smoky paprika emulsion; a fresh and hearty Cretan salad; and velvety fava bean purée — each dish layered and generous. It’s the kind of meal where you want to savour every bite, and the view (and people-watching) is exceptional.
La Bouillabaisse was our favourite restaurant across the whole trip.
La Bouillabaisse at Minos Beach Art Hotel
Outstanding food, beautiful setting.
The perfect romantic spot
Located near Agios Nikolaos, La Bouillabaisse, at Minos Beach Art Hotel, was our favourite restaurant across the whole trip.
We visited on a breezy summer evening and watched the sky turn sherbet-pink over the bay. The lobster tasting menu was outstanding – first served as a grapefruit ceviche, then in a crispy beignet and finally a perfectly tender tail. Each course was paired with delicious cocktails and organic Greek wines, including a standout Assyrtiko from Santorini. This was the perfect romantic spot at one of the best restaurants in Crete in the north and a meal we never wanted to end.
Stay at Minos Beach Art Hotel
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