Where to Eat in Rethymno: The Insider’s Guide to Cretan Tavernas, Seafood & Gastronomy

To understand Crete, follow the scent of woodsmoke, wild oregano, and cold-pressed olive oil. In Rethymno, gastronomy is never a performance put on for visitors—it is how local families gather every afternoon and evening, whether at a table set directly on the pebbles of a quiet cove, underneath waterfalls in a mountain village, or inside a Venetian courtyard in the Old Town.

Instead of an overwhelming directory, we have organised our personal restaurant recommendations by occasion—exactly as we share them with our guests at Muses Travel, paired with the nearby villas where you can wake up minutes from your next unforgettable meal.

1. Rethymno Old Town: Harbour Seafood, Venetian Courtyards & Lively Rakadika

• Seafood by the Water (Achinos & Prima Plora): For a magical evening as the lights of the Venetian Harbour and Fortezza reflect on the water, book a waterfront table at Achinos by the Old Harbour or Prima Plora just west below the fortress walls—both beloved by locals for fresh catch, sea-urchin salad, and refined seafood dishes.
• Creative Cretan Meze (Bakalogatos): Tucked in the heart of town, Bakalogatos serves warm, inventive Cretan small plates using hyper-local ingredients. Book a day ahead in July and August.
• Hidden Venetian Gardens (Avli & Lemonokipos): Step through an archway into a lush courtyard of bougainvillea and citrus trees at Avli (renowned for modern Cretan fine dining and its wine cellar) or dine beneath the lemon trees at Lemonokipos on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street.
• Meze & Raki the Lively Way (Hasiko, Raki Baraki & Asikiko): Along Emmanouil Vernardou Street and the surrounding lanes, these vibrant rakadika are made for long tables that keep ordering “just one more plate” alongside chilled local raki.
• The Essential After-Dinner Ritual (Meli Gelato): Finish every Old Town evening with a cone from Meli—artisan gelato crafted with fresh local goat’s milk, Cretan thyme honey, and seasonal fruit.
• Where to Stay Within Walking Distance or a 5–10 Minute Drive: Stay right in town at Casa Doma Luxury Suite, Premium Seaview Suite, or 50m to Beach: 2 Suites with Hot Tubs & Parking; or perch minutes above town in Tria Monastiria (5min to Rethymno), MaYa Villa in Atsipopoulo, or Roussospiti View Villa.

2. Lunch with Your Feet in the Sand: North & South Coast Favorites

• The Locals’ Fish Institution (Klapsinos at Petres Beach): Just west of Gerani, unpretentious Klapsinos is where Rethymno families go for the catch of the day grilled over charcoal metres from the waves. Tip: skip the menu and ask what fish came in that morning.
• Walkable Cove Tavernas (Fysalida & Jamaica at Gerani Bay): Set right beside the clear pebble cove of Gerani Bay—walkable from Villa Emma in Gerani.
• Boho Beach Burgers & Evening Cocktails (The Salty Goat & Castaway at Episkopi): On the 3km golden sands of Episkopi Beach (walkable from Serenia Exclusive Residence), The Salty Goat serves gourmet burgers and chilled drinks under beach hammocks, while Castaway on the beach road is our favourite stylish sunset cocktail stop.
• South Coast Sand & Cliffside Dining (Mariou Tavern, Agia Fotia & Triopetra): After swimming at Preveli or Triopetra, dine right by the Libyan Sea at Agia Fotia or the sand tavernas of Triopetra, or stop at Mariou Tavern on the hillside above Plakias and Damnoni for panoramic sunset views over the south coast (just minutes from Villa Evenos in Sellia and our Maple Villas in Plakias).

3. Authentic Village Tavernas & Mountain Waterfall Lunches

• Poliou House (Asteri Village): Both a legendary family taverna and a free folklore museum showcasing centuries-old Cretan life—located right in Asteri village alongside our Stonebuilt Fortress with Pool & Sunset Seaviews (5 BR) and minutes from Hamalevri.
• Arkoudaina Garden (Episkopi): Dine inside a fragrant kitchen garden using vegetables picked hours earlier—just 300 metres from Villa Lucia in Episkopi.
• Staras & Perasia (Gerani Village): Honest, soulful Cretan village cooking within walking distance of Villa Emma.
• Carob and Olive (Melidoni Village): The perfect traditional dinner stop after visiting Melidoni Cave, right beside Dodo’s Residence, MeliDonna I, and MeliDonna II.
• Thavma & Fantastico (Maroulas Hills): Perched high above the coast with sweeping views of Rethymno, minutes from Villa Anthi in Maroulas.
• Lunch Under the Waterfalls (Argyroupoli): Ten degrees cooler than the coast in July, with spring water rushing beneath plane-shaded tables and slow-roasted lamb antikristo—minutes from Villa Angelo (Kato Poros) and Archontiki Thea.

4. The Ultimate Table in Rethymno: A Private Chef at Your Villa

Ask any returning Muses guest about their single favourite meal of the holiday, and nine times out of ten it is the evening nobody had to drive anywhere. Through our Chef on Demand service, a private Cretan chef arrives at your villa, shops the morning farmers’ market, cooks a multi-course feast in your kitchen, serves your group under the stars by your private pool, and leaves the kitchen spotless.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dining & Private Chefs in Rethymno

What are the best restaurants in Rethymno Old Town?

Our local favourites in Rethymno Old Town include Achinos and Prima Plora for waterfront seafood, Bakalogatos for creative Cretan meze, Avli and Lemonokipos for Venetian garden dining, Hasiko, Raki Baraki, and Asikiko for lively raki and shared plates, and Meli for artisan goat’s-milk gelato.

Can I book a private Cretan chef at my Muses Travel villa?

Yes. Through our Chef on Demand concierge service, a private chef sources fresh local ingredients, prepares a traditional or gourmet Cretan feast in your villa kitchen, serves your table by the pool, and handles all cleanup.

Explore the Complete Rethymno Travel Guide Series

Bookmark or share the complete Muses Travel Rethymno & Crete Guide (musestravel.com/tag/guide/) or jump directly to any chapter below:

• Master Guide: Rethymno Travel Guide: The Complete Insider’s Guide to Crete’s Most Authentic Region
• Chapter 1 (Old Town & Hills): Rethymno Old Town Guide: Venetian Harbours, Hidden Alleys & Where to Stay Nearby
• Chapter 2 (North Coast Beaches): North Rethymno Beaches Guide: From Episkopi’s Golden Sands to Panormo & Bali Coves
• Chapter 3 (Wild South Coast): South Rethymno Travel Guide: Preveli Palm Beach, Plakias, Triopetra & Agios Pavlos Dunes
• Chapter 4 (Villages & History): Authentic Villages & Historic Sites of Rethymno: Arkadi, Margarites, Melidoni & Argyroupoli
• Chapter 5 (Food & Tavernas): Where to Eat in Rethymno: The Insider’s Guide to Cretan Tavernas, Seafood & Gastronomy
• Chapter 6 (Activities & Families): Best Things to Do in Rethymno: Gorges, Private Cruises, Scuba Diving & Family Adventures
• Chapter 7 (Day Trips & Itineraries): Best Day Trips from Rethymno: Why Central Crete Is the Ultimate Island Base
• Chapter 8 (Practical Villa Planning): Planning Your Rethymno Villa Holiday: Best Seasons, Heated Pools, Car Rental & 25 Local Tips