If you’re looking for restaurants in Plaka, Crete, you’re in for a treat. During our stay, we discovered everything from traditional Greek dishes and fresh seafood to Cretan specialties, generous meze and some of the warmest hospitality we’ve experienced while traveling. Most restaurants also offer menu items such as burgers, steaks, and pasta dishes if travelers wish to opt for a familiar meal once in a while. But for us, dining in Plaka became about much more than the food—it was about the people we met and the feeling of being welcomed back each evening.

So, what restaurants in Plaka, Crete should you sample on your visit?

Journey with me as we discover Greek food & Hospitality in Plaka, Crete. Visit our most frequented restaurants in Plaka: Ty Kymata, Captain Nicolas Fish Taverna, Maria’s Taverna and Epicos, All greeted us with warm welcomes. We felt like locals! If we didn’t appear for a day or two, when we did show up, we felt as though we were genuinely missed!

Some of our favorite food items were the stuffed vine leaves, lamb kleftiko, spanakopita, beef stifado and of course the authentic Greek salad.

Greek Food in Plaka: Fresh, Simple and Full of Flavor

It is amazing how simple ingredients, locally sourced, can make the most delicious menu items. Try a traditional Greek salad for an example. Fresh tomatoes. cucumbers, olives, onion, peppers and a nice big hunk of feta cheese! The dressing? Authentic Greek olive oil of course and vinegar. All simple ingredients, but when put together, mouth watering. And presentation? Gorgeous

What We Ate in restaurants in Plaka, Crete

A few traditional Greek dishes to savor are stuffed vine leaves called “dolmades”, lamb kleftiko and beef stifado.

The dolmades are a personal fave for me, as they evoke memories of my aunt making them for special occasions. Pressing down the lid every time I walked past the simmering pan, the aroma intoxicating, anticipating when they would be ready to serve.

The lamb kleftiko is another of my faves. This dish is a slow-roasted dish of tender bone-in lamb marinated in garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and oregano. It is then wrapped tightly in parchment paper with chunky potatoes and cheese, it bakes low and slow until the meat falls off the bone. And when I say the meat falls off the bone, I mean that literally. So tender and flavorful!

Other Traditional Greek Dishes We Tried at our favorite Restaurants in Plaka Crete

My hubby’s favorite was the beef stifado. This dish is a hearty, slow-cooked Greek stew made with tender beef, onions, rich red wine, ripe tomatoes, and sweet-warm spices. Local Cretan variations often emphasize generous amounts of extra virgin olive oil and wine vinegar, sometimes including seasonal vegetables like zucchini in the summer months.

Fresh Seafood and Mediterranean Flavors

I’m a lover of seafood! From shrimp to lobster, fresh sea bass, mussels, crayfish, crab…so much to choose from, fresh and locally sourced at restaurants in Plaka, Crete. At one restaurant we dined at the host brought us into the kitchen and showed us the catches of the day. I was able to pick out my fresh sea bass! See a sampling of the seafood dishes I enjoyed in Plaka, all seasoned with fresh herbs, and veggies, bringing that delish Mediterranean flavor.

Greek Appetizers, Meze and Sharing Plates

Greek meze (or mezedes) is a selection of savory hot or cold dishes, meant for sharing.

Some offerings are Tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, and garlic), melitzanosalata (smoked eggplant), and taramasalata (fish roe) served with warm pita or bread. Feta cheese can be baked and drizzled with honey, delish. Then there’s the olives, dolmades, fried zucchini or eggplant! Keftedakia (small meatballs), loukaniko (grilled sausage) and even marinated octopus. And of course, a simple fave of mine, hummus and warm pita bread.

We feasted on Cretan Dakos (a hard, double-baked barley rusk, moistened with olive oil, then topped chopped ripe tomatoes, feta, and dried oregano) and the baked Feta cheese drizzled with honey. Very tasty!

Portions in Plaka, Crete are very generous, especially the appetizers and mezes! Hubby and I learned quickly that sharing appetizers and mezes is the way to go. The first few times we each ordered our own apps and then realized how full we were when we couldn’t finish our entrees! One of the chefs actually came out to ask us if the entree was okay as we didn’t finish!

Dining at Our Favorite Restaurants in Plaka, Crete

The views at the restaurants in Plaka, Crete are amazing, with seating directly on the oceanfront. In the evenings you can sit and watch as dusk envelopes the island. Look out over the sea for a view of Spinalonga Island which is lit up every evening (more to come on that piece of history in a future post!)

The atmosphere in the restaurants is smart casual. In the evenings there is soft lighting with small candles on the tables. Soft music can be heard in the background, or the coastal surf makes its own music.

The service is in tune with the atmosphere, casual and inviting. What made this trip and the dining experiences memorable was not only the amazing food offerings and the gorgeous views, but also the warmth we encountered. We genuinely felt welcome and the staff’s desire to ensure we enjoyed our dining experience left a lasting impression.

How’s that for a view?!

Greek Hospitality: More Than Just Great Service

I want to dive in a bit more about what I mean when I talk about Greek hospitality. It’s not just about servers bringing your food out in a timely manner. It’s not just about having plentiful options for your dining experience. Or even the large portions.

What I mean about Greek hospitality is when the owner of Ty Kymata (Vicki) learned that my hubby is gluten intolerant, the next time we were there, she made sure she had gluten-free bread for him. Or, when I told Vicki I was disappointed that spanakopita was not on the menu. She had the chef come out and talk with us. He promised within two days he would have my spanakopita for me. And guess what?

So yes, Ty Kymata is one of our all around favorite places. Have a look at their site below, view the menu…but remember…the hospitality has to be experienced!

https://www.kymataplaka.gr

More about what Greek hospitality is like

A few more examples of Greek hospitality, bear with me.

Captain Nicolas Fish Taverna in Plaka, Crete is another fave of ours. Yes, the food was amazing, the portions generous. However, more important was how the matriarch of the restaurant greeted us with a smile every time we walked by. How she saw us having a pre-dinner drink at the nearby cocktail bar, Epicos, and sent us a heart with her hands. And, how on the last evening of our two week stay, she hugged us. A real cuddle, with warmth.

And then there was Elios. Whenever we stopped in to Epicos, a cocktail bar/taverna, Elios always remembered our drinks. Sauvignon Blanc for me and gin and tonic for hubby. He always had time for a chat, an update on the weather, a heartfelt interest in how our day was. And if we missed a pre-dinner drink, the next day he saw us and asked where we had been! On our last day, a refreshing after dinner drink to toast our goodbye.

So, when I say, It’s More Than a Meal: Discovering Greek Food & Hospitality in Plaka, Crete, this is what I mean

Our Favorite Restaurants in Plaka, Crete

Ty Kymata: Warm Hospitality and Fresh Greek Food

https://www.kymataplaka.gr

Captain Nicolas Fish Taverna: Fresh Seafood and a Family Welcome

https://www.facebook.com/poulis74/?locale=en_GB

Epicos: Cocktails, Conversation and Greek Hospitality

https://www.instagram.com/epico_cocktail_bar?igsh=NzNtZTVzeWQxNWk1

Maria’s Taverna: Traditional Greek Dining

https://www.facebook.com/p/Marias-Taverna-100083005009103/?locale=en_GB

Dining in Greece vs. England vs. the United States: What’s Different?

My blog is not just about travel and vacations. I share my first hand views, my experiences abroad. Coming from the United States after 50 years and now living in England for the past 6 years, I always like to share my comparisons.

So, I’m gonna say it. In my experience when dining out in the U.S., it generally feels rushed. It was one of the first things my hubby noticed when he started visiting the states, The appetizers and meals are brought out fairly quickly, sometimes not leaving enough time to enjoy one course before the other is in front of you. Also, the check is generally left on your table without your asking, often times without even being asked if you would like anything further. Now I know not all U.S. restaurants are like this, but bear with me for comparisons sake, because for us and our experience, it is true a good portion of the time.

Now England…

In our experience, dining in England can be a bit slower paced. However, we’ve found that England restaurants prefer you order all courses at once. This does make me feel a bit harried. I usually like to order a starter, then see how I feel about what I might enjoy for an entree. In England, my husband and I generally order separate starters, as he is GF. My starters and meals will always lean towards seafood, whereas hubby’s generally lean towards grilled meat. As the portions are smaller in England than in Greece, this works out fine. But in Greece, where the portions are larger, sharing is almost a must and not just for the portion size but for sharing the experience! In England the check is not brought until asked, which is a pleasant difference than the U.S. However, sometimes we’ve had a tough experience trying to get the servers attention to bring the check.

Hospitality in Plaka, Crete, Greece

In Greece I find more relaxed dining, a feeling of pride, and a sense of family and community, as the restaurants we frequented were family owned and operated. The service may be slower service but in a good way. There’s time to enjoy one course, breathe before your next course, the time to enjoy each course on its own and savor the flavors. Kind of like having a Sunday roast at home surrounded by family!

In Greece, eating outdoors is the norm. Of course, we enjoy eating outdoors in England when we can, however, the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Greece makes the most of its outdoor space, utilizing canopies and shade trees as well as oceanfront or seafront dining to take advantage of the refreshing sea breeze!

Servers and owners in Greece genuinely want to know how your food was, what did you enjoy most. Even when they bring the check, there is always time for conversation.

Desserts and a Little Something Sweet

During our stay in Plaka, complimentary dessert was often offered as a gesture of hospitality. We were frequently served Greek yogurt with fruit preserve, fresh fruit or honey-drenched pastries, sometimes accompanied by a small glass of raki or tsikoudia.

Would we return?

Would we return? Without a doubt. For us, Plaka wasn’t simply a place where we ate wonderful Greek food. It was a place where people remembered us, welcomed us back, and made us feel at home. And that’s the kind of travel experience that stays with you long after the last meal.

I hope you are enjoying my posts and experiences! Please follow me on may Facebook page below:

https://www.facebook.com/yankeebrit.blog

You can also see all of my posts at the link below:

https://yankeebrit.blog