On Crete, 23 restaurants are certified with the ‘Quality Label of Cretan Cuisine’. The label was created by the Region of Crete to promote the island as a gastronomical travel destination. The Cretan diet is famous all over the world because of its health benefits and delicious pure food. Read all about Cretan cuisine.
Pure! Food & Travel was lucky enough to visit seven of the twenty three restaurants. We can say they definitely earned their rights to cary the ‘Quality Label of Cretan Cuisine’. We travelled to Heraklion (the capital), Rethymno, Adele (near Rethymno) and Kapetaniana (a quiet and peaceful old village in the south).
At Prima Plora you will enjoy an amazing view of the sea. Lounge music and the sound of the waves combine to create an extremely relaxed atmosphere. The setting is really beautiful with all the white furniture and the differing heights of the terraces that face the blue sea. On the menu you’ll find a wide variety of salads, with Cretan herbs, organic olive oil, and lovely sweet tomatoes. You can add fish, seafood and goats cheese to your salad. Read more »
Agreco is an organic farm where both adults and children can enjoy a wide variety of activities: picking grapes, milking the goats and shearing the sheep, harvesting the wheat, producing raki or become a beer farmer for one day. They also organise a junior farmers’ and chef workshop, where kids learn to cook with organic food. Read more »
This vegetarian dish at Veneto restaurant in Rethymno tastes great: eggplant dip with fresh tomatoes and goats cheese yogurt. The owner promised me to send the recipe, I can’t wait to receive it, but I had to promise not to share it, as it is a secret family recipe. At Veneto all vegetables are organic, just like the pork, the olives and the tea. All food is homemade, as are the liquers. Read more »
Taverna Erganos in Heraklion is a traditional Cretan tavern, established in 1986. I sat outside on the covered upper floor terrace. For lunch I enjoyed a variety of vegetarian dishes. Lovely grilled vegetables: eggplant, zucchini, oyster mushrooms and peppers. Try the ‘Dolmakadia’: stuffed vine leaves with rice, onions, carrots, tomato sauce, zucchini, olive oil and salt. Read more »
If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful and charming place on Crete to stay at and you can already imagine yourself having dinner under a dark blue sky filled with twinkeling stars, then look no further! Thalori in Katepanania is the place for you. Situated in the middle of nature at an altitude of 800 meters, Thalori consists of fifteen houses that were rebuilt almost a century ago. The buildings, that can accomodate 2-6 people, are part of the old village of Katepanania near the southern coast of Crete. When you plan to visit Thalori come over for at least three to four days so you can really enjoy your stay. Read more »
Avli Restaurant in Rethymno serves delicious and pure food in a cozy and colourful atmosphere. On the picture you see the Cretan welcoming dish that greeted us upon arrival. A lovely starter with traditional delicacies: pickled artichokes and onions, local and hand picked, olives, tomatoes, soft goats cheese and barley rusks. Yummy! Avli means yard or courtyard, and they sure do have a beautiful one. Lined with trees and filled with vibrant flowers. Read more »
At Alana Restaurant in Rethymno they serve a mix of traditional Cretan dishes and new dishes with a twist that still cary the DNA of Crete. About ten percent of the vegetables are organically grown and all wine is Cretan or Greek. I asked Stellios, Alana’s owner, if you only eat fish or vegetables, which dishes best represent Alana Restaurant. He recommended the grilled vegetables with yogurt sauce as a starter. Read more »
