31 places to eat in Chania, Crete
Living one winter in the city of Chania, Crete, the southernmost and largest island of Greece, I had a lot of time to taste the food in their local restaurants, cafes and bakeries.
If you like to visit these places in winter too - they are open all year round.
Here are my "best" and "favourites" in Chania. I have to mention that there are so many restaurants in such a small town, many of them are purely tourist places and close when the tourist season ends, so many of the ones I suggested are ones where the staff don't speak much English. because they are not touristic places that makes them authentic. :)
Oh, and in Greece you should remember - the portions, pies and cakes are quite large compared to, for example, those in Northern Europe. So, if the price seems high, you get a lot for that price. ;)
The best cafes
Red Jane bakery
Address: Kidonias 101, Chania 731 36, Crete
The best pastries in Chania! It has a sort of Parisian boulangerie feel based on their presentation, but the cafe itself is located in a warehouse-like hall (not reminiscent of Paris). But this place is in my top 3 bakeries in Europe! Absolutely fresh, soft and flavorful baked goods. Try their almond croissant!
Monogram
Address: Square 1866 n 10, Chania 731 35, Crete
Super-hyper wonderful donuts in a modern, light-colored cafe. Option to sit inside or outside. The cafe has a large selection of fresh unique donuts (for example, tiramisu or cheesecake flavored) and a Scandinavian touch. (They have another cafe in town not too far from this cafe: Daskalogianni 5, Chania 731 32)
Lilly Coffee and Snack
Address: El. Venizelou, Daratsos 731 00, Crete
If you are staying in the city center, the breakfast cafe is a bit far from Chania. But it is definitely worth taking a car/bus or walking to a cafe. Because it's a lovely little cafe run by lovely ladies serving real and amazing local food.
Sketi Glyka
Address: Isodion Odos 18, Chania, Crete
The best cafe experience in the old town of Chania on a narrow street with masterpiece cakes and authentic gelato. The counter is located on one side of the street and the indoor space for sitting is on the other side of the building, and you can also sit outside. A very colorful cafe with fun furniture and thoughtful interior.
The cakes alone look spectacular like art and do not disappoint in taste. The service is also friendly and helpful. Oh, and they also serve gelato that is kept in an authentic tin bucket! The pistachio one is simply amazing! As for the coffees - you have to chase a good cappuccino with a match in Greece, but their cappuccino was like what I'm used to.
ΜOΝΤΕΡΝΟ Café
Address: Staratigoy Tzanakaki 46, Chania 731 00, Crete
They serve a huge number of sandwiches and pies. Possibility to sit in the cafe or take away. Friendly service.
KROSS COFFEE ROASTERS
Address: *Tsouderon 73, Chania 731 34, Crete
They have several locations in the city, all with the same ambiance and interior and the same cakes (but not guaranteed to get the same cakes, it depends on demand). The cafe has an amazing European atmosphere, delicious cakes and coffee.
*(I shared the address of my favorite on a street with quite a large seating area located in the old town.)
PALLAS
Address: Akti Tompazi, Chania 731 00, Crete
The cafe is located in the harbor of Venice and offers the best view of the lighthouse. It's quite expensive and a bit of a tourist cafe, but the croissant selection is great and the view can't be beat. That's why I recommend this place as a whole experience.
The Barracks
Address: Staratigoy Tzanakaki 100, Chania 731 34, Crete
Friendly service and nice atmosphere, great cakes and coffee. Inside the cafe, there is edgy graffiti and neon signs. Compared to other cafes in the area, the decor is much different.
Black Eyed Kate
Address: Antoniou Giannari 1B, Chania 731 34, Crete
A lovely cake shop in the eastern part of town. Really nice relaxed atmosphere, beautifully presented cakes and really pleasant service. (Try their pistachio cake.)
Local pies and desserts
Bougatsa Iordanis
Address: Apokoronou 24, Chania 731 35, Crete
Bougatsa is a local breakfast dish eaten in Greece. This is a custard pie made with phyllo dough. In my opinion, they have the best bougatsa. You can eat on site or take it away (they pack the bougatsa very well). If you are in Greece, be sure to eat bougatsa. It doesn't look very appetizing, but it tastes like heaven (and chances are you'll miss it after you leave Greece).
Bougatsa Chania
Address: Apokoronou 37, Chania 741 50, Crete
Same food as Bougatsa Iordanis and they are actually close to each other. Strangely enough, the two boutasas taste different and some say Iordanis is better and some say Bougatsa Chania is better. You need to try both to form an opinion. They have the option to sit outside and eat on site.
VENETI 1948 BAKERY ΧΑΝΙΑ
Address: Leof. Karamanli 99, Souda 732 00, Crete
It is quite far from the city to walk but it is doable as I tried. They have a whole house as a bakery and if you decide to eat there you can sit outside. Quite a popular and old place. A large selection of local desserts and pies with a very thoughtful display - try their baklavas and koulouri.
Mon Kooloor Χανιά
Address: Kidonias 66, Chania 731 35, Crete
They offer the best selection of koulouris (Greek round breads with sesame seeds) in the heart of the city.
Dagounakis bakery
Address: Skalidi 18, Chania 731 31, Crete - the bakery is not on Google Maps, just use the address
It was my favorite local bakery. They have the best kalitsounia (Cretan cheese pie) ever and local "biscuits"! These cookies are completely different from what we have in Northern Europe. They were soft, big and cylindrical and the ones I tried didn't contain milk, eggs, sugar.
Perathōrákēs
Address: Selinou 104, Chania 731 31, Crete
A local bakery offering local delicacies and the best mini ice creams near the beach of Nea Chora beach. Try their galaktoboureko (filo dough pie soaked in orange-flavored syrup with custard) and kataif (golden baklava filled with nuts).
Kronos
Address: Mousouron 37, Chania 731 32, Crete
Try their baklavas and loukoumades (local donuts traditionally soaked in honey, but in this case syrup).
Κουλουράδες Χανιά (Koulourades)
Address: Αποκορώνου, Χανιά 7, Chania 731 34, Crete
An interesting little bakery serving koulouris (sesame seed breads) and also filled sesame pies. Something you can't get everywhere, so try it when you're in Chania.
Ζαχαροπλαστείο Γαλακτοπωλείον ASPRO MAVRO
Address: Anapafseos 56, Chania 731 35, Crete
The pastry shop is located in the southern part of the city, but it's worth a walk. They have one of the best tiramisu's I've had and amazing baklava too. I tried several baklava bites sold by the piece and they are so good! The service is also brilliant and helpful - describing and recommending products.
Κρητικό Εργαστήρι - Οικογένεια Λαμπάκη (Kritiko Ergastiri)
Address: Kissamou 89, Chania 731 36, Crete
They have the best little apple and spinach pies! The pies are small so you can choose a lot to try!
Lunch and dinner places
Delish Food Streat Story
Address: Tsouderon 69, Chania 731 32, Crete
The best gyros and pitas in Chania. Many locals recommended this place to me and they were right! This is definitely the best pita I have ever eaten. They don't open until 5pm in the evening and they always have a queue of orders and a short waiting time. So be patient, this pita is worth the wait.
Funky's
Address: Chatzimichali Giannari 76, Chania 731 35, Crete
The best pizza you can buy by the slice. It's a small pizzeria in the heart of the old town and there's always a lot of people eating and waiting for their food. The prices are cheap and the slices are big. If you want a bite to eat, this is your place.
Ta Kalamakia
Address: Kidonias 86, Chania 731 36, Crete
Kalamakia means stick - meat or vegetable stick. They serve the best homemade kalamakia in Chania.
Wake & Bake Sandwich Bar
Address: Kidonias 76, Chania 731 36, Crete
The best focaccia sandwiches! You can also order through Wolt Food. There are 12 types of sandwiches (which, by the way, are large and the prices are very affordable). Vegetarian food also available.
Pasta Al Mano - Handmade Pasta
Address: Πλατεία 1866 Νο 35, Chania 731 00
OMG! This pasta is simply amazing! I've only gotten better in Italy. The portions are big, but the pasta is so delicious that you might accidentally eat a whole bunch of pasta.
Falavela
Address: Apokoronou 20, Chania 731 35, Crete
Best falafel in Chania and also serves vegan food. The portions are generous and the service really friendly.
Kapari Restaurant Chania
Address: Zimvrakakidon 10, Chania 731 35, Crete
The best local food, but they also have Italian food. This place has the most restaurant feel of all the places listed here.
BRIGANDINO SANDWICH SHOP
Address: Daskalogianni 66, Chania 731 32, Crete
Great sandwiches in the old town of Chania, offering a very wide selection of sandwiches.
Ice creams, milkshakes, coffee
Gelato follia Chania
Address: Karaoli ke Dimitriou 11, Chania 731 00, Crete
The best ice cream in Chania! The selection is large, but I recommend trying the chocolate-orange ice cream.
Coffee Flavour
Address: Ir. Politechniou, Chania 731 32, Crete
A cafe quite far from the old town, but not far from Koum Kap beach. They serve delicious waffle pieces with different toppings of your choice and a great selection of hot chocolate (the tiramisu hot chocolate was great).
Hans & Gretel | Chania
Address: Chalidon 91, Chania 731 00, Crete
A candy wonderland. It is quite a large chain of coffee shops in many countries. The interior is lovely and quite Instagrammable. Try their delicious milkshakes and chimney cakes (trdelnik).
Habit Coffee Co.
Address: Παπαναστασίου 31 &, Emmanouil Mountaki, Chania 731 36, Crete
They have two cafes - both on the east side of town. The address shows the address I visited. A fun selection of hot chocolate and great coffee.
