- Peskesi
- Kapetan Charalampi 6–8
- Parasties
- Chandakos & Sof. Venizelou 81
- Merastri
- Chrysostomou 17
- Book
- Ahead in summer
Peskesi
Peskesi occupies a restored historic mansion in the centre. It grows ingredients on its own farm, supplemented by selected Cretan producers, and revives traditional recipes and forgotten local ingredients. It is open daily from lunchtime until late; book by phone (+30 2810 288887) or online.
Parasties
Parasties, founded in 1999 by chef Haris Papadakis, is in a listed neoclassical building of 1903 built on the foundations of a Venetian bastion. The open kitchen cooks over fire with chosen wood and herbs, sourcing from small farms and cheese dairies, and the cellar holds Cretan and other Greek wines and spirits. Open daily 13:00–23:30.
Merastri
Merastri, at Chrysostomou 17, has cooked Cretan food since 1998, using produce from the owners' own land. The signature dish is suckling lamb baked for 2.5–3 hours in the wood-fired oven. Also look for apaki with graviera and pomegranate, and warm galaktoboureko made to order. It opens in the evening, 18:00–23:30.
Choosing
Peskesi for the widest view of Cretan cooking, Parasties for a wine-focused dinner, Merastri for meat from the oven.
Questions before you go
Which Heraklion restaurant is best for traditional Cretan food?
Peskesi is the best known, with its own farm.
Is Merastri open for lunch?
No, it opens in the evening.
Do I need to book in Heraklion?
Yes, for these three in summer and at weekends.
