- When
- About 14:00–16:00; Sundays busiest
- Call ahead
- Out of season and for special dishes
- Order
- Dish of the day, shared starters
- Pay
- Carry some cash
Choosing a village
Good choices near the main towns include Theriso and the Apokoronas villages near Chania, Archanes near Heraklion, Spili and Margarites near Rethymno, and Kritsa near Agios Nikolaos.
Before you go
Village tavernas keep shorter hours outside summer, so call to check they are open. Slow-cooked dishes such as antikristo lamb often need to be ordered a day ahead.
Ordering
Ask what the cook made today. Order a salad, a few starters such as kalitsounia, staka or snails, and one or two main dishes to share. Bread, water and often a small dessert and raki complete the meal.
Afterwards
Allow time for coffee and a walk in the village. If you are driving on mountain roads, go easy on the raki.
Questions before you go
When do Cretans eat lunch?
Usually between about 14:00 and 16:00.
Should I book a village taverna?
Call ahead, especially out of season or for special dishes.
Do village tavernas take cards?
Many do, but carry some cash just in case.
