Heraklion Food Guide

The Cretan Diet is a healthy combination of tasty foods from century-old recipes that create the cultural wealth of the island, as they come from quality local products and genuine traditions. It is well acknowledged that the gastronomic experience is the most important part of a travellers journey and Heraklion can be considered as the capital of flavour and tradition. 

Diary Products are well known in Heraklion and in Cretes generally as they are the main ingredient in every recipe and upon every breakfast, dinner or feast. Kefalograviera, kefalotiri and mizithra are favoured as an important source of proteins and are essential to every meal, an expression of gastronomic culture. Olives, olive oil, honey and snails are also crucial components of a Cretan Diet.

The must try dishes in Heraklion are:

Dakos - a greek salad with a rusk that is soaked in water and olive oil and topped with minced tomatoes and mizithra.

Snails - the most popular dish in Cretan diet. Dipped in flour, fried in olive oil and accompanied by rosemary and vinegar. A real delicacy.

Tsigariasto - basically the main ingredient is Cretan goat or lamb, cooked in olive oil. The meat is of high quality and it is slowly cooked at a low temperature for a long time.

Cuttlefish with Fennel and Olives - a delicious combination, fused with olives that offer a slightly sour taste.

Kaltsounia - a dessert prepared from diary products by the housewives. Cooked with “myzíthra” cheese or greens and herbs and wrapped in pastry. Those containing cheese are usually panned and served with plenty of honey and cinnamon.

Heraklion is packed with restaurants and tavernas that will savour every hungry traveller by offering the best quality flavours of traditional dishes and delicacies. For a taste of local cuisine visit Paskesi, Kastella or Ippokampos. They are the best tavernas-restaurant serving mediterranean meals containing local products and seafood that will satisfy any needy person. For a more top notch experience have lunch at Amalias Kitchen and appreciate the cosmopolitan elements combined with elegance.

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