Crete · Diners
Sunday Lunch in the Chania Mountains: A Village Taverna Guide
Published · 7 min read
Short answer
On Sundays many Chania families drive 20–45 minutes into the villages of Apokoronas and the White Mountains foothills for a long taverna lunch. Expect wood-oven and grilled meats, local cheeses, horta, raki and a set rhythm of shared plates. Go around 14:00, book on weekends, and plan a driver — raki arrives with dessert.
Key takeaways
- Sunday lunch, not dinner, is the main village taverna meal.
- Apokoronas villages are easy drives east of Chania.
- Order to share: cheeses, horta, grilled or oven meats, kalitsounia.
- Raki and fruit are often offered after the meal.
- Book weekend tables, especially in summer.
Where to go
- Apokoronas: green villages east of Chania with traditional squares.
- White Mountains foothills: villages on the way to the Omalos plateau.
- Theriso: a gorge-side village a short drive south of Chania.
What to order
- Staka with eggs, graviera and mizithra cheeses.
- Antikristo or oven lamb, chicken or pork.
- Wild greens (horta) and dakos.
- Kalitsounia (cheese pies) and loukoumades.
Planning the trip
Leave Chania around 13:00, eat around 14:00 and leave time for a walk in the village. Roads are narrow — drive slowly and keep a sober driver.
Book a table in Chania
Restaurants on Woltaro. Booking is free — a card is held only for no-show protection.
Plan your trip to Chania
Beaches, sights, events and every restaurant in Chania, Crete.
Book in Chania
Woltaro is free for restaurants — no subscription, no commission — and free for diners to browse menus, book tables and buy event tickets.
Frequently asked questions
- Do village tavernas take bookings?
- Many do, and it is worth booking on summer Sundays. Participating restaurants can be booked free on Woltaro.
- How far are the villages from Chania?
- Most are 20 to 45 minutes by car.