Best Restaurants in Elounda, Crete: Where to Eat

Where to eat in Elounda

• The harbour and main square — the traditional heart of the village, with fish tavernas, cafés and boats leaving for Spinalonga.
• The causeway and Kolokytha side — quieter tables looking over the shallow lagoon and the sunken city of Olous.
• Plaka, 5 km north — a former fishing hamlet directly opposite Spinalonga, and the classic sunset dinner spot.
• Hotel restaurants along the Mirabello coast — fine dining, tasting menus and the island's highest prices, generally open to non-guests by reservation.
• Inland toward Pines and Kastelli — small village tavernas with far lower prices than the waterfront.

Popular types of cuisine

Seafood leads: whole grilled fish, octopus, calamari, sea bream and shrimp. Alongside it, the standard Cretan taverna menu, and — unusually for a village of this size — genuine fine dining, including Mediterranean and modern Greek tasting menus in the resort hotels.

Seafood restaurants

Elounda still has working fishing boats, and harbour tavernas will show you the day's catch. Fish is sold by the kilo; ask for the weight and the price per kilo before agreeing. Cheaper and just as good: gavros or maridaki (small fried fish), grilled octopus, and a fish soup if it is on.

Romantic dining and sea views

Plaka at sunset, with Spinalonga lit in front of you, is the area's signature romantic dinner. In Elounda itself the causeway tables and the hotel terraces give calm-water views across the gulf. These are the hardest tables to get in July and August — book well ahead and ask specifically for a front-row or terrace table.

Family-friendly dining

The harbour front is flat, car-light and easy with children, and the shallow lagoon water nearby keeps them occupied before dinner. Taverna menus always include simple grilled options, and staff are used to families eating late.

Best time to eat

Elounda is strongly seasonal: from May to October almost everything is open, and in winter the village becomes very quiet with only a handful of places serving. Dinner runs late; sunset tables should be booked, and the same table an hour later is usually easier to get.

Frequently asked questions

Is Elounda expensive for restaurants?

It has a wide spread. Harbour tavernas are broadly in line with the rest of Crete, while the hotel fine-dining restaurants are among the most expensive in Greece. Eating slightly inland or in a nearby village lowers the bill noticeably.

Where can I eat with a view of Spinalonga?

Plaka, about 5 km north of Elounda, sits directly opposite the island and is the usual choice. Parts of the Elounda waterfront and the causeway also look toward it across the lagoon.

Do I need to book restaurants in Elounda?

For sunset and waterfront tables in July and August, yes — several days ahead. Hotel fine-dining restaurants generally require a reservation at any time of year.

What is the best time of year to visit Elounda for food?

Late May to early October. Outside that window many restaurants are closed for the season.