Where to Eat in Hersonissos, Crete

Where to eat in Hersonissos

• The harbour — the most pleasant part of the seafront, with tables around the small port.
• The main strip (Eleftheriou Venizelou) — everything from Greek tavernas to international chains, busiest after 22:00.
• Koutouloufari — a hillside village five minutes up, with stone lanes, bougainvillea and traditional tavernas.
• Piskopiano and Ano Hersonissos — the other two hill villages, quieter again and popular with returning visitors.
• Along the coast toward Stalida and Analipsi — beachside tavernas away from the noise.

Popular types of cuisine

The strip is international by design — Greek, Italian, Indian, British-style breakfasts, grills and fast food. The hill villages hold the traditional Cretan cooking: slow-cooked meats, oven dishes, mezedes and local wine.

Finding traditional Cretan food

Walk or take a five-minute taxi uphill. Koutouloufari and Piskopiano were villages long before the resort existed, and their tavernas still cook the standard Cretan repertoire — kleftiko, stifado, dakos, kalitsounia — with village views instead of neon.

Family-friendly dining

Hersonissos is one of the easiest places in Crete to eat with children: early service, high chairs, children's menus, and short walks back to the hotel. Harbour tables and the hill villages are calmer than the central strip in the late evening.

Sea views

The harbour and the coastal stretch toward Stalida give the best waterside tables. From the hill villages you look down over the whole bay, which many people prefer at sunset.

Best time to eat

Hersonissos is a summer town, effectively May to October, and largely shuts down in winter. Restaurants serve earlier here than in Greek towns because the clientele is mostly international; the strip's peak is late evening.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hersonissos good for food?

It has a very wide range. The central strip is aimed at volume tourism, while the hill villages of Koutouloufari, Piskopiano and Ano Hersonissos hold the traditional tavernas most visitors end up recommending.

Where can I find authentic Greek food in Hersonissos?

Uphill in Koutouloufari, Piskopiano and Ano Hersonissos, five minutes from the beach, or at village tavernas along the coast road away from the centre.

Is Hersonissos expensive?

Prices on the strip are moderate, comparable to other Cretan resorts, and the hill villages usually cost a little less for a better meal.

Does Hersonissos stay open in winter?

Mostly no. It is a seasonal resort and a majority of its restaurants close from November until spring.