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Food in Crete is a culinary delight and an experience you will never forget. From the abundance of fresh seafood to the delicious local dishes, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to food in Crete!
In this article, we take a look at some of the best food experiences you can have in Crete. We also provide a handy guide on where to find the best food in Crete, so you can enjoy the local cuisine during your stay on the island.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best food experiences you can enjoy in Crete!
Cretan tradition.
Crete is endowed with specific regional cuisine and a naturally fertile and rich landscape. The Cretan cuisine is organic, wholly based on the seasons, and abundant in vegetables like wild greens, fruit, and olive oil. Simple dishes produced with regional ingredients are the norm in Cretan cuisine. Cretans have traditionally only consumed food that their land produced.
The Cretan cuisine was mostly composed of wild greens, fruits, legumes, bread and barley rusks, little protein, and lots of olive oil. One of the Mediterranean diets is the Cretan diet. Additionally, the Cretan diet is distinguished by two key elements.
Which are the dishes you should try?
Fresh seafood: One of the best things about Food in Crete is the abundance of fresh seafood. The island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, and as such, there is no shortage of fresh seafood to be enjoyed.
Some of the best seafood dishes you can try in Crete include grilled fish, squid ink risotto, and octopus salad. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try some of the more unusual seafood dishes on offer, such as sea urchin roe or fried spider crab!
Local dishes: In addition to the fresh seafood, there are also many delicious local dishes to be enjoyed in Crete. Some of the most popular local dishes include kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb), dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), and Souvlaki (grilled meats).
For something a little different, you can also try some of the less well-known local dishes, such as kaltsounia (cheese pies) or apaki (smoked pork).
The top Cretan food you must try.
Most restaurants offer a menu that is relatively diverse. You can tell from the menus whether the costs are in line with your budget or not, which is especially important if you want to eat fish or meat, both of which are more expensive. Every restaurant has a unique charge, which is typically for the bread that is brought out to start the meal.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t go over €1 per person. Try the dákos (salted barley biscuits) or paximádia (dry Cretan bread), which are typically served with the well-known salad known as koukouvága in the Réthymno region.
Where to Find the Best Food in Crete.
Now that we’ve whetted your appetite for some of the best traditional food in Crete, let’s take a look at where you can find the best food on the island.
One of the best places to start your culinary journey is in the capital city of Heraklion. This is where you will find some of the best restaurants in Crete, serving up both local and international cuisine.
If you want to experience more of the local food scene, then you should head to one of the smaller towns or villages, such as Chania or Rethymnon. Here, you will find traditional tavernas serving up delicious home-cooked food.
No matter where you go in Crete, you are sure to find some amazing food to enjoy! The Cretan hospitality will make your experience even more significant!
Is Cretan cuisine going to be the next food destination on your list?
