Guidebook for Mourne
Food Scene
These are all restaurants and bars that I know well and have no hesitation in recommending
First-rate restaurant half an hour from the house. Food is modern, top quality and Japanese influenced. We like to go at lunchtime and ask for a table near the water for the best views across to Rethymnon Fort. Prima Plora is quite a bit more expensive than my other recommendations but then it is outstanding gourmet seafood and well worth it. A good place for that special meal and easily combined with a wander through the lanes near the fort. The old part of Rethymnon is lovely and fascinating; don’t be put off by the tacky, commercial beach area, it’s a nice, little city when you get to know it.
325 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Prima Plora Οrganic Restaurant & Wine Bar
8 AkrotiriouFirst-rate restaurant half an hour from the house. Food is modern, top quality and Japanese influenced. We like to go at lunchtime and ask for a table near the water for the best views across to Rethymnon Fort. Prima Plora is quite a bit more expensive than my other recommendations but then it is outstanding gourmet seafood and well worth it. A good place for that special meal and easily combined with a wander through the lanes near the fort. The old part of Rethymnon is lovely and fascinating; don’t be put off by the tacky, commercial beach area, it’s a nice, little city when you get to know it.
Agamemnon is a huge-hearted, welcoming man. He and his wife Urania and son Kronos (yes, really) will prepare the most wonderful array of really well-cooked local dishes for you. Totally authentic Cretan food, much of it home-produced. The meal starts and ends with raki and you can have as much local wine as you can drink, in between. It is unlikely to cost as much as 20 Euros per head, all in. These days there is a menu, but I prefer to let them choose for me. Just tell them what you don’t like and they can be trusted to give you the best of the rest. Try to arrive before sunset for the stunning mountain views and sit on the terrace (the inside is much less appealing, the TV might be on and it can be smoky, too).
Taverne Agamemnon
Unnamed RdAgamemnon is a huge-hearted, welcoming man. He and his wife Urania and son Kronos (yes, really) will prepare the most wonderful array of really well-cooked local dishes for you. Totally authentic Cretan food, much of it home-produced. The meal starts and ends with raki and you can have as much local wine as you can drink, in between. It is unlikely to cost as much as 20 Euros per head, all in. These days there is a menu, but I prefer to let them choose for me. Just tell them what you don’t like and they can be trusted to give you the best of the rest. Try to arrive before sunset for the stunning mountain views and sit on the terrace (the inside is much less appealing, the TV might be on and it can be smoky, too).
Gio-Ma has studios and apartments in Plakias but its the restaurant on the corner that has impressed me. You may need to book because it is very popular, especially with discerning Germans. Have a shower and a drink after your swim and then wander round to Gio-Ma half an hour before sunset. Their swordfish is the best (never overcooked) and the beetroot, walnut and mizithra salad is a delight. If you are lucky (and have room) there might be galactaboureko (lemony custard pie) to follow. Wonderful sunset views and quite a romantic and convivial spot. The management and staff are friendly and efficient, too. What’s not to like?
Gio-Ma (GioMa Studios & Apartments)
Gio-Ma has studios and apartments in Plakias but its the restaurant on the corner that has impressed me. You may need to book because it is very popular, especially with discerning Germans. Have a shower and a drink after your swim and then wander round to Gio-Ma half an hour before sunset. Their swordfish is the best (never overcooked) and the beetroot, walnut and mizithra salad is a delight. If you are lucky (and have room) there might be galactaboureko (lemony custard pie) to follow. Wonderful sunset views and quite a romantic and convivial spot. The management and staff are friendly and efficient, too. What’s not to like?
I have yet to find somewhere in Spili that I would recommend, but if you are too tired to make a little trip, you could try Maria-Kostas taverna at the western end of the town. It's a pretty spot, covered in foliage, where you can get excellent meat dishes from the barbecue grill. The pork souvlakis are very good and Kosti makes the best raki in town. Also, The Old Forge at the eastern end of town has some character, too, and Nikos will have several tasty dishes in pots to show you.
85 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Spili
26 Epar.Od. Rethimou-Agias GalinisI have yet to find somewhere in Spili that I would recommend, but if you are too tired to make a little trip, you could try Maria-Kostas taverna at the western end of the town. It's a pretty spot, covered in foliage, where you can get excellent meat dishes from the barbecue grill. The pork souvlakis are very good and Kosti makes the best raki in town. Also, The Old Forge at the eastern end of town has some character, too, and Nikos will have several tasty dishes in pots to show you.
Traditional Greek fare but with a gourmet touch. The food and service are sophisticated for this part of Crete and delicious but not expensive. The people are friendly and attentive, the views wonderful. My favourite restaurant in the Plakias area.
13 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Elia
Traditional Greek fare but with a gourmet touch. The food and service are sophisticated for this part of Crete and delicious but not expensive. The people are friendly and attentive, the views wonderful. My favourite restaurant in the Plakias area.
If you are wandering around Rethymno, this is one of the better places to stop for a light, tasty lunch. It’s in Radamanthios, an old street crammed with tourist shops not far from the Roman fountain.
26 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Raki Ba Raki
16 ΡαδαμάνθυοςIf you are wandering around Rethymno, this is one of the better places to stop for a light, tasty lunch. It’s in Radamanthios, an old street crammed with tourist shops not far from the Roman fountain.
Aleko’s is a good quality, traditional Cretan restaurant right on the main road through Armeni. They don’t give you a menu, but will produce a meze of great-tasting dishes. The focus is on meat and vegetables rather than fish or seafood and the wines are surprisingly good. Best avoided on a really hot evening because you’ll want to sit outside but these days there is a a lot of traffic in high season. Inside, around the back, is much nicer.
74 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Taverna Alekos
Eparchiaki Odos Rethimou-Agias GalinisAleko’s is a good quality, traditional Cretan restaurant right on the main road through Armeni. They don’t give you a menu, but will produce a meze of great-tasting dishes. The focus is on meat and vegetables rather than fish or seafood and the wines are surprisingly good. Best avoided on a really hot evening because you’ll want to sit outside but these days there is a a lot of traffic in high season. Inside, around the back, is much nicer.
Drinks & Nightlife
Ostraco Bar in Plakias is a wonderful place to sit with a drink looking out over Plakias Bay. It's very comfortable and not too expensive. Quite sophisticated for Plakias. Later on the excellent music gets louder, the upstairs bar opens up and it gently rocks till the small hours.
108 سكان محليون يوصون بهذا
Plakias
Ostraco Bar in Plakias is a wonderful place to sit with a drink looking out over Plakias Bay. It's very comfortable and not too expensive. Quite sophisticated for Plakias. Later on the excellent music gets louder, the upstairs bar opens up and it gently rocks till the small hours.