5 Best Romantic Restaurants: Waterfront Dining in Crete
Crete is the ideal destination for couples, offering an array of exciting excursions while still providing tons of opportunities to relax. From sunbathing on the pink sandy shores of Elafonsi Beach to touring the ancient ruins of King Mino’s palace, there is plenty for you and your partner to explore.
The Greek Island also boasts some of the best seafood in the world. Once you indulge in freshly caught mackerel, shrimp, oysters, or squid in Crete, the fish dishes back home will simply not compare. These seafood restaurants are the perfect setting for a romantic dinner for two.
To hopefully make planning date night with your partner even easier, here are five of the best waterfront restaurants in Crete. Each of these restaurants has delicious food and breathtaking views of the Island’s natural landscape.
The 5 Best Seafood Restaurants In Crete:
Captain Fidias
Where: Sfinari
This lovely fish tavern has pleased the village of Sfinari for decades, serving authentic Cretan seafood dishes like charcoal-grilled lobster and sun-dried octopus. Every morning, Captain Fidias sends out two fishing boats to gather the day’s catch. Then, lobsters, octopus, and other fish are brought back to be prepared for guests.
Meals are also relatively affordable, particularly for fresh shellfish. You can expect to spend anywhere between 10 to 40 euros per person depending on how much of Captain Fidias’ homemade wine you drink. With fabulous seafood, service, and an exceptional view of the Sfinari Bay, we could not recommend Captain Fidias enough.
Elia
Where: Malia
Situated on the shores of the picturesque Malia Beach, Elia offers traditional Cretan cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features tasty items, such as marinated anchovies, steamed mussels, and shrimp risotto. Guests may also order the grilled fish, which features the catch of the day. It is most often species like seabass, red mullet, or seabream.
Elia boasts an inviting atmosphere complete with friendly servers and spectacular waterfront views from the outdoor deck. It is a beautiful place for a romantic date night that you and your partner will remember for a lifetime!
Taverna Kalliotzina
Where: Koutsouras
Taverna Kalliotzina is a family-owned restaurant in the heart of the Koutsouras. Formerly a bustling kafenio (café) in the late 1950s, it was renovated into a full tavern in the 1980s. The kitchen is now run by the talented women of the Kalliontzi family. They cook every meal as though they are serving their own children, meaning you can taste the love they put in with each bite.
The restaurant itself looks like something out of the film Mamma Mia, offering indoor and beachfront dining options. Though Taverna Kalliotzina has tasty seafood dishes like kakavia (fish soup), guests will not want to leave without trying their famous stuffed zucchini flowers.
Taverna Milonas
Where: Kamilari
Founded in 1985, Taverna Milonas has served up some of the tastiest seafood in all of Kamilari. The tavern utilizes homegrown grapes, fruit and vegetables to craft its menu. From traditional Greek dishes like spanakopita (spinach pie) to fried calamari, there is something for everyone on the menu. They also serve complimentary fresh fruit sourced from the on-site garden with every meal.
Unlike some of the other seafood restaurants on this list, Taverna Milonas does not offer waterfront views. However, we wanted to recognize one of Kamilari’s best seafood restaurants that is worth adding to your Crete trip itinerary.
Thalassino Ageri Chania
Where: Chania
Nestled in the historic neighborhood of Tabakaria, this waterfront restaurant is a spectacular place for a romantic date night. Dress up or dress down at this post-card worthy venue after a day of exploring Chania, Crete.
Guests will enjoy delectable Mediterranean seafood dishes like fried anchovies or grilled calamari. Thalassino Ageri also boasts a vast wine menu featuring housemade and locally sourced varieties. Be sure to ask the tavern’s friendly and knowledgeable staff for recommendations on which bottles pair best with certain seafood dishes.
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