6 Best Chania Restaurants & Wine Bars in Crete, Greece
If you’re a wine lover and foodie visiting Crete, Chania is a must-visit. Located on the island’s northwestern coast, this seaside town is a great place to experience Cretan food and wine.
Not only are there wineries nearby where you can taste Crete’s indigenous grape varieties, but Chania also has some fantastic restaurants and wine bars where you can explore the island’s wines alongside its local cuisine.
And the food alone is worth getting excited about. Think juicy, ripe tomatoes topped with thick blocks of creamy feta, pillowy tzatziki scooped up with crunchy bread, and tender lamb that practically melts in your mouth.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional Cretan meal, a romantic dinner overlooking the Venetian harbor, or a wine bar where you can sample local varieties, here are my recommendations for the best restaurants and wine bars to add to your Chania itinerary.
Manousakis Wine Dinner
Manousakis Winery is known as one of the best wineries on Crete, not just for their wine, but also the delicious local dishes they make in their restaurant.
You can dine there for lunch and dinner during the summer season. But I recommend the Wine Dinner Under the Stars through Chania Wine Tours.
Anna Maria (or her husband Vasilis) picks you up right at your hotel and drives you there so you don’t have to worry about driving back after having unlimited wine with your dinner. Along the way, you’ll learn all about the history of Crete wine. Then you’ll get a VIP after-hours tour of the winery.
The meal is served on their outdoor terrace, surrounded by blooming flowers, a canopy of grape vines, and twinkling lights.
You’ll first get to try their white wines and choose one to pair with your appetizer courses. We tasted the 100% Roussanne (a rare find anywhere in the wine world) and the Muscat of Spinas.
Our meal started with a fresh Cretan salad. This was followed by dolmades, savory vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs and served with fluffy tzatziki. And then crispy herb, spinach, and cheese pies, called kaltsounia.
Before the main, you’ll taste several of Manousakis’ red wines. Ours included the single varietal Grenache, the Nostos Alexandra (a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend), and the Nostos Blend (similar to Alexandra but with the addition of Roussane).
All of these paired well with the main, Giouvetsi, a beef and orzo pasta dish slow-cooked in tomato sauce. It was hard to choose my favorite wine! Our night finished off with a sweet treat of flaky, nutty baklava.
Manousakis Winery, Vatolakkos, Chania 730 05
Oinóa Wine Restaurant
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at the romantic Oinóa Wine Restaurant. It’s located at the edge of Chania’s old town next to the San Salvador fortress.
Oinóa is one of the most popular restaurants in Chania, so contact them early for reservations. I recommend requesting the corner table on their second-floor roof deck with the best view of the sunset.
The menu includes dishes from throughout Crete and Greece. Highlights include foie gras with pickled beetroot and poached pear, beef carpaccio, lamb tenderloin, Black Angus ribeye, and seabass filet.
They have an extensive wine list, and our server was very helpful with making recommendations based on what we planned to order.
Our complimentary starter was a soft smoked salmon cheese with crusty bread. This paired nicely with our celebratory glass of sparkling rosé. The creamy bubbles and crisp acidity also went well with our tuna tartare appetizer.
For the main, I had the juicy and tender lamb tenderloin with au gratin potatoes and seasonal vegetables. And it was even better paired with a single varietal Mavroudi, a red wine organically produced by Anatolikos Vineyards in Northeast Greece.
If you go, make sure to save room for dessert. I was stuffed but managed to fit in a few bites of their amazing chocolate molten cake.
Oinóa Wine Restaurant, Theotokopoulou 61-63, Chania 731 31
Don’t Plan a Wine Trip Without This Checklist
After years of planning wine trips around the world, I created the checklist I wish I’d had from the start. It walks you through exactly what to do and when, from early research to week-of to-dos, so planning your trip feels simple instead of stressful.
Kritamon Wine Restaurant
Like many tourist destinations, the Chania old town restaurants with the best views don’t necessarily have the best food and are often overpriced. But a few streets back from the Venetian Harbor, you’ll find a hidden gem among the narrow cobblestoned streets.
Kritamon Wine Restaurant focuses on Cretan flavors with Mediterranean influences. The wine list has a great selection of local and non-local options. And their secluded courtyard is a breath of fresh air from the busy surrounding streets.
We started with the seabass carpaccio, and it didn’t disappoint. It was bathed in a lemony sauce and topped with fresh green onions and zesty capers. I could’ve eaten the whole thing on my own.
For the main, I had never seen rooster on a menu before, so I decided to be adventurous and order the rooster in red wine sauce. I have to say, this was the best chicken I’ve ever had. It was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce was incredible.
Since we weren’t able to fit in a visit to Karavitakis Winery, we enjoyed a bottle of their 3 Klimatas wine with our meal. It’s a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet with notes of black cherry, blackcurrant, and vanilla. A perfect pairing for a perfect meal!
Kritamon Wine Restaurant, Kondilaki 38-40, Chania 731 31
The Five Restaurant
Update: Since my visit, The Five has changed concepts and is now called The Counter. It’s in the same waterfront spot, but I haven’t eaten there since the change, so I can’t speak to the new menu yet.
The Five Restaurant is a casual ocean-front eatery, and a great spot for catching the sunset. The menu is meze style, meaning small(ish) plates to share. And their sommelier-selected wine list has plenty of local and international options. They even have beers from Greek microbreweries if you’re into that.
It was here that I discovered my love for the salty, herbal condiment that is olive tapenade. The Five’s version is made with lavender and served with fresh bread.
Next, we had the ceviche and the grilled sardine bruschetta. It was a little spicy for me, but so good that I kept eating it despite the burn.
I’m not a big calamari fan but my husband ordered it. It was grilled and rolled, kind of like a sushi roll. And then you got fried bits with the tentacles.
Finally, I had to try their famous Fisherman’s Pasta. The pappardelle pasta was loaded with shrimp, mussels, and sea urchin and mixed with saffron and a creamy cheese sauce. I’ll just say it lived up to its hype.
After your meal, I recommend strolling along the beach or walking the pier while you digest all of the deliciousness.
The Five, Akti Papanikoli 15B, Chania 731 36
La Bodega Chania Wine Bar
When the heat and the crowds of Chania’s old town get to be too much, La Bodega is the best spot on the Venetian Harbor for a cold glass of wine.
The menu has a great selection of Greek wines organized by flavor profile. Snag a waterfront table and order a glass for unbeatable views of the harbor (and good people watching).
Our beverages came with a complimentary plate of sliced fresh fruit to snack on. Or if you want something more substantial, try the Cretan cheese tarts, crab croquettes, or a charcuterie and cheese board.
La Bodega is also a great option for dinner. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance or be prepared to wait.
La Bodega, Akti Kountourioti 60, Chania 731 31
Pallas Philocaly
This charming deli slash bakery slash wine shop is just off the main walkway surrounding Chania’s Venetian Harbor.
With so many options to choose from, you could spend your day at Pallas Philocaly. Have your coffee and one of their delicious pastries in the morning. Then pop back later for all your charcuterie and wine needs.
They have a huge selection of wine in their cellar. And they offer sommelier-led wine tasting experiences. Or if you’re planning a wine picnic, this would be a great place to grab a spread of meats, cheeses, and wine.
Pallas Philocaly, Akti Tompazi 15-17, Chania
Keep Exploring Crete Wine Country
Chania is a great starting point for exploring Crete’s food and wine scene. Just outside the city, you’ll find wineries near Chania where you can taste indigenous varieties like Vidiano, Vilana, and Kotsifali while learning more about Cretan winemaking.
Further east, you can visit Crete’s best-known wine-producing areas. My guide to the best wineries near Heraklion covers where to go for tastings and which local wines to try.
And if you’re planning to visit more Greek islands, Santorini is worth adding to your itinerary. Explore the island’s volcanic wines at these Santorini wineries, then check out my favorite Santorini restaurants for more great food and wine experiences.
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