3 must-visit foodie spots in Rethymnon

Surreal mountains, tranquil beaches and the cutest old towns – you don’t have to look hard to find beauty in Crete. But, when it comes to food, the number of options can be overwhelming (in the best way). Everywhere you turn, there’s a mix of traditional tavernas, cosy cafes and dessert spots that make it impossible to say no.

On the north coast of the island, Rethymnon is a full-on Cretan food paradise. If you love good food as much as you love travelling, here’s your guide to the three tastiest finds in Rethymnon that’ll have you going back for more – especially if you love a sweet treat.

1. Hari’s Creperie

Right in the heart of Rethymnon’s old town lives the creperie of your dreams. Whether you stop by for a snack after shopping or head there post-dinner for dessert, Hari’s Creperie is the go-to for something extra indulgent. Waffles, cookie dough, ice-cream… there were so many options, it was hard to choose. But for me, the star of the show was the Bueno chocolate crepe – a giant sweet pancake stuffed with chocolate, strawberries and Miranda biscuit. It definitely could have served two, but I had zero regrets finishing it solo.

2. Petrino

I’ve heard people joke about going to Greece just for the gyros – and honestly, I get it now. As a self-declared fussy eater, I’d never tried Greek food before. But, one night, my boyfriend convinced me to order a gyros from our hotel restaurant and it opened a whole new world. The next day, I made a beeline for Petrino, a local restaurant I’d been eyeing up all week. I ordered a chicken gyros and never looked back. The combination of pita, grilled chicken, tomatoes, onions, fries and tzatziki was so delicious, and had me going back for seconds the next day.

3. God’s Gift Croissant House

My sweet tooth led me straight to another gem. If the pink-accented interior didn’t pull me in, the pastry display certainly did. The bakery presented orderly rows of croissants in every flavour and shape imaginable, plus some seriously tempting cookies. I couldn’t resist the Ferrero croissant cube and picked one up to share with my sister. It was huge, rich and absolutely worth it. The place lived up to its name and fulfilled my chocolatey desires.

They say the best way to explore a city is through your feet, but I say it’s through your taste buds. From sweet indulgences to savoury Cretan classics, Rethymnon delivers the perfect mix of tradition and flavour in every bite.