Crete, Greece's largest and most populous island, offers the best food in all of Greece, according to a recent visit by a journalist who explored the northeastern part of the island. More than 870,000 Brits visited Crete in 2024, many drawn by its Mediterranean cuisine.
Breakfast at Ella Rocrita Resort
Breakfast at the Ella Rocrita Resort near Mochlos features a platter of local cheeses, nuts, grains, homemade Greek yoghurt, and freshly baked sesame bread. The resort's cuisine is described as fresh, wholesome, and uncomplicated, reflecting Cretan culinary traditions.
Traditional Meze and Seafood
Chefs at Ella Rocrita prepare traditional meze-style dishes at Smigo, one of its several restaurants. The journalist enjoyed grilled octopus, stuffed zucchini flowers, and fried meatballs with a hint of peppermint. Across the island, tavernas like Giovanni's by Plaka Marina serve fresh seafood caught the same day. A chef there flambés sea bass covered in salt, serving it succulent and deboned.
Diverse Dining Options
Tavernas in Plaka also offer meat dishes such as steaks and chicken fillets, as well as pastas like spaghetti with seafood and pasta al pomodoro. The island's hospitality begins with food, defined by rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and olive groves producing olive oil, thyme honey, cheeses, dates, and avocados.
Wine and Italian Fare
Toplou Monastery, founded in the 14th century, still functions and makes wine, offering wine-tasting sessions. At Ella Rocrita, guests can dine at Viola, an Italian trattoria serving wood-fired pizzas, creative pastas, tiramisu, and gelato. Rooms at Ella Rocrita start from approximately £184 per night, depending on the season.
