Petousis Taverna
Family-run Heraklion taverna known for hearty Cretan comfort food, a warm welcome, and the kind of buzzy atmosphere that turns dinner into an evening.
- Cretan cuisine
- Affordable
- Family-Run
- Cretan cuisine
- Affordable
- Family-Run
Petousis has been a fixture in Heraklion for over 45 years , and its position near the top of the city’s restaurant rankings is no accident. Housed in a traditional stone building in the city centre, the taverna is a family operation built on high-quality local ingredients sourced from dedicated Cretan farmers  — the kind of place that feels entirely unconcerned with trends because it has never needed them. The speciality is antikristo  — the ancient Cretan method of cooking meat beside (rather than over) an open flame — along with grilled lamb, homemade dolmades, and charcoal-grilled meats that draw regulars back again and again.
Generous portions, very reasonable prices, and a room that fills with locals  make it one of those restaurants that ticks every box without making a fuss about it. Come hungry, order the lamb, and let the complimentary raki at the end of the meal confirm you made the right call.
