FERRYMAN — Restaurant in Municipality of Agios Nikolaos

A Cretan Gastronomic Paradise

Ferryman, located in the picturesque Elounda, is a renowned tavern celebrated for its authentic Cretan cuisine. The owner, Akis, has truly crafted a unique dining destination. Every visit to Ferryman is a delightful experience, with each dish leaving us in awe.

As you indulge in the flavors of Ferryman, you'll be treated to an iconic backdrop—the majestic island of Spinalonga. The combination of breathtaking views and delectable food creates a truly memorable dining experience.

We savored the "ntolmadakia"—stuffed wine leaves complemented by the renowned Cretan yogurt from Silligardos (often hailed as the best Cretan yogurt). While they were enjoyable, I personally would have preferred them served chilled for a refreshing touch.

The salad at Ferryman was an absolute revelation. A medley of arugula, Cretan goat cheese "mizithra," strawberries, and a sorbet of lemon and basil sat atop a kantaif base. The freshness and taste of this creation were beyond words. Kudos to Chef Ntounetas for crafting such an outstanding dish.

The grilled octopus at Ferryman was a true delight. Expertly cut and cooked to perfection, it showcased the mastery of the culinary team. Each bite offered a tender and flavorful experience that highlighted the natural goodness of the octopus.

A masterpiece awaited us with the combination of shrimps, taramosalata (fish egg salad), and tomato water along with carob bread baked in the oven. The flavors harmonized beautifully, creating a symphony on the palate. It was a culinary creation that showcased the talents and creativity of the kitchen.

The grand finale was the lobster pasta—a dish that elevated our dining experience to new heights. The lobster was perfectly cooked, the linguini expertly boiled, and the sauce irresistibly mouthwatering. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, leaving us longing for more.

Ferryman is a treasure trove of Cretan gastronomy, continuously recognized with Greek Traditional awards. The combination of outstanding cuisine, breathtaking views, and warm hospitality makes it a must-visit tavern. Allow yourself to be swept away by the flavors and ambiance of Ferryman, immersing yourself in the magic of...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Unforgettable, One-of-a-Kind Dining Experience

This restaurant delivered what I can only describe as an emotionally charged, unforgettable dining experience—led by a passionate, unapologetically intense owner. And while it might not be for the overly sensitive or politically correct, once I understood his drive, I found it surprisingly refreshing.

He clearly shoulders a huge part of the service himself, and while he’s tough on his team when needed, he also shows genuine appreciation and gives credit where it’s due. It was inspiring to witness someone care this much about delivering a top-tier experience to their guests.

Now, the food—absolutely breathtaking. From the homemade bread and perfectly balanced Greek salad to the succulent sea bass, rich melt in your mouth beef with orzo, and a dessert so unique and personal that it could never be replicated. It was crafted specially by the owner, and we were honored to have that slice of heaven. Every dish was packed with flavor and cooked with heart, I could taste the passion.

As someone who rarely leaves reviews—mostly because I’ve been let down too often by overpriced, underwhelming meals—I felt compelled to share this. Rather than bash places that disappoint, I usually stay silent. But this place? It deserves the spotlight. It reminded me why I love food in the first place.

My wife and I visited in a relaxed vacation state of mind, with no rush and no expectations. We trusted the owner’s recommendations and let him guide our meal—and we’re so glad we did. The setting by the water only amplified the experience. A special shoutout to the sweet Czech waitress (sorry I forgot your name!)—your kindness and effort made our night even better, despite the language barrier.

We’ve had some great meals on this trip, but I honestly don’t know how the others can top this. I could leave Crete today feeling like I’ve already had the best culinary experience of the entire trip. Bravo!

If you’re looking for something routine or sterile, this might not be your place. But if you’re open to an authentic, full-sensory, no-holds-barred experience. I hope you enjoy it as...

Food? Really good bar raw chicken - that was a right treat. Service? Terrible. Owners behaviour? Beyond appalling.

We experienced unbelievably rude treatment from who we assume is the owner to his staff, with long wait times between drinks. We overheard him say ‘they’re fine with water so leave them’ when we were trying to order wine. One of the staff members also told us he couldn’t serve wine that another table had for them - seemed strange in the same restaurant. The wait between drinks services was not what we had experienced in other similar establishments so was a surprise. My friend was also served raw chicken, sent it back and had to wait over 20 mins for another chicken kebab - I’m no chef but I’m sure it doesn’t take quite that long.

Finally the bill. Oh my word, the cherry on top of the cake. I’m unsure what other establishments wouldn’t expect a paying customer to ask but we asked to see an itemised bill, which was met with unnecessary hostility. He’d added wine to the bill which wasn’t ours, so we then were forced to go through everything we had. We did so and were told we had to pay in full, which we did, and as we left we warned another couple behind to check their bill. Well that went him into overdrive - he went absolutely beserk and accused us of judging every Greek restaurant of this plus saying all Greeks are lovely? A bit odd when he’d gone so nuts about something fairly simple. Also very strange considering we had been to many similar establishments and experienced wonderful service (side note go to Mary’s kitchen - it’s LOVELY), none of which I’d experienced such hostility and terrible service. We had very cross words with him as we left with him being unnecessarily rude and pointing fingers at us, which I’m sure is coupled with his ‘mates’ drinking in the bar all night and most likely him too. Such a shame it ruined our evening by causing a very unnecessary scene. So sad this lovely food restaurant is run by such a horrible person when it could be delightful.

Sack the manager/owner and you’ll...