Portes — Restaurant in Municipality of Agios Nikolaos

From the moment we arrived at Portes Restaurant, we felt like we had discovered a hidden gem in Agios Nikolaos. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and effortlessly stylish – a perfect blend of Cretan charm and modern comfort. Whether you’re seated indoors or on the beautiful terrace, the views and ambiance are simply magical.

But let’s talk about the food – wow! Every dish was bursting with flavor, clearly prepared with love and using the freshest local ingredients. The grilled octopus was perfectly tender and flavorful, the lamb melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the seasonal salads were both vibrant and refreshing. We especially appreciated the thoughtful vegetarian options and the creative twists on traditional Cretan recipes.

The staff? Absolutely exceptional. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They took the time to explain the dishes and offer recommendations, making us feel like more than just guests – we felt truly cared for.

If you’re in Agios Nikolaos and looking for an authentic, heartwarming, and high-quality dining experience, Portes is an absolute must. We left with full hearts and full stomachs – already dreaming of...

We ate here on two occasions after finding it by chance when exploring on our first day. It is a little away from the main tourist spots and is better for it. The front room is lovely but there is also a rear room if the front is full. Complimentary mezes were provided before the meal and cheesecake and a lovely sweet liqueur (which was much better than the usual Raki for my taste) at the end. Stand out dishes were the dolmades and the cuttlefish stew. The main waiter who took the orders lists the daily specials and explains anything not on the menu. However he goes into great detail which we found a bit patronising. A simple question asking about knowledge of Greek food would be much better and save him time. On our first visit starters were quickly followed by main courses so on our second visit we ordered the two courses separately to ensure a more relaxed visit. The bills, with a litre of house red each time, came to 39...

A real gem in Agios Nikolaos. A little away from the tourist zone ,but in close distance to it, this restaurant is a place to visit again and again. The food is excellent and with options for every kind of taste: vegan , seafood, meat, allergy tested, etc. We tried both seafood and meat, and we really loved both options. Service was fast and polite. The place inside seems recently renovated with really good taste and totally clean. There are also tables at the street outside. The owners and the staff are absolutely adorable. Prices are decent to cheap for this quality of food. Ask for options of the wine list. There are really good suggestions for wine lovers. Keep in mind that you may have to make a reservation, depending on time and day.We will surely visit Portes...