Taverna Marianna — Restaurant in Municipality of Agios Nikolaos

A fancy-looking place, no doubt. That's what catches everybody's eye for sure.

I had lunch there a few weeks ago. As it's usually the case, I asked the cook what she had prepared for the day. She proposed braised goat in tomato sauce with borlotti beans, a Cretan classic. She also suggested to bring a piece of rusk instead of bread and I gladly accepted. Salad doesn't really match the beans.

An excellent dish, no doubt. The owners were friendly too. The reason I give such a low rating is the price: 14 € for a classic dish and a plain, wet piece of barley rusk. Absolute rip-off.

A week before then, I had exactly the same dish in a lunch restaurant in Heraklion (the photo with the odd tablecloth). This last one came with bread + a glass of wine + dessert + a small raki vial. I paid 7 € and the owner actually gave me a receipt.

Ψάχνεις κάτι καλύτερο; Θες ν' αποφύγεις τα χειρότερα; Τότε, τσέκαρε το...

One word: Amazing

The owners (a husband and wife duo) are so incredibly friendly, personal and attentive. The man is a personality.

The restaurant is decorated absolutely beautifully and organically (literally). We had the Greek salad as a starter, and low and behold all the produce are grown in their backyard! We were definitely able to taste that.

We had the pork skewers and grilled chicken with fries as main, and they were both incredible. And to top off the entire experience, they gave us complimentary watermelon (we didn’t ask but it was probably grown in their backyard). They were so juicy and refreshing. A perfect finish to our meal.

Highly...

What a hidden gem. We drove all the way up the mountain for Taverna Marianne. The ambiance is amazing and the owner, Marianne, as well. She showed us pictures and a guest book. The menu is basic but she does everything herself. Tastes like: your grandmother makes it for you. Unfortunately, her husband is no more since a few months and we hope that running the restaurant will give Marianne all the strength she needs. Go visit this wonderful place.

Be sure to bring cash as there's no possibility to pay with a card and the next ATM is far away (it took us almost 45 minutes to get some cash and get back but Marianne trusted us to come back and let us...