Foinikias Kantina — Restaurant in Municipality of Agios Vasileios

The food, the view and the service blew me away. We have been to the south of Crete many times, but it was our first time visiting Foinikias Kantina. And what a find.

Wow the view. It has to be the best view out of any taverna I have been to in the whole of Crete. It is spectacular. Peaceful, wide open, and truly breathtaking as the sun starts to dip.

The service is excellent compared to other tavernas in the area. The owner really cares and it shows in everything, from the carefully chosen decor to the comfortable chairs, the layout of the tables, the atmosphere and of course the food. You immediately feel welcome, appreciated and completely relaxed.

We started with stuffed zucchini flowers which were absolutely delicious. Light, fresh and perfectly seasoned. The garlic pita was soft and full of flavour. Their tzatziki is without question the best we have ever had. The dakos was the only dish we were not crazy about, but that is just personal preference. Everything else was exceptional.

The lamb is the star of the show. We tried both the slow cooked lamb and the lamb chops and they were truly spectacular. Tender, full of flavour, and clearly cooked with care.

We loved it so much that we went back again for three more times during our stay and it was just as good the every time. Every dish was prepared with love, and it came through in every bite.

If you have an opportunity to visit and eat here, I highly recommend...

We had a fantastic experience — truly great value for money!

The location is unbeatable, with stunning views that alone make it worth the visit. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and both the staff and owner went out of their way to make us feel at home.

We ordered the mixed platter, and the portions were incredibly generous — so much so that we couldn’t finish everything. Without us even asking, they kindly offered us a takeaway box for the leftovers, which was a lovely touch.

The quality of the food was excellent — fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. Prices were very competitive, especially compared to some of the overpriced and underwhelming restaurants we encountered in Plakias. You truly get your money’s worth here.

We made a reservation for 7pm (which is considered early by Greek standards), and there were still a few tables available. However, by the time we left, the place was full — I definitely recommend booking ahead. We booked via WhatsApp and received a prompt response.

Some reviews mentioned that the menu is only available online, but we were offered both a paper menu and an online option, so that’s no...

Can't recommend Foinikias enough. Best service in Crete: honest warmth, made us feel like family. Food is awesome. The view from their terraces is mesmerizing. Lamb is a specialty. No fish here, but one shouldn't miss it among the wide range of meats, salads and dairy products. Garlic bread one of a kind. The grill flavors on this dish were amazing. Phoenicias salad very delicate and fresh. The spetzofai also outstanding. Perhaps order extra bread to get all that delicious peppers and tomato sauce! It comes with fetta and dried olives, super tasty!

As usual, a raki and panacota with honey as courtesy from these legends here at Foinikias. If we could only extend our stay a couple more nights to go through all their lamb and...