Arhondiko Traditional taverna — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

The biggest restaurant disappointment of our lives! We wanted to spend our last night in a very well rated restaurant. Unfortunately, it was all a disappointment! We arrived on Monday night, the restaurant was full but there was a table. They were kindly received and then the table was disinfected, set and then we sat down. We waited for the menu to be brought. We waited 30! minutes, we asked for the menu twice, they didn't bring it, they just ran. We told the boss, and he took it from the table next to us from the guest's hand and gave it to us .... We chose Stifado and Meze plate, but no one came to pick up the order. Meanwhile, several guests arrived, including an elderly couple known to the boss. They were immediately given the menu and then not long after the food. After 15 minutes the waitress came to pick up our order. He said he should wait up to 30 minutes for food. We received the food almost 1 hour later. The beef stifado is made from pork !!! This was not foreseen by the waitress. And the food was lukewarm. The Meze plate was plentiful, but it also contained cold and lukewarm food. The grilled vegetables were cold and very oily, with a lot left on the plate. While we waited, we saw that guests were unhappy at several tables. One woman and one man were very nervous because they didn’t get a menu either. The man went for the menu and then for the cutlery because no one went to them. He went to the boss, who kept apologizing and explained that they were very full. (It was an average night.) At another table sat 4 ladies, constantly looking at their watches, they could wait for food for a long time, they were nervous. One of them went to the boss, who also just apologized and explained. When the waiter took out their finished food, the 4 ladies stood up spectacularly and told the boss that they were not asking for food. The boss tried to keep them there, but they left. It was very embarrassing for all the guests. We would have liked to have left the restaurant too, but we were very hungry. We don't understand these many good reviews as if there were two different restaurants ..... The staff is amateur, the service is extra slow, the guests are not dealt with. We have never had such a bad experience in a restaurant. We do not recommend...

Arhondiko is a family restaurant, located in a small street which already airs mouth-watering odours on approach. Entering the restaurant, you are immediately greeted warmheartedly and led to your table. The menu, in addition to the customary local dishes, contains some extra possibilities. We were lucky to had to chance to taste the fresh calamari prepared on the grill.

I contacted them on Messenger if they could arrange a small surprise for my girlfriend on her birthday and they immediately responded that of course they’d be happy to. That night they paid extra attention to our every wish and move. The entire staff participated in the birthday celebration to which they brought a home-made dessert with candle and sparkles, singing happy birthday 😊 My girlfriend was soooo surprised and I’m sure she will not ever forget this delightful experience. The family atmosphere also rubs off on all guests: our fellow diners joined in the celebration with singing and clapping. The open-air garden is filled with cacti and olive trees, at night, the lights draped around these are turned on and these bring an intimate, peaceful mood to the entire place. We made a friend in the form of a young kitty who fell asleep in my lap by the end of the dinner, one of many cats appearing among the guests from time to time. The owner is Christos and his wife prepares such a baklava that even those devoured it in minutes who would otherwise skip this dessert because it's usually too sweet for them – it is simply yummy.

We recommend this place to everyone to the highest extent possible, especially to those who do not like to dine among the masses next to the main road.

Peace, family atmosphere and fantastic dishes await...

I am not someone who eats at places twice typically. There are so many wonderful restaurants to try, so why not try as many as you can?

I ate here twice, and had I found this place earlier, I would have eaten every single meal here. Wow.

First, the setting. This is an open area, outside, with tables and chairs right on the ground. You feel like you're in someone's garden being served by family. It's an atmosphere I haven't felt anywhere else.

Second, the food is mind-blowingly good. I don't think a single bite crossed my lips that I didn't want to eat massive portions of. The kleftiko almost made me tear up, it was that good. You know how you take a bite and think it's the best thing you've ever eaten, but by bite four you say, "Yeah, it's fine." Stunning. To. The. Last. Bite.

I also had the stifado beef which might have been even BETTER. My wife ordered the grilled mussels, and as a voracious seafood eater, said they were the best she'd ever had. They were grilled, so had a smoky flavor that was so unique she couldn't remember having something like that before.

The house wine is cheap, delicious, and way too easy to drink. I would like a tap of their red in my house, please!

Finally, the traditional post-dinner dessert and drink served was insane! Baklava, homemade ice cream, and an infused raki (I think). Doesn't matter - just makes you want to move in.

Please, please, please visit here so it exists forever and I can...