La Bodega — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

I travel extensively across the world, always seeking out authentic dining experiences that capture the essence of a place. La Bodega in Chania, Crete, has not only exceeded my expectations but has also earned a permanent spot in my top three dining experiences worldwide. From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the warmth of true Cretan hospitality. The owner himself embodies what makes this place so extraordinary—his genuine passion, attentiveness, and pride in every dish that leaves the kitchen. He personally ensures that every guest feels welcome, cared for, and part of something special. The food is nothing short of remarkable. Every ingredient tastes as though it was handpicked at its peak of freshness, from vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs to locally sourced seafood and meats. The flavors are clean, bold, and deeply satisfying—unmistakably authentic yet elevated with finesse. It is rare to find a place where you can taste the freshness and quality of each ingredient so clearly in every bite. The service mirrors the quality of the food: attentive without being intrusive, professional yet warm. Every recommendation is thoughtful and perfectly suited to your preferences, making the entire experience feel curated and personal. La Bodega isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a showcase of Crete’s culinary soul, presented with elegance, care, and a personal touch that is increasingly hard to find in today’s world of globalized dining. I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are in Chania, missing La Bodega would be missing one of the island’s true gems.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Truly...

The smallest meal was none-the-less filling, largely because we ate EVERY scrap!

Rusks and several kinds of bread with green. And Kalamata olive pâté.

“Αυχνο“ Vidiano (100%) - zesty and tasty white wine from Dourakis Winery, Lihnos, Crete.

Cretan Salad: with finely sliced green capsicum, delicious sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet, sliced red onion, critamo (samphire), soft, sheep cheese (myzithra), small capers and beige, square rusks.

Octopus Carpaccio with medallions of fava bean dip, decorated with finely chopped red capsicum and red onion.

Sea Bass Carpaccio with Bottargo Tarama (fish roe sauce).

Both carpaccio were beautifully presented. The bread and tusks were ample. The white myzithra cheese was soft in both flavour and texture, a perfect accompaniment to the salty, pickled or highly flavored ingredients.

Complimentary, home-made strawberry gelato finished the meal.

We left in time to enjoy the jazz performance at the nearby Faggotto (every Tuesday).

The food arrived promptly and was faultless. The service was excellent. Our waitress answered every question. Staff managed all tables with friendliness, professional calm and expertise.

Our meal cost €94.10. We were charged in Euros...

Exceptional little place with a stunning harbour view location, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! ... We walked past this place on a Friday night after we had already eaten, but the atmosphere looked so good that we made a special trip to Chania the following night to try it out - right before we had to be at the airport! We had THE BEST preflight meal imaginable, with excellent cocktails to boot. By complete chance we had chosen their Iberico Pork celebration night, an annual event with a special menu. It was sensational! Dumplings, pizette, tacos, all sublime. The chef came out to chat to customers and got nothing but praise, well deserved! The other staff were warm too, made room for us, and saw that we were served quickly - but not too quickly - in time to get to the airport. The bathrooms are also super cute. Will definitely be here...