Leventis Taverna — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

Went here on recommendation of our airbnb host and the lovely reviews. At first, we were helped very good. Our waiter explained there would be a big group of celebrations that evening and led us to our table. We noticed another table free and asked if we could sit there. ‘Of course!’ But I see it is reserved, I mentioned. ‘No problem!’. From that moment on the service was really, really poor. When bringing our ordered bottle of wine, the waiter didn’t gave us any attention when explaining and preparing it. Was looking away/around the whole time whilst he was talking to us. Then our starters got served. Correction: ‘my starter’ (and almost got thrown on the table). I wanted to wait but when it took very long time, I started already since it would become cold. When I finished mine, my partner received his. This is in my opinion just basic etiquette, especially for a restaurant who participated in a restaurant award of 2023/2024. You always serve out dishes together.. Whilst looking around during dinner, I noticed people coming in who clearly were meant to be placed on our table (waiters were constantly looking at our table to see if we were already finished, were explaining something to the people and pointing at our table, and got placed somewhere else in the meantime). From that moment I got the feeling they needed us out asap. No one was checking on us anymore. After we finished dinner, they took our plates and we immediately received a bottle of raki and some sweets on the house (which was nice of course, but also means ‘thank you, now get out). I wanted to order some dessert and this rude waiter (who didn’t seem he was enjoying his job) said they didn’t had desserts and walked away. I would have liked a tea or something instead, but again - no one was giving us any attention.

The whole evening felt rushed and not-personal. I didn’t even feel like finishing my wine and wanted to go away as quickly as I could. I assume things had something to do with the big group of celebrations but for us this completely ruined the experience with this restaurant. I give it three stars because there was one waiter (an older gentlemen) who was really helpful. Recommended a lovely wine to us. And - because of the celebration that evening - there was live music and traditional dancing. That was unfortunately the only positive experience with...

Stalos, uphills. The view is amazing and we found out about this taverna from a guy in a local cretan shop. And he was right: a must go to! A place frequented by the locals mainly....for many, many reasons. Well....in the begining you enter in a room furnished like an old living room: a wooden sofa covered with a blanket with red & white stripes....pictures of loved ones resting on the edge of a cupboard full of golden and lace endge plates...a round litle table dressed in a millieu of lace....golden lights...its like going in somebody’s home...the guys are wellcoming you smiling. You have to know you need a reservation for evening hours to be sure you can find a place. Busy busy. The food is truly amazing. Believe me! You first enjoy it with your eyes, because it looks perfect....then the aroma floods your nostrils....and finaly, the taste...the taste you want to keep as ling as you can. We have ordered starters: tzatziki and cretan cheese & honey pie (crunchy combination of sweet and salty). For the main course we had dorada and grilled veggies and rabbit stew - both fresh and tasty. We also enjoyed the red wine of the house: robust and full. At the end of our meal, finished with a traditional sweet dumplings socked in honey and served with ice cream (totally crazy about it!!), we had a suprise: raki and an other desert (vanilla ice cream and baclava) from the house! Was very inexpensive...totally unfair to the quality they are offering. And everything wirh warmth and smiles. So...go and enjoy: the view, the...

Tourists from abroad reviewing:

Not sure how all the people are reviewing this with a high number of stars. We went here as we were told it’s a must by many, many people (locals and online). However we left quite upset with the quality of the food as the other reviews had hyped it up so much. The portion sizes were tiny, my girlfriend and I were still hungry after ordering a starter and 2 mains. We ordered a gyros to our place afterwards to fill us up (which wasn’t good either - wasn’t impressed with Greek food at this point!).

The owner was nice enough to give us a table without a reservation, but gave one inside rather than outside as he said people will be coming and the ones outside were reserved. However, the whole time we were there and by the time we left, it was never more than half full so we could have sat outside, but did not get the chance.

It’s nice that the owner comes, sits down and talks to you while ordering, although he does try to get you to order a lot of things, so be cautious.

Wasn’t worth the 70 euro for a starter and 2 mains that did not fill us up, taste was average nothing special - you could make better at home. The place is nice though, and the views are very good. Come for the environment and views, not the food. We found much better places in Chania town for food (Pallas...