TO XANI Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

We found the location in a back alley very appealing. Friendly welcome, order went quickly. In the very early evening, the restaurant was still very empty. Waiting time average. Food was absolutely fine, but also nothing outstanding. We had 2 traditional dishes and children's dishes. The very positive reviews are exaggerated. All in all, actually just so 4 stars and for me no reason to rate. After we finished eating, we were simply ignored. There was still not much going on. You usually always get a raki and a dessert for free at the end in Crete. In every restaurant there this came automatically and before you asked for the bill! Therefore, I was also unsure to call someone etc.. After about 20 minutes, our children were already playing in the alley, we decided to leave. Since I had already seen when going to the bathroom that this is a restaurant where you have to go to the cashier for card payment, I did this. I just wanted to pay for the table without complaint. This was probably considered an affront, from both waiters I was turned on, what I do please. The, probably chief, at the cash register was also beside himself, when I answered one ignored us 20 minutes. We could have called. Yes, one could have. But elsewhere such a thing was not necessary. And I just wanted to pay and had no intention of complaining.

I am not someone who immediately gives 1 star because of something but simply wants to get rid of something again and the operator hopefully reads this. Therefore 3 stars, so one deduction. You have to pay attention yourself when guests are finished. In this case (occupancy and our place) should have been noticed in these 20 minutes long ago. A good waiter goes here pro actively...

This experience was the most disappointing I had in Greek throughout the past two years. I will say the pros and cons, at the corner of the deadend street stood a charming lady, a very good PR, and she pitched the traditional cooking method used in this restaurant; in clay pots on olive tree wood that gave a special taste and showed me pictures.

She insisted on the traditions adopted and I wanted to experience this traditional cooking. At my table, I asked the waiter to point all the dishes cooked in these terines or clay pots, and he pointed to 7 dishes ... I ordered one but they did not have it anymore, I asked about a second dish in the list: Kliftico as per my knowledge, he was getting impatient and he confirmed the way of cooking varies from one place to another.

First, I was served bread and olive oil as is the tradition, but for the first time among all the restaurants I have been to in all the cities and islands, I was served oil in a plastic container like the ones we get in planes ... this was really shocking and not matching the traditional image I was expecting.

Then my main dish was served with a smile, a 10×10 cm normal Kliftico; first the quantity was not matching the price, second, it was not cooked the way it was pitched at the entrance in a clay pot and last, it tasted like any kliftico dish I ordered anywhere else.

I expected to be served in the clay pot as the ones I saw in the pictures.

At the end I was served with same generousity, as everywhere else, water melon, sweet and rakky

I don't recommand this restaurant, unless they change the experience to match...

Visited To Xani on 26th April 2024 as a group of 4. The restaurant is down a side alley. Most customers are greeted on the main street outside as we were. The lady was very enthusiastic about the authentic Cretan dishes cooked in ceramic pots. The place had good reviews, and we decided to eat here. We were shown to a table. The tables are in the alley. It's not a through route and was pleasant enough. It's not like a conventional restaurant. It's more like a pub with tables outside. The starters were good. We had smoked pork sausages and fried Zucchini. Sadly, it went downhill from there. The Mousaka was average. It came with 2 pieces of sliced cucumber. 2 of us ordered the traditional Cretan dishes that the lady outside recommended. What a big mistake that was. I had the Cretan Sfakiono Yiahni (goat meat in wine sauce). One of my sons had Cretan Tsigariasto (lamb in wine sauce). Both had very little meat. Mostly bones and fat. The goat, the most expensive on the menu, was far too salty. It didn't taste at all. The best thing about it was the small ring of chips around the plate. (See photo). I appreciate that food opinions are subjective, but this was the worst meal I've had for a long time. I wouldn't put you off eating here, but don't order this. It's the most expensive on the menu and, in my opinion, is awful. The service was good and attentive, with no complaints there. I won't be...