Tzaneris & Archontissa - Cretan Traditional Taverna — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

We visited this restaurant an hour before its closing. Even though I told the owners that we will eat quickly and leave before closing, they told us that we should not worry about the time at all and just enjoy our food! We essentially had the whole place booked for ourselves! The hosts (Mr. Manolis and Ms. Antonia) are extremely warm people. I almost felt like I was invited to my relatives for dinner! The view in unbeatable. It really gives you a sense of serenity and peace. As a side, the journey to get up to the mountain is also well worth it.

Regarding food, it's extremely tasty and portions are beyond generous! We got the "katsiki tsigaristo" (which essentially means goat cooked in oil and wine) and zucchini meatballs (kolokithokeftedes) and kolokithoanthous. "Tsigaristo" was amazing and is supposed to be a delicacy in Western Crete. So it's a must! Kolokithokeftedes and kolokithoanthoi were also very tasty and even though they were appetizers, their portions were so big we felt bad we couldn't finish them... Ms. Antonia kept checking with us to make sure that we were enjoying our food. All of the food was prepared by her. Mr. Manolis lent me his jacket, because it was a bit chilly. At for the end, they served us raki (made by Mr. Manolis grapes) and desserts by Ms. Antonia. Dessert serving is usually on the house in Crete. We almost ended up staying an hour after the "official" closing. Totally recommend this establishment. The view, the food, the value for money, the owners' superb hospitality all combine to give you a really memorable experience. I will certainly come back when I'm...

We were quite disappointed with our dining experience here. The setting is beautiful and they were able to accommodate us despite not having made a booking prior to our arrival. Staff were pleasant but seemed stressed. They explained to us that it was going to be chaotic very soon and quickly took us through the menu. We ordered their kalitsounia which weren't heated through properly. I appreciate that these are made ahead and frozen but more care should be taken so that they are hated through when served. The rice stuffed zucchini flowers were quite bland and dry. The boureki was also not heated through properly and was also bland. It contained more potato than zucchini and contained very little mizithra. We also ordered the pork and chestnut stew which was very nice. Full of flavour and very well cooked. The slow cooked rooster was also very tasty. The meat patties were well cooked and were OK. The dessert on the house was very nice (thiples) and the cost of the meal was pretty good for the amount of food ordered. We had very high expectations of this tavern but were quite disappointed with the quality...

We got to the restaurant from Chania through the amazingly beautiful Theriso Gorge drive. We got to the taverna after having travelled through some amazingly beautiful nature with goats and sheep roaming throughout and beautiful vineyards along the road. And then we arrived at this highly recommended taverna. And we are so thankful for that recommendation. I am not sure there are words to describe it. The views are incredible. The proprietors are a bundle of welcoming, loving and generous life energy. The food is abundant and to die for. And the location is heaven on earth ... so ... maybe it all did not really happen ... maybe it was all a dream ... and what a dream ... only to be further accented with the drive back to Chania through Drakona, Loulos and the amazing views all along the way!!! An experience that will always be remembered. Highly highly...