Kostas Tavern Meze — Restaurant in Municipality of Chersonissos

As good as the poolside lounging and the light lunch were, dinner was where the universe leaned in and whispered: “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Kostas Tavern Meze — the kind of place that doesn’t need Instagram to validate it. Just good food, good people, and the kind of smells that grab you by the collar and pull you inside. We ordered the Beef Limonata, their special of the day — slow-simmered beef in a lemon sauce so delicate, so perfectly balanced, it felt like citrus had achieved its true destiny. Each bite was a revelation — fork-tender meat with that bright, tangy finish that made you slow down just to make it last.

But the meze. Oh, the meze.

We started with snails — not the dainty French kind, but the Cretan version: boiled in wine vinegar and rosemary, earthy, meaty, with a sharp, herby tang that makes you rethink everything you thought about escargot. Spetzofai followed — thick Greek sausage simmered with peppers in a rich sauce that practically begged for garlic bread to come in and clean up the mess. And then came the cheese flutes — crisp filo rolls stuffed with molten feta and sun-dried tomatoes, kissed with a drizzle of tomato jam. Savory, sweet, salty, crunchy — a textural symphony that made me stop mid-bite and just feel.

Amazing? Yes. Inspiring? Absolutely. Unbelievable? Maybe — if I hadn’t tasted it myself.

Crete doesn’t just feed you. It seduces you. One...

My husband and I have just had an excellent experience at Kostas tavern. Having read a bad review I wasn't sure what to expect but reasoned that over 200 people had written excellent reviews, I shouldn't be put off by a few bad ones. I can honestly say it has been my favourite meal of the holiday. The food was delicious, all cooked to a high standard. We chose 7 meze dishes, I couldn't fault anything, I particularly enjoyed the Dakos and the eggplant patties. Maria was fantastic, very helpful and friendly. The waiter who served our food was lovely, he had the biggest smile which made me smile. If you want traditional Cretan food then this is definitely the restaurant to visit. The location is perfect, we where sat overlooking the most beautiful church. Kostas restaurant sits within the picturesque narrow streets of Piskopiano amongst some of the most beautiful stone buildings. I would highly recommend this traditional family run restaurant if you want a real taste of Crete. I will definitely be going back in the...

Appalling service. We didn't get as far as ordering food. We had to sit inside as there were no outdoor tables free which we didn't mind. Unfortunately we were sat in a brightly lit area with Greek radio BLARING from a speaker above our heads. We could barely hear each other. Service was really slow and the staff could barely raise a smile, we did eventually get some wine. The menu was basic with no description of what the meat came with. When the scowling woman eventually came to take our order I politely asked if the radio could be turned down a little and she looked outraged. Then I asked about the meat and she answered me very abruptly and angrily that it's cooked the Greek way without sauce. I started to order the food then thought why on earth do I want to eat here with these scowling people in this noisy place? So we paid for the wine and walked out. Only place in 4 years we've been...