Zaros Lake Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Festos

War vor 2018 wirklich super schön, romantisch, mit Liebe geführt und die reichlichen Portionen schmeckten köstlich. (Bilder/Images sind/are von/from der Zeit/the times vor/before 2018!) Mit Liebe damals dekorierte traditionelle Holztische und Stühle, weiß getüncht.. Öl in extra Karaffe mit Kräuterstängeln drin auf dem Tisch. Ständiger guter freundlicher Kontakt zu den netten Wirtsleuten. Jeder Wunschwurde von den Lippen abgelesen...! War mal Top! ..und dabei noch günstiger als Heute und auch damals vor/bis 2018............ (the images shows the atmosphere and location before 2018 -- in 10/2011 & 5/2014) We have been here several years. Myself in 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018. It was our favorite place . Absolutely geourgous. Wooden Tables and seats. High quality olive Oil with herbs in an Glas. Enormous portions. Big Salats. Everything fresh and with love arranged. Good conversation with the people there. So we loved! to stay there by the lake.

Das ist seit mind. 2018 leider absolut vorbei! Schlimmer als in der 1. Touristenreihe in den Hafenstädten im Norden. Und da ist alles schon sehr sehr "armseelig" gegenüber den Tavernen im Süden...(z.B. Matala, Sivas usw..)! But in 2018 it was an absolute "disillusionment"! Cheep metal Tables and seats. A list/form to fill out your meal. Small plates with minimal portions. Particularly cold, no conversation with waiter about the dishes and what its about. Always on a rush near us as guests... Low average quality. For the size and quality to expensive, even if the restaurant would be situated directly in a north-coasts marina!... The waiter somewhere else together with his fellows who were sitting also around one of the "best tables" directly beside the lake?? - but not working..So - no behavior! It seemed to be a bunch of 3 guys, who normally are doing some "other business"!? It was more than disappointing! It was a effrontery. I don't know, how its working 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 but according to some real "honest" reviews here, it seems to be the same today (2023). We invited a good friend to go out with her, her last evening on Crete to the best place we knew and to be, at Zaros lake directly by the water in the fresh mountains... And it was the worst I ever have seen on Crete!!! Maybe we had to much good experiences in the south of Crete according to eating and drinking.

When will the old Owner or family be back?!! And more important - when will these Bunch of Guys who are actually "guiding" that location, wich was so beautiful before, disappear?! Sad! The guys there would do a better job in a tractor garage! (the images show the atmosphere and location before 2018 -- in...

Cozy tavern in a great location. I can't judge whether the food is good, because I didn't stay because of the unfriendly nature of the service. I was alone and wanted to eat comfortably, when I asked for a seat, I was very rudely assigned a table right in the front door. It was raining and it was cold and windy and every guest ran into you when entering the room. I would have seen it as a side table. There were attractive free tables available within the guest room. In the past I would have taken it even though I would not have felt comfortable, today I have enough self-confidence to reject something like that. Guests who are alone also want to feel comfortable and not be pushed into the last corner where they won't ruin anyone's big business. They also want just enjoy the view and not stare at the toilet door. And that, paired with a negative attitude, does not...

The location, surrounded by mountains, is a cool respite from the hot Cretan nature, especially in the summer months.

The little lake filled with spring water and surrounded by trees, offer a quiet and serene environment. Large carp swim alongside with little turtles and duck, cutting the surface of the water.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of food; many salads, omelets, cheeses, meats and fish, make the study of the menu, a difficult task. But, take your time. Relax, you are in Greece! No stress. Clean place, good sized portions, moderate prices, and tasty food.

In addition to the site and restaurant, there are various trails for the trekkers, with rewarding natural environments.

The Zaros Lake is a well recommended place, a short distance (one hour approx) from Heraklion, enough...