Parasties — Restaurant in Municipality of Heraklion

The staff and service was absolutely lovely but I did not enjoy the food portion of the dining experience - found (lamb) hair in my food.

I ordered the lamb with lemon sauce because they indicated on the menu posted outside that lamb was a specialty. After I placed an order, the server came back and explained they were not able to serve the side of mashed artichoke on the menu. She offered different side options: fried potatoes, mashed carrots, grilled vegetables. To me those are not equivalent to mashed artichoke, but I didn’t say that and ordered the grilled vegetables. The dish arrived (a generous portion) and the flavor of the sauce was good but the first piece of lamb I tried was tough and the asparagus was over cooked. I tried a second piece of lamb, which was tender, and the grilled carrot, which was quite good, so I thought it could still be a good meal.

Then I found a hair in my dish. The server quickly apologized, explained it was a hair from the lamb, and cleared the dish. At least for me, a lamb hair in my food is as bad as human hair. The server brought a menu so I could order a different dish. However, after the subbed side, tough lamb, and hair, I didn’t have it in me to try again, so I sat and waited for my friend to finish her meal salad and the glass of wine the server recommended (both of which she seemed to enjoy but I am reviewing based on my direct experience of their service and staff).

The staff was absolutely lovely and apologetic - full points for the quality of the service staff. It may have been an off night for the restaurant (or maybe it was just the specific dish I ordered that was off on that specific night). I thought really hard about whether to leave a review because the staff was so nice, but I tried to be as generous as possible and I figured my one review of a poor experience would be taken in context with the many favorable reviews posted.

This is not a factor in my rating, but a side note: we asked for an ocean view and they said they didn’t have anything available. This is understandable - it was almost sunset, we didn’t have a reservation, and I know people tend to linger over meals. However, they seated us right next to the entrance with a view of an alley, which may have been the least attractive view they had. When we arrived, there was only one table occupied in the section they seated us in, so there were plenty of other options available but they were very specific about what table we...

A Hidden Gem in Greece – An Unforgettable Dining Experience!

During our recent trip to Greece, on the island of Crete we had the pleasure of dining PARASTIES (Mediterranean Restaurant), and it was truly one of the highlights of our vacation. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the friendly staff who made us feel right at home.

The menu was a delightful celebration of Greek/Crete cuisine, with a modern twist that enhanced the traditional flavors. We started with the a Fish Salad, both fresh and full of flavor. The Meat was divine—rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced. The grilled seafood, caught fresh from the nearby waters, was simply outstanding. The saganaki (fried cheese) was crispy on the outside and irresistibly gooey on the inside, a must-try for any cheese lover.

The wine list featured a great selection of local organic Greek wines, which our server helped us pair perfectly with each course. It’s clear the staff takes pride in offering a curated experience, as they shared their expertise with enthusiasm and care.

The ambiance was intimate and charming, with beautiful views of the surrounding area, adding to the overall experience. Whether you’re sitting inside with its cozy décor or enjoying a meal on the terrace under the stars, it’s a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a celebratory meal with friends and family.

What truly set this place apart, though, was the impeccable service. The staff was extremely attentive without being intrusive, always making sure we had everything we needed while maintaining a relaxed and friendly vibe. Chef Vasiliki and Owner are outstanding professionals!

If you’re visiting Crete, don’t miss the chance to dine at PARASTIES restaurant, It’s a culinary experience that will stay with you long after your trip ends. Highly...

For me and my family, Parasties was one of the highlights in Heraklion. We came here a bit by chance, recommended by an acquaintance, and were very positively surprised.

After weeks enjoying the great (but monotonous sometimes) Greek cuisine, this was a breath of fresh air. We were seated outside in a very large and comfortable table, and were very well served by three different members of the staff. They were kind (especially to our child) and helpful.

We ordered many small dishes and were astonished how different (but, at the same time, how familiar) they were from traditional Cretan cuisine, despite having all its flavors there. We definitely recommend the marinated bass, the small bifteki and the pie with Cretan greens. The Chocolate dessert was also very savort. All in all, we had a relaxing, tasty and wonderful experience here, and can't recommend enough!

On some of the negative comments I read, some are pretty unfair: the toilettes were extremely clean and all the decor was quite well done. The parking, well, as with any place in the center of the city, can be challenging, but it takes anyone 10min by foot to cross the old town by foot, so wouldn't say that...