Taverna Agia Paraskevi — Restaurant in Municipality of Ierapetra

Most probably the best Cretan hospitality and traditional cooking experience in the whole island!!!!

How much of Crete can a place hold? The place is picturesque, beautiful and it's located under the shadow of plane trees, with springs and a small church. The best part though is the authenticity of the owner, Yiannis, a smiley friendly local guy who is welcoming you and is always willing to serve you the best food made with local techniques and the most tasty materials. But the best part is that all these are cooked traditionally on the wood oven, charcoal and on the fire (locally named "parasties"). The result is like a dream coming true!

"Antikrysto" (small goat which is roasted near a burning flame) The most tender pork on the wooden oven Pork knuckle slowly cooked on the wood oven "Gamopilafo" ("risotto" the Cretan way, with broth from goat) "Tsigariasto" (Small goat, slowly cooked in local olive oil and wine) Rabbit "tsigariasto" (same as above) Even the humble spaghetti is boiled in goat's broth and served with local "Anthotyro" cheese and is transformed in heaven for you mouth Hohlioi (Snails with vinegar and rosemary) Dakos (barley Rusk with fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, oregano and olive oil) Stuffed vine leaves

are some (not all) of the food that is served, different and freshly made every day.

Don't forget for no way to taste the "myzythropittes" (local cheese pies fried in olive oil) served with delicious honey from pine trees and of course raki

Do a favour to yourself and visit the place to taste food you will never forget because this is...

We were brought here after doing a tour of Sarakinas Gorge (Φαράγγι Σαρακίνα). On arrival, we were completely taken aback by the fact that we had actually arrived because of how the restaurant is hidden completely into the landscape. You could very easily drive past it without noticing it, which only adds to its character once you've discovered it. On a really hot day, this is also the ideal spot to cool down with ice-cold natural spring water flowing down past it where you can fill water bottles or splash on your face to freshen up. The natural canopy of vines and trees keep you well shaded, too. As a group of 4 with 3 vegetarians in the group, we thought that with this place being so isolated, it might be an effort to satisfy us all, thinking they'd be limited with food options. How wrong we were because the various different foods just kept coming so much so that we were embarrassed because we couldn't eat anymore and had to turn food back. They cook food in a very traditional way with open fires and clay ovens, which definitely adds to the flavour of the food. The beautiful little church, which is part of the restaurant, is lovely too for giving you a sense of calmness and maybe even a chance to recharge slightly. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place but would not lie to say that it may be an effort to find but also worth it...

Amazing traditional Greek taverna! Just a 30-minute drive up the mountain from Myrtos Beach, this hidden gem is absolutely worth it. It gets busy quickly, but the owner always manages to find you a spot — and his kindness and humor make you feel instantly at home. A true family-run place with incredibly cheap prices, huge portions, and authentic flavors. Don’t miss the little stone church inside where you can light a candle, and definitely take a peek at the back to see how they cook in ceramic pots in the wood ovens. Also just seen the some negative comments about high prices and the taste(?) obviously written by competitors or some lunatics, do not take it into consideration just give a shot which ia worth a lot!!! A must-visit for anyone...