Ioannis Kafenagogeio — Restaurant in Municipality of Platanias

Best prawns I've ever had! And best hospitality!

It's crazy to think we would never have found this place had it not been for a locals recommendation.

We arrived quite late but we were given seats and greeted with fresh complimentary bread served with tomatoes herbs fresh yoghurt and the most fragrant Greek olive oil.

We ordered the king prawns which easily stole the show. They were incredibly fresh (not fishy whatsoever) and naturally sweet and moist with the nice smoky flavour of the grill coming through with each bite. The generous portion came shell on and garnished with fresh herbs and served alongside chips and a serving of mayonnaise which accompanied the prawns perfectly.

We also ordered a pizza which was a good size and had a sweet marinara sauce topped with generous helpings of cheese (which I suspect was a blend of Greek cheese).

We then spoke to the owners, a man and wife who run the joint together. They were incredibly inviting and welcoming and we shared some raki whilst we spoke about everything from food to their marriage.

We only stopped here for a quick bite to eat whilst we awaited our bus however we left with more than we could have expected. A memory that won't be forgotten. Amazing, fresh, authentic Cretan food and an amazing, welcoming and hard working...

We came here in the evening, expecting a nice dinner. Instead, the whole experience felt shady from the start. We were told to wait 10–15 minutes for a table, even though there were already empty ones available. Fine—we accepted it, no problem on this side. We were also told only part of the menu was available, and even that we could understand, although we wanted some authentic fish dinner, not some grill. But what really shocked us was when they actually asked other customers to leave their table so we could sit down. That’s not hospitality—that’s disrespect for both, us and the people they forced to move. In the end, we decided to walk away. And instead of a polite “good evening,” we were insulted—called “poor” and told we “don’t respect Crete.” The truth is, it’s this restaurant that shows no respect to visitors of such a beautiful island.

And if you don’t believe me about how little they respect their customers, just check the way they reply to reviews—full of excuses and arrogance instead of accepting criticism or suggestions.

If you value basic courtesy and professionalism, spend your evening...

This place was amazing. The business is ran by a family and they will make you feel like family. They had a high chair and toys for my daughter, who is a baby. The food was extremely flavorful. Specifically, the meats and the salad were bursting with flavor and the meal portions were great, in terms of American standards, where we eat bug meals. In a short stint, me and my family ate here two nights in a row. I got a view into the world of Greek culture and I was impressed. There are not many Greek restaurants in my area of the USA, so I did not fully know what to expect. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Also, I failed to mention that the owners gave us a complimentary dessert. You must come and eat at this site to enjoy the experience. If I am ever in Crete again, then me and my family are eating...