Παραδοσιακό Καφενείο Ταβέρνα Αλέκος — Restaurant in Municipality of Rethymnon

Location: The restaurant is located in the village of Armenoi, 10 km to the south of Rethymno. You must go there by car. There is usually available parking on the square outside the restaurant.

Ambience, comfort, decor: There are two seating areas, an indoor one and an outdoor protected terrace. The indoor area is cozy, dominated by stone walls. The decor is made of old agricultural tools and is of good taste. The terrace is better in summer, although it is bordering with the road. The seating is comfortable, although there is not a lot of space. It is children friendly.

Food, quality, quantity: Here one tastes great traditional Cretan food with a creative touch (meat based). There is always a set menu, meaning that you do not order, the food comes to you. It comprises a lot of dishes, starting with salads and appetizers and moves into casserole dishes and stews. Some examples are beef with plums, chicken with peppers, potatoes with chestnuts, rabbit in wine. These are always followed by a Cretan barbecue, comprising steaks and hamburgers accompanied by home made French fries. There is always a great dessert with raki at the end. The quality of the food, the housewine and raki is supreme. The quantities are huge, taking account of the number of dishes, so one has to be careful.

Service: The service is fast, friendly and attentive.

Price: The price is great for what you get. Be prepared to pay a bit more than the average restaurant in Rethymno but get a lot more in return. All in all, the place is totally...

If you're in Crete, make your way to Taverna Alekos (Παραδοσιακό Καφενείο Ταβέρνα Αλέκος) in the quiet village of Armeni. This isn’t just dinner—it’s an all-out celebration of Cretan hospitality and cuisine that will leave you deliciously overwhelmed.

The meal is a family-style tasting menu that unfolds over the course of more than 13 different dishes, each arriving in quick succession. From fresh local cheeses to garden-grown salad, vegetables, snails, braised meats, and other traditional delights, it’s a journey through the best flavors Crete has to offer. Every plate is vibrant, deeply flavorful, and clearly crafted with love.

And then there's the chef. Part culinary wizard, part stand-up comedian, he brings charm and energy to every table. Just when you think the meal must be winding down, he appears with a giant platter of grilled meats and announces with a grin: "And now you can feast!"

Wait, now we feast? What exactly were we doing for the past hour? Because those first 12+ dishes were nothing short of divine.

By this point, you're full. Blissfully full. But Taverna Alekos isn't done yet. Three different desserts follow, Halva, orange/coconut cake, and a fried cheese thing —each one better than the last—and somehow, you find room.

Pro tip: Do not come here if you "just want a light bite" or "aren't that hungry." This is not the place for that. Come hungry. Come ready. Come willing to be utterly stuffed in the best possible way.

You...

in the middle of..nowhere..there is a small very active restaurant.. people are very friendly and their style made these last few years this place a restaurant you should be able to try. standard and non standard kitchen from Crete, specialists in certain pies with herbs and local spicy colour will be fascinating and make you very very happy you stopped here. many plates many options many people actually try to make you think "we ate really well...we need diet after this..." even the dessert is from local milk..yes! even that! if you adore local cheese and wine they won't disappoint you either.. classic fruited salads with balsamic strong taste.. and more and more... prices remain logical and decoration is better every season..so close to Rethymno yet so far from that typically called "traditional tavernas"... yes it is a different proposal..and you will come again...ask information about their plates...they will explain everything.. and you get those excellent meat balls at home..because believe me...you won't eat everything...they are evrytime...a...