Helona — Restaurant in Municipality of Rethymnon

MASSIVE SCAM, DO NOT GO. After being seated with a really friendly tone, we were never left alone. The restaurant owner kept recommending how we should order and trying to pressure us into a meze platter and mains. We asked for calamari (€13), shrimps (€16), saganaki (€6.50) and a vegetarian plate (€12) to share across 6 of us, as we were not overly hungry. This food came with some chips on the plates too, with extra plates of vine leaves (€7), feta cheese (€6.50) and tzatziki (€4.50). The food was ok but did not have much taste. On the bill, there were about 25 different things all with the same name but different prices. We had been charged for 2 things at €24 each and 2 things at €18 each, neither prices of things we saw on the menu. When paying the bill they sent another waiter and the owner disappeared. This waiter could not speak English and just kept saying “tip, tip, tip”. Somehow our bill was €169 when all we were served was worth about €100 as we only ordered water as drinks and 1 beer.

To reiterate, we never chose our order, it was just decided for us before we could speak.

Absolutely ridiculous experience, it’s all an act and a coy to attract tourists. No care for the customers they serve and just want to make money and rip you off.

BEWARE and do not fall for...

A greedy family business. Clearly a tourist trap like other comments here. Charged us for things we didn’t even ordered like water. We just came, they opened the water then charged us?? We had free water in other restaurants plus bonus garlic bread and deserts. We ordered a starter and he asked if we want garlic bread, then he charged us 2 person garlic bread instead of 1 dish. This is definitely the WORST RESTAURANT we had in Rethymno while all the other ones are excellent. Plus the mussels here tasted old and not fresh. You’d better be careful for what you ordered here to suffently not get extra charged. P/s: you will get your bill hand-written in greek. So do check your bill carefully enough...

We found Helena Taverna while wandering through the old town of Rethymno. It’s up the hill on the way to the fortress of Rethymno. We loved it so much we went twice during our holiday, once for lunch and once for dinner. The setting is beautiful. As it overlooks the sea it has the incredible views, especially at sunset. The food was fantastic. I had the Greek vegetarian plate, which was fresh, delicious and full of variety. My partner who is half Greek went for the mixed grill and loved it. Everything tasted homemade and authentic. The staff were so warm and attentive, and really made us feel welcome. Highly recommend if you're...