A guide to the best restaurants in Kalives

Coastal seafood at Provlita

Provlita is highly sought out by visitors on holiday to Greece, and locals alike, for its fresh fish dishes in an incredible setting. You can dine right along the coast underneath the restaurant’s outdoor cabana, on meals like fried calamari, black snapper and swordfish, all with a side of refreshing sea breeze.

Stone oven-cooked pizza at Il Forno

The pizza at Il Forno is a hot commodity, with a nice thin crust and cooked to your liking in a stone oven. While this restaurant also features moussaka and other Greek treats, there are a range of Italian dishes to choose, from lasagne to pastas and even the odd plate of schnitzel.

Fresh-squeezed orange juice at Mistrali Taverna

The Mistrali Taverna enjoys an amazing location right on the beach – as in, literally on the sand – with sunbeds to lounge on as you sip from a glass of wine in your swimsuit. The menu here offers up lunch and dinner, but most noteworthy is their range of breakfast dishes with eggs, meats and salads plus freshly-squeezed orange juice – excellent for starting the day right on your Greece holiday.

Open gardens at Kritiko Restaurant

Kritiko Restaurant combines surf and turf in the ways of atmosphere, as it’s privy to a beach-side location and a spacious central garden. You’ll find all sorts of Mediterranean flavours here, with your pick of classic Greek dishes like tzatziki and stuffed vine leaves, plus dishes from across the sea like crab soup, lobster with pasta and tuna carpaccio.

Fish on the grill at Elena Taverne

Elena Taverne is a hangout for many holiday-goers and expats, but don’t let that make you think it’s any less authentic. It’s run by a local family and features fresh food in a supremely laid-back environment along the coast. Everything is prepared with delightfully simple recipes, like sea bass and sea bream drizzled with lemon and cooked on the grill.

Sunbed dining at Icarus

This Greek taverna offers free use of their sunbeds on the beach behind the restaurant. And, if you choose to lounge around these parts of the shores, you’d be wise to pop in for lunch, or stick around late for their weekly live music. You’ll find mezze platters, from crab croquettes to bowls of tzatziki, or dishes of the day, which allow you to mix and match a few dishes and a glass of wine for a reduced price.

Quirky courtyards at Koumos

Koumos is like a garden oasis tucked into the hills, with leafy overhangs, rugged stone buildings and peculiar sculptures sprinkled throughout the grounds. You can spend hours just traipsing around the courtyards, or stop at one of the stone tables for a meal of Cretan food, like lamb and rabbit stews or stuffed peppers.

Local spices at Piperia Restaurant

Though still on the main road through Kalives, Piperia Restaurant is slightly off the beaten path, in that it’s located further down the beach than the other town’s eateries. Piperia’s menu specialises in locally-sourced ingredients, with staff who pride themselves on knowing where everything comes from. They also offer a slight twist on traditional Greek dishes, with mains like goat stew and seafood-stuffed peppers.

Hand-picked fish at Akrogiali Taverna

Akrogiali Taverna has all the makings of a classic Greek dining experience – a coastal location overlooking the water, live music to soundtrack your meal and fresh Cretan dishes night and day. If you ask for fresh fish, you’ll get to choose from the restaurant’s fish counter, or you can opt for meals like seafood risotto and souvlaki.

Moonlit nights at Mythos

Step into Mythos and you’ll find a family-run taverna that feels a little like home, with occasional live music, ingredients straight from the chef’s back garden and a moonlit terrace bordered by the sea. The food isn’t half bad either, with prime cuts of lamb and pork chops plus mezze platters. Though you should be advised that the portions are extra large, so arrive hungry so you can eat as much as possible of this delicious food.