A guide to the best restaurants in Sissi

Courtyard dining at Neromilos

Wind through olive groves to get to this taverna and you’ll be treated to traditional Greek food that doesn’t disappoint. The courtyard is the main hub, where live music and Greek dancing often take place. This eatery is run by a husband-wife duo who go the extra mile for good service, and regularly offer free starters, desserts and glasses of raki to diners, who are left feeling like friends instead of just customers.

Seaside drinks at Ormos Cafe

Cocktail hour is taken to a whole new level at this stylish seaside bar, which specialises in glitzy, fruit-heavy drinks and desserts. As well as grabbing a sandwich or some crepes, you can camp out underneath their thatched umbrellas and sip on an expertly-mixed Mai Tai or a coffee while looking out over the harbour.

Delectable sweets at Menios Taverna

Located within the village, Menios Taverna is another sparkling example of the local cuisine, with meat straight from the outdoor oven and carafes of house wine. Here, you can expect dishes like souvlaki and moussaka, plus the odd omelette and plate of chips. The complimentary desserts are ever-changing, so you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised once the bill rolls around.

Mezze platters at Restaurant Pink Flamingo

The Pink Flamingo offers a balance between traditional Greek eats like gyros and mezze platters, and familiar favourites like pizza, burgers and chips. The food here is incredibly fresh, so it may take a little longer than average to arrive, but it’ll be well worth it. In the courtyard, there’s also a play place for kids, so if you’re dining with little ones, they can jump around outside while you sit and sip a glass of wine.

Creative cocktails at Coba Cafe

This cocktail bar directly borders a line of rocks overlooking the sea, so we aren’t exaggerating when we say that here, you’ll be treated to some beautiful views. The cocktails at Coba Cafe are extraordinary, topped with sparklers, bananas made to look like dolphins and tiny flags. They also serve light bites like sandwiches, chips and desserts to nibble on between rounds.

Locally-sourced dishes at Drosia Tavern Sissi

The food at Drosia Tavern is authentic Cretan cuisine made with local ingredients grown by the owners. The menu is slightly more limited than other local restaurants, but this just means that what they do, they do well. You can expect traditional dishes like lamb kleftiko slow cooked in the oven and moussaka. The night closes out with complimentary desserts and fresh fruit.

Rustic scenery at Liofito

In Liofito’s rustic courtyard, you’ll be seated amid olive trees and dine on dishes like rabbit in wine, thyme and mustard, and kleftiko with a surprise dessert. The portions here are notoriously large, so it’s probably best to work up a decent appetite before dining at this restaurant.

Wood-fired pizza at Anatoli Taverna

Anatoli Taverna is an unassuming cafe with delicious Greek eats. Starters here include house favourites like calamari and tzatziki, while the top main is a thin-crust pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven. Come dessert time, you’ll be treated to a complimentary dish like crème caramel and a glass of raki.

Seafood delights at Remezzo

Remezzo classifies itself as a fish restaurant, but when you see the menu, you’ll notice it does much more than just seafood. In addition to prawn cocktails, whole sea bass and fried calamari, Remezzo also features pasta dishes, pizza and vegetarian stuffed peppers that can all be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the small harbour.

Free-flowing wine at Taverna Edem

At Taverna Edem, the wine flows like water, and is practically the same price. It’s a slight walk out of town, but the food and service make it well worth the stroll. Starters of cheese pies and mushrooms in cream sauce make for meals of their own, but you’d be wise to save room for the moussaka and beef stifado, served alongside veggies grown by the owners themselves.