Peskesi
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Go: Reservation essential (after 19:30); 10-min walk from Lion Square.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Best Apaki
in Heraklion
Apaki is Crete's most distinctive charcuterie—lean pork loin that is marinated in high-quality wine vinegar, coated with a thick layer of aromatic herbs (sage, oregano, and thyme), and then slow-smoked over mountain woods. Order it as **'apaki'** and specify **'psito'** (grilled) if you want it served warm as a meze. The trap is finding a version that is too dry or overly salty; a perfect apaki should be tender and moist, with the vinegar tang balancing the smoky herb crust. It is typically priced at €8–€12 per plate and is the ultimate companion to a glass of cold Cretan raki.
Απάκι (Apaki) · say “Apaki” ·
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Why locals care
Apaki is Crete's most distinctive charcuterie—lean pork loin that is marinated in high-quality wine vinegar, coated with a thick layer of aromatic herbs (sage, oregano, and thyme), and then slow-smoked over mountain woods. Order it as **'apaki'** and specify **'psito'** (grilled) if you want it served warm as a meze. The trap is finding a version that is too dry or overly salty; a perfect apaki should be tender and moist, with the vinegar tang balancing the smoky herb crust. It is typically priced at €8–€12 per plate and is the ultimate companion to a glass of cold Cretan raki.
Ranked Apaki stops in Heraklion
Parasties
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Go: 20:00 for the open-fire kitchen vibe; located in Agios Titos Square.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Athali
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Go: Evening; located near the Agios Titos church.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Pantopoleio Gefseon
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Go: Lunch for a high-quality meze plate; near the St. Titus Cathedral.
Price: $
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Merastri
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Go: Lunch or early dinner for the garden seating; near the Historical Museum.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Erganos
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Go: Evening for a local family atmosphere; just south of the Venetian walls.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Oponas
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Go: Dinner for the mountain-tavern feel; located on the same street as Peskesi.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Ippokampos
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Go: Sunset lunch/dinner by the harbor; near the Venetian Arsenals.
Price: $
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Rakadiko Stoa Abatzis
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Go: Late night (22:00+) for meze and local raki; inside the traditional arcade.
Price: $
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Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa
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Go: Afternoon meze with harbor views; directly opposite the port entrance.
Price: $
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
7 Thalasses
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Go: High-end dinner; 10-min taxi east from the Venetian harbor.
Price: $$$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Meltemi
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Go: Lunch; a favorite for port workers and locals in the harbor area.
Price: $
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Kallithea
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Go: Local dinner; 10-min drive east toward the airport.
Price: $
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
Hani Taverna
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Verdict: A traditional roadside stop that serves a massive, rustic dakos using thick, whole-grain barley rusks from the nearby village bakeries. — Old National Road
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To Monastiri
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Verdict: Located near the Venetian walls; serves a very traditional and generous dakos that is a favorite among local residents for an evening meze. — CBD
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Agia Pelagia Beach Tavernas
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Verdict: Many of the seaside tavernas here serve a very refreshing, sea-breeze version of Dakos using incredibly sweet local cherry tomatoes. — Agia Pelagia (20km West)
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Archanes Village Tavernas
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Verdict: The village spots south of the city often have access to the best small-batch apaki producers in the region. — Archanes
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Heraklion Central Market Deli Stalls
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Verdict: Several deli stalls in the market allow you to taste different grades of apaki before buying it by the kilo. — Agora
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Loukoulos
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Verdict: A high-end venue that offers a sophisticated take on Dakos, featuring premium estate olive oil and a unique blend of wild mountain herbs. — CBD
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Kiriakos
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Go: Weekend lunch; a 10-min walk south of Liberty Square.
Price: $$
Dietary:
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
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