Rethymno - Gastronomy Tours

Discover Crete’s Kitchen Through Rethimno

Tour the bastions, but do not forget the taverns. Dive into the captivating flavors of Rethimno, where historic walls meet bustling markets and lively kitchens. On a Rethimno Food Tour, you’ll indulge in sublime local cuisine made from the highest quality ingredients—fresh seafood, garden produce, golden olive oil, wild greens, and homemade pastries. Let us take you to the most vibrant taverns and markets, adding a rich, delicious layer to a city bursting with heritage.

What Makes Rethimno a Unique Culinary Destination

• Simple & Seasonal Style: Shaped by mountain terrain and island traditions, Rethimno’s cuisine celebrates fresh, locally grown produce and rustic simplicity.
• Locally-Sourced Lifestyle: Patrons enjoy artisanal olive oil, honey, tsikoudia, and vegetables from family farms and village gardens.
• Blend of Sea & Mountain: Experience the balance of fish from the Cretan Sea and herbs, snails, and greens foraged from the hills.

Local Highlights & Gastronomic Treasures

• Dakos: Barley rusk topped with juicy tomatoes, mizithra or feta, oregano, and olive oil
• Kalitsounia: Savoury or sweet cheese or herb pies native to Crete
• Staka me Ayga: Creamy roux with poached eggs—a nourishing Cretan breakfast staple
• Boubourista (Snails): Fried snails with olive oil, vinegar, and rosemary—a local delicacy
• Apaki: Smoked pork marinated in vinegar, wine, and herbs—hearty and aromatic
• Kolokythokeftedes: Zucchini fritters, perfect as a meze alongside local spirits
• Local cheeses: From mizithra and graviera to galotiri—served fresh or in savoury pies
• Tsikoudia & Olive Oil Tours: Visit distilleries and olive mills for tastings and insight into Cretan craftsmanship

A Destination Beyond the Plate

Rethymno is a blend of Venetian elegance and Ottoman charm, visible in the Fortezza fortress, arched gateways, Venetian loggia, and narrow cobblestone lanes. A food tour here is also a journey through living history—sampling breakfast pastries in tucked-away bakeries, sharing meze under bougainvillaea in old town squares, and ending the day with raki by the sea. It’s a full-sensory immersion into Cretan culture, flavour, and warmth.

Explore Our Rethimno Food Tours

Below, you’ll find curated food tours in Rethymno, ranging from brunch walks showcasing bakery classics to meze dinners accompanied by tsikoudia, as well as cooking lessons and olive oil tastings. Join us and taste your way through the soul of Cretan hospitality and heritage.