Why You Will Love Eating at Avli Restaurant in Rethymno

Avli Restaurant in Rethymno is a great fine dining experience in one of Crete’s nicest settlements, Rethymnon Old Town.

Crete, an island with a thousand flavors, features countless taverns and excellent food joints where you sample the staple dishes of the Cretan Diet and the local cuisine.

Not always, though; such places also come as a fine dining experience… however, if the finest ingredients combine with refined gastronomic ideas served in the enchanting setting of an old house’s garden, then dinner turns into an unforgettable memory…

Meat Crete

One of the first things I ask the people who visit the island and join my food tours is what they hope to eat in Crete. More often than not, the answer I get is fish!

I love to joke with them and tell them that they better get on a boat for Mykonos… and even if Crete is indeed an island and seafood is something we eat, there is still some truth in that joke. Crete is more about meat than fish, and Avli proves it.

When trying their fine cuisine, keep in mind that Avli offers those Cretan dishes that come with a history and identity, and local meat cuts from lamb and goat are maybe the most evident example.

Want to try an outstanding meat dish? Go for free-range goat cooked with grape molasses, a delicious local syrupy-styled sauce known as petimezi, flavored with thyme and delicious baby potatoes. You will love it. You can check the whole menu (both in Greek and in English) here. And if you still insist on seafood… try their octopus!

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Tasting Menu in Avli Restaurant Rethymno

The menu at Avli is genuinely inspiring, and it, more often than not, leads to a fun moment of “I don’t know what to eat, but I know I want to try it all.”

Well, worry not! Katerina, Avli’s owner, and the chefs have come up with a genius solution for you to try the best of their cuisine: A mouthwatering tasting menu including samples of more than 4 or 5 of Avli’s best dishes for you to taste and decide which is your favorite dish!

Sweet Childhood Memories

One of the most fantastic experiences you will have during your dinner is the time to order your dessert. I look forward to this moment of dinner because each sweet that comes out of Avli’s kitchen brings a myriad of childhood memories as well.

The ice creams, puddings, and wise use of fruit and chocolate often remind me of my grandma’s kitchen. A fantastic surprise that doesn’t disappoint and always puts a smile (and even a nostalgic tear) on my face!

Avli Bonus: Cretan Breakfast

We often joke on the island, saying the favorite breakfast for Greeks is a glass of cold coffee, a koulouri (bread ring), and a cigarette.

This refers to our unhealthy habits, which not only include smoking a lot but also never having the right amount of time to sit at a table and enjoy a proper first meal before starting our days… And coffee, of course, the industrial quantities of coffee we eat each day!

Avli breaks that tradition by offering dishes that belong to the natural style of breakfast that locals once enjoyed on the island.

It includes a variety of eggs cooked the Cretan way, but also cold cuts and meat, potatoes, fresh cheese and yogurt with thyme honey, and more… and no, they do not forget coffee, but they also serve Cretan mountain tea and fresh juices.

You can enjoy their delicious breakfasts either if you are a guest at their stunning lounges and apartments or if you step into the garden and ask for a table in the morning.

>> Head to this link to check out their Breakfast menu.

Raki BaRaki by Avli

When walking along the ancient alleys of the historic old town of Rethymnon, you might not be ready to stop for a packed lunch, but then a good round of appetizers and a refreshing drink can be just what you need.

Avli offers the most incredible selection of Greek mezedes (local appetizers) in their small raki bar just opposite the Avli wine tasting room.

Do try their cold cuts, including the traditional Pastourmas served with a portion of hot and fragrant pita bread and a generous quantity of Myzithra or Graviera Kritis, two of the most delicious varieties of cheese you can enjoy on the island.

And There’s More… Avli Enoteca!

Avli’s Enoteca (or traditional wine cellar) is a great place to taste the many wines that Crete produces… Because you already know that our island has some of the best wines in Greece, right?

The Enoteca features uniquely curated wines from Crete, Greece, and beyond. Indeed, it is one of the most extensive restaurant wine cellars in Greece, with more than 460 producers.

The last time I was there, the restaurant was packed, and even though we had booked a gorgeous table, we had to wait for just a few minutes for it to be ready.

We were taken to the Enoteca, where we enjoyed classic cocktails made with incredible skill.

>> Avli also offers cooking classes for those who are interested in learning every secret of the Cretan diet and how to recreate our staple dishes once they’re back home!

GOOD TO KNOW: Avli is located in Rethymnon, Xanthoudidou 22 & Radamanthios Streets. Booking a table is easy (and suggested) by phone: +30 28310 58250 | +30 28310 26213

Rethymnon City Break

There’s a lot to do in Rethymnon, and if you’ve been following this blog, you already know (if not, then check all the articles about Rethymnon). If you’re planning a stay in town, check out this guide to the city’s best hotels, or check out this affordable guide.

Although we truly loved Avli, if you’re staying in town for more than just a dinner, then you could also check out many more Rethymnon restaurants, but also some great pubs and bars, and even these Rethymno’s coffee shops!

To see the best of the city, head to this guide to visit Rethymnon (town) and this regional guide. Or check out this article about the best things to do in Rethymnon at night. And if you’re on a budget, you’ll be happy to learn that there are many free things to do in Rethymnon, too!

You can also check out the best beaches in the area and this guide to the best Rethymnon museums for a fun experience in town.

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Review to Avli Restaurant, Rethymno

Gabi, the Crete Insider

Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.

I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.

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