Lithos Restaurant, Chania Old Town
Review of Lithos Restaurant and Cafe, Chania Old Town. Discover the magic of Lithos Restaurant, nestled in Chania’s romantic Venetian Harbor, one of the most delicious places to eat in Chania.
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In the heart of Chania’s Venetian Harbor, this restaurant attracts those interested in local cuisine. Lithos is an all-day restaurant mastering the art of blending traditional Cretan gastronomy and modern culinary artistry.
Located in Chania’s Old Venetian Port, opposite the Egyptian Lighthouse, Lithos is a charming restaurant seeking to bring out the best of Crete’s ancient culinary roots. It’s set in an old Venetian house and welcomes visitors with a menu that helps create an exceptional dining experience.
In an ancient mansion with traditional Venetian arches and vaulted roofs, the restaurant offers the best of the island, serving dishes carefully crafted with seasonal ingredients from the island. Transcending the boundaries of traditional dining, Lithos’ versatile menu offers more than just Cretan food.
What to Have at Lithos
Coffee and Breakfast
Lithos is more than just a restaurant; it’s your go-to place for delicious treats any time of the day. Starting from a tasty breakfast to a leisurely lunch, a romantic dinner, or a late-night snack, Lithos is a good option for a meal with a view of the old harbor.
During the day, Lithos is an inviting coffee house facing the sea. It serves freshly brewed coffee, Cretan mountain tea, and a varied selection of cocktails, perfect for sunset at the port.
Brunch
Lithos Restaurant is also a great option for brunch, with fresh and light (but utterly delicious) late-morning or early-afternoon meals.
Dining
Lithos serves food with one concept in mind: To understand a culture, you need to taste it first. In fact, they want people to immerse themselves in the essence of Cretan traditions through a world of gastronomic delights. Dishes are prepared respecting Cretan cooking methods and often following ancient recipes as an inspiration behind their modern cuisine.
What to Eat at Lithos
Here are some of the most delicious dishes from their (ever-changing) menu:
Lithos’ Salads
Lithos shows its freshest facade through a unique selection of seasonal salads, including a strawberry-infused masterpiece that combines summer colors and flavors. A refreshing and creative twist on the classic side dish is perfect for any occasion.
You can also have the classic Cretan Salad, which features myzithra cheese and local rusks, or the so-called salad with fruits, made with seasonal greens, nuts, grapes, peaches, and pears.
Starters
Nobody visiting the Greek islands and loving cheese would ever dream of skipping a classic Saganaki Cheese as a starter. And you should do so in Crete too! However, trying saganaki at Lithos will be a surprise.
Instead of the usual anonymous fried chees you will taste a delight made with local cheese varieties wrapped in light tempura deep-fried in fragrant Extra Virgin olive oil and a drizzle of local orange spoon sweet.
Seafood is another staple of Greek cuisine, even though it’s not as often served on Crete. Many people visit Crete to taste fish and are surprised to learn that the authentic staples on the island are only lamb and goat.
However, Lithos knows how to cook seafood. One of my favorite dishes is a simple but delicious octopus bruschetta with a spicy touch of wasabi, a truly summery delicacy!
Cretan Cuisine
If you’re interested in learning about the local gastronomy, it is a good idea to try some of the main dishes that feature authentic mountain dishes, like skiufixta pasta seasoned with plenty of stakoboutiro (butter from sheep or goat) and fresh myzithra cheese. A dish that could not be any more Cretan!
Do you enjoy meat more than pasta? Then pick their stifado(stew) served with sweet baby onions (as the Cretan tradition wants), but also featuring a thick tomato and wine sauce and an innovative smoked aubergine purée.
Pavlova Cake
I should say that Cretans love Pavlova because this is the cake that I’ve often seen on most menus all across the island. I don’t know if it’s a local favorite, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many restaurants offer Pavlova Cake as a dessert.
Lithos’s Pavlova version is an edible, sumptuous creation made with a blend of crisp and delicate meringue, whipped cream, a medley of fresh fruits with a burst of sweet and tangy flavors, and refreshing mint leaves. It’s just about the right end for a summer meal by the sea!
Open from April until the end of October, Lithos is a gorgeous seaside restaurant in Crete that you should not skip. It features a delicious menu and refined wine list in one of the port’s most beautiful and well-preserved buildings.
The restaurant promotes, supports, and highlights the best local flavors. It features creative Greek cuisine paired with fantastic Greek wines.
LITHOS RESTAURANT
📍7-9, Akti Kountourioti, Chania Old Harbor ☎️ +30 28210 74406
📧 info (at) lithosrestaurant (dot) gr or check out their Facebook page
City Break in Chania, Crete
Chania is a must-visit region in Crete. It hosts some of the most amazing beaches and one of the prettiest old towns in Greece.
The small old town, with its Venetian and Ottoman past, features stunning, eclectic architecture and houses interesting museums, dozens of coffee houses, restaurants, pubs, bars, and exciting places for nightlife.
However, if you decide to spend a short time in town, it’s always a good idea to rent a car and explore different areas in the region. The westernmost region in Crete has a lot to offer, including some of the best beaches in Crete, some of them perfect for water sports, unique gorges, and incredible hikes.
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Lithos Restaurant, Chania, Crete
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.
