Why You Will Love The Five Restaurant, Chania
An insider’s review of The Five Restaurant in the Nea Chora District, one of Chania’s most amazing culinary proposals!
Situated in a gorgeous location facing the Sea of Crete and only steps from the old town of Chania, The Five brings a polished twist to the Cretan culinary scene. A refined, seasonal menu, bursting with color and originality, together with a curated selection of wines and creative cocktails… everything right in front of the most magnetic sunsets you could imagine… Do you need anything more? Let me introduce you to a true local gem: The Five, a special place ranking high among the best restaurants in Chania!
📍 Don’t miss: Balos Cruise ~ Knossos Palace
The Five Restaurant opened its doors in 2019 on the quaint Nea Chora waterfront, quickly establishing it as one of the most fantastic restaurants in town. It has quickly made waves in Chania’s culinary scene. Its unique menu features seasonal Cretan (and Greek) products resulting in dishes that conquer you with color, taste, and creativity.
Although their menu slightly varies while seasons change, there are staples that you cannot overlook, including the crispy fried potatoes cooked with their skin and sprinkled with sea salt and oregano, a tasty taramosalata (an incredibly creamy dip made with cured fish roe).
Rooting the Beetroot
One of the most delicious dishes you can try is the original carpaccio made with grilled beetroot served with a poached brunoise of root vegetables, tantalizing cauliflower puree, crushed walnuts, and garlic oil. My experience? It lasts seconds on the plate, literally seconds!
Another amazing dish? Surreal pulled pork sliders served with homemade challah bread buns and coleslaw.
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Thalassina – Seafood
With its incredible location just opposite the beach, nothing comes as naturally as ordering a selection of seafood. My suggestion? Their octopus, in any version. Whether it is the grilled octopus with sundried tomato pesto or the octopus meze with fava, you’ll have a winner at the table.
Do not forget to explore their ceviche (yummy!) and, if you come in autumn, their shrimp ravioli are nothing short of tempting.
Cretan Pasta? Yes, Please!
Have you ever heard of skiufichta pasta? They master this Cretan pasta type with an Italian-inspired carbonara sauce revisited with Cretan ingredients, including local smoked pork (apaki), baby arugula, and a generous portion of Anthotyro cheese.
For Small Humans
There’s also a kid’s menu that, trust me, is to die for. Kids will find comfort dishes they know everything about but made with passion, and with no trace of bland flavors. These include chicken meatballs and a selection of pasta. But if you’re kids are bold enough to taste the menu created for “bigger humans”, they won’t regret it!
Kerasma… Sweets the Cretan Way
The Five Chania has a creative selection of desserts to end up the experience. And no matter how luscious their sweets can be, nothing beats the simple creativity of their kerasma… Have you heard about kerasma before? Let me tell you about it.
Kerasma is a common tradition all over Greece, but especially treasured in Crete, it is a small dish with a sweet bite, either fruit, yogurt with honey, or a small dessert often served with a small shot of tsikoudia, the traditional Cretan spirit also known as raki, after the meal (when you’ve ordered the bill, normally), and for free.
Almost every restaurant or tavern on the island serves its own kerasma at the end of the mean, but The Five has taken the tradition to the next level, offering these no-named simple bars made of just 5 ingredients: White chocolate, Pretzels, Rice cereal, Oreo cookies, Salt… They deserve a standing ovation!
The Five Experience
The idea behind the name? The five basic tastes — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami — all of them send us a message that our taste buds decode not just to offer us pleasure, but also to tell us something about what we put into our mouth, so we can decide whether we should eat that… The experience goes far beyond at The Five.
The place appeals to all of your senses, from the stunning visuals of the seaside to the specially chosen aromas of their exclusive wine list and original cocktails.
As they state on their website, “This mission is simple: serve delicious, affordable food that guests will want to return to week after week.” And I believe they have accomplished a lot more.
Kleopatra and Nikos, a young, enthusiastic, convivial couple will welcome you with a smile to the colorful vibe of The Five, take a few minutes to talk to them to learn more about their food ideas!
If you’re around in Chania and have no idea where to go for brunch or dinner, or just to grab a bite and an original cocktail, check them out.
Wouldn’t you love to try the dishes at The Five Restaurant Chania?
You won’t be disappointed.
The Five is at 15 Akti Papanikoli, on the waterfront of Nea Chora, only 5 minutes from the Lighthouse of Chania.
Chania City Break
Chania is a must-visit region in Crete… Hosting some of the most amazing beaches on the island, it also offers plenty of opportunities to find just the right entertainment.
Whether it is one of the many coffee shops in the old town, one of its incredible restaurants, laid-back bars, or exciting places to visit for night fun… there are tons of places you can discover in town.
There’s a lot more that you shouldn’t miss in this region, such as unique hikes, and a lively atmosphere also in winter! There are parks, shops, impressive buildings, stunning examples of architecture, archaeological sites, and much more in the Chania region. There is something for everyone.
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The Five Restaurant, Chania
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.
