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Within the courtyard of an old Venetian mansion, Ela serves a wide menu, including standard Greek dishes and a few authentically Cretan offerings.

The best restaurant around Chania’s delightful inner harbour, serving an extensive choice of seafood, from octopus and whitebait to langouste and sea bass.

A wide range of Greek, Levantine and Cretan dishes, with a better choice of non-meat dishes than most of its rivals.

Karnagio serves substantial taverna meals, the traditional favourites including grilled meats and huge peasant salads with feta cheese.

Set in 13th-century vaults beneath the Veneto Hotel, the restaurant serves Cretan specialities within a beautiful setting, with stone-flagged floors, mosaics and antique furniture.

With its pretty garden setting, this is one of the town’s finest. Mainly grilled and roasted meats, and Cretan favourites such as apatzia sausages and roasted goat.

This little taverna in the old quarter serves plain, village-style dishes. It fairly bustles in the evenings but is quieter at lunch time. Great value.

On the old Irakleio highway, 4km (2 miles) east of Rethymno, Zissi’s charcoal-grilled lamb and chicken are worth the short trip from town.

This quiet restaurant serves Cretan and other Greek dishes and is very popular with locals. Pleasant courtyard.

Part of a restored 19th-century stone village, Sterna tou Bloumofisi serves Cretan specialities baked in woodburning ovens.