KOUZEINERI

We ended up dining at this restaurant twice during our four-day trip simply because the food was just that good. The beef was excellent, the grilled vegetables were even better, and the fried chicken wings are an absolute must-try. They also have an impressive wine cellar with a wide selection. Since we’re from France, we especially appreciated the chance to explore some great local Cretan wines. The service was incredibly warm and attentive honestly, it felt like Michelin-level hospitality. I would gladly recommend this place to anyone visiting Crete. It was one of the true highlights of our trip.

The food was spectacular! Perfectly cooked steaks that were larger than expected. The Cretan salad and chicken bites were amazing too, almost a full meal with just them. Kosta our server was excellent and tended to our every need, with some helpful banter on the city and Greek life in general. The atmosphere was great and not as noisy as other spots in the city. Definitely a higher class of restaurant in the city.

Absolutely delicious experience at Kouzeineri Steak House – a meaty dream come true! We stopped by Kouzeineri Steak House around 5 PM – perfect timing, as the place wasn’t too crowded yet, and we could fully enjoy the vibe without the dinner rush. And oh, what a feast it was! We kicked things off with Buffalo chicken wings as a starter – and wow, they were spot-on: perfectly spiced, just the right level of heat, and served with a herby yogurt dip that we could honestly eat by the spoonful. A perfect start! For the mains, my husband went big with the ribeye steak – beautifully grilled, juicy, with grilled veggies and some baby potatoes that were so good we debated stealing them from each other. I had the half chicken – and let me tell you, it was a real half chicken, no bones, full flavor. Served with veggies and a bright chimichurri sauce that made each bite better than the last. We thought we were done... but of course, “for the house,” came a generous slice of cake. Super tasty, though after all that food, I could only manage a few bites – but it's the thought (and sugar) that counts! The service was warm and attentive, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed but classy – a great spot for meat lovers. Now, if I had to nitpick... the steak price was a bit of a surprise. It was listed as €42 for 350g, but the waiter only mentioned after we ordered that they only had 400g cuts. Not a dealbreaker, but that info would’ve been nice before the decision. Also – €7 for sparkling water? That bottle better have come from the Alps personally escorted by goats. Total bill: €114 (2 Paulaner beers, 1 gin & tonic, mains, starter, water, dessert “on the house”). All in all, an absolutely fantastic meal – one of the best we had in Heraklion. We’d go back in a heartbeat (maybe just bring our own water next time!).

We went for a late lunch and were delighted with the calm ambience, fun music, service was so excellent we even had a mini history class about Crete and their wine production. The food was stunning, even better than expected.

The food and service was excellent! They were very welcoming and intententive. I had the ribeye the first night and we had a ton of sides as a group. The ribeye was cooked and seasoned well and the garlic butter sauce was a great addition. Everyone on the group enjoyed the food. I cam back the next day for lunch and had the chopped salad amd again the service and food was excellent. If you go, let your waiter know you will be leaving a tip, or they won't put it in. The entire staff definitely deserves a tip and I will be back. Definitely check this pla e out if you are in the area.

Great Dining Experience with Exceptional Meat! Kouzeineri Steak House in Heraklion is definitely worth a visit. The food overall was very good, with the standout being the exceptional quality and preparation of the meat—truly a treat for steak lovers! While the burrata could have been fresher, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyable dining experience. The atmosphere is inviting, the service was attentive, and the restrooms were exceptionally clean, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to a high standard of care. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a memorable steakhouse experience in Crete!

A local gem! We asked two servers at a coffee shop this morning for a recommendation of where to have dinner on our last tonight in Heraklion and without hesitation they both suggested Kouzeineri. My husband loves steak and has enjoyed many over the years but tonight he believes this was the BEST steak of his 59 year life! He ordered the 500 gram strip loin medium rare. It was charred on the outside as were the generous amount of vegetables that came with it. It was tender, juicy and a perfect flavour and fat balance. I decided on a cheeseburger as I haven’t had one in more than 6 months. Wow!! I can’t remember ever having s better one! The brioche bun was perfect and the burger was thick and juicy without lettuce or tomato - just a generous amount of cheese and dill pickle. Absolute perfection! Because my hubby is gluten free, they brought us a beautiful panne cotta with strawberry compote as the complimentary dessert - so light and not too sweet - absolutely wonderful! The vibe is elegant, but not imposing and the music was our favourite so far - smooth jazz covers. Our server Constantine was so pleasant and even suggested some things for us to do at Rethymno. Not cheap but totally worth it! A very comprehensive wine list and menu. This place is NOT to be missed! Highly recommended!

Incredible food and atmosphere, very good bespoke music selection. The mains arrived very soon (within 3 minutes) after the appetizers which felt a tad overwhelming, and the service (by one server) seemed a little rushed to the point of almost making you feel unwelcome - something we noticed was not the case for the other tables around us, unfortunately leaving a bit of a bad aftertaste to an otherwise pleasant experience. Generous portions, very detailed wine, whiskey, and cigar selection.