10 Must-Try Cretan Foods

Traditional Greek food reaches its peak on the island of Crete. Cretan cuisine forms the foundation of what researchers now refer to as the Mediterranean diet, but it’s so much more than just a healthy eating pattern.

Crete boasts nearly 20 food products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning these flavors literally can’t be replicated anywhere else. The island’s 1,600+ plant species (170 growing only in Crete) create an ingredient palette that’s unique to this corner of Greece.

Cretan cuisine relies on seasonality and fresh ingredients. It is all about a few local ingredients, simple cooking preparations, and distinct flavors. Vegetables and wild greens form the basis of Cretan cooking. There are lots of Cretan foods for you to taste if you follow a vegetarian-based diet.

Ready to discover why locals say Cretan food is the best in all of Greece? Here are 10 traditional Greek food specialties you need to try when visiting Crete.

 

 

 

2. Snails (Chochlioi) – High-Protein Delicacy

Don’t skip this one just because it sounds unusual. Cretans are meat-eaters, but they also embrace unique proteins like snails. Cretan snails are packed with iron and protein while being surprisingly low in fat.

The two most popular preparations are:

• Chochlioi kokinistoi: Cooked with onions and tomatoes in a rich sauce
• Chochlioi boubouristoi: Pan-fried with red wine vinegar and wild rosemary

You’ll also find them in stews with wild greens (horta) or combined with xinochondros trahanas (traditional pasta made from cracked wheat and sour milk).

 

“Cretan foods are based on simple ingredients, minimum  cooking preparations and distinct flavors.”

 

 

2. Cretan omelette with artichokes

A classic spring recipe to taste in Crete based on simple ingredients, minimum cooking preparations, and distinct flavors. Raw, cooked, or pickled artichokes are regularly used in Cretan cooking.

Spring is the best season to taste fresh artichokes, which give a nice crunchy texture when added to salads and omelettes. Cretan omelettes are more fluffy and make a perfect light meal combined with a fresh salad. 

 

“Cretan cuisine relies on seasonality and fresh local ingredients.”

3. Staka with Eggs – Creamy Local Cheese

Staka is Crete’s version of butter, but it’s actually a creamy cheese made from the cream that forms on top of boiled goat’s or sheep’s milk. This traditional Greek food ingredient appears in countless Cretan recipes.

The classic preparation combines staka with eggs, creating a rich, creamy dish that’s often served with fried potatoes and fresh bread. The cheese has a strong milky flavor and high fat content that makes everything taste richer.

 

4. Traditional Pitarakia – Pan-Cooked Pies

In Crete, you’ll find vegetable pies that occupy center stage just as often as meat dishes. Pitarakia are small pies cooked in pans rather than ovens, filled with local cheese or wild greens.

The most beloved variety is marathopita—fennel pie that showcases the fresh, anise-like flavor of wild fennel. These pies aren’t just food; they’re cultural symbols that connect modern Cretans to their agricultural heritage.

Local tip: Try mizithropita (sweet cheese pie) with a drizzle of Cretan honey for a perfect sweet-savory combination.

 

“Trahanas is a traditional type of pasta used in making various Greek food recipes.”

 

5. Xinochondros Trahanas – Traditional Cretan Pasta

This fermented pasta made from cracked wheat and sour milk is uniquely Cretan. Unlike regular pasta, xinochondros has a slightly tangy flavor from the fermentation process.

The classic recipe combines it with eggplant in rich tomato sauce, creating a hearty vegetarian dish that’s even better when served with Greek yogurt for a cooling contrast. You’ll find this traditional Greek food at family tavernas throughout the island.

 

6. Skioufichta – Hand-Rolled Pasta Canvas

Skioufichta is the traditional Cretan pasta used as a canvas for multiple recipes. The name comes from the Cretan dialect verb “skioufizo” (to turn), referring to the hand-rolling technique that creates its distinctive shape.

Two standout preparations:

• Syzouma: Cooked in rich meat broth and served with grated anthotyros cheese
• With apaki: Combined with local smoked meat marinated in olive oil and wild herbs

The pasta’s irregular, hand-rolled surface grabs onto sauces and cheese better than smooth machine-made pasta.

 

7. Roast goat meat with baked potatoes

That’s a great example of the culinary philosophy behind Cretan cooking. A tasty roast meat cooked with potatoes in extra virgin olive oil, oregano or thyme, and tomato paste. The Cretan way of baking potatoes is to cut them into four pieces (kydonates).

A simple, flavorful marinade that allows you to appreciate the real taste of meat. In eastern Crete, it’s a typical festive dish served on special social occasions (e.g., wedding events). 

 

8. Courgette Blossoms Stuffed with Rice and Herbs

These stuffed vegetables are perfect for vegetarian diets, showcasing Crete’s creative approach to plant-based cooking. Soft courgette flowers are filled with rice and aromatic wild herbs, creating something similar to dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves) but with a uniquely Cretan twist.

The most impressive version uses creamy local cheese (xygalo, pichtogalo, or galomizithra) as filling, then fries the blossoms until crispy outside and melted inside.

 

9. Wild Greens (Horta) – Nutritional Powerhouses

The average Cretan eats 9-12 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, with wild greens playing a starring role. These aren’t cultivated vegetables—they’re foraged plants that grow naturally across the island.

Horta appears in two main forms:

• Raw: In fresh salads dressed with olive oil and lemon
• Tsigariasta: Stir-fried and served warm with fresh grated tomatoes

Some of the wild greens Cretans eat don’t grow outside of the island, making this traditional Greek food experience truly unique to Crete.

 

“A hearty, nutritious soup that can be found in traditional fishing villages.”

10. Kakavia – Traditional Fisherman’s Soup

 

This traditional fish soup includes different local fish like grouper, rockfish, red snapper, and redfish. Fishermen traditionally prepared kakavia while still on their boats, using the day’s catch combined with onions, fresh tomatoes, and potatoes.

The soup’s simplicity lets the fresh fish flavors shine through. It’s typically served in coastal fishing villages with crispy Cretan rusks (paximadia) for sopping up the rich broth.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes traditional Greek food from Crete different from mainland Greek cuisine?

Cretan cuisine uses more olive oil, emphasizes wild greens unique to the island, and features simpler preparations that highlight natural ingredient flavors.

Crete is responsible for a third of Greece’s olive oil production, which shows up in the generous use of this “liquid gold” in every dish.

 

Is traditional Greek food from Crete suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely. Vegetables occupy center stage just as often as meat in Cretan cuisine. Wild greens, stuffed vegetables, cheese-filled pies, and bean dishes provide plenty of protein-rich vegetarian options that locals eat regularly.

 

What’s the healthiest traditional Greek food to try in Crete?

Wild greens (horta) are packed with antioxidants and nutrients. Combined with olive oil and served as tsigariasta, they provide incredible nutritional benefits while tasting amazing. These greens form the foundation of the world’s healthiest diet.

 

 

Cook Traditional Greek Food the Cretan Way

Cook the Cretan way with our digital Cretan cookbook packed with 50+ easy, authentic recipes at the core of the local cuisine of Crete.

The digital recipe guide works perfectly on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, making it easy to cook authentic Cretan dishes no matter where you are.

Each recipe captures the essence of traditional Greek food from Crete: simple ingredients, minimal processing, and maximum flavor. Start cooking the Cretan way and experience why this ancient cuisine continues to be recognized as one of the world’s healthiest diets.