Stopped here because it was right in the middle of Rethymno and easy to find. Grabbed a gyros and some souvlaki&mdash;both were really solid. Nothing fancy, just a simple street-side setup, but honestly that&#39;s part of the charm. The seating is pretty basic though, so don&#39;t expect to linger too long. Fine for a quick bite.

The fava was the standout&mdash;so creamy and full of flavor. Had to wait a bit without a reservation, but the daily special made up for it. Heads up: bread isn&#39;t free.

Nice spot tucked off the main road, close enough to the beach. Food was solid and fairly priced. Service stayed friendly even when it got busy. No complaints.

The grilled shrimp here are the real deal. Big, charred, just salty enough. Had the sardines too, straight off the grill. That&rsquo;s the whole meal, nothing fancy. The drive down the coast is long and winding, but the food makes up for it. I&rsquo;d come back just for that shrimp.

Stumbled onto this place down a quiet street&mdash;grilled calamari was spot on, tender, not rubbery. They brought out raki and cake on the house at the end, which paired nicely with my last glass of wine. The birds wandering around the tables are a fun touch. Service was friendly, though a bit slow when it got busy.

Great spot for a relaxed dinner with a view. Food was tasty and portions generous. Parking right next door made it easy. Staff were attentive too.

Great spot right across from the beach 🌅 we showed up late and they still made us feel super welcome. Seafood was fresh too, perfect for a chill hang with friends.

Stopped by for dinner and honestly the staff were the best part. Super friendly, always checking if we needed anything. They even brought out free ice cream and raki at the end which was a nice surprise. Place was busy but they still managed to keep things quick.

Staff here are always welcoming, and the prices are fair. Food&#39;s been consistent every time I&#39;ve come back. Quick service too.

Stopped here after a long drive and sat outside. The view is really nice, no complaints about that. I had the feta cheese and honestly it was the best one I had in Crete. Orange juice was fresh too, not from a bottle. Service was a bit slow but I didn&rsquo;t mind much. Would go back if I&rsquo;m in the area again.

We basically came here every day on our trip 😅 the food was always fresh and tasty. They bring out free fruit and raki at the end, which is such a nice touch. Staff were super welcoming too. Only thing is it gets busy around dinner time, but honestly worth it.

The dolmadakia were so good, perfect for sharing with my friends. Moussaka was tasty too, just a bit lukewarm. 😊

Stopped by late afternoon, place had a nice buzz. Shared the hummus and tuna tartare, mussels were decent too. Went for the full rack of ribs after, sea bass looked good on the other plate. Portions are big, no joke. They even dropped off a chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream on the house. Solid spot.

Stopped here for a quick lunch and grabbed a sandwich. Bread was soft, veggies tasted really fresh. Nice to sit and look at the bay while eating. It&#39;s a little expensive for a simple sandwich, but the view kind of makes up for it. Would come back if I&#39;m in the area again.

Solid spot for Chinese in Crete. Orange chicken actually tasted like the stuff from NYC Chinatown. Portions are big, service was fast. Nothing fancy but it hits the spot.

The mixed grill fish was really good&mdash;fresh and nicely charred. Owner&rsquo;s daughter kept checking on us, super sweet. Felt like eating at someone&rsquo;s home, honestly.

The mushroom orzo was a nice surprise &mdash; glad they label the vegan options clearly. Charming spot, though the local cats definitely steal the show 😄

Good coffee right by the sea, decent food too. Gets busy later but service stayed friendly.

Stopped by twice while in the area. Staff handled our toddler well, no fuss. Food was consistent both visits, which is what I care about. The view is a bonus. Service was quick enough even when busy. Decent spot if you&#39;re nearby and don&#39;t want to overthink it.

The wood-fired pizza was really good&mdash;thin crust, crispy edges, toppings piled on properly. I also grabbed the spaghetti aglio e olio and it hit the spot, garlicky without being too oily. Place was busy but we got our food quick. Only thing, tables are a bit close together, but honestly the pizza makes up for it.

Find the best Restaurants in Matala with Trip.com. Read authentic reviews from real users, compare menus and photos, and find the perfect spot for your next meal.

The Best Restaurants in Matala

Thraka Rethymno

Taverna Dionyssos

Red Castle

Agia Fotia Taverna

Avli Taverna

CAVO Rethymnon Restaurant

Agrilia Restaurant Rethymno

Tassos Tavern

Mythos Taverna

Taverna Despina

En Plo

Sarakina

Aptera Restaurant

Taverna Mitato

PRIMA PLORA Οrganic Restaurant & Wine Bar - Rethymno

Vrachos Taverna

Vinzi Cafe

Pelagos

Kim Long

Aris Katerina Taverna - Traditional and Authentic Cretan food

Minares

Delina

Patsos Traditional Taverna

Erotokritos Restaurant

Lotos Taverna

Trioroukouno Restaurant Cafe

La Piazza Pizzeria

Yialos Wine Restaurant

Levantes Restaurant, Cafe Bar

Pizzeria Restaurant Ariadne