Athali

Iraklio


This colourful, crowd-pleasing restaurant is a true family affair: Dad oversees a massive central open fire, roasting spits of succulent lamb and pork for hours, while Mum handles traditional hearty stews such as rustic chicken, rooster and youvetsi (baked lamb with tomatoes and kritharaki pasta served with anthotiro cheese) in the kitchen and their three personable daughters serve.

They hit you with raki before and after your meal, and the whole place, with multihued rag rugs over crunchy gravel flooring and stacks of olive-wood logs, is about as cabin cosy as you could ask for. It feels as though you've been invited to a barbecue in someone's home. A great choice.