Rethymno Old Town Food Tour: 6 Traditional Cretan Tastings

Taste six stops of Cretan tradition without cooking dinner yourself

A walking food tour through Rethymno Old Town on Crete, stopping at six carefully chosen venues to taste traditional Cretan dishes, raki, local wine and handmade pastries. The evening timing keeps the pace relaxed while the tastings substitute for dinner. A live guide leads small groups through family-owned taverns, a 65-year-old philo workshop in a Venetian mansion, and a local bakery, each stop telling a story of Cretan culinary heritage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening culinary tour in Rethymno Old Town

• Start at family-owned Cretan tavern
• Sip traditional raki and taste three dishes
• Visit local café for traditional pie
• Explore Venetian mansion philo workshop
• Taste baklava and watch pastry making
• Dine at atmospheric tavern with six dishes and wine
• Enjoy meze dining with rakomelo and four plates
• End at local bakery with traditional appetizer

The experience

The tour begins at a family-owned Cretan tavern where you taste raki, the island's signature distilled spirit, alongside three traditional dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients. From there you move to a neighborhood café known for its traditional pies, a spot locals favor but visitors often miss. The third stop is a Venetian mansion housing Giorgos Chatziparaschos's philo workshop, where kantaifi and baklava have been handcrafted for over 65 years using only flour, water and salt. You'll watch the process if timing allows and taste the baklava on the spot.

At the fourth stop, an atmospheric tavern serves six traditional Cretan dishes paired with local wine. The fifth takes you to another traditional tavern for meze-style dining. Four more plates designed to be shared, accompanied by rakomelo, a warm honey-infused spirit. Your final stop is a local bakery in the heart of Old Town where you taste a traditional Cretan appetizer and experience the daily rhythms of the island's baking traditions. The three-hour tour includes roughly 20 to 60 minutes of walking between venues. The rest is tasting and absorbing each location.

A live guide in English or Greek leads the group, keeping numbers small so you can ask questions and connect with other travelers. The evening departure means cooler streets and a more relaxed pace, and the volume of food and drink across six stops genuinely substitutes for dinner. Bottled water is provided. Any additional drinks are optional purchases at checkout.

What’s included

• Traditional Cretan dishes at six stops.
• raki, local wine and rakomelo tastings.
• handmade baklava from the philo workshop.
• bottled water.
• a live guide in English or Greek.
• small group size for a personalized experience.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Filiko Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want dinner replaced by a structured tasting journey rather than a quick stop at one restaurant. The evening timing and small group size suit travelers who prefer a relaxed pace and want to hear the story behind each dish from someone who knows the Old Town.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do you taste at each of the six stops on this Rethymno food tour?

Stop one is raki and three traditional Cretan dishes at a family tavern; stop two is a traditional pie at a local café; stop three is baklava at the philo workshop; stop four is six dishes with local wine at an atmospheric tavern; stop five is four meze plates with rakomelo at another tavern; stop six is a traditional Cretan appetizer at a bakery. The specific dishes vary, and some are kept as small surprises to discover on the day.

How much walking is involved in the three-hour tour?

The tour spans three hours total, with 20 to 60 minutes spent walking between the six stops in Rethymno Old Town. The rest of the time is spent at each venue tasting and taking in the atmosphere.

Can I do this tour if I'm vegetarian or have food allergies?

Vegetarian guests are welcome, though the tour is designed for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian participants, so some tastings will include meat and animal-based products. Please mention any food allergies in advance so the guide can advise you on what to expect at each stop. The tour is not suitable for vegan guests or those with gluten, lactose intolerance or celiac disease, as alternatives cannot be guaranteed at all venues.

What time does the Rethymno food tour depart and when does it end?

The tour takes place in the evening, allowing you to enjoy a cooler, more relaxed atmosphere. The three-hour duration means you'll finish late enough that the tastings substitute for dinner. Exact departure times are confirmed at checkout.

Is the philo workshop stop something you watch or just taste?

The philo workshop in the 17th-century Venetian mansion is where kantaifi and baklava have been made by hand for over 65 years. If timing allows on the day, you'll witness the masterful process of creating the delicate pastry sheets. You'll definitely taste the baklava on the spot.