Matala is a seaside village on Crete’s southern coast, known for its sandy bay and caves cut into the surrounding cliffs. Restaurants in Matala range from waterfront tavernas to informal cafés, making the village a convenient base for exploring the coast and discovering Cretan food.
Top Restaurants in Matala offer a useful introduction to Cretan cooking, with dishes such as dakos, a barley rusk topped with tomato and cheese, and kalitsounia, small pastries often filled with local cheese or greens. Look for seasonal vegetables, olive oil, grilled fish and seafood, alongside traditional meat dishes. Fish availability and prices vary, so ask about the day’s catch and whether it is priced by weight. When choosing where to eat in Matala, compare menus as well as sea views; tavernas away from the beachfront are also worth considering.
The caves overlooking Matala’s beach include ancient burial chambers and became associated with the hippie community of the 1960s and 1970s. Nearby Red Beach can be reached on foot over uneven terrain. For a cultural excursion beyond the village, the Minoan palace of Phaistos offers an insight into ancient Crete.