Very clean and cool waters ,nice caves but you have to pay entrance fees to see from close. Organised beach with sunbeds and umbrellas (but of course you have to pay). Still there is enough space to sit at the beach without paying. Nice restaurants and cafés by the coast. Too crowded parking spaces most of the days meaning you may have to park your car 7-8 minutes far from the beach.

From the beach, the caves look picturesque, and the climb itself is quite an interesting activity. However, inside the caves, there is a predominant smell of urine, which is quite strange considering the €5 entrance fee for adults. There is also a lack of any information about the site (like an information board), or if there was one, it wasn't prominently displayed. In some places, the railings on the rocks were not secure or had been torn out.

Very impressive caves and high viewpoints of the beach!!! We explored their inside and you could see beds and pillows carved in stone! There were also paintings in some of them and we even spotted a ying-yang from when hippies lived there in the 60s. Disclaimer: You need to be very careful during the climbing to get to the upper caves!!! (athletic shoes required)

The view from the Matala caves is truly stunning and absolutely worth seeing, but visitors should be aware that safety is completely nonexistent. You climb directly on the rock, with no marked paths or proper facilities to secure the ascent. The barriers that are still in place are damaged and unstable, offering no real protection at all. Slipping is a real risk, especially in the heat or if you don’t have proper footwear. I strongly recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes, and I would not suggest this visit for people who are not confident on uneven terrain, especially families with children. Another downside: the price advertised online is €4, but once you arrive, the entrance fee is actually €5, which feels misleading. In summary, the view is absolutely beautiful, but the visit requires caution, preparation, and awareness of the risks. This is not a casual or easy outing.

Amazing neolithic caves mixed with modern day's hippy culture. It's a fantastic mixture of life feeling. Maximum recommendation!

Really nice beautiful spot. I really enjoyed my visit here. Beach is nice and clean, 12 euros for 2 chairs and umbria. Amazing food ,cave walk is very interesting. I definitely recommend

The rocks are very shallow, only 3–5 meters deep, and can be walked around in about 10 minutes. The entrance fee is €5. The price is €3 only for seniors over 65 years old. Some of the posts are broken, so it’s better not to lean on them, as they are not very stable.

Beautiful beach, but very crowded. If you want to see the caves, it’s at your own risk and there’s a €5 entrance fee. It’s better to wear water shoes because of the stones, and be careful with the waves and rocks.

Unfortunately the day we visited it was too windy and wavy and didn't have the chance to swim. A nice place with very touristy places and a lot of tourists even in early October!

The best beach to watch the sunset with local bars selling amazing food and drinks too. Ample parking and other shops available for a meander around when you've had enough sun! ☀️

Town is really hippy, lots of bob barley and bob Dylan music. Caves were dangerous but stunning views. We stopped at 365 cafe Huge portions and really enjoyable lunch

Lovely beach nestled in amongst spectacular, cave riddled cliffs and with a beautiful small town above it. The water is crystal clear, the sand a fine type of small pebbles. We took our own snorkelling gear and had a great time exploring the underwater world off the beach, near the rocks, cliffs and caves. We spotted many types of fish, sea urchins and sponges.

Matala Beach is a hidden gem of Crete! Stunning cliffs, crystal-clear water, and a unique vibe make it truly special. A beautiful spot that feels a bit off the beaten path – definitely worth discovering!

It’s one of the most beautiful beaches especially for sunset. It’s a pity that it is completely full of umbrellas and in front of it is huge awful parking

Coming from the United States and ordering the burger, I don’t have high expectations and this was one of the best burgers I have had in my life. The meat was perfectly cooked, juicy and flavorful and the sauce and toppings complimented perfectly. The bun was the perfect vehicle and I will be dreaming about this burger when I go home.

Nice Place to have the best Negroni avaliable in Creta. Wonderful sunset, nice food, live DJ act with chilled sound. Strongly recommended.

We had some drinks and lunch here. We had a good time as the atmosphere was nice and the service was friendly. The food and drinks were also very good. Great view looking at the beach and the caves.

The bar is on the beach with nice tables to sit under a roof. We don't know if there were umbrellas for the actual beach. The coffee was very nice, tasted like expected for a greek coffee. Also the food was good, we ate from the breakfast menu.

great drinks however I don’t understand why they play the same terrible set everyday?? I mean it’s boho bar play some nice music 😅 also the waitress acts like she is on forced labour

Delicious food, great location, and exceptional service.

Waitress is super cool 😂 place is nice and cozy and it's facing the Matala cave

It’s Open in the Off Season! We decided to visit Matala in the off season, but the weather is still warm and the water warmer. On the first day, this was the only place to order real food that was open by 1200, the American Lunch Hour. Burger was made to order, 100% beef, and delicious. Very grateful for the presence. 4 stars is not a bad rating.

Food was really good. We each had the pasta and it was homemade and very fresh! Also, had a great view and prices were fair! They serve sushi on Saturday and Sundays.

Everything was tasty and perfectly cooked, especially the shrimps and grilled calamar. The staff was very friendly and welcoming.

Everything was simply amazing. The best restaurant I've tried in Crete. Especially the grilled octopus, how come it can be that delicious 🥲🥲🥲I wish I could stay in Matala for 1 month and go to them every day. They cooked in a fusion way so you cannot expect very traditional food. E.g. The ramen soup was only with a few noodles, so it's a soup but not exact ramen. However, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed with their food!! They also gave us extra starter (with sushi!), fruit and raki. We only spent €34.5 and they treated us like king. Great hospitality, great food. Highly recommend. Wish I could give it 10 stars. 🥲

Everything was excellent! Variety of international dishes including local tasty choices and of course an amazing view to the caves and the beach. The service was very quick and the people were warm & welcoming! A highly recommended food experience in Matala!

Very welcoming and friendly staff. There is an excellent view from above onto the Matala Beach. The Burgers we ordered were delicious and cooked to perfection. I can definetly recommend this place, see you soon hopefully!

Delightful! A restaurant that has something internationally different to offer your tastebuds in a sea of traditional greek cuisine, here you will find quality dishes made with love. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a tasty fresh poke bowl in Matala of all places, I also recommend their homemade pasta. Honestly everything was tasty. The staff is 10/10 in terms of service and warm hospitality. Bistronomy is a new restaurant, so pay them a visit, you will not regret it.

i ordered the fresh mussels and a shrimp salad, after tasting two mussels i think they're a bit too salty, stop eating them and try the shrimp salad where the 3 shrimps were okay but the rest of the lettuce a rather small portion on a watery sauce. The waiter said they cook the mussels with sea water and they've never had complaints. One thing's for sure people coming around here are polite, educated. Others should cut down on salt, need i say more?

They have pizza at menu and %100 pizza is frozen from market 😅 At least beer was cold

The food was not fresh. The staff looked unconfotable with the boss. When I didn't want to give tips, the owner asked me if I was Italian. I asked why and he replied that it was for curiosity. I believe he didn't like Italian. I believe that he was a very unhappy man and the bissines his not doing well.

So we visited this place with my partner and we absolutely loved it. You know you always have the best food in small family owned businesses. We had some seafood platter. I even wiped the plate with the salad leaf. 😂😅 The staff were standing behind and they were watching at us how we were eating. We were just laughing. Honestly we stayed at a 5 star restaurant which I cannot complain but the food at this restaurant was just indescribably incredible and delicious!!! Please whoever visit this restaurant please give them a 5 star as they do very much deserve it!! Lots of love to you guys. We will definitely come back and visit you again when we return to Greece!!!🇬🇷

For 3 takeaway small waters, one waiter asks the other about the cost and the second says 3 euros. Then, another lady worker that did not listen to their conversation tells the first waiter 2 euros. Get your story straight before you act sneaky like this guys

Live music, pleasant place overlooking the beach. Great hearty food and fast service. We would definitely come back.

Great - location, views and of course food. Everything fresh, we ordered a seafood mix and grilled sardines. Delicious 😁

The Souvlaki was perfekt. I had to share it with a little Cat and she loved it too. The Staff was super friendly. There is noch need for me to check any other Restaurant. I will come back everyday for Dinner. If you are in Matala you have to check it.

We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant during our stay in Greece. The food was absolutely delicious — full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The portions were incredibly generous, so come hungry! What made the visit even more special was the amazing staff. They were warm, attentive, and truly love children, making families feel especially welcome. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great meal and a friendly atmosphere!

The food was amazing.. really good quality and good price! Fresh tuna was incredible. And the waitress was super nice

Overall positive experience. Was slightly disappointed by the seafood platter for 2: shrimp was good, calamari alright but mussels and octopus were poor. (Expensive dish also) Fries as well fairly average. I did come here twice however, and the second dish (schnitzel) was really good. Both visits friendly staff and good service. P.s. some cats to befriend, only adds to the ambiance.

Gyros is amazing… and quite a big portion. Also the sardines. During our stay in matala we went two times there.

365 Matala serves the best grilled octopus I had in Greece. The salad was also excellent and made with fresh local ingredients. We had multiple meals here during our stay and every one was better than the next. The food and service our simply outstanding.

if you are looking for a place with the best seafood and atmosphere, you just found it😩 the seafood was just it!!! definitely its a must have if you are visiting matala✨

This place is an unexpected gem among the taverns on Matala Beach. The staff is friendly and respectful, but the real star is the food — it honestly feels like something out of a Michelin-starred kitchen. Beautifully plated, full of flavor, every bite hits just the right spot. Now imagine all that with a stunning view of the sunset over this magical Matala beach… unforgettable! Really recommend the pork tenderloin — it was absolutely amazing.

Really outstanding! Presentation of dishes, taste, varieties are fantastic! They are closed from November till February. This is not a cheap restaurant, but the food looks great, tastes great. The cook is working to get his first Michelin Star. We have been here in 2024 and 2025. Always good. The waiters are all dressed in special uniform gowns. Very pleasant place. The wife was swimming, while the husband and dog had a snack and drink.

Just finished a light lunch here. Food was fresh and delicious. The salad with strawberry jelly was a nice touch on a hot summer’s day and the tomato fritters with cheese foam and basil oil were equally as tasty. Perfect view of Matala beach and cave and the glistening blue sea. Friendly staff too

Very good experience, the food was very tasty. For our son we ordered a fish, and they removed all the bones in front of us, so it was also a great learning experience. Highly recommended.

Excellent meal and really good service. One of the best meals we’ve ever eaten in Crete. Dishes full of flavour and served with finesse. Tables on the beach as well as inside - fabulous vibe and stunning location.

Possibly the best restaurant I have ever been to. Everything was delicious and we got a small appetizer and a small desert for free. Location directly on the beach is insanely beautiful, we had a perfect sunset view!

Probably the highest level of restaurant you could find in Matala. Very creative cooking using fresh and quality products. Very efficient service. To me, it would be worth a Michelin star ! Bravo

The walk there took some effort but still better than that of Balos in my opinion. The beach is just fine by itself but it’s wavy (which I like) and not so cold and the fact that you can be nude there made it 100x better.

If you’re into the whole nudistic beach thing, this is the place to be.. the climb there is amazing but be sure to bring water to refresh yourself. The beach and the water however are mediocre at best

A beautiful beach.However, getting there requires effort and caution. On the beach itself, there are 2 bars, some sunbeds, and umbrellas. In the water there are large rocks and stones. Be carefully when swimming 🏊‍♂️ There's a designated area for naturists. And goats that are not afraid to steal your food🙂 Definitely worth to visit.

The “owner” on the beach thinks he owns the place. Hard trail, cash only, and a lot of interesting characters - it’s hippy alright, but not the loving everyone kind: you need to be a young tattooed “cool” hippy to be included: not for the normal people - is the vibe you get here. But hey: cool beach and yes there is sand….

If you’re looking for a beach adventure that mixes stunning views with a bit of a workout, Red Beach in Matala is your spot. The hike to this beach is like a scene from an action movie—complete with rocky terrain and the occasional carved figure to keep you company. It's about a 30-minute trek from Matala, so pack your sturdy shoes and plenty of water. Once you get there, the reddish sand and crystal-clear water make the effort worth it. Don’t miss out on the infamous mojito from Gianni’s bar. Trust me, that strong drink will make the hike back feel like a breeze. Just be ready for some nudist sunbathing action, especially on the southern side of the beach. This place is the perfect blend of natural beauty, a touch of quirkiness, and a whole lot of relaxation.

May 2025: The southern part (from Jannis' bar to the left) is covered with large stones; there is not much space there, as only a few people can fit in (mostly it is an FKK zone). On this side there are also new stones in the water, so be careful. Most of the guests are naturists in the northern part (from Jannis' bar to the right), as in previous years. The textile part is in front of the tavern. ___ May 2024: The southern part of the beach (after going down to the beach from the tavern to the left) is definitely more mixed: while in previous years the FKK culture prevailed here, now there are more and more people in swimsuits. May, 2023: There are some changes and changes to the best. The waterline receded a few meters, revealing stretches of beach that earlier were under the water. The stones that covered most of the left (southern) part of the beach in 2022 have been cleaned up, so once again, coming to the beach along the path next to the Giannis tavern and turning left, you can find a lot of space to lie down on the sand at the FKK part. On the other hand, from the tavern going to the right there is still a zone with the FKK sign. The water is still crystalline (sometimes there are waves and wind), with fine sand, and the entrance to the sea is gentle.

From the parking lot it’s a 15 min walk to the beach, i did it in my sandals, so it was pretty easy, there are some challenging parts, but don’t worry, it’s still manageable. The sunbed sets cost 10 euros, with 2 beds. It’s better to arrive early if you want to have a spot there but there are plenty of space for your own parasol 🏖️ as well. It’s a very nice beach, with 2 bars and one food stand.

The room was very clean! The biggest issue is that the price is way out proportion. The information in the room is not up to date, therefor Wifi was not available. They said that beach towels were in the room, but not. Breakfast is really basic. By leaving they didn't even ask how are stay has been...

There were many things that are simply not right about this property: 1- The bed was solid rock hard. They didn't bother provide a thin pillow when I specifically told them I have a neck disc. Also the curtains are not blind out, AC is always lit making it impossible to sleep with light ambience while trying to sleep. 2- Nobody assisted with luggage though my room on the third floor. Upon check out i cracked my entire spine and none of the staff bothered help and just stared at me. Not even "hope you're ok". A taxi driver helped me with my luggage once he saw the pain I was going through. 3- No reception at check in. Nobody bothered ask if anything is missing or needed. All they did was leave my key at the door. 4- Extremely dirty balcony. Bathroom floor was not even clean. Room floor was packed in dust and sand from previous guest. 5- They have a barista machine but no cafe latte nor cappacino. It's extremely sad. Also waitress with tattoos was super rude to me when I asked for a latte. 6- Breakfast was old bread, boiled eggs, some spreads and that's it. The orange juice was powder based. I didn't even bother consume breakfast looking at it. 7- Bathroom sink packs with water and thus can't brush your teeth. There is no bide nor hose by the toilet. This is an international travelers destination, you need to be attentive. It's an extreme shame to treat your guests this way and I really would like to request a semi refund for this stay as it was not convenient whatsoever. Paying 400+ euros for two nights is just a pure rip off and is very careless.

Run by friendly Austrian host. We had the standard basic room which was ok. The bed was very comfortable. The location is probably the best in town, 3 mins to the beach, 3 mins to the town square. They have a parking offsite. Overall it was a pleasant stay.

Nice hotel - we especially liked the nice outdoor area for breakfast. The breakfast was very good and I loved that we could fill filtered drinking water in steel bottles provided by the hotel (this was for free and available the whole day) - so you need much less plastic bottles. The hotel stuff was also really friendly!

This place is great. The rooms are diverse and lovely. There is a room for every need. There is a room for the backpacker. There is a room for the family. There are definitely rooms for people who like a bit of luxury. It is perfect proximity to the local beach. Although Matala is great, during the weekend nights it is quite loud along the beach until 4 in the morning so it is not recommended from me to stay in the few apartment or hotels located directly there. The staff here are sooooo nice. Sabina, the owner is always welcoming and lovely. Manos 'Sabina's son' is "The man"! I have never seen him without a smile on his face. If you stay there even one day, you will feel like they are your family. I would recommend this place with my whole heart.

Words can’t describe the experience! We got greeted with the best and most warm way possible, and got immediately treated with free treats offered by the reception. The room was fantastic, luxurious, and beyond expectations. Can’t describe it with words!!

Matala: amazing beach, good eating, cheap. Die zwei Brueder: fine hotel, fantastic rooms (white and dream), breakfast super. Please park somewhere owner car and an elevator is necessary

Great food, non better in Matala. The service was a little off, which we've not experienced before, but maybe just a really busy night. The most important thing, the food is first rate.

Dined at George’s yard for dinner with my family. Beautiful outdoor restaurant. Staff were very kind and friendly. Place gets busy so either make a reservation or go earlier. Food came out quickly, we ordered tzatziki, saganaki, vegetation mousakka, pork chops with orange honey sauce. Everything was yummy, especially the saganaki ! So good we ordered it 2 times. Veg options were limited for main menu, mousakka lacked flavour unfortunately but the chops were great. Fresh fruit for dessert!

Great place with great food. Especially the starters are highly recommended. We had the fennel-orange salad and the backed feta cheese and loved it.

We had a great evening, the food, the service, one of the greatest experiences lately.. it’s an family owned place, and they made us feel at home.. highly recommended.

This cute place run by a family is no frills and nice and simple. It has great food at a good price. No surprises why this place is always full.and people waiting to get a table. The rush for seats.is real.

Husband and wife teams are either entertaining because they're one "no, you take their order" away from (un)civil war, or they dance with all the grace of a 1950s classic movie. Here, the latter is the case. The owners are so functional that they even touch each other sweetly and surreptitiously as they pass by...its too cute, especially as they are not new to either the love or restaurant game. The food is good enough to make the low prices great value. Though the bread they serve is as undignified as the bread they make with the souvlaki is dignified. Reserve if you can and enjoy the show.

Just an amazing experience for both the meat eater and the veggie. Extremely popular restaurant, so booking is recommended. The staff are wonderful and the food is just delightful. So pleased we visited.

Charming place in hippie style. Good location and tasty food. No wifi and you can pay only by cash.

One thing is clear, as we are not tourists and live here permanently on Crete, we will certainly not recommend this restaurant to others - nor will we come here a second time. The food was OK - but OK is still too little for a place that calls itself premium. The drinks waiter was super unfriendly. Then the order is quickly taken and then nothing, emptiness, waiting, nada - we waited over 30 minutes for a burger and a piece of chicken. The boss ... completely ignorant, if there hadn't been a single nice waiter (not Greek), we would still be sitting there this morning waiting. The wine, well - nothing special, the dessert then offered - as compensation, everyone gets it anyway (that's the custom here in the south - the raki was missing). Well, all in all, unfortunately an absolute flop.

We had a Great evening here cocktails and little bites were awesome really made our evening and the bar tenders was ridiculously good at his job friendliest best service we have had in a long time 10 out of 10 f

Nice bar, very friendly staff and guests, coole and very good drinks. Perfect sea view. I came alone and left go as friend. See you next year 🥂

Good variety of cocktails, live music events and beautiful location.

The view is astoning, the music is great and the cocktails are excellent

Two stars for the position of the bar. A very nice spot in Matala to relax and enjoy the views. Anything else is below average, competing down to zero. The coffee is bad, the juices are diluted to zero point. We gave it a second chance, big disappointment. Prices are according to the usual touristic places, thus a bit to the upper limit, as for the value for money ratio, try another place!

A great atmosphere made even greater by the friendly service. The guy at the bar was an amazing host, talking to us about the area and giving us advice on what to do in Crete. Try their "kanellada", a cinammon-based non-carbonated traditional cold drink that's only made in this part of the island.

Very good music, drinks, cocktails... and the fish comes directly from the only fisherman in Matala... 😋 Yummy! Very groovy atmosphere. The place to enjoy the Matala spirit. Until... 4:30 in the morning

The place to go when you want to have a great meal, amazing cocktails and unbelievable views of Matala caves !! We go every year and we will back tomorrow ! Can’t wait to have the delicious mousaka one more time !!

After a great walk at the Red Beach, there is nothing better than a stop at the Hakuna Matata!! Very friendly staff. Great view. We shared their "Mix of fish for 2", that was delicious! WE RECOMMEND ! (Ice creams were not as good as main course though...)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hakuna, a seafood restaurant located near the beach. The location of the restaurant was absolutely breathtaking, with a beautiful view of the rocks and beach from the outdoor seating area. The atmosphere of the restaurant was casual and laid-back, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff at Hakuna were incredibly friendly and welcoming. They were happy to make recommendations and ensure that our experience at the restaurant was enjoyable. As for the food, it was absolutely delicious. We ordered a variety of seafood dishes and were blown away by the quality and flavor of each one. The portions were generous and we left feeling completely satisfied. Overall, I highly recommend Hakuna for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious seafood meal in a beautiful beachfront setting. The friendly staff and breathtaking location only add to the overall appeal of this wonderful restaurant.

Easy Hippie Cafe and restaurant. Great spot to have drinks and dinner before watching the sunset on the local beach

We came here thinking maybe the drinks will be nice...and then we kept coming back for the food!...and drinks...and lovely staff 😁

Best location in town, food is delicious and service is quick and welcoming.

Awful experience – complete rip-off! We were really disappointed. The pizza wasn’t just frozen, it also came with completely burnt edges. The fries were soggy and cold, the meat was totally tasteless, and the salad looked thrown together without any care. The beautiful view and atmosphere were completely ruined by the terrible food and unfriendly service. To top it off, they even charged an extra 50 cents “protection fee” – for what, nobody knows. Absolutely not worth it. Never again!

We found this on our first night here in Matala and came back every night we stayed here. The family is super welcoming and the food was absolutely incredible. The most authentic local dining experience! You have to try out their daily specials!

He showed us out because we moved table for cca 40 cm as not to sit in drought. I feel sorry for this waiter/ owner. I've been coming to Greece for over 40 years and never ever have I experienced such unkindness and bad manners. We ended up in a great place ( Petra&Votsalo), so thank you the rude man for showing us out !

We went to this restaurant for the view and expected to have a great experience but the food was utterly disappointing. I took grilled Tuna and asked for medium but instead got a dry well done piece of tuna. Tasted as if straight from deep fried to grill.. My wife ordered a vegetarian pizza and received a soggy excuse for a pizza which was not prepared long enough and we sent it back. After 10 minutes we received it again from the oven but the pizza was still tasting horrible and my wife decided to give up and stop eating before getting nauseous. The plate was taken away but no ask about what happened or if we enjoyed. We will recommend people to not go to this place if they want decent food but avoid and only look at the scenery, enjoy the sunset and take off to a place where you can enjoy good food.

Beautiful place in front of the sea, excellent food and big portions!

This place definitely deserves its 3 stars for the view, it is a very beautiful location with a view over the sea with the mountains as a backdrop. Unfortunately the food, compared to the other meals that we have had around Crete, wasn't that amazing. It was ok and priced quite fairly but, for us, nothing to write home about. We got the feeling that there was some frozen food used.

Outstanding experience, excellent and the best food! We had a big lunch to share with a company. All the food was unbelievably delicious, we had many different dishes. The offered wines were excellent, also the owner offered us to try some special limited wine from his cellar which was excellent too. The restaurant is located up on the rocks with the stunning views of the bay and beach with crystal clean waters. The owner was a very kind and nice person, very fun. And the waiters were very fast to serve us. Excellent experience, could add more. Added this restaurant to my best list and would love to come back again!

We had a wonderful lunch at Scala Restaurant in Matala. The location is absolutely beautiful — it sits slightly elevated, offering stunning views over the Matala Bay, the caves, and the beach. Whether you sit in the newer, more modern area or the more traditional section, every table has a lovely atmosphere and a great view. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, taking the time to explain the daily specials and recommend freshly caught fish and seafood options. We followed their suggestions and were really happy with our choices — everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Service was attentive and fast, and we also received great advice on the local wines. Prices are a bit on the higher side, but absolutely fair for the quality, service, and location. Overall, an excellent dining experience — highly recommended for anyone visiting Matala!

Tuna fillet and a fantastic shrimp pie made the traditional way (kalitsouni). The spot provides majestic Matala views… will definitely be back!

The best dining experience we had during our two weeks in Crete! We loved it so much that we went back the next day — and it was excellent both times. The food was fresh and perfectly prepared, and the service was professional, kind, and attentive, especially with the wine recommendations. They truly deserve my highest praise 🫶

Lovely owner (and wife), incredible experience in a beautiful setting. Fresh, delicious food and special nattie wine recommendation that nailed it. Thank you!

Restaurant with amazing view, delicious And fresh food! Friendly staff. Small trest after food was on the house And we loved it ♥️ little bit pricey but all was totally Worth it! Had best octopus in my life

A culinary delight! Everything was great, from the appetizers, to the soup and the main course. I was most surprised by the asparagus, which was blanched to perfection. The staff was also nice and accomodating.

Cretan home cooking- served up by Mama in the kitchen. Chicken souvlaki with fresh cut fries had amazing flavor. The swordfish was tasty . Best of all was the homemade FRESH favas served up HOT! The best we experienced in Crete so far. The service is just ok as Mama needs time to make each order from scratch. So expect a leisurely meal. Best to make a reservation, because even if the restaurant does not look fool, you will be denied service.

Giannis house is a small family run restaurant in Matala. Such a great experience dining here! The menu was hand written, with veg, meat and seafood options. The food was really tasty with good flavours. We ordered the fava, stuffed vegetables, Greek salad and calamari. Everything was really fresh !! Service was great, staff were very friendly and accomodating. You can tell it’s a family run restaurant with such a nice homey vibe. Very reasonable prices. The complimentary dessert was the best one I’ve had this trip! Highly recommend. It gets busy around 7:30-8 so go early if you want to get a table or make a reservation.

The best family restaurant in Matala, owner super nice and friendly always smiling. We were there 5 times during our trip here. Octopus salad 11/10, moussaka, beef stifado also very nice! Strongly recommend this place ♥️

I cannot recommend this restaurant enough !!! It was overflowing with people and the waiter and chef did an amazing job at looking after everyone despite it being so busy. We ordered lamb chops and they were INCREDIBLE. They were paired with fried potatoes and a delicious salad, and it was honestly one of the best meals of my life. Reasonably priced, lively and homely atmosphere and the highlight was the kindness of both the waiter and the chef, who were working so hard and were so nice to us.

I love trying. It's my second fave verb, next to succeeding. Here there's a lot of the trying and enough of the succeeding to tell you that this place is worth your...um...er...trying. Most of the dishes are good enough, without making us desperate to return. Yes, good moussaka, good pastitsio, bit better than good Greek salad, good lemon artichokes and yummy beer on tap. Ignore the powdery bread. The boss takes you order and is ably assisted.

Great experience, very kind staff and delicious food

Very cute place that we enjoyed a lot and ate well! There aren't so many options in Matala and originally we were looking for a place with a view of the sea--however after reading the reviews and seeing this place, we had a good feeling about it and we were right! Food was good and reasonably priced. The family that runs it was also very kind!

From the moment we arrived until the very end of our meal, the staff treated us with genuine kindness and attentiveness, something that’s not always easy to find, and truly makes a difference. Their warm hospitality set the tone for a wonderful evening. Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious and incredibly fresh. The fish, in particular, was cooked to perfection, tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented. To top it all off, we were offered complimentary dessert and fresh fruit by the house, a thoughtful gesture that left us smiling. 😊

Honestly just a btec 2 brothers which is located in the center of matala, while 2 friends is hiding in a corner of the town preying on unsuspecting tourists who are too polite to say anything. We decided to stop by for lunch and the waiter/waitresses seemed nice enough but as i sat down i noticed there's an ATM sitting auspiciously in the corner, how strange for an ATM to be a part of a restaurant, but we'll come back to why that's important in a second. Judging by the pictures on the menu associated with each item we ordered a pork schnitzel and a "special" omelette, both of which showed a dazzling display of greenery as garnish and potato wedges on the side of the schnitzel... What we received looked like a sad attempt to recreate the memory of such an item as if you had it on holiday as a starving 11 year old while your parents were together and your dad wasn't a cheating alcoholic... Anyway, the schnitzel was essential a hard slab of barely thawed meat that was contorted in such a way that it looked like its been drooping over the side of the freezer before they pulled it out and chucked it into a microwave, with no associated greens, and boring stale fries rather than what was shown. The omelette on the other hand was actually nice, but I assume that you can't freeze and thaw out an omelette so it was probably fresh, but still missing all the greens and tomatoes as shown on the picture, minus points though for the description being very thorough with the ingredients but the cook decided to throw feta cheese in there to surprise me as if it's my 17th birthday and I find my father with another woman. If I wantes feta I would have ordered something that has feta in the description. Finally, the bit that really ticked me off was that when I asked to pay the waiter gave me the receipt and then just ran off without saying anything, strange, but ok I'll go and pay up by the bar. This is the part that makes the ATM I noticed relevant. The manager I presume, as I finally got her attention, tells me I should have been told as I came in that their card machine is broken, but I can pay cash or revolut her or check or whatever, anyway the gears start turning in my head, turns out, according to other reviews that their card machine seems to have been broken the entire week. So I ask how I can revolut if the card machine is broken and the woman just goes on about how she doesn't get commission and I don't get commission or something, I was honestly confused because that's not what I asked. Anyway so I just take cash out of the dodgy ATM, (that charges me 5 euro transaction fee!!!) and go to pay, nicely enough the woman offers to give me the difference out of the till which to bre frank I appreciate so that's why I'm not rating it 1* but the food was a disappointment so 3*. Just be wary of the lack of communication about the "broken" card machine in such a tourist hotspot.

The whole experience was amazing. We went twice. The service was the best we experienced. So much knowledge from he waiters around the food and wines. Amazing location overlooking the cove. The food was the best we had. Would definitely recommend it and would definitely go again

We visited only shortly, but long enough to get disappointed. Menu is pricey, and even the milkshake that sounded as a good deal was somewhat boring, being nothing more than a scoop of ice cream blended with milk. Also they do not have card terminal, instead they send you to their ATM to get cash for 3,50€ withdrawal fee.

Okay food, somewhat pricey. Service OK. Can't knock the view, but there are nicer places nearby with the same view.

Tasteful food, and amazing view. The first waiter who served me was not that polite, since I was alone and he moved me to another table, though there was no one waiting, the restaurant was empty. However, I forgive them, for the sake of old time of hippies and hermits.

Very nice restaurant along the beautiful Matala bay. Delicious food and nice friendly staff. Good music from the 70-90’s on the background. Highly recommended

Actually, it's not a cave but a real restaurant where you can feel the hippies' spirit. The view towards Matala beach and the sand stone caves is nice. The food is perfect, the personal is polite, they speak almost all languages. It's worth visiting, especially after the hot day at the beach.

Our favourite bar/restaurant in Matala. Always a great service and the food and drinks are amazing. Regular live music and so close to the sea.

The best mussels of my life, super friendly service, and all of that in a beautiful atmosphere. It doesn’t get any better than this! 6/5 Thank you for this experience 🙏

Everything was delicious and the view was amazing! One of our favourite meals on Crete

The food was great The best clams I’ve ever eaten and make sure to get the option with the cream sauce Awesome Greek salad Calamari was 🔥 See ya next time!

Good restaurant at the beach, nice view to the sea and the caves.

Good cocktails and way too many shots there ! Big up to my favorite pirate dj ✌️ Yamas !

By far the best meal we have had in Crete. We had pizza/pasta/burger. The pizza was fresh, light dough and beautifully seasoned. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the burger was fresh, hand made and was very juicy. Would recommend to anyone visiting Matala, you will not be disappointed

Nice reception. Food is good, though I feel the portions here are smaller than in the rest of Matala. Cosy place, big and clean. Cigarette smoke from outside can be smelled, little bit unappetising. Few vegetarian options.

One of the best restaurants we’ve had during our stay in Crete. The restaurant was full as we arrived, we were offered to have a drink on the terrasse while we waited for a space. No more than 10 minutes after we were invited to sit inside. Lovely restaurant with super friendly staff, we weren’t sure about the wine, the server offered us to taste before we ordered. They have hands down the best musaka. We were offered a free desert which was also really nice. They are not on the seaside, which is actually a good thing as Matala was really windy. I reckon it’s best to book in advance, which you should do without hesitation, you will not regret it.

For starters: very nice location in the centre of Matala. The restaurant itself has a nice vibe and the waiters are very kind. We took the lamb chops and risotto, wich were by far the best meals we had during our stay on Crete.

We went for dinner; the waiters were not very polite and didn’t even look us in the face. When we wanted to ask for the bill, no one came over, so we went to the counter to pay, and conveniently the card machine wasn’t working — they forced us to pay in cash. €30 for a pizza, a gyros pita, and a bottle of water.

The food was OK, but it felt like conveyer-belt service. Once the waiters "hook" you in, and you get seated, they loose interest.

Beer with a fish taste. They either keep their glasses in the same freezer as fish or there is something wrong with the beer itself.