Chania has so many cafes, whether you’re looking for quiet alleys, beachfront views, local haunts or speciality cafes, you’ll find it all here. I was surprised by not only the number of cafes in Chania, but also their overall quality. I was rarely served a bad coffee.
These are my hand-picked cafes that I fell in love with during a summer in Chania. I go to a cafe every day (bad for my pocket but good for the economy). This is not a list of everywhere I went, it’s a list of cafes in Chania I truly enjoyed and wholeheartedly recommend.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase
What To Expect From Coffee In Crete
Coffee is a serious game in Greek culture, it’s a huge part of the day, a way to slow down, relax and actually socialise rather than just get a caffeine hit and move on. Greeks rank in the top 15 worldwide for coffee consumption, so this isn’t just me being dramatic about it.
There are two types of cafe in Greece. A kafeteria is your typical cafe, this covers everything from the trendy spots to the more simple, no frills ones. A kafeneio is more traditional, full of local regulars, usually retired men who come to play backgammon or just sit and chat for hours. These are easy to spot, if you see a place with a crowd of older men sitting outside, that’s a kafeneio.
Greeks have their own way of doing coffee, and once you get used to it, you’ll find yourself craving it back home. Freddo means iced.
- Freddo Cappuccino: espresso topped with creamy milk froth
- Freddo Espresso: espresso that’s been frothed up cold
- Frappe: espresso and ice, whipped up until it’s almost like a milkshake
- Greek Coffee: strong coffee served hot with the grounds settled at the bottom of the cup, boiled up in a briki
You will be asked how sweet you want your drink. I tended to say “tiny bit of sugar” which was around one teaspoon. But the standard is two teaspoons which I found too sweet. You can also get without any sugar.
Most places have two prices, one for sitting in and one for takeaway, and you’re generally looking at somewhere between €2.50 and €3.50 a cup.
Chania cafes the quick rundown
| Category | Why go | Price | Area | My pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee that always hits | Rich, smooth speciality coffee every time, no off days | $$$ | Old Town | Wild Child |
| Cafe in the park | Historic 1870 cafe in the Municipal Garden, sun-soaked terrace | $$$ | Municipal Garden | Kipos |
| Budget cafe | Traditional Cretan bougatsa, priced by weight, no frills | $$$ | Old Town | Bougatsa Chania |
| Local cafe | Off the tourist path, friendly owner, feels like a find | $$$ | Off Old Town | Pol Brew |
| Cafe with a view | Panoramic views over the whole city, famous sunset spot | $$$ | Halepa | Koukouvaya |
| Best food | Freshly sliced meats, huge focaccia, best sandwiches in Chania | $$$ | Old Town | Wake & Bake Sandwich Bar |
| Best dessert | Contemporary pastries that look like art, best gelato in Chania | $$$ | Old Town | Sketi Glyka |
| Healthy | Vegan, refined-sugar-free treats that don’t taste like it | $$$ | Old Town | Elli’s Healthy Specialities |
| Vibes | Lively, modern, all-day energy, beach views and great cocktails | $$$ | Nea Chora | Emis |
Cafes in Chania
1. Wild Child
If you only go to one cafe in Chania, make sure it’s Wild Child. On my daily walks by it, I nearly got whiplash from craning to look at the pastry case. I didn’t get a chance to go in that day, but it became a place I couldn’t help but return. Upbeat music, lots of outdoor seating overlooking the street and some cool indoor ones too, 30 minutes can easily turn into 2 hours here.
Serving rich and smooth speciality coffee, my go to was the freddo cappuccino. They are also one of few places I could find in Chania that serve matcha. Flavours including blueberry and dragonfruit.
The pastries are what differentiates Wild Child from Chania’s other cafes. Buttery danishes filled to the top with creamy tiramisu, white chocolate snickers where the peanut butter looks like it’s about to overflow, with cheese and bacon for those with a savoury tooth. If I could, I’d have the honeycomb croissant shipped to me weekly. Crispy on the outside, just enough for a nice crunch but too much where you are covered in flakes. Inside it is moist and airy. On top is a heavy serving of soft mascarpone, a drizzle of Greek honey and a few shards of honeycomb. Sharing it with my fiancée, there was quiet tension when it came to handing the plate back.
RELATED: Where To Stay In Chania, Crete (Areas & Hotels) →
2. Sketi Glyka
Sketi Glyka is where you come for a slow afternoon, because it’s an experience rather than just a quick caffeine fix and a spark of sugar. It’s a place where you kick yourself for not having a book with you. These guys do luxurious pastries, you know the ones where they almost look too good to eat. Word to the wise, prepare for passersby to do double takes, for a second my head got big then I realised all the attention was for the goods on the table.
Excuse my cheesiness, but these contemporary desserts resemble art more than food. The tiramisu is shaped like a gigantic coffee bean, the lemon tart: a bright yellow pillow or the bright pink la vie en rose ready to overflow with passionfruit and caramel. The cakes don’t just look good, they are made from local, seasonal ingredients, with cocoa sourced from French chocolatier Valrhona.
I went for the salty and sweet as the waitress told me it was their most popular one. The long, log shaped tart has a biscuit base, filled with mascarpone that is glazed with milk chocolate, and sprinkled with local Fleur de sel. I enjoy food with texture, this married both crunchy and soft, and salty and sweet. The salt only registers on your tongue in the last bite, cutting through the sweet mascarpone.
The freddo cappuccino’s silken froth top was almost as thick as the gelato, which you should not miss out on. The gelato here is not an after thought that they slicked onto the menu, it’s high quality, handmade, artisanal, authentic gelato. The steel containers are a strong indicator that some bad ass gelato is about to be whipped up. They have a few unique flavors such as almond kumquat, sour cream cherry and cinnamon apricot. I went for the cinnamon apricot which was creamy, the sweetness came from the little bits of apricot and the good kick of cinnamon. It’s the best gelato in Chania.
Sitting in a cobblestoned alleyway, shielded from the summer sun, “Dreams” by the Cranberries playing just added to an already top tier experience.
3. Red Jane Bakery
Red Jane Bakery’s facade gives no indication of what is inside, it is more akin to an abandoned building than a trendy bakery. But the typically long line out the door makes it clear that this is exactly where you want to be. Arguably the most popular cafe in Chania, I don’t know about you but it was all over my social media, and for once the hype was justified.
The first thing you see when you walk through the door is the large display case of sourdough loaves, focaccia and a long line of uniform pastries. This is no place for willpower or diets.
We lived near here during our last month in Chania, and got to know the products a little too well. The caramel coated choux was the stand out, a crisp pastry filled with thick cream and then saturated in a caramel sauce that hardens. So many different textures in each bite. I also recommend their focaccias, the bread has a nice crisp to it and they are generous with the fillings. It’s a good beach snack. There’s also a few vegan options, the vegan banana bread is delicious, so moist with a subtle chocolate flavour.
The coffee is also good, however it’s not a place you can stay for long. Inside there is just a small wooden bench and a counter to stand at, while outside there is a bench but typically it’s wrapped by a queue of people.
4. Kipos
If you can only visit one cafe in Chania, make sure it’s this one. Kipos cafe is the most historical cafe in the city, dating back to 1870, a host of notable figures have passed through the doors, such as the High Commissioner of Crete, Prince George of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos and many more. Their photos are displayed along the walls along with the date they visited. I didn’t recognise any of them, but I believe if you’re from this side of Europe you’ll recognise one or two.
Located in the peaceful Chania Municipal Garden, it’s part of the Historic Cafes Route, a group of 70+ European cafes which have played an important role in shaping Europe’s cultural history. There are lots of places to sit inside, or you can sit out on the sun soaked terrace.
Every inch of this cafe feels like it’s a time capsule to the past, from the antique wooden chairs, draped curtains, and dim lighting to the vintage gramophone player sitting on the bar, the ornate Victorian ceramic basins in the bathroom and the staff dressed in suits. Kipos’s Belle Époque interior could easily contend with Vienna’s grand cafes.
There is an extensive coffee menu with all the classics and then some, such as espresso con panna (with cream), Nescafe frappe with brandy, and cappuccino with whipped cream and chocolate. We ordered the iced Chocolate Viennous and the regular frappe. The Chocolate Viennous stood out, it was incredibly rich, a large glass of thick chocolate cream topped with whipped cream. It was the perfect Sunday pick me up. Along with your drink, you can also order waffles and cake, but the Chocolate Viennous felt like dessert to me.
5. Koukouvaya
The most famous cafe in Chania, with views over the whole city and one of the best sunset spots around, this is no hidden gem. Located on a hill beside Venizelos Grave in Halepa, you’re hit with the bright blue of the Mediterranean Sea the moment you walk in. Step out to the terrace and Chania unfolds on the left: the colourful buildings of the Venetian harbour, the lighthouse, the beaches, and the mountains further in the distance.
Koukouvaya translates to owl, which makes sense once you spot the countless cute owl ornaments scattered throughout the cafe. For somewhere this famous, it still feels cosy and relaxing. Their forte is desserts, and you have to try one. The most popular is Zoumero, a rich, gooey Greek chocolate cake known for how moist it is, drenched in chocolate sauce. I’m still not over the pistachio hype, so I ordered the Dubai Ice: a decadent ball of vanilla ice cream, coated in crunchy shredded phyllo pastry (kataifi) and saturated in thick pistachio sauce. It was delicious, and felt incredibly self-indulgent.
I’d recommend coming for sunset if you can, but keep in mind this is Koukouvaya’s busiest time, so arrive a bit early to grab a good seat for the best place to see the sunset in Chania. There are no reservations, it’s walk-in only.
Desserts are the specialty, but they also do sandwiches and salads if you’re not after something sweet. They’re open 9 AM to midnight and serve cocktails too.
You can’t reach it on foot from Chania town, but the area has plenty to see, including Venizelos Graves and the neighbourhood of Halepa, lovely for a wander among its fancy neoclassical buildings.
How to get here: Bus 11 drops you right at the door. It departs from PL. 1866 every hour and takes 20 minutes. Alternatively, bus 18 runs every 20 minutes from PL 1866 and drops you off an 8 minute walk from Koukouvaya, though you can cut through Venizelos Graves for a scenic shortcut. Both routes cost €1.80 if paid in advance via the app, or €2.80 if bought on board.
RELATED: Best Beaches Near Chania Crete (Walking Distance from the Old Town) →
6. Pol Brew
A little bit off the main tourist path. Pol, the owner and barista, is super friendly and knows the art of making the perfect coffee. Smooth and robust with a creamy foam, I came here when I needed a proper kick start to my day.
The terrace at the back has such a peaceful atmosphere, you could easily lose hours here, helped by the canopy shielding you from the sun. I also found it to be laptop friendly, with WIFI and a few plug sockets.
7. Monogram
Monogram has two locations in Chania, and both are always buzzing. This was another cafe I found myself revisiting again and again. The coffee was always on point, I typically went for a double cappuccino or a freddo cappuccino.
The coffee is the same at both locations, but the vibes couldn’t be more different. The 1866 Square location is the bigger of the two, with a terrace, indoor seating with AC, plugs for laptops, and a balcony on the second floor, ideal if you want to settle in for a while. The old town location doubles as a cocktail bar, it’s outdoor seating only, usually blasting some funky tunes, and felt like it pulled in more locals than tourists.
Old Town →
8. Elli’s Healthy Specialities
Indulgent treats that are not super bad for you – sign me up. That’s exactly what Elli’s Healthy Specialities is about. Everything is made from 100% natural ingredients, all free from refined sugar, gluten and lactose! Nothing is baked, and is only sweetened with coconut sugar and agave. These are some of the most delicious desserts you will find in Chania.
I visited about once per week, when I stayed nearby, typically during the mid-day slump and it always hit the spot. You have to try the peanut caramel and tiramisu. The caramel was so thick and flavourful, while the cream in the tiramisu was smooth and velvety. Unless you were told, you’d never guess it’s all vegan.
You pay per weight, but the prices are very good, on one occasion I got three and they came to around €5. Don’t be fooled by their small size, these are decadent bites. I’ve never been anywhere else like this, usually I am let down by vegan sweet treats, but these are top tier.
Unfortunately Elli’s doesn’t serve coffee, but there are plenty of cafes nearby to grab some caffeine like Monogram, Pol or Wild Child which are all a short walking distance away.
9. To Brikaki / Το Μπρικακι
A hot and sweaty walk back from lunch in July, I spotted these seats in the shade, with 80’s music drifting out from the bar, how could I walk on by. Located down a cute but busy alley, Το Μπρικακι is somewhere you come for a quick coffee, then find yourself losing an extra hour or two. It’s a place set up for people watching.
The Greek coffee here gives you a strong kick of caffeine. It’s robust and not bitter, which sometimes I find espresso type drinks to be. I didn’t end up ordering, but the brunch menu looked excellent. The Ice Burger Lotus Biscoff is a standout: a brioche bun topped with vanilla ice cream, swimming in Biscoff sauce. For something savory, the pastrami sandwich looked like a solid pick too.
There is seating inside too, with AC. It’s pretty cool, it’s a nice mix between a traditional cafe and a cocktail bar.
10. Giorgio’s Kantine (Beach)
This is hands down one of my favourite cafes I have ever been to. It’s nothing fancy but you cannot beat the vibes, they are, by no exaggeration, immaculate. Giorgio’s Kantine is perfectly placed on the sandy Yannis Beach, about 5km from Chania Old Town. Sit under a parasol on the sand with nothing but ocean views and the sound of cicadas.
Their coffee is actually good, which given their location it doesn’t need to be, but it is. The freddo cappuccino had consistently creamy froth. They also do toasties and pizza, and have a fridge stocked with beer and bottled cocktails, plus Aperol Spritz and a few other cocktails made to order.
To get here it’s a 55 minute walk from Old Town or a 15 minute bus journey on the number 21.
11. Kross
Kross Coffee Roasters is trendy, laptop friendly and yeah, a bit more expensive than most cafes in Chania, but the atmosphere earns every extra euro. They give you water without even asking, the coffee is properly specialty, and the baked cheesecake is rich enough that you’ll want to order a second slice just to be sure it was that good the first time. They’ve also got a Kyoto style iced drip coffee that pre brews slowly in this tower contraption, half science experiment, half coffee, and I couldn’t stop watching it work while I waited.
They’re actually listed in the top 100 coffee shops in the world, so it’s not just me talking it up.
There are 3 locations around Chania. My go to was the one on Platia Eleftherias, which strangely reminded me of a cafe you’d find in Hoi An or Hanoi. It’s got a huge terrace covered by trees and just has such a good vibe to sit in for a few hours. The next best is near Nea Chora, which is two stories, with cool counter seating downstairs and a lounge area upstairs. There’s also a big courtyard if you’d rather sit outside.
Locations:
12. Nafsithea
Nafsithea is a 15 minute walk from old town in the cute little Tabakaria neighbourhood, and it’s the cafe to visit when you’ve got a few hours to just unwind. It sits a few metres from the sea, close enough that the only sound you get is lapping waves. It’s such a peaceful spot, honestly the perfect place to visit once all the sightseeing around Crete has worn you out. I even had a crab wander past while I was sitting there.
The coffee is excellent, and alongside the usual classics they also do filter and traditional Greek coffee. They also have a good food menu with a mix of sandwiches, salads and classic Cretan dishes. I tried the pasticcio, which had a properly flavourful mince base under a velvety bechamel topping, one of the better pasticcios I’ve had in Crete.
13. Prodigal Son
Overlooking Koum Kapi Beach, Prodigal Son is a laid back spot that nails both the atmosphere and the value. The freddo cappuccino was one of the most generous we were served anywhere, a towering glass of velvet smooth froth that basically set the tone for the whole meal before we’d even ordered food.
The food matches the coffee’s energy, unfussy, local, and surprisingly good. Don’t leave without trying the zucchini balls, easily the best we had anywhere in Chania. Crispy on the outside, soft and slightly gooey inside, and paired with a spicy mayo dip that made them dangerously easy to keep eating.
14. Woodstock
Sitting at the top of Nea Chora, Woodstock is lively, modern, warm and stylish, the kind of spot that just gets the vibe right. It’s an all day venue too, open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 AM, so whatever time you roll up you’re covered. Fair warning though, it does get very busy, so keep an eye on the lunch menu times if you’re planning around a specific meal.
The food here is genuinely good, we ended up coming back a few times. If you’re after something healthy, the yogurt bowl was so filling and delicious. I also loved the chicken salad with quinoa and crispy chicken. Bobby tried the double burger and his only complaint was that he couldn’t fit it all in his mouth. The pancakes look insane too, especially the red velvet, which I sadly didn’t get around to trying.
15. Emis
A stone’s throw from Woodstock, Emis is much smaller but makes up for it with a great view right on the beach, all set to a backdrop of house music.
The focaccia is crispy and overflowing with myzithra cheese and mortadella, washed down with an Aperol it was the perfect combo. Their cocktail menu is creative too, I’d recommend the signature Emis cocktail, made with mango, passionfruit and rum. The frappe was delicious as well, honestly everything we tried here hit the mark.
16. Grain
Small but mighty, this place is worth knowing about if you’re after good coffee, even if it’s better suited to takeaway than a long sit down. The interior is simple and there’s no real outside space beyond a small bench, but that coffee makes up for it.
The porridge is a real highlight, cooked to order with creamy chocolate and peanut butter, topped with homemade granola, and the portions are generous. I had a flat white with oat milk which was perfectly balanced in flavour and texture. Only two tables to dine in, so it does lean towards grab and go, but a lovely stop either way. Good to know half the menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly too.
17. Oea
Finding the entrance to Oea nearly defeated me. The alleys of Chania’s old town have a way of swallowing you whole with narrow lanes folding back on themselves, signs half-faded by salt and sun. But the promise of a lazy afternoon and a view of the harbour kept me circling back. I paced the same stretch of street what must have been three or four times, peering into doorways and second-guessing my map, before I finally spotted it: an unassuming staircase tucked between two shopfronts, easy to miss if you weren’t already looking for it.
One thing worth knowing before you set out: Google Maps lists this place as Cafe Thea, but the signage outside reads Oea. Same café, two names, which is confusing if you’re trying to match what’s on your phone to what’s in front of you. The entrance can be found here.
The climb is short but steep, Chania’s harbour opens up below you like a painting, the bright, almost impossible blue of the water, the orange dome of the Küçük Hasan Mosque catching the afternoon light, the slim white finger of the lighthouse pointing out to sea, and the colourful restaurants curving around the port in a tidy little arc. This is the view that justifies every wrong turn it took to find it.
I ordered a cappuccino and a piece of baklava and settled in. The coffee came smaller than I’m used to, closer to an espresso topped with a little foam than the oversized mugs I’d been served elsewhere, but it was robust. The baklava was a generous slab, sticky with syrup and heavy with chopped nuts, dense enough to share if you were the sharing type. I wasn’t.
This is the most expensive cafe I visited in Chania, however given the views and touristy location it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. A cappuccino was €6.
18. Bougatsa Chania
This shop only serves one thing, traditional Cretan Bougatsa, a good sign if you ask me. You buy by portion and then they charge by weight using metal weights on a traditional scale to work out the price.
Their bougatsa is made in a truly traditional Cretan style with mizithra cheese. This is different to what you find in other parts of Greece, where custard cream is the filling. Cretan bougatsa isn’t sweet on its own, so you can add as much sugar or cinnamon as you prefer. The pastry is crunchy and flaky, oozing with cheese. It’s best covered in lots of sugar and cinnamon, the sweet and savoury taste is so good.
We took a seat outside on a sunny day and really enjoyed the traditional bougatsa along with some good old Greek coffee. Although many tourists like myself drop by, there were plenty of locals too.
19. Wake & Bake Sandwich Bar
You will not find better sandwiches in Chania, trust me, I tried. Wake & Bake does the most extravagant crispy focaccia, filled to the brim with high quality ingredients, prepared freshly in front of you. None of the meat is precut, instead it is sliced from a large joint right in front of you. I really liked this aspect, it felt similar to an Italian sandwich shop.
There’s so much to choose from, but the Cretan Dandy was my favourite with thick porchetta, pistachio pate, tomato and sweet red pepper sauce. A close second was the Sweet Heat, prosciutto, local myzithra, tomato and a punchy chilli jam. They also do arabica coffee.
Prices are excellent, every sandwich is under €9. And they’re huge. You could easily share one between two people. It’s more of a grab and go spot, there aren’t many seats. But it makes the best beach lunch.
Thank you for reading my pick of the best cafes in Chania. I hope you find something you like 🙂