There are hundreds of books and articles about the benefits of traditional Cretan cuisine. It is, indeed, a healthy diet, olive oil and fresh seasonal vegetables being the basis of most dishes on the typical Cretan table, and no one should leave the island without trying some of these delicious local specialities.
Vegetarians will also find a lot to choose from on the menu. Vegetable dishes play a major part in the Cretan diet. Not always so attractive to the eye, the flavours are sure to have you mopping up those last morsels with that chunk of freshly baked bread (yes, it’s allowed…and very Greek!)

Snacks and ‘faster foods’.
Of course, one thing everyone should try is a ‘Gyropita’; meat, yogurt and salad wrapped in hot pita bread and found in little shops called ‘souvlatzidika’ (recognized by the large ‘towers’ of meat sizzling in front of the hot grill by the window.

A meal in itself and bordering on addictive. Quick, easy, relatively cheap and very filling, the ‘gyro’ has become an almost essential part of the Greek way of life today. Vegetarians too, need not be left. Order a ‘patatopita’, which is all of the above without the meat. Try it.
Individual pies-cheese, greens or a mixture of both-are also delicious and a real gap-filler whilst you’re on the move.
A fancy for something sweet? Why not try a ‘bougatsa’-a creamy pie, served warm, with a sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon, or ‘loukoumades’-little dough fritters doused in a honey and cinnamon syrup. Go on, spoil yourself. You can count the calories when you get home.