Taverna Galera

🇬🇷 Ταβέρνα Γαλέρα
📍Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Eatery type: upscale taverna
Food: Seafood and meat
Vegetarian score: 🌱🌱
Quantity score: 🥣🥣🥣
Quality score: ✅✅
Housewine score: 🍷🍷🍷
Location score: 🗺️🗺️🗺️
Parking score: 🅿️🅿️
Ambience/comfort score: 💺💺💺
Outdoor score: ⛱️⛱️⛱️
Kids score: 👦👦👦
Service score: 💁💁💁
Price level: €€
Overall score: ⭐⭐
Score system
Intro to Cretan eateries
Cretan diet guide

Taverna Galera (in Greek “Ταβέρνα Γαλέρα”) is an upscale taverna situated in one of the nicest seafront locations of the city of Rethymno. The taverna enjoys fabulous views of the city and the coast and is very pleasant both in winter and summer. We almost feel compelled to enjoy seafood at such great seafront location. The signature dish of Taverna Galera is the shrimp “kritharoto“, i.e., risoni pasta cooked in shrimp broth. The shrimp pasta (“garidomakaronada“) is also great. Cuttlefish with greens (“soupies me maratha“) is also a must try when available. The taverna also serves very well grilled fresh squid (“kalamari psito“) and good pan fried fish, such as red mullet (“barbouni“) or “koutsomoura“, a smaller type of red mullet. Salads are hefty, intricate and delicious, encompassing a lot of what the Cretan vegetable garden offers. Worth trying are also the smaller meze style dishes, such as wild green pies (“chortopites“) and the spicy feta dip (“tirokauteri“), which is a great accompaniment to seafood. In summary, this taverna is a great place to relax while enjoying a seafood or meat based Cretan style meal with wonderful views.

Cuttlefish with greens (“soupies me xorta”): a very typical Cretan dish

Location

Taverna Galera is situated at a prime seafront location in the western outskirts of Rethymno (Κoumpes area). It offers exceptional views of the coast and the city, especially from the seafront tables. Although it is quite far from the city centre (approximately 20 minutes on foot), it deserves a 3 out of 3 location score (🗺️🗺️🗺️) due to the great views it offers. There is a designated parking area. Note that is downhill (quite a challenge to access it) and gets crowded at peak times and seasons, e.g., in the month of August. We give it a 2 out of 3 car parking score (🅿️🅿️ ).

Ambience, comfort, decor

The restaurant was recently renovated and offers a really warm and cozy ambience. The indoor area features a fireplace and stone walls which make it warm and attractive. There is plenty of space and the seating area is comfortable, resulting in a 3 out of 3 ambience/comfort score (💺💺💺). The outdoor protected terrace offers great views to the city and the coast, especially in summer months, resulting in a well deserved 3 out of 3 outdoor score (⛱️⛱️⛱️). The restaurant is children friendly as it has a comfortable seating area, has kids seats and even features a small play area, resulting in a 3 out of 3 kids score (💁💁💁).

Food, quality, quantity

The restaurant offers a wide range of both seafood and meat based Cretan dishes. There are also some daily specials depending on the season. The restaurant can certainly cater for pescatarians, therefore receiving a 2 out of 3 vegetarian score (🌱🌱). The portions are very big and quality is in principle good (although it can sometimes go missing at peak times), resulting in a 3 out of 3 quantity score (🥣🥣🥣) and 2 out of 3 quality score (✅✅). There is great quality Greek house wine served in a carafe, resulting in a 3 out of 3 housewine score (🍷🍷🍷).

We almost feel compelled to enjoy seafood at Taverna Galera due to its great seafront location. The signature dish is the shrimp “kritharoto”, which is risoni pasta (“kritharaki“) cooked in shrimp broth. The shrimp pasta (“garidomakaronada“) is also great. Cuttlefish with greens (“soupies me maratha“) is also a must try when available. The taverna also serves very well grilled fresh squid (“kalamari psito“) and good pan fried fish, such as red mullet (“barbouni“) or “koutsomoura“, a smaller type of red mullet. Salads are hefty, intricate and delicious, encompassing a lot of what the Cretan vegetable garden offers. Worth trying are also the smaller meze style dishes, such as wild green pies (“chortopites“) and the spicy feta dip (“tirokauteri“), which is a great accompaniment to seafood.

Service

Service is very good, friendly, fast, attentive, deserving a 3 out of 3 service score (💁💁💁).

Treats at no extra charge

Offered treats include Cretan nibbles in the beginning before ordering, orange pie (“portokalopita“) with ice cream for dessert as well as good quality raki.

Starter nibbles: “dakos” hard bread, olives, sour Cretan ricotta (“xinomizithra”) and freshly ground tomatoes.

Reservation advice

Although the restaurant has a high capacity, reservation is recommended at peak times and seasons, such as Sunday lunchtimes or anytime in August.

Price and overall score

The price is fairly reasonable for the ambience and the quantities you get; expect to pay around € 25,00 per person including drinks with housewine choice (price level: €€). Note that it is an upscale restaurant and therefore more expensive than average in Rethymno. It is also located in the more upmarket restaurant area of Koumpes. The overall score, reflecting the offered value for money, is 2 out of 3 stars (⭐⭐).