Esperides Restaurant, Rapaniana, Kolymbari, Chania 73006
Set back from the main road between Tavronitis and Kolymbari, Esperides is charmingly quiet and free from road noise that can plague those tavernas that border the small, yet sometimes busy road. Found midway between the two towns it is signposted well and is well worth hunting out if you are in the area.
Like many Cretan restaurants it is a family run business and on any given evening you will find at least three generations of the family at Esperides, either helping out or visiting with family. This gives it a lovely relaxed atmosphere and the presence of the very friendly family adds a welcoming charm.
It has a large menu of Cretan/Greek dishes as well as a plethora of international dishes that cater for all tastes and all dishes are prepared freshly for their customers. It is one of those places where a family can sit and enjoy a meal next to a couple on their honeymoon and across from a table of locals without it becoming overpowering. This is because the tables have been laid out to give enough space between them to allow for a semblance of privacy for each. If you want to chat to your neighbours then a quick lean across is all that is required, and as many visitors to Esperides are friendly holiday makers there is always an opportunity to make new friends in this wonderful setting.
We visited to celebrate a friends birthday, and whilst we were there a family also arrived to celebrate their son's 10th birthday. Let's just say we had no shortage of cakes!
We ordered fried zucchini, saganaki cheese and bread and dips as starters to share and all were absolutely fantastic. For main courses I was pleasantly surprised to find sheftalia on the menu, not something I have seen in Crete that much so quickly ordered it and was given a big thumbs up by our waiter. Around the table was ordered a mixture of lamb chops, pork chop, mixed seafood dish (a huge plate!), spaghetti and a breaded chicken fillet with mushroom sauce.
The stand out dish was the sea food platter which is enough for two people to share and is a bargain price. I must also say the sheftalia was absolutely wonderful and tasted just how I recalled from my visits to Cyprus where I first came across this excellent meaty kebab plate. There were no complaints...or leftovers...from our table and everyone enjoyed the food which was devoured with relish! as the restaurant had become quite busy by the time our order was served it is nice to see that the service did not wane as can happen in some places. The same standard of food and the hospitality and friendliness of the owners and their family at Esperides throughout the evening is to be commended.
We shared a few kilo's of the house white wine, red wine and one or two beers and were also given a round of drinks on the house. Of course we also shared a raki (or two, or three) after the meal was over and as aforementioned there was plenty of cake to go around for everyone in the restaurant that night - which made a German couple on the table next to us very happy.
PROS
Great food and good value.
Try the seafood platter for a treat.
Wonderful hosts and friendly atmosphere.
Away from the road.
CONS
It is a shame it is only open in the summer-time
OVERALL
It is easy to see why Esperides is so popular with returning holiday makers and locals as it offers good value and great food in a decent location that is right in the heart of Rapaniana. If you are visiting Kolymbari or Tavronitis and want to enjoy a lovely meal then it is well worth a visit.