If you want to taste Cretan cuisine but can not travel to Crete you are at the right place. Laini means small vase for water in Greek. The staff (Yula and Michalis) is very friendly. The venue is small and decorated like the old-school tavernas, a friendly place where you can have delicious small plates to eat with wine, beers, or traditional artisanal raki from Crete (REALLY RECOMMENDED)!

I was craving snails (chochlious boubouristous in Greek) as they were in season, and they did not disappoint. If you prefer meat, then you have to order Apaki or Cretan sausages. For vegans and vegetarians, you have plenty of choices such as baked potatoes, fava, and fennel pie as well.

My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary. The music plays Cretan songs and mantinades all the time, a form of narrative or dialogue sung in the rhythm of accompanying music! So, if you first visit Athens, eat at Laini and I am pretty sure you will want to plan your next Greek destination to Crete!