Everyone knows that Greece has been famous for the variety of its cuisine for a long time. It was in ancient Greece where the vegetarianism has emerged. The great philosophers of antiquity, such as Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato and Diogenes followed a vegetarian diet and wrote about its expediency and positive impact on the health of the body and soul.

The famous tourist portal VirtualTourist.com has made a rating of the most “vegetarian” countries in the word, based on a survey and reviews of tourists and taking into account the abundance of food and drinks as well as special cafes and restaurants for those who do not consume animal product. Greece has taken an honorable 6^th place in it.

The mere national cuisine of Crete has over 800 vegetarian dishes (about 150 suit vegans) therefore a vacation here is a real treat for a gourmet-vegetarian.

Today, the Mediterranean cuisine primarily includes fish dishes, meat and seafood. What to do and to eat if you prefer the vegetarian cuisine and have come to Crete? Even faced with this seemingly hopeless situation, you can just order a Greek salad and olives in every opportune and awkward case, and furthermore a hearty meal in a special vegetarian café, as well as trying tofu and vegan cheese, and also traditional Greek dishes.

Many restaurants and taverns on Crete offer a menu containing vegetarian dishes. There is a simple explanation to it: the natives are accustomed to fasting by the Orthodox Church dominant on the island, and therefore families prepare meals without meat. However, their menu was supplemented by dozens of recipes for cooking meatless dishes of vegetables and legumes. Use this local advantage, order so-called “orphan” meals (traditional local vegetarian dishes) when visiting restaurants and cafes.

On the island, it will not take much for you to regale yourselves with vegetarian dishes. There is restaurant “Ifigenia” with a lot of snacks, falafels and traditional Cretan dishes such as pie with dill. It is located in the city of Rethymno. Another vegetarian restaurant on the island is “The Third Eye” in the town of Paleochora. “To Stachi-Wheat” is the third vegetarian place located in Chania. You will be regaled there with traditional dishes, such as pies and pizzas, having a possibility to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere on the sea side.

We wish you an enjoyable holiday.