Discovering Cretan Food in Chania: A Special Dinner with Our Students
At our school in Chania, learning Greek is not limited to the classroom. Language and culture go hand in hand, and one of the best ways to experience Greek culture is through its food. That is why we recently invited our students to enjoy a traditional Cretan dinner together in the beautiful Old Port of Chania.
The evening took place at Faka, a traditional taverna located in the heart of the old harbor, popular with both locals and visitors. The restaurant’s name created one of the funniest moments of the evening. In Greek, the word “faka” means “trap,” and after explaining the meaning to the students, our teacher joked that they had all “fallen into the trap” — especially because everyone loved the food so much!
During the dinner, students had the opportunity to taste some of the most famous dishes of Crete and learn more about local gastronomy and traditions.
Among the dishes served were:
- Dakos — the famous Cretan barley rusk topped with tomato, olive oil, cheese, and oregano.
- Tzatziki — the beloved Greek yogurt dip with cucumber and garlic.
- Traditional slow-cooked goat meat, a classic Cretan meze full of rich flavors and local character.
- Snails, known in Crete as “χοχλιοί” (chochlioi), one of the island’s most traditional and unique specialties.
For many students, trying snails for the first time became one of the highlights of the evening! Beyond the food itself, the dinner created a wonderful atmosphere for conversation about Greek customs, local ingredients, family traditions, and the Mediterranean lifestyle.
As every authentic Cretan meal should, the evening ended with a glass of Tsikoudia, also widely known as raki, generously offered by the restaurant. Alongside it, the students enjoyed a delicious homemade chilled dessert, also offered by the taverna as a sweet farewell to a memorable evening.
Events like this allow our students not only to practice Greek in real-life situations, but also to experience the warmth of Greek hospitality and the rich culinary traditions of Crete. In Greece, food is much more than eating — it is about sharing, storytelling, friendship, and connection.
And this dinner in Chania was the perfect example of exactly that.