About

Mitsos BBQ

Mitsos BBQ is not a restaurant that needs to advertise. Its reputation has spread through word of mouth for decades, maintained by a simple formula: exceptional quality Cretan meat, charcoal heat, and the kind of unpretentious setting where the food is the only thing that matters. The terrace is covered by an ancient vine that provides shade in summer, and the smell of the grill reaches you before you arrive.

The centrepiece is the spit roast lamb and kid goat, prepared in the traditional Cretan way over hardwood charcoal for several hours until the outside is crisp and caramelised and the interior falls from the bone. This is Easter Sunday food served every week. Alongside the spit come kokoretsi, the lamb offal wrapped in intestine and roasted on a separate spit, and various cuts grilled to order over charcoal.

Mitsos is best visited with a group. Order a full spit portion between four or five people, add some salad, bread, and the house wine, and prepare for a meal that will define the standard of Cretan grilled meat for every BBQ you attend afterwards. Portions are generous, the price is fair, and the atmosphere is relaxed and festive.

Essential Info

The Details

Location

Near Chania

Cuisine

Cretan Charcoal Grill

Price Range

€ to €€ (mains €9 to €18)

Reservations

Recommended on weekends

Hours

Lunch and dinner, closed Mondays

Atmosphere

The Legendary Cretan Charcoal Grill

What to Order

Must Try Dishes

🔥
Spit Roast Lamb — The main event. Order a portion (enough for 2 to 3 people) and wait. Worth every minute.
🍖
Kokoretsi — Lamb offal wrapped in intestine and roasted over charcoal. Traditional, powerful, and genuinely delicious.
🥩
Mixed Grill — Various cuts of Cretan raised pork and lamb over charcoal. Order as a supplement to the spit.
🥗
Village Salad and Bread — Order plenty of both. The bread is essential for the cooking juices and the salad balances the richness of the meat.

Insider Tips

What You Need to Know

👥Come with a group of four or more to justify the full spit order. It is not a restaurant for one or two people at full capacity.
⏰Arrive by 1 pm on weekends. The spit roast often runs out by mid afternoon and is not available again until the next service.
🍷Order the house red wine by the carafe. It is made locally and pairs perfectly with charcoal grilled meat.
🤙Call ahead to check spit availability and confirm opening hours, especially outside the main summer season.
🌿Start with a simple salad and horta. The meat is rich and the freshness of the vegetables is a welcome balance.

Getting There

Rent a Car — Explore Crete Freely

Mitsos is near Chania and best reached by car. Rent a vehicle and build a day that combines a west coast beach with an evening at the grill.

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