• In the village of Ammoudari, lamb with staka is more than a dish, it’s a story.
• Nektarios Tsitsiridis blends cooking, farming, and philosophy in his mountain kafeneio.
• A car gives you access to remote, authentic places like this, hidden in the heart of Crete.

👉 Explore authentic Crete by car, plan your drive at www.autoway.gr

Some Cretan moments can’t be found on a map.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7f1UpvYn1p5xCx899, a mountain village where the pace slows and life follows nature. Here, Nektarios Tsitsiridis runs a simple village kafeneio inside a century-old building. He serves dishes like lamb with staka, once made only in Cretan homes, and here, served publicly for the first time in the region. Raised among animals and mountains, Nektarios blends the knowledge of generations with a thoughtful, slow approach to food.

In his kitchen, tradition meets the rhythm of the land.

What’s on the menu depends on what the day brings, fresh artichokes, mountain greens, young goat. Every meze is seasonal, every plate personal. Nektarios wakes before dawn to milk his animals, harvest from the garden, and prepare lunch. The flavors are rough yet kind, rooted in his life as a shepherd and farmer. It’s not just cooking, it’s storytelling. You taste the terrain in every bite, from wild herbs to homemade graviera cheese from his cousin’s nearby creamery.

Getting to places like Askyfou.

Public transport doesn’t reach these upland villages. Having your own car lets you explore mountain roads and small plateaus freely. You’ll find space to park, just check out this Chania parking guide if you’re planning to stop in city before or after. For a smooth trip into the countryside, it’s smart to consider extra insurance, especially when driving through less-traveled routes.

This is more than travel, it’s a form of agrotourism.
By visiting places like Tsitsiridis’ kafeneio, you’re supporting a lifestyle that keeps Cretan food traditions alive. Read more about what agrotourism really means in Crete. Here, every meal is tied to the land. Every visit is a reminder that in Crete, food is never just food, it’s memory, landscape, and identity.

👉 Ready to experience Crete beyond the guidebooks? Find your road at www.autoway.gr.