Seemor
Tempelis
Meramvelou 2 &, Milatou 6, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
· Restaurant, Small plates restaurant
· 4.5/5 Google (2982 reviews)
Reservations · Takeout · Outdoor seating
Bustling Cretan spot for affordable meze and grills in a pedestrian square; great value and lively vibe, but portions run small and quality can be inconsistent at peak times.
Restaurant Summary
Set in a pedestrian nook of Heraklion, Tempelis hums with lively taverna energy. Servers hand you a paper menu to tick off meze and grills, plates arrive fast, and a sweet touch of complimentary raki and dessert caps many meals. As one diner put it, "quality food at a great price in a cozy square," though peak times can bring service hiccups and smallish portions. Cooking leans traditional Cretan—fried zucchini, fava, grilled octopus, mixed grills—more comforting than showy. When the kitchen is on song, octopus is tender and meze pop with fresh flavors; off nights can mean inconsistent seafood doneness or underseasoned plates. Think shared plates, simple ingredients, and value over bells and whistles. For families, the menu is naturally kid-friendly: spaghetti with meatballs (€8.20), fries (€4.50), gyros plates (€10.90), grilled chicken (€8.60), and mild salads. Portions skew small, so plan an extra dish or two. Expect a bread charge and enjoy the on-the-house sweets if offered.
At a Glance
- Great value meze and grills with complimentary raki/dessert
- Charming pedestrian square with lively outdoor seating
- Portions run small; budget for extra dishes
- Seafood doneness inconsistent during busy periods
- Creative/fusion menu - not traditional comfort food
What Sets It Apart
- paper_tick_sheet_ordering
- complimentary_raki_and_dessert
- pedestrian_square_setting
What People Love
- Complimentary dessert and raki closing the meal
- Crisp fried zucchini that eats like chips
- Tick-sheet ordering that keeps things simple
- Value pricing in a central location
Points of Concern
- Portions can be smaller than nearby venues; order extra meze to share
- Seafood and fry execution varies at peak times; some reports of over/undercooking
- Bread is charged; water not automatically provided per some reviews
- Review patterns show signs of potential manipulation (some generic extremes), which may not reflect typical diner experience
Service & Dining Experience
Service StyleTable Service
Average Cost€22-35 per person
ReservationsRecommended
What to Order
- For vegetarians: Fava, briam, dolmadakia, salads, zucchini balls, spicy cheese dip
- For seafood fans: Grilled octopus starter, seafood risotto (€13.60) when kitchen is steady
- Families: Spaghetti with meatballs (€8.20), fries (€4.50), gyros plates (€10.90)
Perfect For
- Casual meze crawl in old town
- Affordable group dinner with sharing plates
- Quick lunch between sights
- Easygoing family meal outdoors
Location Insights
Area: Pedestrian old-town square popular with visitors and locals; lively cafes and tavernas with outdoor seating.
Safety: Generally safe, busy foot traffic; typical tourist center vigilance advised.
Nearby: Near shopping streets, historical sites, and main squares drawing steady tourist flow.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Monday12:00–03:00
Tuesday12:00–03:00
Wednesday12:00–03:00
Thursday12:00–03:00
Friday12:00–03:00
Saturday12:00–03:00
Sunday12:00–03:00
Available: Reservations, Takeout, Outdoor seating
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