Ivgoritis Mezedhopolio serving the tastiest examples from the Cretan Diet…Douliana is a little off the beaten track but boasts some of the best scenary in the whole of the Greek Island of Crete and is well worth a visit. There are a number of luxury villas offering holiday accommodation in the summer months that blend well into the village architecture and rustic quaint atmosphere.
Not strictly a taverna as the Ivgoritis is a traditional Mezedhopolio which means it serves small dishes named mezes or mezedhes from the Cretan diet. Along with a range of refreshing drinks like the local beer Mythos or stronger stuff like Tskoudia, (Raki) and Ouzo.
For example locally grown and collected Horta, (wild greens) are steamed and simply served drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil. Simple and tasty and full of nutrients.
See more about Horta here. The Ivgoritis also uses horta in its small filo pastry Greens Pies which are melt in the mouth delicacies. Also try the small cheese pies which again are very delicious. Another very local dish offered on the menu is that of Fava which is cooked yellow split peas with olive oil. For meat lovers there is also plenty of good value choices at the Ivgoritis including grilled chicken, lamb chops and pork Soulvaki. Order any of these with a plate of home prepared and freshly cooked chipped potatoes and you'll have a fabulous feast overlooking one of the best views on the island.
This gorgeous little place is open every day from lunchtime until late except Tuesdays. Sit outside and you are assured a panoramic view of the valley beneath with its pine trees, cypress trees, olive grove and citrus groves.
We strongly advise you to visit the Ivgoritis if you are in or around Douliana to sample some true Cretan Diet fare. To learn more about the Cretan Diet and how it can help you live a longer and healthier life then we highly recommend Cretan Cooking brilliantly written and photographed by Nikos and Maria Psilakis. With 265 easy to follow recipes with wonderful colour photographs this recipe book is a must have for all lovers of Crete, the Cretan Diet and healthy food. The miracles of the Cretan diet, the most wholesome cuisine of the Mediterranean are unfolded in this great little recipe book. Cretan cooking has been described as the best and complete healthy diet in the world. Scientific studies confirm that people of the Island of Crete in Greece has the lowest mortality rate of Coronary diseases which is attributed to their diet. This book contains ingredients and recipes that will help you shed your weight and also improve your quality of life. Thousands of people all over the world are using this book as a guide to good and healthy cooking and living. International scientific researchers have proved that Cretan cooking offers people good health and long life. It is based more on the consumption of plenty of olive oil, vegetables, wild greens, pulses and cereals and less on the consumption of meat. Nevertheless, this does not mean that it is lacking in taste. Cretan dishes send forth fine flavours and tastes which can still be felt in the villages of the island. In this book you will find the main recipes which have been preserved on Crete for centuries, and which, together with the way of life, constitute what is called today "the miracle of the Cretan diet".
"Eat like the Cretans and you will live longer... A precious book, an encyclopaedia on the traditional nutrition of the Cretans, which hides many secrets to good health, well being and longevity" - ETHNOS NEWSPAPER, Athens, Greece "It is a marvellous and precious collection of traditional recipes which the authors have gathered with great zeal..." - TA NEA NEWSPAPER, Athens, Greece
"A wonderful collection of authentic traditional and contemporary Cretan recipes, rich in historical content" - Magazine SAVEUR, USA
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