The 2025 Greek Cuisine Awards, part of the long-standing Golden Chef’s Hat (Χρυσοί Σκούφοι) institution, were presented on Wednesday, April 2nd, at the Makedonia Palace hotel in Thessaloniki by Athinorama magazine.
Now in their eighth year as a standalone awards program based in Thessaloniki—and with decades of influence in shaping Greece’s culinary landscape—the Greek Cuisine Awards recognized 88 restaurants this year for celebrating Greek flavors, whether through traditional or modern interpretations.
Chefs and restaurant owners traveled from across the country to receive their honors in person.
The iconic Varoulko Seaside in Piraeus once again claimed the title of Best Greek Cuisine Restaurant in Greece, scoring 16/20. Close behind with 15.5/20 were Selene in Santorini and Noble Gourmet in Rhodes.
The Cyclades led the pack with 22 award-winning restaurants, while Northern Greece (including Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, and Thrace) followed with 20 distinctions—together accounting for nearly half of the evening’s awards. As always, the ceremony featured its fair share of surprises and shifts: nine restaurants lost their titles due to lower scores this year, while 15 newcomers made their debut, including five from Athens and four from the Peloponnese.
From Crete, 11 restaurants received awards for 2025. Here’s the full list with their ratings:
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Cremnos, Hotel Acro Suites, Agia Pelagia – 14.5/20
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Elaia, Hotel Kapsaliana Village, Kapsaliana – 14.5/20
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Ferryman, Elounda – 14.5/20
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Hasika, Rethymno – 14.5/20
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Taverna Daios Cove, Hotel Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Agios Nikolaos – 14.5/20
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The Yacht Club, Hotel Elounda Mare, Elounda – 14.5/20
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Alekos, Armenoi – 14/20
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O Leventis, Ano Stalos – 14/20
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Onisimos, Peza – 14/20
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Peskesi, Heraklion – 14/20
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Chrysostomos, Chania – 14/20
These distinctions confirm Crete’s growing reputation as a culinary destination, where local ingredients and tradition meet creativity and skill in the kitchen.