A Journey of Cretan Flavors, Wines & Spirits
The Feast
- Inform us during checkout about allergies & vegetarianism. Everything will be adjusted. We do not accommodate vegans.
- All our ingredients are locally sourced and 100% organic. Everything is cooked or seared in extra virgin olive oil.
- We deep-fry exclusively on light olive oil, we do not use any commercial vegetable oils.
The Pairings
Tsikoudia
Crystal-clear Cretan tsikoudia has gentle grape aromas on the nose with light herbal hints, while the palate is smooth, warm and clean. It is made by distilling fermented grape pomace in small copper stills, following the traditional method used across Crete for generations.
Rhoditis
Rhoditis, a white grape variety, produces wines with fresh fruity aromas and lively acidity, while its expression changes according to altitude and winemaking style. In mountain vineyards the wines are crisper, more complex and with mineral notes, while at lower altitudes they are fruitier and softer.
Assyrtiko
Dry Assyrtiko shows aromas of lemon, lime, and subtle yellow fruits with a hint of minerality, and an elegant palate with bright acidity and a persistent finish. As a world-class grape of Santorini, it reflects volcanic soils, native resilience, and a wide modern appeal.
Vidiano
Native Cretan grape, rescued from near extinction, now thrives across Crete and northern Greece. Dry Vidiano, known as the white ‘diva’, shows aromas of apricot, bergamot, and subtle florals, with a rich, well-rounded palate, hints of vanilla, and invigorating citrus acidity.
Muscat Of Spinas
Muscat of Spinas, named after the village near Chania, shows intense floral and citrus aromas with a hint of spice, and a fine, pleasantly dry palate with elegant, delicate character. Native Cretan grape, prized for its small berries and fragrant expression.
Malagousia
Malagousia shows aromas of lemon blossom, rose petal, and white stone fruits, with a firm, mineral-driven palate and refreshing acidity. Once nearly extinct, this Greek grape now thrives mainly in Northern Greece, producing some of the most aromatic examples.
Merlot
Merlot produces medium-bodied red and rosé wines with aromas of black cherry, berries, and subtle toffee, complemented by gentle vegetal hints. Its smooth palate shows balanced acidity, soft tannins, and, when oaked, notes of vanilla, tobacco, and earthy nuances.
Romeiko
Romeiko, grown in the Chania region, shows delicate aromas and a light-colored, smooth palate with moderate acidity and high alcohol. This versatile grape also produces sun-dried sweet wines, white wines, and the traditional dry ‘Marouvas’ with Sherry-like character.
Kotsifali
Cretan red grape, cultivated since at least the 14th century, known for producing soft-colored, aromatic wines with moderate acidity. Kotsifali shows aromas of red summer fruits, dried figs, and hints of wild herbs and sweet spices, with a smooth, medium-bodied palate.
Mavrodaphne
Mavrodaphne produces dry or dessert wines with aromas of dark fruit, chocolate, and coffee, complemented by subtle vegetal notes. Medium to full-bodied, it shows moderate acidity and tannins, and ages gracefully, developing hints of ink, tar, and tea.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Considered by many as the king of red varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon shows aromas of blackcurrant, pepper, and hints of chocolate and eucalyptus, depending on terroir. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and tannins, its deep purple color softens with age, offering a structured yet approachable palate.
Agiorgitiko
Agiorgitiko, Nemea’s signature red grape, shows aromas of fresh red fruits, sweet spices, and hints of chocolate, with a soft to medium-bodied palate, balanced acidity, and supple tannins. Versatile and elegant, it produces young juicy reds, oak-aged wines with complexity, and even rosés or dessert wines from sun-dried grapes.
Muscat Of Samos
Renowned since the 16th century, this iconic Greek grape thrives on terraced Samos vineyards, producing award-winning dessert wines with elegant complexity. Muscat of Samos shows intense aromas of orange blossom, ripe apricot, and honeyed citrus, with a luscious, sweet palate balanced by bright acidity.
Rakomelo
Rakomelo, a traditional Cretan spirit made by infusing “Tsikoudia” with honey and spices, shows aromas of warm honey, clove, and cinnamon. Smooth and warming on the palate, it delivers a sweet-spiced character with gentle heat, perfect as a digestif or after-dinner treat.
Our Approach
We focus on simple, traditional Cretan dishes, crafted to perfection using the finest local ingredients. We celebrate the flavors of the island in their purest form, honoring centuries-old recipes and techniques. You’ll come here to experience what Crete truly has to offer gastronomically — not fine dining or elaborate presentation.
Guest Testimonials
The most magical dining experience on Crete! I wish there was an option to give 10 stars because Joseph and his family run business truly deserve it. From the moment we were warmly welcomed, walking into the spectacular venue perched on the edge of a stunning gorge, to our very last minute of tasting delicious authentic food paired with local wines, Joseph and his family provided us an unforgettable evening!!! 8 local Cretan courses of very generous serving sizes, 8 delicate native wines, 10 other wonderful travellers and a magnificent setting of Crete’s finest nature all made for a once in a lifetime dining experience. We laughed all night sharing stories and our hearts with other travellers, all pinching ourselves of how surreal our night was. The attention to detail was impeccable, Joseph and his brother were both so attentive and professional, yet at the same time we felt like we were amongst family. Gluten free and vegetarian options were extremely well catered for. They even helped us organise a taxi back to our hotel afterwards. It’s an absolute must do in Crete. 10/10 Joseph 👏👏👏 A heart felt thank you from the bottom of our heart. We’ll never forget your Secret George restaurant experience!
An absolutely incredible experience and perfect way to spend an evening. I highly recommend The Secret Gorge - Restaurant & Wine Tasting Experience.
This was my special surprise to my wife, and it was amazing! Not only is the food top notch and more than you can finish, but the wine, raki, service, and the view was perfect!! We sat at the table with people from around the world and had the best conversations. I highly recommend this place!
Absolutely beautiful, special location and amazing food. Wine was amazing. Highly recommended!
Food was amazing! My husband and I had so much fun here, made new friends, and our drinks were never empty. I highly recommend going for the most amazing but different kind of experience. Off the beaten path! There is only one table that seats 12. Unless you can make a reservation for exactly 12, you won’t have a private dining. We loved this part! Shared how excited I was with my family about this place. My mom and aunt made their own reservation for the following week and loved every moment!
This experience was absolutely amazing. We went here to celebrate our honeymoon in May and this was our favourite part. You share a table with strangers and we had such a nice group. It was really nice to share stories and great food. The wine was delicious and Sifis was a wonderful host. 10/10 recommend!
Περάσαμε ωραία.
The evening was amazing. The food, the wine and the scenery were over the top! The service was 5 star. The setting is intimate and eventhough you are sitting with strangers by the end of the evening it felt like old friends. Do not miss an opportunity to book a seating. You won’t be disappointed. Many thanks to everyone at the Secret Gorge. It was an evening to remember.
We had the most amazing experience at the Secret Gorge. The wine kept being poured and the food was a variety of delectable Greek dishes. At the end of the night, we had Italians, Germans, Greeks, Americans all dancing together to music.
Beautiful cultural experience with the most amazing Cretan cuisine. Food was exquisite! Lots of food, wine and good vibes to go around. Highly recommend this experience if you’re visiting Rethymno!
A magical evening in a stunning gorge! The food was fresh and delicious, the wine pairings were excellent, and the father-and-son hosts made the experience warm and unforgettable. Truly one of the highlights of our trip to Crete—highly recommended!
What a breathtaking view and incredible experience! My husband and I visited Crete for our honeymoon, and this was one of our planned activities. We saw the experience on TikTok and knew we had to go! We had the joy of meeting so many wonderful people — and, funnily enough, a group of them happened to be from our same state! The food was absolutely incredible, the drinks were delicious, and we had such a great time chatting, eating, and getting to know everyone at the table. The hosts were warm and welcoming, and the entire night truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re in Crete and looking for something unique, intimate, and unforgettable, The Secret Gorge is a must-do!
5 starts across the board! This was by far the best dining experience of my life. The photos that you see online do not do this place justice. I felt like I was dreaming. I was the first guest to arrive at dinner so I was able to take everything in. The host was amazing. He was so welcoming and just an all around nice person. I thought it might be weird to dine with strangers in such in intimate setting. Boy was I wrong. The other group was amazing. We talking and laughed all night. The sunset was breathtaking. The food was amazing. I still can't believe this night. I pray that I can experience it again. If you're on the fence about booking this experience...don't be. Book it! It was only 10 minutes from old town! Thank you everyone at the Gorge for this unforgettable experience!
I booked this for my husband’s birthday dinner and it exceeded our expectations. Everything was amazing, from the food to the wine. The view was incredible and since it is timed for the sunset it was even better. We recommend this to anyone going to Crete. 11/10
The best experience value for money fabulous hosts! The gorge mixes people for all over the world, wine is plenty and it is so much fun. Thank you 🙏
Best restaurant i all of Crete!!! Can’t recommend this place enough!
Was a great experience! Visited in June and the service and atmosphere made this night the best of the whole trip. Hope to visit again sometime!
This is a must do if u are in Crete, the food, service and wow the views were just exceptional, we were so lucky to have a great group and the waiters were nothing but attentive / friendly, welcoming and a little cheeky, we had such a fantastic evening,
My husband and I had the most wonderful experience at The Secret Gorge. We discovered this hidden gem just before our trip, and even though reservations were fully booked, Sifis went out of his way to let us know if a cancellation came up—luckily, one did! The entire evening was unforgettable: intimate yet relaxed, filled with incredible food, flowing wine, and great company. We even made new friends from around the world while learning about Cretan culture. Truly a special experience we’ll never forget.
Our favorite dining experience in Greece! Nay, in Europe! Nay, in all our travels! Just go. It’s worth it. Eat great food, drink great wine, meet great people, and tempt Sifis to have some drinks too if you’re feeling spicy. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.