Zygos Taverna in Istron

The rotisserie at Zygos Taverna

Zygos Taverna is a family taverna in the village of Istron (Kalo Horio) in eastern Crete. Zygos is known for spit-roast meat, home-made wine and raki, and a weekly night of live Cretan music.

The name Zygos is the Greek zodiac sign Libra, and it means balance. The taverna balances good food, good wine and live Cretan music.

The speciality of the house is the spit roasted suckling pig or the spit roasted lamb, which is served with Cretan roasted potatoes and fresh salad.

Or try a Meze of Cretan and Greek favourites like tiny Cheese Pies, Dolmades, Tzatziki, Taramasalata and Giant Beans.

Dimitris wearing a traditional sariki

Dimitris and his staff make every guest welcome. Dimitris and the male staff wear the traditional black head scarf known as a sariki. Sarikia are hand woven and hand knotted in Cretan villages, and they are part of the traditional Cretan costume for men.

There is a huge menu available at Zygos ranging from traditional Cretan dishes like rabbit stifado and lamb kleftiko right through to pizzas and pasta dishes.

Zygos keeps village prices, because it sits in the heart of a small village rather than on the tourist strip.

A huge bowl of olive oil is presented on the table, with chunks of rustic fresh bread. A surprise pudding is given to all guests at the end of their meal.

Dimitris makes his own wine and tsikoudia, the Cretan grape spirit. Our guide to Cretan raki (tsikoudia) explains how it is made and drunk.

Cretan Music Nights at Zygos

Zygos holds a night of live Cretan music and dancing once a week. The sounds of the lute, lyra and mandolin carry through the taverna and across the village of Istron. For years the music night was on Fridays from about 9pm. Tripadvisor reviews from 2026 describe the Greek night on Wednesdays, so ask the taverna which evening it runs before you go.

We have eaten at Zygos more than 100 times, and we recommend it to anyone staying in or near Istron.

Where to Find Zygos Taverna

Zygos Taverna is in the heart of the village of Istron, Kalo Horio, in the Lasithi region of eastern Crete. The village lies about 10 km from the town of Agios Nikolaos, so the taverna is an easy evening out from the town. Our guide to Istron village has more on the area.

Zygos is one of the tavernas we know well across the island. Our personal Crete restaurant guide lists the others, from Chania to Hersonissos.