If I’m in Rethymno—or even just passing through—there’s one stop I almost never skip: Kokkinos Gyros. It is the kind of dependable local stop I look for when exploring the less obvious side of Rethymno. The restaurant has earned my trust through repeated visits, not a single good meal.
What I Order Every Time
I come here for one thing: chicken gyros in a pita with yogurt sauce. Not tzatziki—garlic is not always my thing—so the yogurt version gives the balance I want: clean, creamy, and focused on the meat.
- Order: chicken gyros pita
- Sauce: yogurt sauce instead of tzatziki
- Best time to go: after 12:00 PM
I’ve tried gyros all over Crete. Based on what I’ve eaten, this chicken gyros is one of the most reliable options in Rethymno for taste, portion, and consistency.
More Than Gyros
Kokkinos is not a one-item kitchen. They also serve pizza and a wider range of cooked dishes. I’ve eaten lamb and other plates here too, and everything I tried was genuinely tasty.
But if someone asks why I return, the answer is simple: the gyros pita is the reason.
For a wider comparison of gyros, souvlaki, and other quick meals, see my guide to street food in Rethymno.
Local Feel, Central Location, Reliable Service
This place feels local even though it sits in the center of Rethymno. Service stays polite and professional, even during peak season.
Whether it is crowded or quiet, the experience remains straightforward and well organized. That matters in a busy tourist town, where many central restaurants become inconsistent depending on the hour or season.
Family-Friendly and Easy to Sit In
This is not only a grab-and-go stop. You can come with kids, meet as a family, and sit down comfortably.
It works both ways: a quick bite while moving through town or a relaxed table when you want to slow down for a proper meal.
Kokkinos Gyros: Practical Information
- Location: Agnostou Stratioti Square in central Rethymno, close to the Old Town, seafront, and main shopping streets.
- Eating format: Suitable for a sit-down meal or a quick gyros pita. Online delivery is also available.
- Price level: Budget-friendly rather than special-occasion dining. Check the current menu because individual prices can change.
- Family suitability: A practical option for families because there is comfortable seating and a broad menu beyond gyros.
- From Rethymno Old Town: Close enough to reach on foot when you are already exploring central Rethymno.
- Opening: The restaurant currently advertises itself as open 24 hours.
Does Kokkinos Serve the Best Gyros in Rethymno?
For me, yes—especially for chicken gyros pita. After years of returning, I have not personally found another one elsewhere in Greece that I prefer. The reason is consistency: the taste, portion, and service remain dependable year after year.
Local Insight — by Zurab Peikrishvili
My recommendation is simple: order the chicken gyros pita with yogurt sauce. That is the dish that keeps Kokkinos on my Rethymno food list year after year.
