The ideal SYMPOSIUM in Ancient Greece was almost like a ritual. Its aim was to savor the aesthetic pleasure of the wine, to be intoxicated just enough to relax and release the mind from inhibition, and to stimulate conversation.

It was a social institution where great philosophers and great thinkers were having deep and meaningful conversations stimulating the mind.

The SYMPOSIUM belonged exclusively to the privilege elite and it was characterized by its philosophical and political conversation and creative competition, in which elegies were sung to the accompaniment of a FLUTE and LYRIC songs by the LYRE. The SYMPOSIUM usually took place in the ANDRON the mens room, the most well appointed room in the house.

Our Symposium opened its doors some centuries later, actually in 1998,aiming and succeeding in providing an exclusive cuisine, the best service and a most relaxing atmosphere for our clientele. Its activities were dictated by a symposiarch, which decided up on the entertainment for the occasion and even how much water would be mixed with the wine.

The Symposium might end with the comus (COSMOS), a boisterous procession of revelers, accompanied by music and singing in honour of the GODS, to yet another drinking PARTY.

Unlike Ancient Greeks we cater for.... all sexes without a symposiarch to.... water down your wine!!!! Come and join our daily Symposiums whose biggest success is our word of mouth advertisements.

Our Symposium is situated at Platanias, a highly tourist area, minutes away from the main city of Hania. Platanias, right next to the beach, becomes the home for tourists from Scandinavia, England and Germany for the best part of the summer.

Our customers are referred to us by word of mouth, which is the best form of advertisement. Firstly, it is our friendly and warm atmosphere that strikes our customers. An open-air restaurant, where you can feel the breeze of the beautiful Greek summer nights, while enjoying your dinner with the service of our friendly, bilingual staff.

The best part of our service though, is our cuisine. You can enjoy Mediterranean and European meals, along side our traditional Cretan cuisine.

Today where people are becoming more and more aware of what healthy diet really means, remember that Symposium uses only virgin olive oil, pure Greek feta and fresh meats… Just think of the reports on Cretan diet and our health!

We cater for vegetarians, meat lovers, and customers who dare to try anything new and traditional. Symposium is one of the highest profile restaurants in Platanias where rest assure, if you visit it once, you will not let go!

Panoramic View