Think back to your most memorable holidays and what memories stand out. The views and scenery? The romantic sunsets? The way money runs through your fingers like water? For us, it has to be food that heads the list. Best Food in Greece
Athens is one of our top picks, with a perfect mix of traditional dishes that showcase local seasonal ingredients at their best. And the best thing is, you can still eat extremely well without making a big dent in your budget.
Athens boasts some excellent eateries that have been serving authentic, affordable Greek food for generations to locals and tourists alike. Get your taste buds ready for our recommendations!
Fast Food – Athenian style
Gyros, souvlaki, or kebab if you wish, are the classic fast-food options in Athens. And for good reason. Fresh, chewy, hot pitta bread crammed full of well-seasoned grilled meat, tomato, onion and lettuce. Sounds simple, but often recipes are handed down through generations and jealously guarded.
O Kostas
One of the most popular places to get top-notch gyros and souvlaki, O Kostas gets massively busy by midday and often sells out quickly. But, we assure you, it is worth queuing for. Best Food in Greece
Price: Affordable
Address: Pentelis 5, Athens (In Monastiraki, close to Syntagma Square)
O Thanasis
Another Monastiraki spot that rates highly, try to find a seat and soak up the atmosphere as you munch. Pair up your souvlaki with fries and a salad, or roasted peppers and fresh, garlicky tzatziki.
Price: A bit of a splurge if you go for a full meal, but worth it
Address: Mitropoleos 69, Athens
Lefteris O Politis
A little off the beaten track, but still centrally located near Omonia Square, this has been a local favorite for years. Skip the restaurant with the full menu, go to the next door where they roll out some of the best kebab and souvlaki in town.Best Food in Greece
Price: Budget
Address: Satovriandou 20, Athens
Pies galore Ariston
This famous pie shop close to the Houses of Parliament is still run by the same family who started it in 1910. You will find a huge selection of irresistible pies, savory and sweet, varying according to seasonal produce, with vegetarian options as well.
Don’t miss out on their best-selling tyropita kourou, a small warm feta pie with a butter-rich crust.
Price: Cheap, and great value
Address: 10 Voulis, Central Athens
FilloBest Food in Greece
Nettle pie from Magnesia, the plastos from Trikala with cornflour pastry stuffed with greens, herbs and feta, and kreatotourta from Chania in Crete, a lamb or goat pie flavored with fresh mint. And that is just the beginning. Put this on your bucket list!
Price: Super affordable
Address: 14 Karagiorgi Servias, Central Athens
Mam 2
Ask any Athenian and they will rave about this longstanding favorite. Selling exceptional quality home-baked cheese pies since 1958, they also turn out spinach pies and a minced meat version.
The recipes remain unchanged from day one, and with a tasty and filling bite at just one Euro, it won’t break the bank. What we love most, any pies not sold at the end of the day are offered to the homeless and other people in need.
Price: Amazingly cheap
Address: 3 Pesmazoglou, Central Athens
Go Traditional
To Kati Allo
Sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose, but easy to miss. Just down a small street round the corner from the Acropolis Museum you can find a Greek taverna where members of a local family have been serving traditional meals for over 30 years.
Recipes have been handed down through generations, and everything is authentic and delicious. Simple but welcoming, there’s no menu, just a display of what has come out of the oven. Try the moussaka if possible, it is memorable.
Price: Great value for money
Address: Chatzichristou 12, Athens
Diporto
Named for its two entrances, this renowned basement spot in downtown Athens has no sign and no menu. Don’t expect the rather gruff waiters to speak much English, just let them bring you a selection of what is available, the chickpea soup and small fried fish are highly recommended.
This time warp that will take you back to working-class Athens of the mid-50s, it is an experience that will immerse you in another era. With only a few tables, this vintage gem can get packed, a testament to how good the simple food is.
Price: Affordable
Address: Sokratous 9 and Theatrou, Omonia, Athens
