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Where to Eat in Athens: Best Gyros, Souvlaki and Tavernas

37 placesWith mapWhere to eat

What to eat in Athens: gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, loukoumades and meze at a taverna. Our favourite gyros is at Hoocut, our souvlaki at Kostas, loukoumades at Lukumades and live music at Stamatopoulos in Plaka. Every card below has what we ate, what we paid, opening hours and the nearest area to stay.

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Where to eat in Athens

37 places · filter by type and meal
Type
Meal
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Chicken gyros pita and fries on a tray at Hoocut, Monastiraki, Athens
1

Hoocut

Where to Eat Gyros in Athens

Street foodMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€4.20-5.50 (pita)
What to order
gyros pita, gemista
Address
9 Agias Irinis Square, Monastiraki

The gyros shop we go back to every time we are in Athens; we ate here in three different videos. It was opened by five well-known Athenian chefs, and you can taste it: they carve the meat in front of you and bake the pita when you order.

We had the chicken gyros pita with an Alfa beer; well spiced and it smelled wonderful. For me it is the best gyros in Athens.

  • Hours: Sun-Thu 12:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-24:00
More about this place

You can pick pork, chicken, lamb or beef. On our second visit we added gemista, stuffed vegetables with yogurt. Expect €5-8 for a filling meal. On the menu a gyros pita is €4.20 with pork, €4.40 with chicken, €4.90 with lamb and €5.50 with beef; it opens daily at 12:00 (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

The shop is on Agia Irini Square, two minutes from Monastiraki Square and Flea Market . For loukoumades, Lukumades is 50 metres away.

Watch in the video · 11:36See Monastiraki and Psiri hotels Ad Monastiraki and Psiri area guide
A beef souvlaki pita in hand outside O Kostas, open since 1950, Athens
2

Kostas

Where to Eat Souvlaki in Athens

Street foodSyntagma
Per person
€3.50
What to order
beef souvlaki
Address
Syntagma

One of the first names you hear for souvlaki in Athens. A tiny shop open since 1950, always with a queue; come early in the morning and you will not wait. The menu is short: pork or beef souvlaki. We had the beef and paid €3.50.

  • We paid €3.50
More about this place

The meat is tender and seasoned just right. What makes it is the sauce they spread inside the wrap; with spring onion, parsley and a warm pita it is a great souvlaki. Not a fancy place, but one to try once in Athens.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Syntagma Square  is five minutes away; stop here first if you want to catch the changing of the guard.

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Minced meat souvlaki and pitas on the grill at Lefteris o Politis, Omonia, Athens
3

Lefteris o Politis

The Cheapest Souvlaki in Athens

Street foodOmonia
Per person
€2.50
What to order
minced meat souvlaki
Address
20 Satovriandou, Omonia

A tiny shop open since 1951 with one thing on the menu: souvlaki made from spiced minced beef. Inside there is only tomato, onion and parsley; no fries, no sauce. Simple and very tasty, and only €2.50.

  • We paid €2.50
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-21:30, Sat 10:00-17:30, closed Sunday
More about this place

If you want Athens street food at its most basic, put this on your list. Open Monday to Friday 10:00-21:30 and Saturday 10:00-17:30, closed Sunday (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

The shop is a few streets from Omonia Square .

Watch in the video · 5:54See Omonia hotels Ad Omonia area guide
Suvla'da patatesli gyros pita, Mitropoleos Caddesi, Atina
4

Suvla

Gyros and Souvlaki on Mitropoleos Street

Street foodMonastiraki and Psiri
What to order
gyros pita, chicken souvlaki pita
Address
43 Mitropoleos

Classic street food in a modern room. We stuck to the classics: a gyros pita and a chicken souvlaki pita. The pita was fresh and soft and wrapped the meat well; the chicken stayed juicy on the grill.

  • Hours: daily 12:00-01:00
More about this place

Prices are fair for the centre. A good quick stop in the middle of the city, open until 01:00 (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Metropolitan Cathedral and Little Metropolis  is at one end of the street, Monastiraki Square at the other.

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A paper-wrapped souvlaki pita at Meat the Greek, Athens
5

Meat the Greek

Quick Souvlaki in the Centre

Street foodSyntagma
Per person
€19 for two
What to order
chicken and pork souvlaki, fries
Address
2-4 Fokionos

We spotted it on the way; it was packed and smelled good, so we went in. The meat is tasty and the pita fresh. Two souvlaki (one chicken, one meat), fries, a cola and a beer came to €19.

  • We paid €19 for two
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-24:00, closed Sunday
More about this place

A clean, reliable choice when you want to eat quickly between sights. Open Monday to Saturday 12:00-24:00, closed Sunday (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Ermou Street and Kapnikarea Church  is right next to it.

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Trays of tiropita and spanakopita pies in the Ariston display, Athens
6

Ariston

Spanakopita and Tiropita Since 1910

Street foodSyntagma
Per person
€2.50-3
What to order
tiropita kourou, spanakopita
Address
10 Voulis, Syntagma

Our food tour started here. The shop goes back to 1910 and the Lompotesis family. We came for its famous spanakopita, the spinach pie, but the counter told us the real signature is tiropita kourou, a cheese pie, and we are glad we tried it.

  • We paid €2.50-3 each
  • Hours: closed Sunday
More about this place

The kourou pastry is crumbly like a savoury biscuit and the cheese inside is soft. The spanakopita was exactly what we hoped for: lots of spinach and cheese, hot and crisp. We paid €2.50-3 a piece. A great way to start a morning in Athens.

It opens at 7:30 on weekdays, closing time varies by day, and it is closed on Sunday (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Syntagma Square  is two streets away, so you can start with a pie and walk to the square.

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Hot honey-glazed loukoumades in a paper cup at Lukumades, Monastiraki, Athens
7

Lukumades

Where to Eat Loukoumades in Athens

Pastry shopsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€6-8
What to order
loukoumades with honey and cinnamon
Address
21 Aiolou, Monastiraki

Greek doughnuts, loukoumades, done the modern way. Next to the classic honey and cinnamon you can have them with pistachio, chocolate or a filling. I grew up with this dessert in Izmir and normally do not like paying for it, but these are really good, with plenty of honey.

  • We paid €6-8 a portion
  • Hours: daily from morning to 01:00
More about this place

We always pick honey and cinnamon; I think it is the best. A portion is €6-8 depending on toppings. In the evening there is a queue, and once we gave up because of the crowd. Most days it is open from 8:00 until 01:00 (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

It is 50 metres from Hoocut and five minutes from Monastiraki Square and Flea Market .

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A plate of honey and cinnamon loukoumades at Krinos, open since 1923, Athens
8

Krinos

Loukoumades Since 1923

Pastry shopsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€4
What to order
loukoumades, honey and cinnamon
Address
87 Aiolou

The oldest address in town for loukoumades. Open since 1923, with marble tables and an old-fashioned room. The doughnuts are crisp outside and fluffy inside, with plenty of honey and cinnamon. We paid about €4 a portion.

  • We paid €4 a portion
  • Hours: closed Sunday
More about this place

Go to Lukumades for modern toppings and come here for the plain, old-school version. Closed on Sunday and in the late afternoon on other days (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Varvakios Market  is down the same street, so you can walk the market and come here for dessert.

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A plate of sheep's milk yogurt with honey and walnuts at Stani, Omonia, Athens
9

Stani

Greek Yogurt with Honey Since 1931

RestaurantsOmonia
Per person
€4.50
What to order
sheep yogurt with honey and walnuts, rizogalo
Address
10 Marika Kotopouli, Omonia

A galaktopoleio, a traditional dairy shop, open since 1931 and known in Athens for its dairy. The signature is thick sheep's milk yogurt with honey, walnuts and cinnamon; we paid €4.50. The rizogalo, Greek rice pudding, is just as famous.

  • We paid €4.50
  • Hours: daily 7:30-21:00
More about this place

Good for breakfast or a sweet break during the day. Open daily from 7:30 to 21:00 (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Omonia Square  is a few steps away.

Watch in the video · 5:18See Omonia hotels Ad Omonia area guide
Chocolate sauce poured over zoumero cake at Koukouvaya, Athens
10

Koukouvaya

Cretan Chocolate Cake and Portokalopita

Pastry shopsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€7-8
What to order
zoumero, portokalopita
Address
1 Skouze, Agia Irini

Not just any dessert shop: it comes from Chania in Crete. Its signature is zoumero, which means 'juicy', a moist cake soaked in chocolate sauce. We also ordered the Greek classic portokalopita, orange cake.

  • We paid €7-8 a plate
  • Hours: daily 10:00-24:00
More about this place

The portions are huge; one plate is easily enough for two. A plate is €7-8. Both were good and passed our test. Open daily from 10:00 to midnight (the venue's map listing, October 2026). Our best portokalopita, though, was at Lyra.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

It sits between Ermou Street and Kapnikarea Church  and Agia Irini Square.

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A plate of portokalopita held up at Lyra in Plaka, Athens
11

Lyra

Portokalopita on the Plaka Steps

CafésPlaka
What to order
portokalopita, Greek cooking
Address
12 Lisiou, Plaka (Mnisikleous steps)

Our favourite spot on the stepped Mnisikleous Street in Plaka. The food is good and it is just as nice for coffee and dessert. We ordered portokalopita, orange cake, and for me it was the best thing we ate in Athens.

  • Hours: daily 9:00-00:30
  • Reservations: online at least 24 hours ahead
More about this place

Watching people go up and down the steps with a coffee is half the fun. You book online at least 24 hours ahead or by phone for the same day; open daily from 9:00 to 00:30 (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Get up from the table and you are in the lanes of Plaka .

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Filo-wrapped saganaki cheese with sesame and honey at Stamatopoulos, Plaka, Athens
12

Stamatopoulos

A Plaka Taverna with Live Music

RestaurantsPlaka
Per person
€89.50 for two
What to order
calamari, grilled prawns, saganaki
Address
26 Lisiou, Plaka

We wanted an evening taverna with bouzouki and live music, and our research kept pointing to this one in Plaka. A musician plays the bouzouki at the back, and later at night people dance sirtaki in the small space in the middle.

  • We paid €89.50 for two
  • Hours: daily 12:00-00:30
More about this place

We ordered ouzo (Plomari, our favourite), calamari, prawns, a Greek salad and the saganaki the waiter recommended: cheese wrapped in filo, fried and topped with honey. The calamari was crisp. The prawns come grilled and already deveined, which we had never seen before. The olive oil comes in a bottle and we kept dipping our bread. The bill was €89.50.

They told us the live music starts every night at 19:30; book ahead or reserve a table when you pass by. Open daily 12:00-00:30 (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

After dinner walk up into the lanes of Anafiotika .

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Crab orzo with lemon at Taverna Ermou, Athens
13

Taverna Ermou

Crab Orzo and Lemon Crème Brûlée

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
Greek salad €15, sea bass €32
What to order
crab orzo, smoked aubergine, lemon crème brûlée
Address
98 Ermou, between Monastiraki and Psiri

It had been on my list for a long time. We came without a booking and they gave us a table facing the kitchen, which was fine by us. We started with a Greek salad, smoked aubergine and calamari; the calamari was not as good as on the islands but still good.

  • We paid €75 for two
  • Hours: daily 7:00-24:00
More about this place

The star is the orzo with crab, served a little loose and very well done. For dessert they fill a lemon's own peel with crème brûlée; sweet and sour in perfect balance. A bit pricey but worth it; with a small ouzo we paid €75 for two.

On the menu a Greek salad is €15 and grilled sea bass €32; open daily from 7:00 to midnight, with online booking (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

The lanes of Psiri  are a step away.

Watch in the video · 9:55Book a table at Taverna ErmouSee Monastiraki and Psiri hotels Ad Monastiraki and Psiri area guide
Greek salad with cheese served on the side at Mpirmpilo, Kolonaki, Athens
14

Mpirmpilo

Octopus and Home Cooking in Kolonaki

RestaurantsKolonaki
Per person
moussaka €13, lamb €17
What to order
grilled octopus, smoked aubergine, daily stews
Address
26 Ploutarchou, Kolonaki

We saw it while walking around Kolonaki and gave it a go. We ordered smoked aubergine salad, a Greek salad, crispy courgette and grilled octopus. The salad comes with a soft cheese from Arcadia on the side instead of a block of feta on top.

The octopus comes with black-eyed beans and peppers; meltingly tender, great sauce. Octopus was €16.50, salads and meze €8-12; we paid €53 for two.

  • We paid €53 for two
  • Hours: daily 12:00-24:00
More about this place

It is also known for stews, with a menu that changes daily and often includes moussaka. Today's menu has moussaka at €13 and lamb with rice at €17. Open daily 12:00-24:00, with online booking (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

After lunch walk the streets of Kolonaki .

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A pastirma meze plate with tomato at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani, Athens
15

Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani

Pastirma and Sujuk Meze

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€9-24.50
What to order
pastirma and sujuk meze platter
Address
corner of 1 Sokratous and Evripidou

A deli and restaurant that keeps alive the cured meat and meze tradition of the Karamanlides, Greek Orthodox families from Cappadocia. You can buy pastirma, sujuk and cheese at the counter or sit down to plates made with them.

  • Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-23:00, closed Sunday
More about this place

Expect around €12-18 for a pastirma and sujuk meze platter. On the current menu sujuk with eggs is €9, small pastirma pies €10 and the cold cut platter €24.50. Open Monday to Saturday 9:00-23:00, closed Sunday; book on its website (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Varvakios Market  is on the next street, so it fits well after a walk through the market.

Watch in the video · 9:51Book a table at Ta Karamanlidika tou FaniSee Monastiraki and Psiri hotels Ad Monastiraki and Psiri area guide
Lamb chops with fries and tomatoes at To Steki tou Ilia, Thiseio, Athens
16

To Steki tou Ilia

Lamb Chops in Thiseio

RestaurantsThiseio
Per person
€40-45 (per kilo)
What to order
charcoal-grilled lamb chops
Address
Thiseio

A meat lover's address. This slightly hidden, no-frills taverna claims to grill the best lamb chops in Athens, and it is not far wrong. You do not come here for the menu; you order chops by the kilo.

  • We paid €40-45 per kilo
More about this place

They cook over charcoal, crisp outside and juicy inside. A kilo is about €40-45, with fries and salad. Hours vary by day, so check before you go.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Ancient Agora of Athens  is just below; walk the Agora in the late afternoon and come here for dinner.

Watch in the video · 10:21See Thiseio hotels Ad Thiseio area guide
Beef and goat soup served with lemon at Ipeiros, Varvakios Market, Athens
17

Ipeiros

Soup in Varvakios Market Since 1898

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€4
What to order
beef and goat soup, tripe soup
Address
4 Filopimenos, Varvakios Market

This eatery inside the meat market has been open since 1898, and market workers and night-shift crowds have eaten here for generations. The signature is patsas, tripe soup, and everything on the menu is traditional Greek home cooking.

  • We paid €4 a bowl
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 6:00-19:30, closed Sunday
More about this place

We had beef and goat soup made with bone broth: restorative and very tasty. A bowl is €4. Open Monday to Saturday 6:00-19:30, closed Sunday (the venue's map listing, October 2026); plan it for lunch.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Step outside and you are among the stalls of Varvakios Market .

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Croissants and sweet pastries in the 72H Artisanal Bakery window, Athens
18

72H Artisanal Bakery

Breakfast in Athens

Pastry shopsSyntagma
Per person
€20 for two
What to order
pistachio croissant
Address
27 Mitropoleos

A bakery that has become famous in Athens lately, named after its doughs resting for 72 hours. There are three spaces side by side: a glass-fronted kitchen, a bakery and deli counter, and a seating area. In the evening it turns into a restaurant with pizza and fresh pasta.

  • We paid €20 for two
  • Hours: daily 7:00-22:00
More about this place

Croissants and two coffees came to about €20. If you ask me it is a little overrated: I loved the pistachio croissant, the rest was ordinary. Open daily 7:00-22:00 (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Metropolitan Cathedral and Little Metropolis  is right across the street.

Watch in the video · 0:47See Syntagma hotels Ad Syntagma area guide
Fried prawns and boiled seasonal greens at Ammos, Mikrolimano, Piraeus
19

Ammos

Seafood in Mikrolimano

RestaurantsPiraeus
What to order
fried prawns, calamari, courgette
Address
44 Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano, Piraeus

The most recommended place in Mikrolimano, and we had not heard a bad word about it. The staff are warm and friendly. We ordered ouzo (Plomari again), toasted bread, fried prawns, calamari, courgette slices and a seasonal greens salad; olive oil and lemony vinegar come to the table in bottles.

  • Hours: daily 13:00-24:00
More about this place

Everything was really good. When we asked for the bill they brought a moist cake with ice cream on the house, which was lovely too. It is more casual than the smart restaurants next door but good value. Open daily 13:00-24:00 (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

To ride from the centre to Piraeus and the coast, see the Piraeus hop-on hop-off bus  Ad. Ad

Kastella and the port of Piraeus are a short walk from Mikrolimano.

Watch in the video · 4:21See Piraeus hotels Ad Piraeus area guide
The airy interior of Kyr Aristos taverna in Palaio Faliro
20

Kir Aristos

The Mixed Grill from Instagram

Restaurants
Per person
kebab wrap €5
What to order
Aristos mixed grill platter
Address
96 Zisimopoulou, Palaio Faliro

It kept popping up on Instagram, with huge saganaki and wraps. We tried to go three times and finally made it. We ordered the 'Aristos menu' with a Mythos beer: a huge platter of pork, chicken, beef and sausage for €34. The sausage is well spiced.

  • We paid €45.90
  • Hours: daily from noon to past midnight
More about this place

We were worried it would be all show, but it was good. When we asked for the bill they brought a free plate of desserts, far too much after all that meat; nobody beats Greek hospitality.

We gave it 7 out of 10 and the bill was €45.90. On the menu a kebab wrap is €5; open Sunday to Thursday 12:00-00:30, Friday and Saturday 12:00-01:00 (official info, October 2026).

To ride from the centre to Piraeus and the coast, see the Piraeus hop-on hop-off bus  Ad. Ad

It is in Palaio Faliro, on the way to Piraeus.

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Poached eggs, sourdough and tomato salad at The Brunchers, Psiri, Athens
21

The Brunchers

Breakfast and Eggs Benedict in Psiri

CafésMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€31.10 for two
What to order
eggs Benedict, poached eggs with avocado
Address
5 Agias Theklas, Psiri

One of the most popular breakfast places in Athens; every time we walked past in Psiri there was a queue at the door. One of us ordered the king of breakfasts, eggs Benedict, the other poached eggs with avocado. The eggs were cooked just right and the portions were filling.

  • We paid €31.10
  • Hours: weekdays 8:00-16:00, weekends 8:00-18:00
More about this place

A good place for a proper breakfast in Athens; we paid €31.10 for two. Open weekdays 8:00-16:00 and weekends 8:00-18:00 (official info, October 2026).

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

It is in the middle of the streets of Psiri .

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Braised beef cheek with sauce at Seychelles in Kerameikos, Athens
22

Seychelles

Beef Cheek and Octopus in Kerameikos

Restaurants
Per person
€78 for four
What to order
beef cheek, octopus with beans, sourdough bread
Address
49 Keramikou, Kerameikos

For dinner we came to Seychelles, one of the best-loved places in Kerameikos: a modern kitchen for anyone tired of the classic taverna dishes. We shared everything. First came sourdough bread with olive oil, so fresh it was a starter on its own, and a fresh green salad with it.

  • We paid €78 for four
More about this place

The octopus with beans was a great middle course. The star of the night was the beef cheek: cooked so long it fell apart the moment the fork touched it, meltingly soft. Four of us paid €78 including drinks.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Walking back to the centre you pass through the streets of Psiri .

Watch in the video · 8:01See Psiri hotels Ad Psiri area guide
A chicken katsu sandwich at Ekiben by Birdman, Syntagma, Athens
23

Ekiben by Birdman

Japanese Street Food in Athens

Street foodSyntagma
What to order
chicken katsu, beef don, smash burger, gyoza
Address
15 Skoufou, Syntagma

This kitchen right next to Birdman is run by the same team; faster and focused on street food. We started with gyoza, thin dough and a generous filling. The chicken katsu was crunchy thanks to the panko and soft inside.

More about this place

The best thing on the table was the beef don: tender slices of meat in sauce on Japanese rice. The smash burger at the end, with juicy meat and melted cheese, was really outstanding. If you want a day off from Greek food, this is the place.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

Syntagma Square  is a few streets away.

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A crisp filo bougatsa slice on a metal tray at Bougatsadiko Psirri, Athens
24

Bougatsadiko Psirri

Where to Eat Bougatsa in Athens

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€3.50
What to order
custard bougatsa with icing sugar and cinnamon
Address
Psiri

One of the most authentic places in Athens for the bougatsa that northern Greece, and Thessaloniki above all, is famous for. Between layers of thin homemade pastry there is a sweet custard cream.

  • We paid €3.50
More about this place

The portion comes with icing sugar and cinnamon, and we paid about €3.50. Sitting down with your bougatsa and watching the street go by is half the fun.

If you would rather taste the market, souvlaki and loukoumades with a food guide, see the Athens food walking tour  Ad. Ad

The shop is in the streets of Psiri .

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Foamy Greek coffee from a copper pot at Mokka, Athens
25

Mokka

Greek Coffee Brewed in Hot Sand

CafésMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€3-4
What to order
Greek coffee brewed in hot sand
Address
44 Athinas

Right next to the central market, an old coffee shop run by the same family since 1922. The smell of coffee hits you as soon as you walk in. They make what the Greeks call elliniko, Greek coffee, in a small pot set slowly in hot sand.

  • We paid €3-4
More about this place

It costs around €3-4. A good stop for a break while you are walking around the market.

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Varvakios Market  is right across the street.

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Strawberries and sauces being added to profiteroles at Choureal, Athens
26

Choureal

Profiteroles in Athens

Pastry shopsSyntagma
Per person
€4.50
What to order
profiteroles with chocolate and pistachio sauce
Address
Diomeias, Syntagma

A dessert concept that everyone who has been to Athens lately seems to rave about. First you pick the fresh profiterole balls, then you choose the sauces you want on top.

  • We paid €4.50
More about this place

We went for lots of chocolate and pistachio sauce and finished it with strawberries and almonds. The price depends on what you choose; our plate came to €4.50. Different in both looks and taste.

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Ermou Street and Kapnikarea Church  is a step away.

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Cheese and spinach croissants in the Overoll display, Athens
27

Overoll

Pistachio and Spinach Croissants

Pastry shopsSyntagma
What to order
pistachio croissant, spinach croissant
Address
27 Praxitelous

One of the best-loved croissant bakeries in Athens. The smell of butter fills the street as soon as you turn the corner; you look at the counter and order. The croissants pull apart in layers, open like a honeycomb inside and crisp outside.

More about this place

The pistachio one is sweet, crisp and generously filled; the spinach one is savoury with a well-balanced filling. The right address for breakfast or with a coffee, and much better if you get them warm.

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Ermou Street and Kapnikarea Church  is a few streets away.

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Avocado and poached egg on sourdough at Ohh Boy, Pangrati, Athens
28

Ohh Boy

Breakfast in Pangrati

Cafés
Per person
€12-13
What to order
bagel, sourdough toast with avocado and poached egg
Address
32 Archelaou, Pangrati

We came to this bright, popular place in Pangrati for breakfast. We started with a bagel; very fresh, crisp outside and soft inside. The sourdough toast with avocado and poached egg was a well-balanced plate too, and the egg was just right.

  • We paid €12-13 per person
  • Hours: daily 8:30-23:00
More about this place

The coffees were good as well. We did not try the desserts, and they all looked great in the window, so we regret that. It came to around €12-13 per person. Open daily 8:30-23:00 (official info, October 2026).

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The Panathenaic Stadium  is within walking distance.

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A cheese brioche sandwich and coffee at Anana, Athens
29

Anana

Specialty Coffee in an Arcade Courtyard

CafésSyntagma
Per person
€4-6
What to order
specialty coffee, cakes and pastries
Address
33 Praxitelous, Syntagma

A simple café set up in the courtyard of an old arcade, under a glass roof; you are suddenly away from the noise of the city. A good place for specialty coffee lovers and for anyone looking for vegan options.

  • We paid €4-5 for coffee, €5-6 for cake
More about this place

Coffees are around €4-5, and the fresh cakes and pastries in the window €5-6. For the setting and the coffee it is worth the money; if you are around Syntagma, stop in for a break.

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Syntagma Square  is a few minutes away.

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A plate of fried seafood with lemon at Atlantikos in Psiri, Athens
30

Atlantikos

Seafood in Psiri

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
What to order
fried seafood
Address
7 Avliton, Psiri

A place we kept hearing about, and one the locals like too. Nothing fancy, but serious about flavour; it is counted among the good seafood places in central Athens.

More about this place

The portions are filling, the food is tasty and the prices are fair. If you want seafood in Psiri, add it to your list.

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It is tucked into the streets of Psiri .

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Spinach and cheese pie slices on metal plates at Veneti, Athens
31

Veneti

Pies and Breakfast at Omonia

Pastry shopsOmonia
What to order
hand-rolled spinach pie, cheese pie, freddo
Address
Omonia Square

Open since 1948, the best-known bakery chain in Athens; you will see one on almost every corner. Inside there is everything from bread and pies to desserts and ice cream, a lifesaver early in the morning or late at night.

More about this place

We had breakfast at the Omonia branch. The hand-rolled spinach pie is my favourite, and the cheese pie was very good too; we also tried their American-style bagels. The freddo coffees were good as well.

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Omonia Square  is right in front.

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A sesame koulouri in hand outside To Koulouri tou Psirri, Athens
32

To Koulouri tou Psirri

The Koulouri Bakery of Athens

Pastry shopsMonastiraki and Psiri
Per person
€0.50
What to order
koulouri (Greek sesame bread ring)
Address
23 Karaiskaki, Psiri

The most famous koulouri bakery in Athens. From the outside it looks like a tiny shop, but there is a queue in front of it from early in the morning.

  • We paid about €0.50
More about this place

This is where we buy koulouri, the Greek sesame bread ring: crisp and covered in sesame outside, soft inside. It tastes even better warm; it costs about 50 cents.

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The shop is in the middle of the streets of Psiri .

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Marina and sea view from the Horizon terrace cafe in Mikrolimano, Piraeus
33

Horizon

Freddo with a View of Mikrolimano

CafésPiraeus
What to order
freddo espresso, freddo cappuccino
Address
24 Akti Koumoundourou, Mikrolimano, Piraeus

A place in Mikrolimano with the whole harbour spread out below you. We ordered a freddo espresso and a freddo cappuccino; we have moved on from frappé, and freddo is our favourite now.

More about this place

Freddo espresso is stronger: espresso and water, but cold, and refreshing in the summer heat. If you want something with milk, go for the freddo cappuccino. Water came to the table on the house.

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Kastella and the port of Piraeus are a short walk from Mikrolimano.

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Diporto: A Cellar Taverna With No Menu
34

Diporto

A Cellar Taverna With No Menu

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
What to order
chickpea soup, fava, house wine from the barrel
Address
9 Sokratous, basement

Open since 1887, and the name means 'two doors'. You walk down into it like a cellar: no menu, no sign, not even a window. Whatever the owner cooked that day comes to your table, between huge wine barrels.

  • Soup and half a litre of wine €10-15
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat 12:00-17:00, closed Sunday
More about this place

Usually that means the famous chickpea soup, fava and a salad. A bowl of soup and half a litre of barrel wine will not cost more than €10-15. A place travellers find, not tourists. It is a lunch spot: Monday to Friday 8:00-17:00, Saturday 12:00-17:00, closed Sunday (the venue's map listing, October 2026).

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It is a minute from Varvakios Market .

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Birdman: Japanese Grill and Yakitori in Athens
35

Birdman

Japanese Grill and Yakitori in Athens

RestaurantsSyntagma
Price
a little above the Athens average
What to order
beef nigiri, chicken karaage, gyoza, yakitori
Address
35 Voulis, Syntagma

One of the coolest places for an evening in Athens; inside it feels like a Tokyo bar. We tried every signature dish. The beef on the nigiri melts without chewing. The Japanese fried chicken, karaage, is crisp outside and surprisingly juicy inside.

More about this place

The meat gyoza, thin dough and a spiced filling, became a favourite. Yakitori is cooked over open fire and the light smoky char doubles the flavour. Prices are a little high for Athens and portions are tasting size, but for a special night it is worth it. The same team's faster kitchen, Ekiben, is right next door.

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Syntagma Square  is a few streets away.

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Thanasis: Monastiraki's Kebab Since 1964
36

Thanasis

Monastiraki's Kebab Since 1964

RestaurantsMonastiraki and Psiri
What to order
Thanasis kebab (also with yogurt), tzatziki, Greek salad
Address
69 Mitropoleos, Monastiraki

Many people search for Thanasis gyros in Athens, but what it serves is kebab, not gyros. Open since 1964, the famous kebab place everyone who comes to Athens stops at. We wanted to try it too: Greek salad, tzatziki and of course the Thanasis kebab; there is a yogurt version as well.

More about this place

The kebab is cooked carefully over charcoal: slightly crisp outside, juicy and soft inside, served with fresh pita, onion and roasted tomatoes. If you are in Monastiraki, try it.

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Monastiraki Square and Flea Market  is a few steps away.

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Little Kook: Great Photos, Average Taste
37

Little Kook

Great Photos, Average Taste

CafésMonastiraki and Psiri
Address
17 Karaiskaki, Psiri

The most colourful café in Athens. The decoration changes with the season: Halloween, Christmas, fairy-tale characters. It pulls you in from the street and is one of the most photographed corners in town.

  • Hours: daily 9:00-24:00
  • Taste: average
More about this place

On our first visit we tried the coffee and desserts. It looks beautiful, but for a drink the taste is average and prices are high compared with other places. Stop for the photo; if you sit down, keep expectations modest. Open daily 9:00-24:00 (official info, October 2026).

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It is in the middle of Psiri .

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Next in the series

Atina'nın En İyi Kahvaltı Mekanları: 72H Artisanal Bakery ve Daha Fazlası

Places by meal
Breakfast9Lunch and dinner20Street food9Desserts and ice cream5Coffee7Bars and nightlife1

What to eat in Athens

Greek Food

The Dishes We Tried

Greek food by name: what to eat in Athens and where we ate it. Gyros is meat roasted on a vertical spit and sliced, wrapped in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki, much like a doner or shawarma (Hoocut, Suvla). Souvlaki is small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer; in Athens people also say souvlaki for the whole pita wrap (Kostas, Lefteris o Politis, Meat the Greek).

  • Gyros
  • Souvlaki
  • Spanakopita
  • Loukoumades

Spanakopita (spinach pie) and tiropita (cheese pie) at Ariston; loukoumades (honey doughnuts) at Lukumades and Krinos; Greek yogurt with honey and rizogalo at Stani; portokalopita (orange cake) at Lyra and Koukouvaya; saganaki at Stamatopoulos; gemista (stuffed vegetables) at Hoocut.

Moussaka is on the daily menu at Mpirmpilo. Bougatsa, the custard pie, at Bougatsadiko Psirri; koulouri, the sesame bread ring, at To Koulouri tou Psirri; Greek coffee brewed in hot sand at Mokka. Chickpea soup and fava at Diporto, charcoal-grilled kebab at Thanasis.

The places on a map

Every place on the list is on the same map.

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What food costs in Athens

From the prices of 25 places

Typical price per person and the range most places fall into, from the prices of the places on this page.

Breakfast
€4

Most €3-16
7 places

See the breakfast places
Lunch and dinner
€15

Most €4.5-24
13 places

See the lunch and dinner places
Street food
€4

Most €3-7
6 places

See the street food places
Desserts and ice cream
€5

Most €4.5-7
5 places

See the desserts and ice cream places

Food in Athens: your questions answered

Where is the best gyros in Athens?

Our favourite is Hoocut in Monastiraki: they carve the meat in front of you and bake the pita to order. A gyros pita is €4.20-5.50 on the menu (official info, October 2026). For a quick gyros in the centre, Suvla on Mitropoleos Street is good too.

What does gyros mean?

The Greek word γύρος (gyros) means 'turn' or 'round': the meat is named after the way it turns around the vertical spit, the same idea as doner or shawarma. In Athens gyros is mostly pork or chicken; if you want beef or lamb, ask before you order.

What is the difference between gyros and souvlaki?

Gyros is meat cooked on a vertical spit and sliced. Souvlaki is small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. In Athens both come in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki, and the wrapped version is also called a souvlaki.

Where to eat souvlaki in Athens?

For souvlaki in Athens, Greece we would send you to three places: Kostas, in business since 1950, where our beef souvlaki was €3.50; Lefteris o Politis, which has made only one thing since 1951, a €2.50 minced meat souvlaki; and Meat the Greek in the centre. There is a queue at Kostas, so go early in the morning.

What Greek food should I try in Athens?

The dishes you will see most in Athens are gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, tiropita, moussaka, saganaki, gemista, Greek salad, loukoumades, portokalopita and bougatsa. Where we ate each one is in the Greek food section of this page.

Is there a taverna with live music in Athens?

We ate at Stamatopoulos in Plaka with bouzouki playing; they told us the live music starts every night at 19:30. For two, with calamari, prawns, salad and saganaki, we paid €89.50.

Where to eat loukoumades in Athens?

Lukumades in Monastiraki has versions with sauces and fillings, €6-8 a portion; we liked the honey and cinnamon one best. For the old-style plain kind, Krinos, open since 1923 (€4).

What is cheap to eat in Athens?

Souvlaki for €2.50 at Lefteris o Politis and €3.50 at Kostas, pies for €2.50-3 each at Ariston, a koulouri for about 50 cents in Psiri, and a €4 bowl of soup at Ipeiros in Varvakios Market.

Are there Michelin star restaurants in Athens?

Yes, Athens has several Michelin-starred restaurants, but we have not eaten at any of them, so they are not on this list; every place here is one we ate at ourselves.

Is a food tour in Athens worth it?

If you have one day and want gyros, souvlaki, loukoumades and the Central Market in one go, a guided Athens food tour is an easy way to taste them; with more time, the cards above cover the same stops on your own.

5 most asked questions
Where to eat gyros in Athens?Hoocut, MonastirakiSection 1 Best souvlaki?Kostas, since 1950Section 2 Taverna with live music?Stamatopoulos, PlakaSection 12 Where for loukoumades?Lukumades and KrinosSection 7 Cheap and quick?€2.50 souvlakiSection 3
What We Paid
Stamatopoulostwo people, calamari, prawns, salad, saganaki: €89.50
Taverna Ermoutwo people: €75
Mpirmpilotwo people, octopus and meze: €53
Kir Aristosgrill platter and drinks: €45.90
Souvlaki€2.50-3.50

Bills from our videos; menu prices from the venues' official menus, October 2026.

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