Athens is one of Europe’s most underrated food cities. Beyond the souvlaki and moussaka (both excellent), you’ll find creative modern Greek cuisine, fresh seafood, outstanding street food, and culinary traditions stretching back millennia.
Here’s where to eat in Athens — organized by neighborhood and dining style.
Quick Navigation#
| What You Want | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Street food (souvlaki) | Monastiraki, Syntagma |
| Traditional tavernas | Plaka, Psyrri, Koukaki |
| Modern Greek | Kolonaki, Psyrri |
| Seafood | Piraeus, Glyfada |
| Rooftop dining | Monastiraki, Plaka |
| Budget eats | Exarchia, Central Market |
| Fine dining | Kolonaki, Syntagma |
Eating by Neighborhood#
Monastiraki & Syntagma — The Central Hub#
Best for: Street food, quick eats, rooftop bars
Top picks:
- Kostas — Best souvlaki in Athens (€3.50)
- O Thanasis — Famous kebab since 1964
- A for Athens — Rooftop with Acropolis views
- Lukumades — Greek donuts with toppings
Vibe: Touristy but functional. Great for quick bites between sightseeing.
Plaka — Charming but Mixed#
Best for: Atmosphere, traditional tavernas (with research)
Top picks:
- To Kafeneio — Genuine neighborhood taverna
- Scholarchio — Historic taverna, great meze
- Saita — Hidden local gem, home cooking
- Tzitzikas kai Mermigas — Reliable modern Greek
Warning: Plaka has many tourist traps. Avoid restaurants with aggressive hosts and photo menus.
Psyrri — Creative & Lively#
Best for: Modern tavernas, late-night food, artsy vibe
Top picks:
- Karamanlidika — Outstanding deli-taverna
- Nikitas — Traditional taverna, local crowd
- Elvis — 2 AM souvlaki institution
- Couleur Locale — Rooftop bar with views
Vibe: Young, creative, livelier at night. Great for dinner that stretches into drinks.
Koukaki — Local Favorite#
Best for: Neighborhood restaurants, excellent quality, fewer tourists
Top picks:
- To Steki tou Ilia — Best lamb chops in Athens
- Athiri — Modern Greek, wine-focused
- Kalamaki Kolonaki — Upscale souvlaki
- Various local tavernas on side streets
Vibe: Where Athenians eat. Better food-to-price ratio than Plaka.
Kolonaki — Upscale Dining#
Best for: Fine dining, sophisticated atmosphere, power lunch
Top picks:
- Orizontes Lycabettus — Mountaintop dining with views
- Altamira — Mediterranean, elegant
- Philos Athens — All-day cafe culture
- Various high-end options on Patriarchou Ioakeim
Vibe: Athens’ upscale neighborhood. Dress a bit nicer, expect higher prices.
Exarchia — Budget & Authentic#
Best for: Cheap eats, student vibes, home cooking
Top picks:
- Ama Laxei — Home-cooked Greek, cash only
- Various hole-in-the-wall tavernas — Follow the students
- Neighborhood bakeries — Cheap pies and pastries
Vibe: Alternative, bohemian, cheapest food in central Athens.
Central Market (Varvakios Agora)#
Best for: Market experience, breakfast, cheap tavernas
Experience: Walk through the fish, meat, and produce market, then eat at one of the simple tavernas inside or around it.
What to try:
- Patsas — Tripe soup (hangover cure, adventurous)
- Fresh seafood at market tavernas
- Cheese and olives from vendors
Hours: Open early, closes by 3 PM. Best visited morning.
Piraeus — Seafood Destination#
Best for: Fresh fish, seaside dining
When to go: Worth a trip specifically for seafood lunch/dinner
Top areas:
- Mikrolimano — Harbor lined with fish restaurants
- Pasalimani — More modern options
Tip: Fish is priced by weight. Ask the price before ordering to avoid surprises.
Eating by Style#
Best Street Food#
| Food | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Souvlaki | Kostas (Syntagma), Elvis (Psyrri) | €3-4 |
| Gyros | O Thanasis (Monastiraki) | €4 |
| Tiropita | Any bakery (fournos) | €2-3 |
| Loukoumades | Lukumades (Monastiraki) | €5-8 |
| Koulouri | Street vendors | €0.50-1 |
Best Traditional Tavernas#
Classic taverna experience:
- To Steki tou Ilia (Koukaki) — Lamb chops
- Scholarchio (Plaka) — Meze and barrel wine
- Nikitas (Psyrri) — Local crowd
- Klimataria (near Omonia) — Very old-school
What to order: Mezedes (shared small plates), grilled meats, seasonal dishes, house wine.
Best Modern Greek#
Restaurants updating Greek cuisine with contemporary techniques:
- Funky Gourmet — Two Michelin stars
- Hytra — Modern Greek fine dining
- Athiri (Koukaki) — Wine-focused modern
- Seychelles (Metaxourgeio) — Creative cooking
Best Budget Meals#
Eat well for under €10:
- Souvlaki pita — €3.50-4
- Bakery pies — €2-3 (tiropita, spanakopita)
- Central Market tavernas — €6-10 for a full meal
- Exarchia tavernas — €8-12 for mezedes and wine
- Supermarket prepared food — €5-8
Best Splurges#
When you want something special:
- Orizontes Lycabettus — Views over all Athens
- Varoulko Seaside — Michelin-star seafood
- GB Roof Garden — Acropolis views, elegant
- Dionysos Zonar’s — Classic view restaurant
What to Eat#
Must-Try Dishes#
| Dish | What It Is | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Souvlaki | Grilled meat in pita | Everywhere |
| Moussaka | Layered eggplant-meat-béchamel | Tavernas |
| Horiatiki | Greek salad with real feta | Everywhere |
| Grilled octopus | Simple, charred, perfect | Seafood tavernas |
| Fava | Yellow split pea puree | Traditional tavernas |
| Dolmades | Stuffed grape leaves | Traditional tavernas |
| Loukoumades | Honey-drenched donuts | Lukumades |
| Baklava | Layered phyllo with nuts | Bakeries |
Greek Eating Customs#
- Sharing is normal — Order mezedes for the table
- Greeks eat late — Dinner at 9-10 PM is standard
- Bread charge — Small charge for bread/cover is normal
- Tipping — Round up or 5-10%, not expected like US
- No rush — Meals are social, leisurely affairs
Dining Tips#
Avoid Tourist Traps#
- Skip restaurants where hosts aggressively try to seat you
- Avoid places with huge photo menus
- If it’s packed at 7 PM (when tourists eat) but empty at 10 PM (when Greeks eat), it’s probably not great
Find Good Restaurants#
- Look for places full of Greeks, especially families
- Ask locals (hotel staff, shop owners)
- Walk 5 minutes off main tourist streets
- Trust Greek-language-first menus
Save Money#
- Lunch menus are often cheaper than dinner
- Share mezedes instead of ordering individual mains
- Drink house wine (barrel wine is cheap and good)
- Eat street food — it’s excellent
Frequently Asked Questions#
What time do Greeks eat dinner?#
9-10 PM is normal. Restaurants are quieter before 8 PM (mostly tourists) and lively after 9 PM.
Is Athens expensive for food?#
No — Athens is affordable compared to most European capitals. A good taverna meal is €15-25 per person.
What about vegetarian food?#
Greek cuisine has excellent vegetarian options: stuffed vegetables, fava, Greek salad, cheese pies, bean dishes, grilled vegetables.
Do I need reservations?#
For casual tavernas, no. For upscale restaurants and rooftops, especially on weekends, yes.
Is the water safe to drink?#
Yes — Athens tap water is safe and good quality.
The Bottom Line#
For authentic taverna experience: Head to Koukaki or Psyrri — better food than touristy Plaka, local atmosphere.
For street food: Monastiraki area — Kostas for souvlaki, Lukumades for donuts.
For special occasions: Kolonaki or rooftop restaurants in Monastiraki.
For budget eating: Exarchia or the Central Market — cheap, authentic, excellent.
Athens rewards food exploration. Wander, ask locals, and don’t be afraid to try the neighborhood spot with no English menu. That’s often where the best food hides.
Want specific recommendations? Check out our guides to best souvlaki, rooftop restaurants, and Plaka restaurants.
