Athens Food Guide: What to Eat and Where

Traditional Greek dishes in Athens include moussaka, souvlaki, and baklava: hearty and flavorful meals made from fresh ingredients and time-tested recipes.

Moussaka is a layered casserole of sautéed eggplant, minced lamb or beef, and creamy béchamel sauce. It is baked until golden and served warm, usually priced around €8-12 at traditional tavernas. This dish is rich, with a pleasing balance between the softness of eggplant and the savory meat filling.

Souvlaki, a common street food, consists of small pieces of marinated meat—often pork or chicken—grilled on skewers. Served with pita bread, sliced tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki, a garlic-yogurt sauce, it costs roughly €3-5 per portion. The smoky aroma from the grill and the fresh, tangy tzatziki make it a satisfying grab-and-go meal.

Baklava is a dessert made of thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drenched in honey syrup. Each bite is crisp and sticky, with a nutty sweetness that lingers. Prices hover around €2-3 per piece at most pastry shops. For more about moussaka or souvlaki, see our detailed guides on Greek dishes and street food in Athens.

Traditional Greek restaurants in Athens such as Taverna Tou Psara and O Thanasis serve authentic dishes at reasonable prices, typically between €10 and €30 per person.

Taverna Tou Psara, located at Mnisikleous 16 in Plaka, has an extensive menu including grilled fish, lamb dishes, and classic appetizers. The rustic interior and open kitchen add to the welcoming atmosphere. Expect to pay €20-30 for a full meal including wine.

O Thanasis, at Mitropoleos 69 in Monastiraki, is famous for its grilled souvlaki and kebabs, with meals around €10-12. The scent of charcoal grilling fills the air, and the place is lively, especially during evening hours. It is advisable to arrive before 8 pm on weekends to skip the queue.

Both places are within a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki metro station. For more restaurant options and reviews, check our guide to best restaurants in Athens.

Modern Greek cuisine blends traditional ingredients with creative methods, often combining Mediterranean and global flavors, with dishes priced around €40-50 per person.

Nolan, on Voulis 31 in central Athens, exemplifies this style by mixing Greek staples with Asian spices and presentation techniques. Their tasting menus usually cost €45-50 and include items like lamb with miso glaze or sea bass ceviche.

Varoulko Seaside, located at Akti Koumoundourou 52 in Piraeus port, specializes in seafood with a refined twist. Fresh fish and shellfish are paired with delicate sauces and served in an elegant setting overlooking the water. Dinner menus start at €40 per person.

Both restaurants require reservations, especially on weekends. These spots provide a contrast to traditional tavernas and showcase how Greek cuisine continues to evolve.

Gyro wraps and souvlaki skewers are among Athens’ popular street foods, costing about €3-4 each, available mainly around Monastiraki and Varvakios Market.

Gyros feature meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, shaved thin and wrapped with pita, fresh tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki. The smell of grilled meat and warm bread fills the air near Monastiraki Square, making it easy to find vendors.

Varvakios Market, on Athinas Street, is a good place to walk through stalls selling olives, cheeses, dried herbs, and quick bites like loukaniko (Greek sausage). Many small eateries inside serve mezedes, small plates to share, such as grilled octopus or fried zucchini.

Prices for street snacks generally range from €2 to €6, affordable and filling. For detailed routes and the best vendors, see our Athens food markets guide and street food guide.

Athens has a growing number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, with dishes like vegan moussaka and falafel wraps typically priced €10-15.

Avocado at Nikis 30, near Syntagma Square, is fully vegetarian and includes vegan adaptations of classics such as moussaka made with lentils and cashew béchamel. The falafel wraps here are fresh, served with tahini and pickled vegetables, priced around €12.

Mama Tierra, located on Akadimias Street 18, serves exclusively vegan meals, including creative salads, plant-based burgers, and desserts. Their relaxed atmosphere suits a midday break or light dinner, with most dishes under €15.

Vegetarian options can also be found in many traditional tavernas, especially in the Plaka and Psirri districts, where dishes like gemista (stuffed vegetables) or gigantes (baked giant beans) are common. More on plant-based dining in Athens is available in our vegetarian Athens guide.

Traditional Greek desserts such as baklava and bougatsa cost around €2-3 per portion and are widely sold at pastry shops like Ariston and gelaterias like Kokkion.

Baklava is a syrup-soaked phyllo pastry layered with walnuts or pistachios, crisp and sticky to the touch. Ariston on Mitropoleos 13, near Syntagma, is famous for its bougatsa: a warm, flaky pastry filled with semolina custard or cheese, dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Kokkion Gelateria at Protogenous 2 in Kolonaki crafts small-batch ice cream from local ingredients such as mastic, honey, and seasonal fruits. Single scoops are €3, with flavors changing daily. The creamy texture and subtle sweetness make it a refreshing stop in warmer months.

Many bakeries open early and close by 8 pm, so plan your visits accordingly. For detailed dessert options, see our guide on Athens food markets and sweets.

Coffee is a daily ritual in Athens, with popular types including Greek coffee and freddo espresso, typically costing €2.50-4 per cup in local cafés.

Greek coffee is brewed slowly in a briki, served thick and with grounds settled at the bottom. It has a strong aroma and slightly bitter taste, often accompanied by a glass of cold water. Freddo espresso, an iced espresso with a rich crema, is especially popular during summer.

Taf Coffee at Emmanouil Benaki 7 serves expertly roasted beans and is known for high-quality brews. Café Loukoumi in Psirri has a casual spot to enjoy coffee while listening to street musicians and watching passersby. Both places are open from 8 am to 8 pm daily.

Many cafés have outdoor seating where you can hear the city’s sounds and smell fresh pastries. For more on Athens’ coffee scene, visit our detailed coffee culture guide.

Athens features bars with local wines starting at €5 per glass and traditional spirits such as ouzo and raki available at historic distilleries from around €6 a shot.

Oinoscent at Voulis 45-47 has a comprehensive wine list focused on Greek vineyards, including small producers from regions like Nemea and Santorini. The bar has knowledgeable staff who can recommend pairings with mezedes.

Brettos, located on Kidathineon 41 in Plaka, is the oldest distillery bar in Athens and famed for its colorful bottles lining the walls. Try ouzo, an anise-flavored aperitif, or raki, a strong grape brandy. Their tastings start at €6.

Many wine bars open from 5 pm till after midnight, making them ideal for a relaxed evening after dinner. For more, see our guide on local wine and spirits in Athens.

In Athens, greeting with "Kalimera" or "Kalispera" is polite, tipping around 10% is customary, and sharing small plates called mezedes is common practice.

When entering a restaurant, a friendly greeting sets the tone. Waitstaff may offer a basket of bread and olive oil, which you can eat freely. Mezedes are small dishes like grilled halloumi, olives, or fried calamari, designed to be shared and enjoyed with drinks.

Dining usually starts late by many standards: locals often eat dinner around 9 pm or later. Most restaurants close between 4 and 7 pm, reopening for dinner service at 7 or 8 pm.

Late-night food spots such as Lefteris O Politis and Everest bakery serve affordable meals and snacks until early morning, with prices from €5 to €7.

Lefteris O Politis at Stournari 41, near Omonia Square, is a 24-hour souvlaki counter popular for kebabs and grilled meats. The aroma of charcoal and garlic sauce fills the air well past midnight.

Everest, a bakery and café chain with multiple locations, features sandwiches, pastries, and coffee 24/7. Its branches on Ermou Street and near Syntagma are convenient for a late-night bite.

These places are perfect if you want something quick and filling after a night out or a late arrival.

The Private Flavors of Athens Food Tour is a guided, 4-hour walk sampling traditional and modern dishes at various local spots for €206 per person.

This tour covers neighborhoods such as Monastiraki and Psirri, stopping at family-run tavernas, bakeries, and markets. Guides explain the origin of dishes and introduce you to local ingredients, making it a practical way to taste multiple specialties in a few hours.

Bookings are advised several days ahead, especially in summer. The tour includes tastings of moussaka, souvlaki, mezedes, and sweets like baklava.

For more options, see our full list of food tours in Athens.

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