Athens · Greece

The Athens food cheat sheet

One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026

The dish to eat

Charcoal-grilled pork skewers, eaten on the stick or wrapped in warm pita with tomato, onion and yogurt.

Best at Kostas, Agias Irinis Square. Get: Pork souvlaki in pita with the house tomato sauce

To Kati Allofamily-run · Central Athens (near Acropolis Museum)
Get: Whatever is cooked that day: moussaka, stuffed vegetables, meat dishes
Feyrouzfamily-run · Historic center (Karori & Agathonos)
Get: Lahmatzun and peinirli, tabbouleh, or a bowl of mahluta (pumpkin) or yaprak (yoghurt) soup; finish with…
Krinosfor bougatsa · Monastiraki/Omonia
Get: Sweet bougatsa with cinnamon and sugar
Diportofor Greek salad (horiatiki) · Central Market area
Get: Horiatiki
Esperidesfor moussaka · Plaka/Anafiotika
Get: Moussaka

Covered / open-air. Meat, fish, olives, Greek provisions

KostasSyntagma

Get: Souvlaki pita with tomato sauce

Expect: Lunch lines. Beat it: Go mid-morning.

New-season olive oil · Quince and pomegranates

Tip: Round up or leave 5-10% in cash; service is not added.

Book: Book the well-known tavernas and anything with a view; most souvlaki and meze places are walk-in.

When locals eat: Lunch 2-4pm, dinner from 9pm, later in summer.