Greece · month by month
Athens food calendar
What is in season in Athens, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Athens
The best of January: Vasilopita.
Eat it now
- Vasilopita1 January
New Year cake with a hidden coin.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Athens
The best of February: Lagana and taramosalata, Wild greens, Apokries.
In season
- Wild greens (horta)Feb–May
Eat it now
- Lagana and taramosalataClean Monday
The first day of Orthodox Lent: flatbread, fish roe dip and kite flying.
Feb–Mar
On the calendar
- Apokries (Carnival)three weeks before Lent
Tsiknopempti, "smoky Thursday", is a night of grilled meat across the city.
Feb–Mar
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Athens
The best of March: Lamb on the spit, magiritsa and tsoureki, Lagana and taramosalata, Apokries.
In season
- Wild greens (horta)Feb–May
Eat it now
- Lamb on the spit, magiritsa and tsourekiOrthodox Easter
Easter is the biggest feast of the year, with red-dyed eggs and braided sweet bread.
Mar–Apr - Lagana and taramosalataClean Monday
The first day of Orthodox Lent: flatbread, fish roe dip and kite flying.
Feb–Mar
On the calendar
- Apokries (Carnival)three weeks before Lent
Tsiknopempti, "smoky Thursday", is a night of grilled meat across the city.
Feb–Mar
Plan around
- Closures
Tavernas serve separate vegan Lenten (nistisima) menus in the 40 days before Easter (athenstourism.org)
Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Athens
Peak seasonThe best of April: Lamb on the spit, magiritsa and tsoureki, Wild asparagus, Greek Easter.
In season
- Wild asparagus
This is Athens names April
- Artichokes and fava
Spring vegetables in ladera stews.
Apr–Jun - Wild greens (horta)Feb–May
Eat it now
- Lamb on the spit, magiritsa and tsourekiOrthodox Easter
Easter is the biggest feast of the year, with red-dyed eggs and braided sweet bread.
Mar–Apr
On the calendar
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsGreek EasterExpected Sunday 2 May 2027 · BimCal, Orthodox Easter Sunday
Greece's biggest feast: lamb roasted on the spit, magiritsa soup after midnight mass, red-dyed eggs and tsoureki.
How to go: Join a village celebration on the islands or in the Peloponnese, or book a taverna Easter lunch in Athens.
Apr–May
Plan around
- Closures
Tavernas serve separate vegan Lenten (nistisima) menus in the 40 days before Easter (athenstourism.org)
Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Athens
Peak seasonThe best of May: Cherries, Artichokes and fava, Athens Street Food Festival.
In season
- Cherries
This is Athens names May
- Artichokes and fava
Spring vegetables in ladera stews.
Apr–Jun - Wild greens (horta)Feb–May
On the calendar
- Athens Street Food Festival
Three-four weekends in May at the Old OSY Depot, Gazi (2026: May 8-10, 15-17, 22-24; 2023 ran 5-28 May)
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsGreek EasterExpected Sunday 2 May 2027 · BimCal, Orthodox Easter Sunday
Greece's biggest feast: lamb roasted on the spit, magiritsa soup after midnight mass, red-dyed eggs and tsoureki.
How to go: Join a village celebration on the islands or in the Peloponnese, or book a taverna Easter lunch in Athens.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Athens
The best of June: Artichokes and fava, Tomatoes, figs and watermelon.
In season
- Artichokes and fava
Spring vegetables in ladera stews.
Apr–Jun - Tomatoes, figs and watermelon
Summer at the laiki (street) markets.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Athens
A hard monthThe best of July: Tomatoes, figs and watermelon.
In season
- Tomatoes, figs and watermelon
Summer at the laiki (street) markets.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Heat
Midday heat; Athenians eat dinner at 10pm.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Athens
A hard monthThe best of August: Tomatoes, figs and watermelon.
In season
- Tomatoes, figs and watermelon
Summer at the laiki (street) markets.
Jun–Sep
Plan around
- Dekapentavgoustos15 August
The city empties for the Assumption holiday; some tavernas close.
- Heat
Midday heat; Athenians eat dinner at 10pm.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Athens
Peak seasonThe best of September: Figs and Aegina pistachios, Nemea grape harvest, Fistiki Fest.
In season
- Figs and Aegina pistachios
Fistiki Fest in Aegina each September (17-20 Sep 2026)
- Nemea grape harvest
- Grapes and the harvest
Attica's savatiano vineyards and tsipouro distilling in late autumn.
Sep–Nov - Tomatoes, figs and watermelon
Summer at the laiki (street) markets.
Jun–Sep
On the calendar
- Fistiki Fest (Aegina pistachio festival)
Held at Aegina's port each September (island day trip from Athens); 17-20 Sep 2026
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Athens
Peak seasonThe best of October: New olive oil and olives, Grapes and the harvest.
In season
- New olive oil and olives
The harvest from November; olive oil tastings in Attica.
Oct–Dec - Grapes and the harvest
Attica's savatiano vineyards and tsipouro distilling in late autumn.
Sep–Nov - Quince and pomegranatesOct–Dec
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Athens
The best of November: New olive oil and olives, Grapes and the harvest.
In season
- New olive oil and olives
The harvest from November; olive oil tastings in Attica.
Oct–Dec - Grapes and the harvest
Attica's savatiano vineyards and tsipouro distilling in late autumn.
Sep–Nov - Quince and pomegranatesOct–Dec
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Athens
The best of December: Melomakarona and kourabiedes, New olive oil and olives.
In season
- New olive oil and olives
The harvest from November; olive oil tastings in Attica.
Oct–Dec - Quince and pomegranatesOct–Dec
Eat it now
- Melomakarona and kourabiedesChristmas
Honey-soaked spice cookies and sugar-dusted almond shortbread.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.