Greek food is delicious, and you cannot miss trying at least the most famous dishes during your travel.
Trying the local food is part of the travel and you cannot miss the opportunity to try only the best wherever you go.
There are many different places where to eat in the Greek capital. You can choose a bakery to have breakfast and try the delicious and full of Greek honey cakes (yes, Greek cakes are soaked in honey or syrup, and it's absolutely heaven), or have lunch with some savoury Greek pastry filled with cheese, vegetables or meat.
Or you can choose a street food spot where to grab Gyros and some Souvlaki to eat while exploring the city, you are going to see many places like that, they are everywhere, they are very cheap, and they all offer real Greek food.
For dinner, you can choose a restaurant where to spend a couple of hours drinking some good wine paired with authentic Greek food.
If you are looking for something more unique, elegant, and quiet, I also listed some of the best fine dining restaurants where to spend a couple of hours with your Travelmate/partner in a superb and romantic surrounding.
Because visiting a country without trying the local food is like learning only half of what it has to teach you.
By trying the local cuisine, you will learn about its past, its culture and customs, and you will have time to talk to waiters that, please don't forget, work and live in the area, so they know almost everything about it.
Don't be shy, and it doesn't matter if you don't speak the local language; they do speak English so that can be your chance to ask anything you wish to know.
You can even ask them to recommend you some other restaurants. This is something I always do while traveling.
Waiters won't get offended (or at least I hope they won't. They cannot pretend you eat all your meals at their restaurant for the length of your stay).
Ask them for some advice.
Waiters know where to eat locally and how to make sure you don't end up in a tourists trap.
All these places I listed below are in the city center of Athens. I could not add restaurants too far because the city center is a place where everyone will go, it is where all the attractions are so you won't have to travel too much to get there.
They all serve delicious and authentic Greek food. I am sure you are going to be happy and fully satisfied.
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Read 16 Best Places Where to Eat Local Food in Athens Below
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Cheap Local food on the go in Athens
1. Ariston Bakery:
This bakery has been well known in Athens since the beginning of 1900, here you can find local greek sweets, but it is famous mainly for the savoury pies.
Here you can taste the most famous Greek pie (and my favourite) Spanakopita and many more, like the "best seller" at this Bakery. the Kourou, made with cheese.
Which pie you are going to choose to try is only up to you. Most importantly, you will taste something delicious, made daily with fresh ingredients and, most importantly, local.
Opening Times: every day from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, closed on Sundays.
Address: Voulis 10, Athina 105 62, Greece
2. Zisis, Fish in a cone:
If fish to eat on the go is what you are looking for, I have the best spot for you and your cravings.
In this little but charming restaurant, they sell fried fish in a paper cone that you can eat while walking or sitting at one of their tables.
You can choose to take away between many kinds of fish, like sardines, squid, prawns, anchovies, cod stripes, and fish balls.
The price is 7 euros per cone.
If you prefer to sit down and enjoy a proper lunch, then you can still choose to eat one of these fish cones on the list, but they also make several kinds of Greek starters, Greek salads, main courses like pasta with fish, fried cheese, grilled fish and much more.
They also have some local desserts you cannot miss to try.
Opening Times: every day from 11.30 am to 6.30 pm.
Address: Athinaidos 3, Athina 105 63, Greece
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3. Falafellas:
If you are vegetarian/vegan or your travel mate is, this place is for you.
Here, you will find very cheap but delicious food to grab and eat while going to explore the area.
They have both falafels and meatballs, wrapped in a delicious pita, with the addition of vegetables of your choice, like salads, tomatoes, aubergine, cucumber, tzatziki sauce (this one is made with yoghurt so is not vegan) and spicy sauce.
My advice is to get all the veggies with both Tzatziki sauce and a bit of spicy one. It is delicious!
Regular falafel in pita bread here costs 2,80 euros, meatballs 3,30 euros (you can also get the giant size) and a beer for 1,50 euros. Soft drinks are much cheaper.
Here you can have lunch for only 5 euros, not bad at all, and the food is delicious and fresh.
4. Fresko Yogurt Bar:
Because unless you are dairy intolerant/allergic/vegan, you cannot go to Greece and miss trying the delicious Greek yoghurt.
In this all-white shop, you will be able to eat the famous Greek yoghurt with the addition of many different toppings.
They have homemade fruits compote, granola, nuts, fresh fruits, honey and much more to choose to add a twist to your fresh yoghurt.
Opening Time: every day from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm.
Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 3, Athina 117 42, Greece
5. Takis Bakery:
If looking for a bakery where to get something sweet, savoury and local, this is your bakery.
Here you are going to find both local (like cookies, baklava, cherry pie and much more) and not local sweets (like croissants filled with cream, oh my! too good, I haven't tried the carrot cake but it looked tempting), all delicious and made fresh daily.
In case you fancy something savoury, they also have some savoury pie and sandwiches made on the spot too.
Of course, they sell bread, in case you prefer to prepare your sandwich.
Opening Times: Mon to Fri from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm, Saturday 7.00 am to 5.00 pm, closed on Sunday.
Address: Misaraliotou 14, Athina 117 42, Greece
6. Fillo Food and Coffee:
This very charming cafe is the best place to relax a bit, rest your legs after walking a lot indeed around Athens, get one, two or even better, three slices of different savoury pie and a good cup of Greek coffee.
They also have sandwiches, salads and my favourite, Greek yoghurt with different kinds of toppings.
Opening Times: Mon to Fri 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, Sat 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, Sunday closed.
Address: Karagiorgi Servias 14, Athina 105 62, Greece
7. Mikro Politiko:
Looking for a place where to get a Gyros/Souvlaki in Pita bread?
Here is your place, they have it with every kind of meat and also with falafel (so vegetarian and vegan friendly).
They are excellent and cheap, the pork Gyros costs 2.70 euros and come with all the veggies and sauces inside.
Also available are some appetizers, salads, meat plates like Souvlaki with fries and much more.
Opening Times: Tue-Sat from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm, Sunday from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Address: 105 58, Dionysiou Areopagitou 8, ΑΚΡΟΠΟΛΗ ΑΘΗΝΑ 105 58, Greece
Visiting Greece? Read these:
Restaurants
8. Vegan Beat:
Yes, a Vegan place, because even if I am not vegan, many travellers are, so here is the best vegan place to enjoy everything Greek style, but without the meat.
Here you are going to find meals like sandwiches, vegan burgers, vegan Souvlaki and Vegan Gyros.
Everything is delicious and fresh. You will love this place so much that you are going to keep going back there for all your meals, trust me.
Opening Times: Thu to Sat from 12.00 pm to 6.00 pm, Mon 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Address: Perikleous 56, Athina 105 60, Greece
9. Liondi:
A traditional Greek restaurant located near the Acropolis. The perfect spot for a tasty lunch or dinner.
Here they have all the typical Greek dishes. My advice is to order some to share with your travel mates (unless you travel alone).
When in doubt, ask your waiter for some suggestions, they also make a big plate for two to share with 5 or 6 different dishes.
Vegetarian options.
Opening Time: every day from 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm, closed on Wednesdays.
Address: Makrigianni 19-21, Athina 117 42, Greece.
Book Your Accommodation Today
If you have already found a place you like, you should book it as soon as possible. Prices changes overnight and accommodations in very tourists places are the first ones to get fully booked.
I always start my research on the best accommodation as soon as I decide my destination, check out the best website: Booking.com and Agoda.com.
Book your favorite accommodation before someone else does!
10. Maiandros:
If you are looking for a taverna to have lunch/dinner with a view of the Acropolis without spending a fortune, this is your place.
It is not fine dining with a city view. This is a local Greek taverna, with most of the traditional food at an excellent price.
There are seats inside, outside downstairs and a roof terrace, with fantastic views.
I advise booking a table in advance because, of course, the terrace is the area that gets booked faster.
Ps: I always advise avoiding restaurants with pictures on the menu at the entrance, but this one is good and has a stunning view.
It is worth a try if you trust me.
Vegetarian options.
Opening Times: every day from 10.00 am to 01.00 am.
Address: Adrianou 47, Athina 105 55, Greece
11. Arcadia:
Located very close to the Acropolis so that you can stop there for lunch or dinner, this restaurant has provided delicious Greek food to tourists and locals since 1977.
Here you will find regional recipes from Arcadia, in the Peloponnese and of course, some other typical Greek food.
Prices are pretty good to be right in the city centre, and both service and atmosphere are perfect for your vacation vibe.
Vegetarian options.
Opening Time: every day from 12 pm to 11.30 pm.
Address: Makrigianni 23-27, Athina 117 42, Greece
12. Efcharis:
Efcharis is a traditional Greek Taverna, where you will find most of the typical Greek food, portions are pretty big at an excellent price to be in the city centre.
This place has been recommended to me by a local I met in a bar where I stopped for a coffee. She told me that many locals are going there, it is in the city centre and it is an authentic traditional Greek restaurant.
I hope you are going to like it as much as I did.
Vegetarian options.
Opening Time: every day from 11.30 am to 12.00 am.
Address: Adrianou 49Α, Athina 105 55, Greece
13. Karamanlidika Tou Fani:
As explained in my other article, "39 Delicious Food and Drinks You Have to Try in Greece", Greece produces many cured meat and different kinds of cheese.
Well, if you love them as I do, this is the perfect place where to book one of your lunches or dinners in Athens.
It opens at 8.00 am, so it could also be an excellent option for breakfast if you fancy savoury food.
In this restaurant, they have so many different types of ham, sausages and cheese that you need to ask for a mixed plate to try at least some of them (trust me, they have so many that you will not know where to start from).
Opening Time: Mon to Fri from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm.
Address: Sokratous 1, Athina 105 52, Greece.
Read also:
Fine Dining Restaurant
14. Dionysos Zonar's:
This restaurant has an exquisite touch, the food is typical Greek, and the view is stunning.
Service is, of course, five stars, it is probably one of the most romantic restaurants in Athens, so if you are travelling with your partner, and are willing to pay more than the usual Greek taverna, don't forget to book this restaurant.
Here you will be dining right in front of the Acropolis, magical view during the day, incredibly romantic at night.
Vegan and Vegetarian options.
Opening Time: every day from 8.00 am to 01.00 am.
Address: Ροβέρτου Γκάλλι 43, Athina 117 42, Greece
15. Acropolis Secret Roof Garden:
This restaurant is located on the rooftop of the Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel.
It is open only for dinner, and it is one of the best places to spend an elegant evening eating delicious Greek food while looking at the Acropolis lit up for the night.
Vegan and Vegetarian options.
Opening Time: 7.30 pm to 01.00 am.
Address: Parthenonos 19-25, Athina 117 42, Greece
16. 2 Mazi Restaurant:
Included in the Michelin guide, this restaurant will not disappoint you. Everything is delicious, the service is excellent, and you will like this place so much that you are going to want to go back again and again, till you are going to have (unfortunately) to leave Athens.
Opening Time: every day from 1.00 pm to 11.30 pm.
Address: Nikis 48, Athina 105 58, Greece
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