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What to Eat in Athens — A Local Food Guide
Athens is a food city. Not in the Michelin-starred, white-tablecloth sense — but in the charcoal-grilled, olive-oil-drizzled, eat-with-your-hands sense. Here are the 12 dishes every visitor should try, and where to find the best versions in the city.
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1. Souvlaki & Gyros — The Street Food Kings
You can't visit Athens without eating souvlaki. Skewered grilled meat (pork or chicken) wrapped in warm pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki and fries — folded into a perfect handheld meal. Gyros is the same meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The best spots: Kostas near Syntagma (since 1950, closes by 4pm), O Thanasis in Monastiraki, and Hoocut in Petralona for a modern twist. A souvlaki wrap costs around €3-4. Pro tip: ask for 'me ap'ola' (with everything).
2. Moussaka — The Comfort Classic
Layers of fried eggplant, minced meat in tomato sauce and creamy béchamel, baked until golden. It's Greece's most famous oven dish — and for good reason. Find the best at Oikonomou in Petralona (since 1930) or any traditional mayirefta taverna. Avoid the pre-made versions at tourist traps; real moussaka is baked fresh daily and often sells out by mid-afternoon.
3. Greek Salad (Horiatiki) — Summer on a Plate
The real Greek salad has no lettuce. Just tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives and a thick slab of feta on top, dressed with olive oil and oregano. The secret is the tomatoes — Greek summer tomatoes are intensely sweet. Best enjoyed at a seaside taverna or any neighbourhood grill house. In Petralona, every taverna serves a good one.
4. Tzatziki, Fava & Melitzanosalata — The Dip Trinity
A proper Greek meal starts with dips and bread. Tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic) is the classic. Fava (yellow split pea purée from Santorini) is the sleeper hit — creamy, earthy, topped with capers and onion. Melitzanosalata (smoky eggplant dip) completes the trio. Order all three with warm pita at any mezedopoleio in Psyrri or Petralona.
5. Seafood — Grilled Octopus & Fried Kalamari
Athens sits on the sea, and the seafood is excellent. Grilled octopus (chtapodi) is charred, tender and drizzled with olive oil and lemon. Fried kalamari should be crisp and light, not rubbery. The best spots are the ouzeri along the coast, but in the centre, To Ouzadiko in Petralona and the tavernas around Kerameikos in Gazi do excellent versions. Skip seafood at obviously touristy Plaka spots.
6. Saganaki — Fried Cheese
A slab of kefalotyri or kefalograviera cheese, floured and fried until golden-crisp outside and melty inside. Served sizzling with a squeeze of lemon. It's simple, perfect and dangerously addictive. Available at virtually every taverna. Order it as a starter — thank us later.
7. Spanakopita & Tiropita — The Pie Life
Greek pies are the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Spanakopita (spinach and feta in flaky phyllo) and tiropita (cheese pie) are sold at every bakery. The best come from neighbourhood bakeries early in the morning — look for the ones where locals are queuing. In Koukaki, Takis Bakery does excellent versions. Cost: around €2.
8. Loukoumades — Greek Doughnuts
Crispy golden dough balls drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. Lukumades on Aiolou Street in Monastiraki is the most famous spot — they serve them fresh to order in portions of 10. Also try the version with Nutella or crushed walnuts. Perfect for a sweet break during sightseeing.
9. Baklava & Galaktoboureko — The Sweet Finale
Baklava needs no introduction — layers of phyllo, chopped nuts and honey syrup. But galaktoboureko is the connoisseur's choice: semolina custard baked in phyllo and soaked in light syrup. The best galaktoboureko in Athens is at Varsos in Kifissia (since 1892), but any good bakery or taverna will serve a decent one. Save room.
10. Greek Coffee & Freddo — The Caffeine Culture
Greeks take coffee seriously. Traditional Greek coffee (ellinikos) is brewed in a briki and served with the grounds settled at the bottom — don't drink the last sip. Freddo espresso and freddo cappuccino are the modern obsessions: double espresso shaken with ice. Athens has a world-class coffee scene — try Taf or Anana in Exarchia, Senses in Koukaki, or any neighbourhood kafeneio for the old-school experience.
11. Tsipouro & Ouzo — The Spirit of Greece
Tsipouro is Greece's grappa — a clear pomace brandy served in small glasses, often with meze. Ouzo is anise-flavoured and turns cloudy when you add water. Both are meant to be sipped slowly with food and good company. The best ouzeri are in Psyrri and Petralona — look for places where older Greeks are playing tavli (backgammon) and the bottles are unlabelled.
12. When and How to Eat Like a Local
Greeks eat late — lunch at 2-3pm, dinner at 9-10pm or later. Breakfast is often just a coffee and pie from a bakery. Taverna portions are generous; order 2-3 meze to start and one main to share. Bread is always on the table (small charge, around €1). Tipping is appreciated (5-10%) but not mandatory. And never rush — Greek meals are meant to stretch over hours. Kalí órexi!
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Stay with us
Staying in Petralona — Athens' best food neighbourhood? All these dishes are a short walk from our managed homes. Browse Petralona Park View and Petralona Private Urban.