Little Athens’s guidebook
Food scene
THE BEST. There is nothing to dislike about this unpretentious little sandwich shop. Everyone lines up and waits and no one complains. It's a tiny little place run by Giannis and his family with lots of choices and fresh ingredients. You can order from the exhaustive menu or make up your own; and you can also get a fresh vegetable and/or fruit juice. Gianni usually pops something extra in the juicer for you (mint, turmeric...). Definitely go here. The shop is a takeaway but if there is a free stool outside you can perch and eat there too, you'll likely share it with the fat neighbourhood cat.
63 當地人推薦
Guarantee
41 VeikouTHE BEST. There is nothing to dislike about this unpretentious little sandwich shop. Everyone lines up and waits and no one complains. It's a tiny little place run by Giannis and his family with lots of choices and fresh ingredients. You can order from the exhaustive menu or make up your own; and you can also get a fresh vegetable and/or fruit juice. Gianni usually pops something extra in the juicer for you (mint, turmeric...). Definitely go here. The shop is a takeaway but if there is a free stool outside you can perch and eat there too, you'll likely share it with the fat neighbourhood cat.
In 1961, a couple from Thessaloniki brought their bakery knowledge to the capital. You'll find the bakery with your nose. The selection here is almost endless, salty and sweet. Not all healthy but immensely satisfying. Just opposite, you will find Drupes and Drips, the cafe that the couple's sons opened a few years ago.
109 當地人推薦
Takis Bakery
14 MisaraliotouIn 1961, a couple from Thessaloniki brought their bakery knowledge to the capital. You'll find the bakery with your nose. The selection here is almost endless, salty and sweet. Not all healthy but immensely satisfying. Just opposite, you will find Drupes and Drips, the cafe that the couple's sons opened a few years ago.
A minuscule standing café-bar where people stay standing to enjoy their coffee, wine or spritz. You can bring your own baked goods from the bakery across the road (run by the café owners' parents). The crowd here is mixed. You will probably meet and chat to everyone by the time you leave. The service is not always quick or attentive but no one ever complains. A good place.
44 當地人推薦
Drupes & Drips
20 ZitrouA minuscule standing café-bar where people stay standing to enjoy their coffee, wine or spritz. You can bring your own baked goods from the bakery across the road (run by the café owners' parents). The crowd here is mixed. You will probably meet and chat to everyone by the time you leave. The service is not always quick or attentive but no one ever complains. A good place.
This hidden fish tavern never disappoints. Laki’s ouzeria serves fresh fish, well cooked and served by friendly people who can recommend what's good that day. Even non-fish lovers like this unpretentious place. The area is poor but lively and feels like an original Athenian neighbourhood that has welcomed immigrants. Good prices.
22 當地人推薦
Ouzeri Tou Laki
16 ElpidosThis hidden fish tavern never disappoints. Laki’s ouzeria serves fresh fish, well cooked and served by friendly people who can recommend what's good that day. Even non-fish lovers like this unpretentious place. The area is poor but lively and feels like an original Athenian neighbourhood that has welcomed immigrants. Good prices.
A hidden alley that has been found. Fresh fish from the nearby Central Fish Market. Reasonable prices, especially given the high quality of the food. Very small in a little picturesque alley. Definitely try the fish sandwich (with a side of patates (fries), obviously). Laidback, nice food, simple and fine in every way. Go early to find a table. If it's busy you will have to be patient.
47 當地人推薦
Atlantikos
7 Avliton
A hidden alley that has been found. Fresh fish from the nearby Central Fish Market. Reasonable prices, especially given the high quality of the food. Very small in a little picturesque alley. Definitely try the fish sandwich (with a side of patates (fries), obviously). Laidback, nice food, simple and fine in every way. Go early to find a table. If it's busy you will have to be patient.
A lovely little spot surrounded by trees, decked out in a retro style and a laid back atmosphere. Good for a cocktail, a wine, a coffee or a homemade dessert. Super nice wait staff that don't mind if your Greek is bad (or non-existent). It's a short walk to the Acropolis Museum if you need a pre-post cocktail before you face the crowds. Open all day until late.
112 當地人推薦
Lotte cafe-bistrot
2 Tsami KaratasouA lovely little spot surrounded by trees, decked out in a retro style and a laid back atmosphere. Good for a cocktail, a wine, a coffee or a homemade dessert. Super nice wait staff that don't mind if your Greek is bad (or non-existent). It's a short walk to the Acropolis Museum if you need a pre-post cocktail before you face the crowds. Open all day until late.
This old bistro is situated in a square full of antique shops. The food is delicious, authentic Greek recipes and carefully picked ingredients. Many choices for meat lovers but you should definitely try their eggplants. The decoration is unique, many great paintings and old art objects and the terrace has a lovely view. You can also sit for lunch on the busy sidewalk next to the antique shops of the area. From mid September to mid June there is live music on the weekends, usually a singer accompanied by an accordionist. It's quite pricey for Athens but it is worth it. Also, it may feel a bit touristic but it's only because so many visitors have spread the world. If you visit during the day, just sit at one of the two tables outside and watch the people working on the restoring old furniture or watch the customers hunting around. From here, you'll realise that you can have just become part of the city's rhythm.
40 當地人推薦
Cafe Avissinia
7 KinetouThis old bistro is situated in a square full of antique shops. The food is delicious, authentic Greek recipes and carefully picked ingredients. Many choices for meat lovers but you should definitely try their eggplants. The decoration is unique, many great paintings and old art objects and the terrace has a lovely view. You can also sit for lunch on the busy sidewalk next to the antique shops of the area. From mid September to mid June there is live music on the weekends, usually a singer accompanied by an accordionist. It's quite pricey for Athens but it is worth it. Also, it may feel a bit touristic but it's only because so many visitors have spread the world. If you visit during the day, just sit at one of the two tables outside and watch the people working on the restoring old furniture or watch the customers hunting around. From here, you'll realise that you can have just become part of the city's rhythm.
Simplicity is definitely the word that comes to mind after a visit to this neo-taverna. Simplicity with a great attention to detail. The menu is limited to a tasteful selection that changes often and is prepared and delivered with care. The space is also uncomplicated and minimalistic with its open kitchen and terrazzo floors; decorated with a mass of church candles in homage to its previous function as a candle shop. Even if you usually avoid carbs, you have to taste the bread here. The experience will be a bit pricey but value for money.
ΛΙΝΟΥ ΣΟΥΜΠΑΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΙΑ
9 KalamidaSimplicity is definitely the word that comes to mind after a visit to this neo-taverna. Simplicity with a great attention to detail. The menu is limited to a tasteful selection that changes often and is prepared and delivered with care. The space is also uncomplicated and minimalistic with its open kitchen and terrazzo floors; decorated with a mass of church candles in homage to its previous function as a candle shop. Even if you usually avoid carbs, you have to taste the bread here. The experience will be a bit pricey but value for money.
Let them eat… pie. Nearly every Athenian resident has tasted something from Ariston bakery at least once in their life. Especially the traditional kourou (dough) pies. While you are there, visit Voulis Street: full of hidden laneways that lead to old family stores and can be used cool in the shade on hot Summer days. Also, a few meters away you can sit and enjoy your kourou pie on a bench in front of the old Parliament.
Ariston Bakery
PapadiamantiLet them eat… pie. Nearly every Athenian resident has tasted something from Ariston bakery at least once in their life. Especially the traditional kourou (dough) pies. While you are there, visit Voulis Street: full of hidden laneways that lead to old family stores and can be used cool in the shade on hot Summer days. Also, a few meters away you can sit and enjoy your kourou pie on a bench in front of the old Parliament.
A feel-like-home spot you should visit with friends who appreciate simple settings and like long discussions. No music, no pretentious decor but a warm feeling of intimacy that grows in you slowly. You'll become loyal after your first visit, I know because I did. In a corner building from 1918 (which was also the house of the initial owner), this restaurant offers home-cooked food like they used to do in the 30s. Simple, tasty and traditional menu with ingredients that Kostas, the owner, picks himself from vendors that he knows personally. Try the lamb for sure. You might find the food quite heavy or fatty if you aren’t used to the traditional ways of Greek cooking. Fair prices. The only thing I don't like is the harsh lighting inside.
Kidantidon 32
32 KidantidonA feel-like-home spot you should visit with friends who appreciate simple settings and like long discussions. No music, no pretentious decor but a warm feeling of intimacy that grows in you slowly. You'll become loyal after your first visit, I know because I did. In a corner building from 1918 (which was also the house of the initial owner), this restaurant offers home-cooked food like they used to do in the 30s. Simple, tasty and traditional menu with ingredients that Kostas, the owner, picks himself from vendors that he knows personally. Try the lamb for sure. You might find the food quite heavy or fatty if you aren’t used to the traditional ways of Greek cooking. Fair prices. The only thing I don't like is the harsh lighting inside.
Right on Syntagma square, this very simple taverna sits in the most unexpected location. You enter the elevator of an office building to the 9th floor and there is Mr Yiannis (from Crete) with his canteen-like taverna and retro terrace. The place offers an excellent view. You will love their menu as long as you eat meat. The choices are limited but very tasty and of excellent quality: Greek salad, meat-balls, sausages, omelettes and french fries accompanied by wine in bulk or raki. Open during business hours as its clientele is mostly people working at Syntagma. It goes without saying that you can't reserve a table. You just have to be lucky. It's open only during the day.
The canteen of Karagiorgi Serbia (The Cretan)
2 Karagiorgi ServiasRight on Syntagma square, this very simple taverna sits in the most unexpected location. You enter the elevator of an office building to the 9th floor and there is Mr Yiannis (from Crete) with his canteen-like taverna and retro terrace. The place offers an excellent view. You will love their menu as long as you eat meat. The choices are limited but very tasty and of excellent quality: Greek salad, meat-balls, sausages, omelettes and french fries accompanied by wine in bulk or raki. Open during business hours as its clientele is mostly people working at Syntagma. It goes without saying that you can't reserve a table. You just have to be lucky. It's open only during the day.