Acropolis, Plaka & Monastiraki

Ciccus

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• 31 Andrianou Street, Monastiraki, 2103210420

All day cafe bar-restaurant with modern decor and a great view towards the Stoa of Attalos. Here you will get the chance to taste selected varieties of fine cof- fee, authentic greek cuisine and top quality cocktails in the bar from experienced bartenders.

Fresko yogurt bar

• 5 Dionysiou Aeropagitou, Plaka, 210 9233760 / Metro: Acropolis

This small yogurt bar serves three types of real Greek yogurt (not frozen) with a number of toppings: honey, fruit spoon sweats and nuts. There’s also a good selection of smoothies.

To Kati Allo

• 14 Hatzihristou Street, Acropolis / Metro: Acropolis

Excellent souvlakia and other grilled meats right behind the Acropolis Museum.

Mikri Venetia

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• 15 Olympiou street (pedestrian street), Koukaki, 213 0259158 / Metro: Syngrou-Fix

A modern restaurant hidden on the hip Koukaki neighbourhood, serving modern Greek cuisine using regional products.

Vrettos

• 9, Angelou Geroda Street, Filomousou Eterias Square, Plaka, 210 3216981 / Metro: Monastiraki / €€

This green-coloured ouzeri makes delicious mezedes to go with your ouzo. It is one of the few eateries in touristic Plaka that is worth your money.

Thanasis

• 69 Mitropoleos, Monastiraki, Metro: Monastiraki / €

It is said to serve the best kebab in town. Be sure to go early to get a table.

Avyssinia café

• Avyssinia square, Psiri, 210 321704, Metro: Monastiraki / €€

One of the most atmospheric restaurants in the city, where traditional and modern recipies are mixed with perfect results. The service is impeccable and so is the spinach mousaka. Wash it all down with generous amounts of wine, or just a cold beer.

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Discover local open-air markets: Apart from Athens’s Central Market, each neighbourhood has its own small open market on specific days where people stock up on fresh goodies. Producers unload fruit and vegetables on their stalls and cry their wares. They’re usually open from 7am till 2pm and it’ a great place to watch Athenians going about their daily lives, but also an unmissable opportunity to find fresh produce in exceptionally low prices. Buy some fruit to have a healthy and refreshing snack in your bag for those long walks under the scorching sun. There’re juicy peaches – choose the lemonata variety if they have them – apricots (Bebekou and Thiamadopoulou varieties are top-notch) - cherries – both dark red and crunchy petrokerasa - great smelling melons from Dimini, grapes and watermelons, which you may ask to taste before buying. In the city centre, there’s the market of Xenokratous street in Kolonaki every Friday, of Kallidromiou street in Exarheia every Saturday, while in Agia Irini square, close to Ermou, there’s a beautiful little flower market.

Thisio

Filistron

23 Apostolou Pavlou, 210 3467554, Metro: Thisio / €€

This semi-casual restaurant offers perfect views of the Acropolis hill and reasonably priced Greek specialties such as zucchini balls and fresh salads.

Pangrati & Mets

To Mavro Provato

• 31-33 Arrianou Stret, Pangrati, 210 7223466, 7223469 / €€

Greek food in low prices and a young clientele in a space that resembles a French bistrot.

Vroutos

• 12 Amynda Street, Pangrati, 210 7219254 / €

A great place for a quick stop and a few meze in a friendly envrironment.

Colibri

• 9 Anapafseos Street, Mets, 210 9214277

Comfort food and hamburgers is the trademark of this very popular spot which seems to be always busy. A good stop on your way to Athens’ First Cemetary (see Great Outdoors)

Vyrinis

• 11 Archimidous, Pangrati / €€

Delicious Greek casserole specialties in a classic taverna that attracts the young.

Spondi

• 5 Pyronos, Varnava square, Pagrati, 210 7520658/210 3450803, open Mon-Sun 20:00-23:00 / €€€€

Michelin-rated (two stars) Spondi is housed in a beautiful, three-storied mansion. It caused a stir in Athens’s gastronomic scene since it first opened with its high-quality French and Mediterranean cuisine which pleases the eye as well as the tastebuds. In the summer, tables are placed on a lovely terrace.

Milos restaurant

• 46 Vassilisis Sophias, 210 7244400, Metro: Evangelismos  / €€€€

Inside Hilton hotel, Milos serves excellent seafood and a sufficient variety of specialties from all over the country. The prices are steep, but you can also opt for the set menu for 20 euros.

Dionysus’s favourite drink: When out to eat, pass on the usual choices of Italian and French wine and opt for a Greek label. Wine making is a fast growing business in the country and native varieties are used to create excellent wines. Asyrtiko, moschofilero, athyri, roditis, savatiano and robola are only some of the white varieties, while xinomavro, limnio and agiorgitiko are used for red wine. Some of the best known – and well-trusted – brands include Averoff, Antonopoulou, Boutaris, Chatzimihalis, Kyr-Yiannis, Gerovasiliou, Lazaridis and Spyropoulou. Keep in mind that restaurants price bottles much higher than stores, so alternatively you can buy one from a mini-market or deli in the city centre. Vasilopoulos deli (19 Stadiou, Syntagma) offers a selection of Greek brands, as well as Cellier wine sellers (1 Kriezotou, Syntagma, 210 3610040). Apart from dry wine, sweet, red, full-mouthed Mavrodafni is the Greek equivalent of Port and is usually drunk as an appetiser, or as a dink in bars. The city of Patra in the Peloponnese is the top producer, so ask for it with its name of origin. In tavernas and mezedopoleia you might also be offered retsina, known as wine’s poor relation. It’s a funny-tasting wine made of resinated white or even rose wine that has been produced in Greece since antiquity. Often sneered at by fans of high quality wine, retsina is now a product with protected designation of origin. Attica, Beotia and Evia are the top producers, combining traditionally savatiano and asyrtiko or roditis varieties. It’s produced like ordinary wine, but pine resin is added during fermentation. Celebrated brands include Kourtaki and Malamatina, found in most supermarkets and wine sellers.

Ano Petralona

Salos Lagos

• 63, Troon street, Ano Petralona, 210 3414234, Train: Petralona / €
  

In the school notebook serving as a menu you will find the delicious chickpea soup and aubergines stuffed with tomato sauce and cheese, as well as some tasty salads, like the boiled greens. The rakomelo, a strong grappa-like drink will wash it all down nicely. Its prices are adjusted to the austerity-hit clientele, comprised mainly of youngsters.

Therapeftirio

• 41, Kithadithon & Kallisthenous street, 210 3412538, Train: Petralona / €

Casserole dishes and cheap seafood in one of the oldest tavernas of the neighbourhood.

Economou

• 41 Troon Street, Ano Petralona, Tel: +30 210 3467555 / Metro: Petralona

Excellent Greek taverna and one of the most beautiful spots in town.

Kappari

• 36, Dorieon Street, Ano Petralona, 210 3450288, Train: Petralona / €€

The black and white photos on the wall make up the simple décor of this old house, where you can eat generous portions of Greek fare. The stuffed zucchini flowers are not to be missed if they have it, as well as the Cypriot meatballs. One drawback is that they allow smoking everywhere, so it is advisable to get a seat outside. 

Chez Lucien

• 32 Troon, Ano Petralona, 210 3464236, Train: Petralona / €€

The chef prepares a limited number of French courses in his open kitchen, in a bistro-like envirnoment, at reasonable prices.