Athens is one of Europe’s most underrated food cities. Beyond the souvlaki and moussaka (both excellent), you’ll find creative modern Greek cuisine, fresh seafood, outstanding street food, and culinary traditions stretching back millennia.
Here’s where to eat in Athens — organized by neighborhood and dining style.
Quick Navigation # What You Want Where to Go Street food (souvlaki) Monastiraki, Syntagma Traditional tavernas Plaka, Psyrri, Koukaki Modern Greek Kolonaki, Psyrri Seafood Piraeus, Glyfada Rooftop dining Monastiraki, Plaka Budget eats Exarchia, Central Market Fine dining Kolonaki, Syntagma Eating by Neighborhood # Monastiraki & Syntagma — The Central Hub # Best for: Street food, quick eats, rooftop bars
Greek food is far more than moussaka and gyros — though those are excellent. The cuisine draws on 4,000 years of history, Mediterranean ingredients, and a philosophy that food is meant to be shared.
Here’s your guide to Greek food and the dishes you absolutely must try in Athens.
The Essentials: Top 10 Must-Try # Before your trip ends, make sure you’ve eaten these:
Every visitor to Athens eats souvlaki. But most eat it at mediocre tourist spots with inflated prices and disappointing pita.
Here’s where locals actually go for the best souvlaki in Athens — the places with lines out the door at 2 AM and generations of Athenians who won’t go anywhere else.
Quick Overview: Top Souvlaki Spots # Restaurant Neighborhood Price Best For Kostas Syntagma €3.50 Classic pork souvlaki O Thanasis Monastiraki €4.00 Kebab Elvis Psyrri €4.00 Late night Bairaktaris Monastiraki €4.00 Tourist-convenient, decent To Kati Allo Pangrati €3.50 Local neighborhood vibe Hoocut Syntagma €4.50 Gourmet pork belly Lefteris o Politis Exarchia €3.50 Student favorite Ta Karamanlidika Psyrri €5.00 Deli-style experience First: Souvlaki vs. Gyros — What’s the Difference? # Before we dive in, let’s clear up the confusion:
Plaka is Athens’ most touristy neighborhood — and for good reason. It’s charming, historic, and steps from the Acropolis. But finding good food here requires knowing where to look.
Here are the best restaurants in Plaka that locals actually recommend, plus tips for avoiding the tourist traps.
Quick Picks # Restaurant Best For Price Vibe To Kafeneio Traditional taverna €€ Authentic Tzitzikas kai Mermigas Reliable modern Greek €€ Casual-nice Scholarchio Historic, great meze €€ Lively Saita Hidden local gem € No-frills Dionysos Zonar’s Acropolis views €€€ Upscale Price guide: € = Under €15 | €€ = €15-30 | €€€ = €30+
Greek food is so much more than moussaka and souvlaki — though those are excellent too. The best way to discover Athens’ culinary secrets is with someone who knows where locals actually eat.
After researching dozens of options, here are the 8 best Athens food tours for 2026, from street food adventures to hands-on cooking classes.
Quick Comparison # Tour Duration Tastings Price Best For Central Market Walk 4 hours 10-12 €79 Serious foodies Street Food Tour 3 hours 8-10 €59 Budget-friendly fun Evening Food & Wine 4 hours 8 + wine €89 Couples, date night Cooking Class 5 hours Full meal €95 Hands-on learners Private Tour 4 hours 12+ €150 Families, custom requests Our Top Pick: Monastiraki & Central Market Tour # Athens Food Tour: Monastiraki & Central Market ★ 4.9 (3,420 reviews) The definitive Athens food experience. Walk through the historic Central Market, taste 12+ local specialties, visit family-run shops dating back generations, and learn the stories behind Greek cuisine. Small groups (max 12) with passionate local guides.
Greeks are serious about coffee. They spend hours at cafes, turning a simple freddo into an all-afternoon social event. Athens has everything from century-old kafeneia to cutting-edge specialty roasters.
Here’s your guide to Athens coffee culture and the best cafes in the city.
Understanding Greek Coffee # Before diving into the best spots, let’s decode the menu:
Coffee What It Is How to Order Ellinikos Traditional Greek coffee (like Turkish) “Sketo” (no sugar), “Metrio” (medium), “Glyko” (sweet) Freddo Espresso Iced espresso, shaken frothy Order with sugar level preference Freddo Cappuccino Iced cappuccino with cold foam The quintessential Greek coffee Frappe Instant coffee shaken with ice Classic but fading in popularity 💡 Pro tip: The freddo cappuccino is Greece’s gift to coffee culture. Cold espresso topped with thick, creamy cold foam — perfect for hot Athens days. Order one and you’ll understand why Greeks sit at cafes for hours. Best Specialty Coffee # 1. Taf Coffee (Multiple Locations) # Athens’ pioneering specialty roaster. Serious about beans, unpretentious in vibe.
There’s nothing quite like watching the Acropolis glow golden at sunset while sipping wine on an Athens rooftop. It’s the quintessential Athens experience — ancient history meets modern dining.
Here are the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Athens for 2026, from splurge-worthy fine dining to casual sunset drinks.
Quick Overview # Venue View Vibe Price Best For A for Athens Direct Acropolis Trendy €€€ Sunset drinks 360 Degrees Panoramic Upscale €€€€ Special occasions Couleur Locale Side Acropolis Artsy €€ Casual evening GB Roof Garden Sweeping Elegant €€€€ Fine dining Sense Rooftop Direct Romantic €€€ Date night Price guide: € = Under €20 | €€ = €20-40 | €€€ = €40-70 | €€€€ = €70+