Athens food guide
Athens Food Guide: 12 Greek Dishes + Where to Eat Them
Athenian food culture is hearty + ingredient-focused, pita-wrapped souvlaki at street corners, mezedes shared at long tavernas, syrup-soaked desserts. Here’s the must-eat list.
Souvlaki + gyros
Wrapped in pita with tzatziki + tomato + onion + fries. Kostas (Plateia Agias Eirinis) is THE Athens souvlaki spot — cash only, lunch only, perpetual queue.
Price: 2.50-4 EUR per souvlaki
Greek salad (horiatiki)
Tomato + cucumber + onion + olives + feta block + olive oil. Best at any neighborhood taverna in Plaka or Exarchia.
Price: 6-10 EUR
Moussaka
Layered eggplant + minced meat + bechamel. The Greek casserole. Try at To Mavro Probato (Pangrati) or Karavitis Taverna.
Price: 9-14 EUR
Mezedes at a meze house
Order 6-8 small plates to share: taramasalata, tzatziki, dolmades, fried zucchini, octopus, saganaki. Mavro Probato + Diporto are famous.
Price: 20-35 EUR per person across multiple
Spanakopita
Spinach + feta phyllo pie. Bakery breakfast staple. Try at any artos bakery.
Price: 3-5 EUR per piece
Loukoumades
Honey-soaked Greek donuts with cinnamon. Loukoumades Krinos (since 1923) on Aiolou Street.
Price: 4-7 EUR per portion
Baklava
Phyllo + nuts + honey. Greek style slightly different from Turkish. Krinos for Athens version.
Price: 3-5 EUR per piece
Octopus (grilled or in vinegar)
Char-grilled with olive oil + lemon + oregano. Manimani (Koukaki) for refined version.
Price: 12-22 EUR
Pastitsio
Greek baked pasta with bechamel + meat sauce. Comfort dish. Try at Klimataria (Plateia Theatrou).
Price: 8-13 EUR
Greek breakfast spread
Yogurt + honey + nuts + bread + olives + tomatoes. Best at Lukumades Tou Sami or any kafenio.
Price: 6-10 EUR
Greek coffee + frappé
Sweet Greek coffee in tiny cup OR cold frothy frappé. Athens kafenios serve both.
Price: 2-4 EUR
Saganaki + cheese pies
Pan-fried cheese (flaming saganaki). Or cheese-stuffed pita pies (tiropita). Bakery snacks.
Price: 5-9 EUR