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Eating in Athens

Posted by (Los Angeles, CA) on

I discovered an interesting thing about eating in Athens.

Near the big museum was a row of restaurants, and we ate at one restaurant, which actually mentioned RS on the cover of the menu. It claims that their restaurant was endorsed by RS, along with half a dozen other famous tour books. Their whole fish cost 21 euros.

However, we were staying near the Omonia place, and we found a little seafood restaurant, and ate a whole fish meal there for exactly 7 euros. With that difference in price, we were in there every evening. My colleagues say that the 7 eu fish was better than the 21 eu fish. The 7 eu place seemed to be locals only, no other tourists - and very friendly. The owner apparently has lived in New Jersey at times, and when he found we were Americans, he brought out some hard liquor to have a toast. We had a lot of fun at that place.

I guess the moral of the story is - as it often is - avoid tourist areas, and find where the locals eat.

I can provide precise names and address on demand.

Posted by
1157 posts

Exactly, avoid the touristy places and go where the locals go.

Not only will the food be better but the prices will be far more reasonable.

There are so many places to eat in Athens that it can be overwhelming but if you do your research you'll find lots of tavernas where you can get more traditional Greek Food at really low prices

You can check out my photos of lots of meals and tavernas I've enjoyed not only in Athens but all over Greece.

Most of the meals are well under 13 Euros including wine. Many of the meals are in the 9-11 euros range.

One of the best things about going to Greece is Greek Food but you need to know where the locals go!

https://tinyurl.com/yyrqkp2x

Posted by
21 posts

I would LOVE the name of the establishment you went to!

Silly questions but any tips on how to find the local restaurants?

Posted by
12 posts

Hi- I would love to know the name of the restaurant. My husband and I will be in Athens the end of January and would like some recommendations on where to eat. Thank you.

Posted by
1817 posts

In all major tourist cities in the world, to find more authentic and not too expensive restaurants you will have to go outside the tourist areas. It should be obvious to everyone.

And to do that while staying in a hotel in Plaka or around with only 2 or 3 days to visit everything, it's almost "Mission: Impossible".

The key word being “Time”

Being a regular in Athens and loving to eat off the beaten track, here are some addresses mostly within 20 minutes walk from Plaka that could suit all budgets and tastes:

1/ Cheap, simple and local:
Eugenia Restaurant

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=486104954927083

https://goo.gl/maps/QJrgHEXEuPwAMPgp7

2/ Street Food (gyros, souvlaki, skewers) Costas

https://goo.gl/maps/NRbrAPhaCSN9f2tA9

3/ Lunch only, cheap, simple, (inside the municipal market):
Aris Tavern

https://www.facebook.com/aristaverna

https://goo.gl/maps/yNS9gt5S7mm47dgg9

4/ Quite touristy but very good authentic cuisine and cozy atmosphere inside (a few tables outside):
Arrive early or reserve.
To Kafeneio

https://tokafeneio.gr/

5/ South of the Koukaki district in a pedestrian street with several restaurants (and local families who come to eat):

For the grills:

Kalyvas Family Grill

https://goo.gl/maps/6j5dq19yaNGJjzKy6

Seafood in the same street, just opposite:
Ο Λόλος

https://lolos.info/

6/ Small, traditional, cheap, slightly hidden in Lekka street:
To Triantafyllo tis Nostimias

https://goo.gl/maps/8LkfnzQzEd6US1XW8

https://www.facebook.com/ToTriantafyllotisNostimias/

7/ And finally, a little more expensive with an original atmosphere (charcuterie and butcher counter).
Reservation recommended or even essential (very few tables)
Karamanlidika

https://karamanlidika.gr/

kalí órexi...

Posted by
515 posts

We stayed in a convenient hotel right on the Omanias Sqare - which was a great place with a colorful fountain at night, and just steps to the subway station - where you could get from there (via a transfer) to airport or port, and we walked about 20 minutes down to acropolis. Right next to the hotel were some shops, and there was kind of an interior passage way with shops. The fish restaurant was in there. I found it in Google maps but it seems to display in greek

RESTAURANT FISH ΓΙΩΤΗΣ
Πειραιώς 4, Sokratous 42, Athina 104 31, Greece

As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the giant bean dish instead of the fish and I think there were some soups too. One thing slightly strange was that you pay the bill as soon as you order, before the food was delivered. But they did not seem to expect a tip, and were very happy to get a few euros.

Posted by
1157 posts

The names of most of the Athens restaurant are in the captions.

The only one that has changed is To Theiokon which is now Alexandrino Kebab, same location. This is still one of the best grill houses in Athens and thankfully the food and service is just as good as the old place. I did a review under Crazyh.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d23300355-Reviews-Alexandrino_Kebap_Monastiraki-Athens_Attica.html

Some of others that are mention in Athens like the photo of stuffed peppers/tomatoes is no longer there.

One Souvlaki/Gyro place I went to but didn't take photos is Lefteris in Omonia, short walk from Athinas St.. It is THE best for a Gyro and for the most part only locals go there. Quick, delicious, unique and low price.

I did a review on another forum and you can read it here (Crazyh):

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g189400-d6731564-r870976421-Lefteris_o_Politis-Athens_Attica.html

You can do a a google search for any of the tavernas I have mentioned.

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