food in athens

I like a place that is right in the center of things, yet a bit "hidden away" from the throngs of tourists .... it's DIOGENES, a cafe about 100 feet from the Lysikrates Monument (look that up on your map of Famous landmarks) ... Diogenes is beyond the monument, under flowering trees ... booths and cushioned chairs, very restful ... light lunches (salads, sandwiches etc).

If you want to be in the middle of all the action while you're eating any of the outdoor restaurants in the Plaka will work. If you want a view of the city take the funicular up Lycabettus Hill and have a meal outside in the cafe at the top.

Thanks Lee, Any place specific?

Ken

You don't say when you'll be in Athens or where you'll be staying.

Assuming you'll be around Plaka, the most popular tourist area, I'd recommend the Vyzantino in Kydathinaion. It's at the top of Plaka about 10 minutes walk away from the new Acropolis museum. It's on one side of a small square and a great place for people watching.

Quite a lot of Greeks who work in the area lunch there, always a good sign. They have a wide menu and daily specials which you can look at in a glass case just inside the door.

It's by far my favourite in the area and I always have lunch there at least once when I'm in Athens.

There's a bit more detail on Matt Barrett's site, plus a lot of other options.

http://www.athensguide.com/restaurants.html

I've not tried all of these but agree with Matt on the ones that I have. (Except that he doesn't have the Vyzantino as a favourite, and it would certainly be my top tip!)

Have a good trip

Alan

We really liked O Glykos at Angelou Geronta 2. They serve only mezedes. But 3 mezedes between my wife and I were enough for a meal. And they have a really good house rose wine. It's just north of the main street in the Plaka. The main street has 2 names. In the western part of the Plaka, it's called Thespidos. In the eastern part, it's called Kidathineon. As you're walking down Thespidos/Kidathineon, with the Acropolis at your back, turn left on Angelou Geronta. It's about 30 yards down, on your left-hand side. The outdoor seating area has rafters over it, with grape vines running through the rafters.

Rick - I've not eaten in O Glykos, although we used to drink there a lot when it was a bar. I'll try it out next time I'm there. Thanks for the tip.

Ken - Rick's tip is 100 yards from the Vyzantino which I recommended, so you can easily scope them both out and make your choice. The Vyzantino is on the other end of Geronta, which is a very short street.

Alan