Insider recommendations
Where to Eat in Athens
George's personal picks after 16 years. Plus coffee, sweets, and day trips.
After every Athens walking tour, the same questions come up: "Where should we eat?", "Any good day trips?", "What's that cold coffee everyone's drinking?"
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens, you've come to the right place. After 16 years of living here and showing thousands of travellers around this city, I've got strong opinions. These are the places I actually recommend. Not sponsored, not paid, just spots I genuinely rate. Still figuring out accommodation? Check my where to stay guide too.
— George Stilianos
Your Athens tour leader • 16 years showing people the real Athens
Last updated: 1 March 2026
Best Souvlaki in Athens
My tours usually finish just before lunch or dinner, so this is the question I get most. Simple, fast, and exactly what you want after a hike. These are the spots where locals also go.
Proedros
Psyrri area
George's top pick for souvlaki in the centre. A solid choice right near the Psyrri neighbourhood.
DirectionsAdrianou 1, Thiseio
Savvas
Monastiraki
A Monastiraki institution. Always busy, always good. Right in the thick of the action. Great for a quick bite after exploring the flea market.
DirectionsMonastiraki Square
Just Pita
Athinas Street
On Athinas Street near the Central Market. Another great souvlaki option if you're in the area.
DirectionsAthinas 18, Psyrri
Kountouriotiko
Koukaki
A solid, authentic souvlaki spot in the heart of Koukaki. A genuine Athens neighbourhood away from the tourist crowds. Exactly the kind of place locals go.
DirectionsPlateia Kountouriotou 3, Koukaki
Souvlaki in the Suburbs
Venture beyond the centre and you'll find the neighbourhood spots where locals actually go. No tourists, just great food.
Kalamaki Bar
Koukaki
No nonsense souvlaki spot. No gyros here, just classic meat on a stick souvlaki, excellent Greek salads, feta, tzatziki, and plenty of authentic appetisers.
DirectionsDrakou 15, Koukaki
Koukli
Kallithea
A busy local favourite. All the meat is cooked over charcoal. Souvlaki, kontosouvli, and kokoretsi. Good value, generous portions.
DirectionsEl. Venizelou 154, Kallithea
Best
Petralona
Tasty gyros, appetisers, and a selection of grilled meats. A popular gathering spot for Petralona locals.
DirectionsAthinodorou 23, Petralona
Kyr Aristos
Palaio Faliro
I genuinely don't know how to describe this place. They bring out enormous trays piled high with grilled meats. Platters the size of a small table. The food is incredible. You have to see it to believe it.
DirectionsSintagmatarchou Zisimopoulou 96, Palaio Faliro
Home Cooked Greek Food in Athens
If you want something more substantial, the kind of food a Greek grandmother would make, these are the places. Perfect for a proper sit down dinner after a day of exploring, or after the Lycabettus tour. If you're planning to climb Lycabettus Hill, you'll want a proper meal waiting at the bottom.
Attalos
Adrianou 7, Plaka
Proper home cooked Greek food on Adrianou Street. The kind of place where the dishes are made fresh that morning and when they run out, they run out.
DirectionsAdrianou 7, Plaka
To Kati Allo
Koukaki, behind Acropolis Museum
A popular choice with everyone George sends there. Nice old school taverna in Koukaki, just behind the Acropolis Museum. The kind of place that hasn't changed in decades and doesn't need to.
DirectionsChatzichristou 12, Koukaki
Where the Locals Really Eat in Athens
Not the tourist traps on the main squares. These are the places where Athenians actually go. The kind of spots you'd never find on your own.
Dio Dekares i Oka
Koukaki
A cosy spot with authentic Greek hospitality. George's go to: the mixed grill, with zucchini balls and tzatziki to start.
DirectionsDimitrakopoulou 29 31, Koukaki
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas
City Centre
Centrally located in the heart of Athens. Authentic food and great vibes, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
DirectionsMitropoleos 12, Syntagma
Nikitas
Psyrri
In the heart of the lively Psyrri neighbourhood, serving up the classics after all these years.
DirectionsAgion Anargyron 19, Psyrri
Kappari
Petralona
Classic Greek outdoor dining in the Petralona neighbourhood. The setting is quintessentially Athens. Tables on the pavement, authentic home style food, and a properly local atmosphere. The pork knuckle with honey sauce is the standout. Visitors rave about it and honestly, it's one of the best things I've eaten in this city.
DirectionsDorieon 36, Ano Petralona
Greek Sweets & Desserts
No visit to Athens is complete until you've tried some of the delicious local desserts! Another question that comes up a lot — where to find proper Greek sweets. These two are the go to recommendations.
Konstantinidis
Syngrou 98 (10 min walk from Acropolis Museum)
Worth the detour. All the classics done properly: galaktoboureko (custard pastry), portokalopita (orange cake), baklava. About a 10 minute walk south from the Acropolis Museum.
DirectionsLeoforos Syngrou 98, Koukaki
Lukumades
Aiolou Street, Monastiraki
If you're in the Monastiraki area and want something sweet, this is the spot. Loukoumades are Greek honey doughnuts. Crispy, warm, drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Addictive.
DirectionsAiolou 21 & Agias Eirinis, Monastiraki
Greek Coffee Culture
If there's one thing you have to try in Athens, it's this. It's one of the most unique things to do in Athens. You'll notice Greeks everywhere holding plastic cups of iced coffee, even in winter.
Freddo cappuccino (left) and freddo espresso (right)
The Freddo Cappuccino & Freddo Espresso
The freddo cappuccino is a double espresso poured over ice with cold frothed milk on top. Creamy, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. It's the taller of the two in the photo above.
The freddo espresso is the same base without the milk. Shaken or blended until it's frothy and intense. It's unique to Greece and completely different from any iced coffee you've had before. Both are delicious, especially in summer.
You can order one at literally any cafe in Athens. No special recommendation needed. Every place makes them. Just say "freddo cappuccino" or "freddo espresso" and you're sorted.
Day Trips from Athens
The other question I get a lot: "I'm here for a few more days, what else should I do?" If you're still in Athens, there are plenty of things to do in Athens, including walking up Philopappos Hill for sunset views. But if you've got a spare day or two, here's what I recommend.
Half Day Trips
Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
About an hour south of Athens, perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea. The temple is stunning, but the real draw is the sunset, one of the best views in Greece. You can take the KTEL bus from central Athens or hire a car. If you only have half a day and want something spectacular, this is the one.
Ancient Corinth
If you're more into the history or the biblical side of things, Corinth can also be done in half a day. It's about an hour by car or bus from Athens. The archaeological site is impressive, and the Corinth Canal is worth a stop on the way.
Full Day Trips
Delphi
If you have a full day and you like history, mountains, and scenery, Delphi is a popular choice. The ancient Greeks considered it the centre of the world, and when you stand there looking down through the valley to the sea, you understand why. About 2.5 hours from Athens by car or organised tour.
Nafplio
Located just 2 hours from Athens, Nafplio is a picturesque seaside town and former capital of Greece. Palamidi Fortress, for my fellow adventure enthusiasts, is an absolute must!
Road Trip: The Argolida Region
If you're renting a car, the Argolida is an incredible circuit that takes in some of Greece's most important historical sites.
Corinth
Ancient ruins and the impressive Corinth Canal.
Epidavros
The ancient theatre with perfect acoustics. Drop a coin on the stage and hear it from the top row.
Mycenae
The Lion Gate, the Treasury of Atreus, and 3,000 years of history on a hilltop.
Nafplio
A gorgeous coastal town. My favourite stop in the region. Great for lunch.
For hikers and adventure lovers: If I know someone likes hiking and adventure, I specifically recommend Acrocorinth and Nafplio. Both have castles, amazing scenery, and views that reward the effort of getting up there. Similar energy to our Hills Climb but on a bigger scale.
Island Day Trips
You can absolutely visit a Greek island as a day trip from Athens. The Saronic Gulf islands are close enough for a day return. There's also a popular three island cruise if you want to see several in one go. But if you'd rather focus on one, here are the three I recommend:
Hydra
If you want something typically Greek and a bit of a time warp, Hydra is the one. No cars, no motorbikes. Just donkeys, stone lanes, and a harbour that looks like it hasn't changed in a century. Artists and writers have been coming here for decades. It's genuinely special.
Aegina
If you want the general island good vibes. Beaches, shops, plenty going on. Aegina is a good option. It's the closest Saronic island to Athens (about 40 minutes by fast ferry), so you get maximum island time. The Temple of Aphaia is worth visiting too if you're into ancient sites.
Agistri
If you want something more chill, fewer people, nice beaches. Agistri is the best option. It's tiny, pine forested, and feels like a different world from Athens. Perfect if you've done the busy tourist thing and just want to swim, eat, and relax for a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to book day trips in advance?
Do these restaurants have English menus?
What is a freddo espresso?
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