As of 2026, this Athens food guide covers 18 restaurants by category — including O Thanasis (1964 — iconic souvlaki), Bairaktaris (1879 — heritage tavern), Diporto (1887 — Central Market basement). See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Athens is Athens' food culture revolves around souvlaki street tradition + heritage tavernas + 2-Michelin Greek fine dining. O Thanasis (1964) is Athens' canonical souvlaki shop (60+ years). Diporto (1887) is the most-iconic hidden heritage taverna — basement of Varvakeios Central Market, cash only, no menu. Spondi (★★ Michelin since 2002) is Athens' premier fine dining. Bairaktaris (1879) is Athens' oldest taverna at Monastiraki Square with Acropolis backdrop. Iconic dishes: Souvlaki, Moussaka, Tzatziki, Greek salad, Lukumades (honey donuts), Frappé (iced Greek coffee, invented 1957). Heritage: Karamanlidika tou Fani (1924, Anatolian Greek), Klimataria (1925, live music). We've organized 18 restaurants across 6 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
AthensFood Map
Click pins to see restaurant info · 18 restaurants
1964-founded — Athens' most-iconic souvlaki shop. 60+ years. Counter-only stand-up + sit-down tables in front. Pork or chicken kebab wrapped in pita with tzatziki + tomato + onion + fries. The canonical Athens street food.
$5-12
(€4-10)
9:00-2:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. Long queue at lunch + dinner but moves fast. Sit-down adds ~30% to price.
1948-founded — third-generation souvlaki spot, hidden on the tiny Agia Irini Square. The Athens locals' pick over the touristy O Thanasis. Closes when meat runs out — usually by 16:00.
$5-10
(€4-8)
9:00-16:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
Local tip: Cash only. Counter-only. Skip the line by ordering takeaway. Closed Sun + when meat sells out (usually before 4 PM).
Diporto 1887, Klimataria 1925, Karamanlidika tou Fani 1924 — traditional Greek + Anatolian heritage
Bairaktaris (1879 — heritage tavern)
Bairaktaris · Monastiraki
2
#1
MUST TRY
Souvlaki + Moussaka + Gyros + traditional Greek wine
1879-founded — Athens' oldest taverna (145+ years). Monastiraki Square location with iconic Acropolis backdrop. Touristy + heritage but the souvlaki + moussaka are legit. Open-air seating on the square.
$15-30
(€12-25)
11:00-2:00 daily
Local tip: Walk-in works. Cash + card. The Acropolis-view square seating is canonical Athens dining.
Daily-changing taverna fare — chickpea soup + grilled fish + roasted lamb + retsina wine
1887-founded — Athens' most iconic old taverna. Hidden in the basement of Varvakeios Central Market. No menu — point at what other tables are eating. Hand-rolled retsina wine from barrels. The classic Athens locals' lunch.
$8-20
(€6-16)
12:00-17:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
Local tip: Cash only. No reservations. Lunch only (12-17:00). Closed Sundays. The hidden-Athens experience.
1924-founded — heritage delicatessen with rare Anatolian Greek cuisine (Karamanlidika community moved to Greece in 1923 population exchange). Cured meats + cheeses + Anatolian-Greek wines from the family's own production.
$18-40
(€15-35)
10:00-23:00 daily
Local tip: Reservations recommended. Cash + card. The cuisine is unique to Athens.
Decades-old taverna in Thiseio specializing in paidakia — small grilled lamb chops by weight. Locals' weekend dinner pick. Outdoor seating with pedestrian Apostolou Pavlou street ambiance.
$20-40
(€15-35)
13:00-1:00 daily
Local tip: No reservations — arrive 19:00 to avoid wait. Cash + card. Order paidakia by the kilo.
Spondi ★★, Funky Gourmet ★, CTC ★, Botrini's ★ — Greece's top fine-dining concentrated in Athens
Spondi (★★ Michelin — 2 stars since 2002)
Spondi · Pagrati
6
#1
MUST TRY
Modern Greek tasting menu by chef Arnaud Bignon
2 Michelin stars since 2002 — Athens' premier fine dining. Modern Greek cuisine with French technique by chef Arnaud Bignon. The canonical Athens Michelin experience. 40-seat dining room in a renovated mansion in Pagrati.
$130-220
(€110-200)
20:00-23:00 Tue-Sat
Local tip: Book 1-2 months ahead. Jacket required. Closed Sun-Mon. The Greek 2-Michelin destination.
Hytra · Pireos Street (Onassis Cultural Center rooftop)
14
#3
MUST TRY
Modern Greek tasting menu — 6 or 9 courses with Greek wine pairing — Onassis Cultural Center rooftop
1-Michelin since 2008 — modern Greek by chef Tasos Mantis at the Onassis Cultural Center's rooftop. Glass-walled rooftop with Athens city view. Pre-theatre dining destination.
$130-220
(€110-200)
20:00-23:30 Tue-Sat
Local tip: Book 1-2 months ahead. Smart-casual. Closed Sun-Mon. Tasting menu only.
1886-founded — Athens' iconic covered food market. 140 years. Fish + meat + produce + olives + cheese + spices. Most-atmospheric in the morning (closes by 15:00).
$5-20
(€4-15)
8:00-15:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
Local tip: Go early morning for the full experience. Diporto (1887, basement taverna) is the iconic local-lunch spot inside.
Hotel Grande Bretagne's rooftop restaurant — Athens' most-luxurious dining setting with 360° city view. Greek + Mediterranean cuisine by chef Asterios Koustoudis.
$80-180
(€70-150)
12:30-1:00 daily
Local tip: Book 1+ month ahead. Smart-casual / business attire. Cocktails alone $25-35.
1975-founded — Plaka rooftop taverna with direct, full-frame Acropolis view at sunset. Traditional Greek with modern touches. The canonical Acropolis-view dinner spot.
$35-65
(€30-55)
12:00-1:00 daily
Local tip: Reservations mandatory for rooftop — book 2+ weeks ahead. Cash + card.
Common questions about food and restaurants in Athens.
Where to eat souvlaki?
O Thanasis (1964, Monastiraki, $5-10) is the go-to Athens souvlaki. Bairaktaris (1879, oldest taverna) is the historic alternative with Acropolis-view square seating. Kostas (1948, Syntagma) for the truly old-school. Avoid Plaka souvlaki spots — tourist-priced + lower quality.
Michelin restaurants in Athens?
Spondi (★★ since 2002, $130-220) is Athens' premier — modern Greek by chef Arnaud Bignon. Funky Gourmet (★, $110-200) for molecular gastronomy. CTC (★) for creative Greek. Botrini's (★) for refined modern Greek. All require 1-2 months advance booking + jacket recommended.
Where do locals eat?
Diporto (1887, hidden Central Market basement, cash-only) for the canonical lunch. Klimataria (1925, Theatrou Square, live Greek music). Karamanlidika tou Fani (1924, Anatolian Greek). Atlantikos (Pittakou, cheap-and-cheerful seafood). Skip Plaka tavernas — tourist-priced.
What about lukumades?
Traditional Greek honey-soaked donuts ($4-7). Lukumades on Aiolou Street (Monastiraki) is the canonical spot. Order with cinnamon + walnuts. Pair with Greek frappé iced coffee for the iconic Athens afternoon ritual.
Acropolis-view rooftop?
A for Athens Rooftop (Monastiraki, $25-60) has the most-photographed Acropolis view at sunset. GB Roof Garden (Hotel Grande Bretagne, $80-180) is the luxury 360° city panorama. Both require booking — sunset slots especially.
What's the food cost?
Souvlaki street meal $5-10. Sit-down taverna lunch $12-25. Mid-range dinner $20-50. Michelin tasting $110-220 (Spondi 2-Michelin). 'Kouvert' (cover charge €1-3) standard. Service charge sometimes included; tipping 5-10% appreciated.
Top 5 things to eat?
1) Souvlaki at O Thanasis (1964) — $5-10. 2) Moussaka + Greek salad at any heritage taverna — $15-30. 3) Diporto (1887) hidden Central Market lunch — $8-20. 4) Lukumades Greek honey donuts at Lukumades Aiolou — $4-7. 5) Cocktail at A for Athens Rooftop with Acropolis view at sunset — $15-30.
More on Athens
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — plan the rest of your trip.
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Greece