Athens in Your Pocket

Restaurants
© Athens Convention Bureau
GREEK TRADITIONAL
BEER TIME
Burgers, spare ribs, griiled vegetables and mussels - and
much else besides - in a modern setting just on a square in
Monastiraki. Surrounded by average tavernas this one sticks
out a mile, no wonder it is always busy. And we have yet to
mention the beer: you’ll find a wide selection of Greek craft
beer from a number of microbreweries around the country.
The great bar staff will guide you through the best.QC‐2,
1 Platia Iroon, MMonastiraki, tel. (+30) 2103228443,
www.beertime.gr/. Open 16:00 - 01:30. A ­W
CINQUE WINE & DELI BAR
Wine bar and bistro serving a great selection of wine
alongside some very good food. It’s basically a showcase
for everything that’s great about Greek cuisine, done with
real charm in a cosy setting quite apart from what you
usually get in Athens. It’s a big hit with locals and very
popular as an after work venue.QB‐2, Agatharchou 15,
MMonastiraki, tel. (+30) 2155017853/(+30) 694 849
6002, www.cinque.gr/. Open 13:00 - 00_00. Closed Tue.
€. A ­B ­W
DAMIGOS (BAKALIARAKIA)
Right in the heart of touristy Plaka, this basement taverna
serves ‘bakaliarakia’ (fried cod in batter served with
‘skordalia’- the deadly garlic sauce) the same way it has
done throughout the twentieth century. Dining here
makes one feel like an extra in an old black and white
film and rightly so…the place has provided the setting
for many Greek films of the sixties.QE‐5, Kidathineon
41, Plaka, MSyntagma, tel. (+30) 210 3225084, www.
mpakaliarakia.gr. Open 14:00 - 24:00. €€. P ­J ­N
GLYKIS
Glykis is an ouzeri just off Plaka square frequented mainly
by students and some tourists where you can have an
ouzo lunch accompanied by a pikilia (a plate of assorted
mezedes) coming in different sizes depending on the
number of people sharing.QE‐4, Agelou Geronta 2,
MMonastiraki, tel. (+30) 210 3223925. Open 10:00 -
02:00. €. J ­B
ILIAS
The hands-on consumption of copious amounts of
barbecued lamb chops constitutes a time-honoured
ritual that has survived the refinement of the modern
Athenian. In these sister traditional Greek taverns you
will enjoy the best lamb chops in town, and an excellent
location on a quiet pedestiranised street. Beat the locals
by arriving before 21:00, or call for a reservation as both
places are packed every evening.QA‐2, Thessalonikis 7 &
Eptahalkou 5, MThissio, tel. (+30) 210 34 22 407/(+30)
210 345 80 52. Open 20:00 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 17:00.
Closed Mon. €€. T ­J ­N
KAPPARI
An old house, salvaged from demolition, and its front yard
have become a traditional Greek tavern that preserves
a nostalgic old Athenian atmosphere. The emphasis of
the menu is on grilled meat but there are other typical
Greek dishes on offer and the quality and taste of almost
everything we tried was exceptional.QA8, Dorieon 36,
Petralona, tel. 210 3450288. Open 13:00 - 01:00. €€.
T ­J ­A ­B
LIONDI
Given that the food here is amazing, it needs to be said
that you really are paying peanuts: prices are low for the
area and standards are high. No, it doesn’t look any great
shakes but then few of Athens best restaurants actually
do: it’s all about the food here. Food and wonderful
friendly service from the family team who run it. A real
favourite of ours.QD‐6, Makrygianni Street 19-21,
MAcropoli, tel. (+30) 2109219994. Open 12:00 -
00:00. €€. U ­B ­S ­W
PALIA TAVERNA TOU PSARA
Plaka is full of tourist traps but many expats swear by this
taverna’s name. It has been operating for more than a
century in an old, now restored building not very easy to
find in the labyrinth of small streets. The food is basically
fish and the kind of standard Greek more appreciated by
foreigners. There is live music and the prices are slightly
high but it is probably your best choice if you die to dine
in Plaka.QD‐4, Erechtheos 16, MSyntagma, tel. (+30)
210 3218733. Open 12:00 - 01:00. €€€. P­T­J­A­
I ­E
ROZALIA
Rozalia is a garden taverna that has been around for almost
three decades and is considered an institution in simple
original Greek cooking among its regulars that include
students, artists and laid back types who frequent the
Exarchia neighbourhood.You’ll be tempted to pick most
of the fifteen starters that will arrive as soon as you take
your seat but don’t get carried away, the main dishes,
grilled meats and fresh fish look and taste equally good.
Accompany with organic wine from the barrel and don’t
worry about the cost, Rozalia is a crisis-friendly eatery.
QValtetsiou 58, MOmonia, tel. (+30) 210 3821685.
Open 13:00 - 01:00. €€. T ­J ­A ­B
SFIKA
Simple place serving big portions of delicious Greek
favourites for next to nothing. Order a plate of the courgette
fritters, some feta and one of the big salads and you’ll be
full before you even think about a main course, Hugely
popular at lunchtime in particular you may have to wait
for a table, but it’s worth doing so.QStratigou Kontouli
15, MSyngrou Fix, tel. (+30) 2109221341. Open 11:00
- 03:00. €. T ­B ­W
TAVERNA TOU PSIRRI
As you can probably guess from our list of
recommendations, we are huge fans of original Greek
tavernas serving real Greek food with no frills and attitude
attached. This is definitely one of those places that has
survived for decades in an area full of frills and attitude
and poor excuses for Greek restaurants. They do fish and
they do meat and day specials and everything is simply
excellent. The wine is decent and comes from a barrel, the
atmosphere is welcoming and the staff are trying their best
when the place is packed. As for the bill, just don’t worry
about it.QC‐2, Eschylou 12, MMonastiraki, tel. (+30)
210 3214923. Open 12:00 - 01:30. €€. P ­T ­J
TELIS
Rich and poor have been eating side by side here for
decades. Leave your table manners at home and do not
expect pleasant surroundings and fancy decoration. You’re
only here for one reason: to stuff yourself with the best pork
chops in Athens.QB‐1, Evripidou 86, MMonastiraki, tel.
(+30) 210 3242775. Open 13:00 - 01:00. Closed Sun. €€.
P ­J ­N ­B
THE OLD TAVERN OF PSARA
In a lovely setting on a pedestrian square this is as classically
Greek as it gets: it could well be on an island, not in the
middle of dusty Athens. At the foot of the Acropolis it is
not cheap but does offer great value and there’s even live
music some evenings. Food is good with loads of great
fish on offer alongside a couple of cracking lamb dishes.
Service can be patchy but that’s the only complaint we
have.QD‐4, 16 Erechtheos & Erotokritou, tel. (+30) 210
3218734, www.psaras-taverna.gr. Open 12:00 - 01:00.
€€. A ­B
TO KAFENEIO
Unadulterated traditional Greek food in an atmosphere
of understated elegance. The dishes here are simple and
flavoursome. We recommend the “aginares ala polita”
(artichokes in a lovely creamy egg and lemon sauce),
stuffed cabbage leaves (“lachanodolmades”) or the lovely
speciality salad, accompanied by its good quality house
wine. Of course, this being Kolonaki you will pay a bit more
for your Greek culinary experience, but then again, the
pleasant atmosphere and tasteful surroundings (including
the signatures of famous personalities that have passed
through its doors) explain the pricing policy.QLoukianou
26, Kolonaki, tel. (+30) 210 7237757. Open 12:00 - 00:00.
Closed Sun. €€€. P ­J ­A
Restaurants
TZITZIKAS AND MERMIGAS
Located in the heart of Athens, at walking distance from
many top and mid-range hotels, you’ll have to book in
advance unless you’re lucky. Crowded with all sorts of
types and ages, this ‘mezedopolio’ is well known for its
modern atmosphere and tastes. Decorated as an old
grocery store, this 2-storey establishment is ideal for a
relaxed night out. There’s a good wine list to choose from
and whatever you order will be more than appetizing.
Make sure you try the ‘keftedakia tis giagias’ (grandma’s
meatballs), ‘mastelo’ cheese, anything that ends in
mastic, the chicken ribs with roast potatoes and, last
but not least, any pie. The salad with ‘anthotiro’ (a type
of creamy soft cheese) is a good choice too.QE‐3,
Mitropoleos 12-14, Syntagma Sq, MSyntagma, tel.
(+30) 210 3247607. Open 13:00 - 01:00. Closed Sun.
€€. P­J ­A ­B
INDIAN
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INDIAN CHEF
There are a couple of decent Indians in Athens these
days, but this is probably the best of them. It looks the
part and when you walk in you will immediately realise
that it smells the part too. Great food, cooked as spicy
as you like (or not, as the case may be: the staff are
great and are happy to ask chef to tone it down if you
like). Even serves Indian beer as every great curry house
should. Not cheap though.Q22 Athnasiou Diakou,
tel. (+30) 2109233585. €.
INDIAN HAVELLI
Just a couple of minutes walk from the Acropolis this
is another of Athens Indian which genuinely merits
your time and money. Boasts more vegetarian dishes
than almost anywhere else in the city and although
we thought the dishes were not as spicy as we were
expecting, you can ask the chef to spice things up if
that’s how you like it. Great pickles and chutneys.
QE‐6, Leoforos Siggrou 12, MAcropoli, tel. (+30)
2109244522, www.indianhaveli.gr/en. Open 13:00 -
24:00. €. T ­A ­V ­S ­W
NAMASTE
Small Indian restaurant serving excellent, authentic
Indian food in a charming setting. Good staff and a
huge choice of dishes make it a great place for groups.
Suckers for open kitchens will love the place: you can
see all that’s going on. You will need a reservation at
the weekend.QE‐6, 12 Lempesi, MAcropoli, tel.
+30-2109233999, www.namasterestaurant.gr.
Open 13:00 - 24:00.
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