What to Eat & Where to Find It

Athens is a city where food is more than just a meal - it’s an experience, a connection to history and a way of life. Here, a simple plate of tomatoes and feta can taste like the best thing you’ve ever eaten and a taverna dinner can stretch into the late hours, fuelled by good wine and even better company.

Greek food is deeply regional, meaning what you find in Athens reflects the city’s blend of mainland and island influences.

If there’s one rule in Greece, it’s this: don’t rush it. Meals here are meant to be savoured. Order another carafe of wine, say yes to dessert, and embrace the Athenian way - where food is about pleasure, connection, and slowing down.

Tiropita in Athens

What to Eat in Athens

Top Pick: Moussaka

Moussaka is Greek comfort food at its finest—layers of eggplant, potatoes, spiced minced meat, and creamy béchamel. You’ll find traditional, homestyle versions alongside refined, modern interpretations that lighten it up without losing its soul.

Where to Try It:

  • Tavern Klimataria – A cozy, family-run taverna serving classic, rich, and perfectly spiced moussaka.

  • Cookoovaya – A refined take with high-quality ingredients and a lighter, more elegant touch.

Classic Dishes

Horiatiki (Greek Salad)

Greek salad is as simple as it is perfect—juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onion, Kalamata olives, and a thick slab of feta, drizzled with olive oil and oregano. No lettuce, ever.

Where to Try It:

  • Anywhere and everywhere, every taverna, restaurant, ouzeri has its own version!

Souvlaki & Gyros

Athens’ most iconic street food - grilled meat skewers (souvlaki) or thinly sliced pork or chicken wrapped in warm pita (gyros), always with tzatziki and fries tucked inside.

Where to Try It:

  • O Kostas - A tiny hole-in-the-wall spot serving the best souvlaki in town since 1950. Go early - there will be queues and when they sell out, they close.

  • Hoocut - A modern, chef-driven take on gyros, using high-quality meats and house-made pita.

Pites: Tiropita & Spanakopita

These flaky, buttery phyllo pies filled with cheese (tiropita) or spinach and feta (spanakopita) are a Greek breakfast staple - and honestly, great any time of day.

Where to Try It:

  • Ariston - Famous for their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth kourou tiropita, made with delicate shortcrust pastry.

  • Grigoris - This is a chain of pita shops and they are everywhere, and even though it is a chain they are so delicious.

  • Harry’s Kitchen - This little hole-in-the-wall has some of the most delicious flakey pastry, try their chicken tipa, simply delicous.

Loukoumades

Greek doughnuts, crisp on the outside, airy on the inside, and drenched in honey (or if you’re feeling indulgent, stuffed with Nutella).

Where to Try It:

  • Krinos - The OG, serving traditional, honey-soaked loukoumades since 1923.

  • Lukumades - A modern take, with flavours like pistachio, white chocolate and even ice cream toppings.