Food Guide in Athens

Greek Cuisine Guide

Must-Try Dishes:

• Moussaka: Layered eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce Greek comfort food classic
• Souvlaki: Grilled meat skewers (pork, chicken, lamb) served in pita or on plate with garnishes
• Tzatziki: Yogurt, cucumber, garlic dip refreshing accompaniment to everything
• Greek Salad (Horiatiki): Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, onions, oregano, olive oil no lettuce in authentic version
• Spanakopita: Spinach and feta wrapped in flaky phyllo pastry
• Dolmades: Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, sometimes meat
• Grilled Octopus: Tender, charred, served with lemon coastal specialty
• Pastitsio: Baked pasta with meat sauce and béchamel Greek lasagna
• Saganaki: Fried cheese appetizer, sometimes flambéed
• Baklava: Phyllo pastry with nuts and honey syrup sweet, rich dessert
• Loukoumades: Honey-drizzled fried dough balls addictive Greek doughnuts

Dining Customs:

Meal Times: Lunch 2-4 PM, dinner 9-11 PM or later. Restaurants accommodate tourists earlier, but authentic experience follows local schedule.

Mezze Culture: Order multiple small plates to share rather than individual entrees social and allows tasting variety.

Service: Leisurely Greek dining emphasizes conversation and relaxation. You won't be rushed; ask for bill when ready ("to logariasmo parakalo").

Tipping: 10% for good service in restaurants. Round up for casual tavernas and cafes.

Water: Tap water safe but locals drink bottled. Order "nero" for still water, "metaliko nero" for sparkling.

Coffee Culture: Greeks take coffee seriously. Freddo espresso and freddo cappuccino are iced coffee favorites. Greek coffee (elliniki) is thick, strong, unfiltered sip slowly, don't drink sediment at bottom.

Where to Eat:

Avoid: Plaka tourist traps with aggressive touts and multilingual menus usually mediocre, overpriced. Exception: established, authentic spots in Plaka's quiet corners.

Seek: Tavernas in Psiri, Koukaki, or Exarcheia frequented by locals. Simple decor often indicates focus on food quality. Check if Greeks are dining there reliable indicator.

Markets: Central Market area tavernas serve workers and locals authentic, fresh, affordable.

Vegetarians: Greece offers excellent meat-free options horta (greens), gigantes (giant beans), fava (split pea puree), numerous vegetable dishes. Vegan more challenging but manageable specify "horis tiri, horis gala" (without cheese, without milk).