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Taste of Athens Tour
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This is a tour for people who want to have a sampling of Greek cuisine both sweet and savory. There is much more than the popular gyros, Greek salad and baklava and where better than the city of Athens to indulge in Greek fare! This tour is set up around the city’s metro stops making these delectable spots easily accessible. Reservations are recommended, especially during the summer months and on weekends. Check out a couple of stores that sell Greek products that you may be able to take back home in your suitcase. TIP: Purchase a 24-hour ticket for Euro 3.00 which gives you unlimited travel on all forms of public transport (bus, trolley, tram, metro) for 24 hours from the moment you validate your ticket. Tickets are sold at metro stations or any public transport ticket booths (www.oasa.gr).
 Day Note
ACROPOLIS METRO: When you make your way into the Plaka historic district you will pass scores of tavernas. A favorite is TOU PSARA which is tucked amongst neoclassical buildings below the Acropolis. Tou Psara, which literally means the fisherman’s taverna, is over 100 years old and occupies two restored homes, a tree-covered courtyard and a terrace. The mezedes, appetizers, can make a meal on there own. Enjoy live folk music and friendly service (16 Erecthios and Erotokritou Streets, Tel: 210 321 8733, daily 11a-2a).
Before heading out of Plaka, get a taste of Greece at MESSOGEIA store. Here you will find olives, olive oil, wine, honey, cheeses, breads,pasta, chocolate, preserves, etc. many of which are organic. Try Greek organic chocolate, pasteli, a sesame seed bar made with honey (not sugar), and take home some pasta (52 Nikis Street, Plaka, Tel: 210 3229146).
MONASTIRAKI METRO: Follow the Monastiraki Square exit sign which brings you into the heart of the flea market. You will end up in front of the Tzisdarakis Mosque. Look right and you will see the Acropolis in the distance. Souvenir shops and street vendors abound, as do tourists. Amongst this hustle and bustle at the intersection of Ermou and Athinas streets is BAIRAKTARIS taverna. Bairaktaris is known for its kebabs and gyros, but also offers a number of Greek appetizers, vegetarian dishes and stewed meats. And to make your dining experience more complete, musicians perform live each day around lunchtime. (2 Monastiraki Square, Tel: 210 321 3036, open daily from 10:30am till 4am).
If you enjoy browsing through antique stalls you will stumble into Café Abyssinias located south of Monastiraki Square. CAFE ABYSSINIAS is very popular with Athenians on weekends. It is here where friends crowd around a table to share Greek and Middle Eastern mezedes, appetizers, and a glass of wine while listening to live music. The upper level has a great view of the Acropolis. Reservations recommended. Live music Friday and Saturday night and on the weekends during lunch service (7 Kinetou Street, Tel: 210 321 7047, open Tue –Sat noon to 1am, Sun noon to 7pm). If you take Athinas street in the direction towards Omonia, you will pass Athens’ version of a Farmer’s market, known here as kendriki agora or central market. This will stimulate all of your senses!
SYNTAGMA METRO: Just off Syntagma Square you can satisfy your chocolate craving at ARISTOKRATIKON (9, Karageorgi Servias street, www.aristokratikon.gr). This establishment has been making hand-made chocolates and other confections since 1928. You can even buy gifts to take bake home. In addition to the chocolates, other goodies include preserves, marzipan and great pistachios - both plain and sugar coated! Just around the corner you can grab a tiropita, cheese pie, at ARISTON bakery, another landmark that has been around since 1910 (10, Voulis street).
What is mastiha? Visit the MASTIHA SHOP to find out where it comes from and how it is used. You can even sample some. This store sells a variety of mastic-flavored products from cookies and sweets to cosmetics and gift items (corner of Panespistimiou & Kriezotou streets, Syntagma, Tel: 210 3632750).
PANEPISTIMIO METRO: A 10 minute walk uphill will get you to PAPADAKIS taverna in Kolonaki. Here delicious and super fresh Greek island flavors will make you feel as if you are at a seaside taverna. This is Greek cuisine taken up one notch. The octapus simmered in a honey-wine sauce is a favorite along with the Papadakis salad. This place even makes its own ice cream. One of the favorites is the halva (sesame and honey) ice cream. Reservations recommended. Oh and order your dessert in advance! (47 Voukourestiou & Fokilidou streets,M-Sa 1:30p-12:30a, closed Sunday and for 2 weeks in August, Tel: 210 3608621).
OMONIA METRO: ATHINAIKON has been serving great appetizers and meals since 1932. The ambience is reminiscent of Greece past and the service is good. (located on the corner of Panepistimiou and 2 Themistokleous streets). It is closed on Sundays.
METAXOURGEIO METRO: ARCHAION GEFSIS is the place to go for a taste of ancient Greek cuisine. Here you will eat in a unique setting using only a spoon and knife to sample fruits, nuts and grains served with a selection of vegetables and meats and a sweet wine.
Athinaikon is one of the best places to sample ‘mezedes', the traditional Greek appetizers that come in a large variety. Operating since 1932, the taverna is located just a stone's throw from Omonia Square. You have a choice among seafood bites such as grilled squid, anchovies or mussels baked in cheese and several fish dishes including salmon, swordfish and cod. Vegetarians should skip the kebap, baked sausages and stuffed spleen to try out the traditional giant beans, the Greek cheeses or the fresh salads on offer. This hearty fare is best washed down either with Greek aperitifs like Ouzo and Tsipouro or wine. Please note that they do not accept credit cards.
One of Europe's largest market halls can be found near Omonia Square. This impressive building (constructed in 1886) contains an overwhelming variety of food, ranging from cucumbers to pig heads and rows of sheep. There are three separate sections for seafood, meat and vegetables. Hidden in the side wings of the market hall are small eateries serving everything from patsa soup to grilled squid. The food trade has spilled over into the streets around the market hall, with shops and street vendors selling everything edible from cheese and spices to live chickens.
After 10 years of serving happy clients on the island of Paros, famed fish taverna Papadakis closed its doors only to open them in 2005 to the same faithful clients in the chic Kolonaki neighborhood of Athens. Tables have rarely been empty. Chef-owner Argyro Barbarigou, a Paros native, and chef George Kostas prepare innovative Greek dishes using fresh ingredients with a twist. The octopus simmered in a honey-wine sauce is a favorite along with the Papadakis salad and a number of the seafood-based risotto dishes. They have a good wine list and even make their own ice cream. A hit is the halva (sesame and honey) ice cream. Order the dessert first! Reservations recommended.
Just a stone's throw away from Plaka, the Monastiraki Flea Market and the boutiques along Ermou Street, Bairaktaris pays hommage to Athens of pre-war times. This charming taverna has preserved the atmosphere of a bygone era in a unique way with its authentic decor, the simple but tasty food and old songs performed by guitar players. The taverna's specialty are the excellent kebabs and gyros that can also be ordered for take-away. In addition, there is a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes as well as tempting appetizers and salads.
Charming taverna nestled within the quaint historic Plaka district just below the Acropolis. Tou Psara, which means the fisherman’s taverna, dates back to 1898 and occupies two restored homes, a tree-covered courtyard and a terrace. Choose a handful of flavourful appetizers or settle in for a more substantial meal by selecting a regional Greek dish. Yellow chequered table linens, exposed stonework and wood create a welcoming rustic ambience both in and outdoors. The bougainvillea-covered terrace offers views out over the city and the courtyard offers a neighbourhood charm. Dine to live folk music and enjoy the friendly service. This taverna offers a memorable Greek dining experience that sees many return guests, Athenians and visitors alike.
Right in the heart of the flea market this popular small restaurant fills up quickly on weekends. Café Abyssinias is a popular spot where friends meet to share a carafe of wine and share appetizers. The second floor is quieter and offers a great view of the Acropolis. Reservations recommended.
The ancient Greeks were not just good at science, philosophy and the arts. They also had a reputation for more mundane pleasures, such as good food and wine. Some 2,300 year old uncovered recipes are proof of their skills in preparing very sophisticated dishes which are not just tasty but also very healthy. These recipes (which were found in ancient books) can be savoured at the beautifully decorated Archaion Gefsis near Omonia Square (a short walk from the Metaxourgio metro stop). Enjoy a unique dining experience with a spoon and knife only! The restaurant does not serve potatoes, tomatoes, lemon, rice or sugar as they did not exist in Ancient Greece.
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