Where to eat good Greek food in Athens: neighbourhoods, tavernas and Michelin
The neighbourhoods where locals eat, what to order, rebetiko tavernas and the new Michelin stars.
- For good tavernas: Petralona, Pangrati and Koukaki rather than Plaka and Syntagma.
- Live Greek music: koutoukia and rebetadika in Petralona.
- Michelin 2027: Aleria, see|ds, SENSE and Simul got a first star.
For a real taverna, leave the tourist zone for neighbourhoods like Petralona and Pangrati, and eat late. If you keep kosher, plan meals around the kosher restaurants and Chabad.
Where to eat good Greek food in Athens
The best Greek food in Athens is mostly in the neighbourhoods where locals eat, not on the restaurant rows next to the sights. According to Discover Greece, Petralona has food and live folk music, Pangrati has a café and taverna scene, and Koukaki has tavernas, bars and brunch. Syntagma and Plaka have many restaurants, but some are touristy and more expensive.
What to order in a Greek taverna
- Meze for the table: tzatziki, taramosalata, fava (yellow split-pea purée), keftedes (meatballs) and dolmades.
- Greek salad (horiatiki) and baked or fried feta (saganaki).
- Cooked dishes: moussaka, gemista (stuffed vegetables), pastitsio and baked giant beans (gigantes).
- From the grill: souvlaki, gyros, lamb chops and fresh fish priced by weight.
- To finish: many tavernas bring a small dessert or tsipouro on the house.
Where to hear Greek music in an Athens taverna
For a taverna with live Greek music, try Petralona. According to Discover Greece, it has "koutoukia" and "rebetadika": small places with food and live rebetiko music. Shows usually start late in the evening, and at weekends it is worth booking.
Michelin restaurants in Athens
The Michelin Guide Greece 2027 covers 62 restaurants in Athens, Thessaloniki and Santorini. According to Greek City Times, four Athens restaurants received their first star: Aleria, see|ds, SENSE and Simul. Most Michelin restaurants serve modern Greek cuisine, and you need to book ahead. For good food at a reasonable price, look for the Bib Gourmand places on Michelin's list.
Street food and markets
- Souvlaki and gyros in pita: the fastest, cheapest meal in Athens. There are many places around Monastiraki.
- The central markets: food tours visit the meat, fish and vegetable markets and spice shops, not far from Monastiraki.
- Pies: spanakopita (spinach pie) and tiropita (cheese pie) from bakeries, for breakfast.
Kosher food in Athens
If you keep kosher, a regular taverna will not work. Athens has kosher restaurants and Chabad. See kosher food in Greece and kosher restaurants in Athens and Shabbat times & kosher.
Tips for eating out in Athens
- Times: Greeks eat dinner late, usually after 9 pm.
- Sharing: order several dishes for the middle of the table, like a meze meal.
- Bread: a small charge for bread is sometimes added to the bill.
- Tipping: around 5% to 10% is usual when service is good.
More on the site: the Athens guide and day trips from Athens.
FAQ
Which Athens neighbourhood has the best food? Petralona, Pangrati and Koukaki have tavernas where locals eat. Plaka and Syntagma have many restaurants, but some are touristy.
Does Athens have Michelin restaurants? Yes. In the 2027 guide four Athens restaurants received a first star: Aleria, see|ds, SENSE and Simul.
Where can you hear live Greek music in Athens? In Petralona, in small tavernas with live rebetiko, mainly in the evenings and at weekends.
Is there kosher food in Athens? Yes. Athens has kosher restaurants and Chabad.
