Taverna restaurants in Athens
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A
Paradosiako
For great traditional fare at very fair prices you can't beat this inconspicuous, no-frills taverna on the periphery of Plaka, with a few tables on the footpath. There's a basic menu but it's best to choose from the daily specials, which include fresh and delicious seafood. Get there early before the locals arrive.
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Diporto Agoras
Near the Athens Central Market, there’s no signage, only two doors leading to a rustic cellar taverna where the handful of dishes hasn’t changed in years. The staples are delicious chickpea soup, grilled fish, fried potatoes and salad, washed down with mandatory wine (they don’t ask) from the barrels lining the wall. The often-erratic service is part of the appeal.
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Strofi
This charming old-style taverna’s rooftop terrace has superb Acropolis views, and a reasonable array of taverna classics. It used to be a hang-out for theatre performers, as the photos of its famous guests attest.
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D
Barbagiannis
An Exarhia institution, this low-key mayirio (cook house) is popular with students and those wanting good-value home-style Greek food. Choose from the variety of big trays of traditional dishes, such as pastitsio (layers of baked macaroni and minced meat), washed down with house wine.
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O Damigos Bakaliarika
Reputedly Plaka’s oldest taverna, this basement eatery features in many old Greek movies. It’s a lively winter place for traditional Greek fare; just mind your step on the way in. The house speciality is bakaliaro (salty cod fried in batter), served with a lethal garlic dip.
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To Berdema
Tucked in a quiet residential street, this modern taverna with an east-west fusion menu has a delightful garden courtyard. The light-shades made from graters hanging from the trees are part of the playful décor. You can’t miss the hotel – look for the pink glass façade.
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Biftekoupoli-George’s Steakhouse
Since George’s opened in 1951, a row of grill houses serving biftekia (tasty Greek burger-cum-meatballs) followed, earning the area the moniker biftekoupoli (burgerland). You’ll find great-value grilled meats, salads and appetisers here.
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H
Telis
It doesn’t get more basic than this fluoro-lit, bare-walled, paper-tableclothed Athens institution. Since the ‘70s, Telis has been slaving over the flame-grill cooking his famous pork chops to perfection. They go down nicely with the house wine or beer.
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I
Skoufias
A delightful taverna with tables across the road next to a church, Skoufias dishes up Cretan-style food and an eclectic selection of regional Greek cooking, including game and unusual dishes such as the hearty and tender pork kotsi (shank).
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Platanos
This village-style taverna with tables under the giant plane tree in the courtyard is popular among Greeks and tourists. It serves delicious home-style fare, such as oven-baked potatoes, lamb fricassee and beef with quince and summer greens.
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Taverna Tou Psyrri
One of Psyrri’s few remaining authentic tavernas, offering a range of tasty mayirefta (ready-cooked meals). It’s cheap and cheerful, with quirky murals and interesting old pictures on the walls to amuse you between courses.
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To Steki Tou Ilia
Ilia has earned almost celebrity status (and clients) for his lamb chops, sold by the kilo and grilled to perfection and served with the usual dips, chips and salads. In summer the outdoor tables next to the church are packed.
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M
Rozalia
A veteran family-run taverna, this place is popular for the huge courtyard garden with fans spraying water to keep you cool. Excellent-value grilled meats, traditional cooking and decent house wine ensure it’s always lively.
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Vyrinis
Just behind the old Panathenaic stadium, this popular neighbourhood taverna has had a modern makeover but maintains its essence and prices. There’s a lovely courtyard garden, simple traditional fare and decent house wine.
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Kriti
Down an innocuous old arcade, this tiny place is popular with nostalgic Cretans, students and those wanting some good-value traditional Cretan food, old-world ambience and fiery raki (Cretan fire water).
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Filippou
Bookings are recommended at this classic taverna in the Dexameni district. It’s always packed with locals enjoying the renowned home-style fare. There’s a courtyard and tables on the pavement across the road.
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Kotopoula Valsamakis
This busy taverna specialising in grilled chicken is a Kolonaki institution. It's right opposite the square - look for the rotisseries outside and the diners tucking into plates piled with chicken and chips.
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R
Nikitas
Locals swear by this old taverna that has been serving reasonably priced, refreshingly simple and tasty traditional food since well before Psyrri became trendy. It’s the only place packed during the day.
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Oikeio
With excellent home-style cooking, this cosy modern taverna in a sedate pocket of Kolonaki lives up to its name (‘homey’). Try the stuffed zucchini and other good-value traditional dishes.
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Karavitis
This no-frills, prewar neighbourhood taverna has a pleasant garden courtyard and a rustic barrel-filled dining room for winter. The wine is drinkable and the food good value and reliable.
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Miniatura
A quaint family-run little taverna tucked away in a side street, this is a great place for traditional home-style fare, with regularly changing daily specials at very reasonable prices.
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