Its narrow winding streets, neoclassical buildings, quaint cafes, and pastel-coloured houses combine to make this one of the most picturesque districts in Athens. Best Cafes in Plaka . Answer 1 of 13: Will be in Athens for the day on a cruise and would love some recommendations for a great Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka area please? From Athens Airport, the best way to get to Plaka is to take the metro all the way to Syntagma Square. We also ordered calamari, which was not on the tray. Greek Food | The Official Athens Guide - This is Athens Theres a wood-fired oven (used for baking pies), and a fresh herb bed for seasoning their dishes. Hadrians Library is a grand, colonnaded structure that sits at the border of Plaka and Monastiraki. As the name suggests, the innovative restaurant boasts creative interpretations of classic gourmet dishes. Where: Falirou 10, Athina 117 42, Greece. After meeting business partner Dimitris, they launched a colourful, open kitchen greek tapas restaurant in the Nea Filadelfia area, where Greek meze and their Spanish cousin, tapas, converge in a delectable combo. Athens Tourism Athens Accommodation Athens Bed and Breakfast Athens Holiday Rentals Athens Holiday Packages Athens Flights Athens Restaurants The Agora is almost hidden from view and it is tricky to spot even if you walk along the streets directly adjacent to it. Better still, the owner trained beneath renowned Italian pastry and gelato chefs Iginio Massari and Francesco Palmieri. They have a set price for a set number of mezhe + wine or soft drink + bread etc for 14 euros per person. Hytras Chef Chef Tassos Manti prepares an ever-changing menu of Greek recipes that have an innovative twist. It serves traditional "mezedes", wine and ouzo as well as a few vegetarian dishes. Theyll probably opt for the more recognisable scoops like cookies and cream, vanilla from Madagascar, or banana toffee. The prime sights are, of course, the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. The vast selection can be daunting, but you can ask the servers for their expert recommendations. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46330118', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Greece! This is one of the best places for lunch in Athens. What better assurance do you need that their Lesvos cuisine is excellent and authentic? Friends we were with liked this restaurant on a previous visit to Athens. You could quite safely say that there is no such thing as a bad Athenian restaurant. Yet this cosy local haunt is tucked away down an alleyway. If youve never tried a Greek coffee, this is where you should order one. Ask for the off-menu tapas of the day and get ready to shout OPA-OLE! Fifteen years after the original, the truck version has arrived to serve souvlaki made exclusively with products from Mani: meat, oil, cheese, saltall straight from the motherland. Wow it's a real hot favourite on the boards here! Most of the coffee shops and cafes in Plaka are undeniably touristy. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Start with a refreshing summer bostani salad from Limnos island and some flavourful Greek mushroom cabbage rolls. Mavro Provato (Black Sheep in Greek) is a popular little spot on the outskirts of Pagrati. This is a great place to come with friends and share an array of meat dishes, fresh salads, kolokithokeftedes and fresh fried potatoes topped with fresh tomato sauce and cheese. Athens. The best meals can be found in some of the most unsuspecting places. 2. During the day, you can sightsee right from your seat, with an iced coffee and a slice of freshly baked pie. Theres more seating up on the tumbledown roof garden. . Many old Islamic buildings still remain from this period of history. The New Hotel is an elegant accommodation choice that sits just outside the centre of Plaka. Plaka boasts several excellent bouzoukias. The specialties here are the flaming sausages and trout. There are over 1,200 instruments on display here, including a number of obscure items that are no longer in use today. But if youre up for something more complicated, tell the bartenders if youre a sweet or sour person, what spirits you prefer, and theyll shake you up a delicious cocktail. This was originally referred to as the wheat market mosque owing to its location near the Ottoman grain cellars. The cheese-stuffed keftedes: homemade burger patties filled with melted cheese, are just as sumptuous and sinful. You can of course find all of your favourite classic ice cream flavours here. The only thing to note is that Plaka bouzoukis are slightly more expensive than those in neighborhoods such as Pangrati or Vyronas. The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments is free to enter and discusses how Greek music has evolved over the last 5,000 years. Funky Gourmet is the proud owner of two Michelin stars. Best Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka? - Athens Forum Scroll down on the column on the left. This place combines decadent desserts with a cosy, homely atmosphere. The 11th-century churches of Ayios Nikolaos Ragavas and Ayios Ioannis Theologos are particularly beautiful. Among the best dishes are the meatballs with sauce, bekri meze and tourloumpouki. Prepare to encounter a new species of souvlaki. For most locals, La Greche is the go-to place for ice cream when they are in the city centre. Even if you havent been here yet, youve definitely seen a photograph of this bar. If you opt for the latter, you can enjoy the quintessentially Greek fava bean puree, with warm homemade bread, and bouyiourdi (baked halloumi with veggies). An Athens walking tour is a great way to get your bearings when you first arrive in the Greek capital. The squares shaded cafs are a popular meeting point and offer just enough quiet for some inspired journalling, much like Lord Byron who penned part of Childe Harolde here. Many festivals and live music events are hosted at Onassis Cultural Centre during the summer months. Safe travels! In some ways, Plaka feels like an island retreat in the midst of a chaotic city. Even if you follow a vegetarian/vegan diet or you struggle with food intolerance, you will be able to find plenty of places that accommodate you here. Ideal for a coffee during a morning stroll or a Greek meze later on in the day (Mnisikleous 24) . Proximity to the local sites is one major factor. Tables are few and fill up fast. Not everything in Plaka has to be about tzatziki and moussaka. We wandered around for awhile trying to find this place and finally did. Elliot. The chefs here combine ingredients that appear to be obscure pairings. Equally worthwhile is To Perivoli TOuranou. And tells you where to eat and drink. Keftedakia meatballs served with potatoes, sausage, and onion casseroles (spetzofai), and meat-filled dolmas adorn the menu. Everything on the menu is prepared on-site. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46320013', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Athens for the day on a cruise and would love some recommendations for a great Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka area please? Thank you :) Athens. However the evening was spoiled by the surly, unfriendly attitude of the waiter. Their interiors are decorated with vibrant Byzantine frescoes that depict various scenes from the bible. The atmosphere and the setting of the restaurant are every bit as sophisticated and elegant as the menu. Its easy to imagine a time when this area was dotted with similar statues, erected by art patrons as a symbol of their support for ancient Greek drama, staged at the nearby theatre of Dionysus. This is charged at no extra cost to you. Where: Epicharmou 1, Athina 105 58, Greece. Generous mixed grills and sharing platters are among Sphkas highlights. The Benizelou Mansion is the oldest house in Athens. Hugging the base of the Acropolis, the area extends from Filomousson Square, roughly at the intersection of Kidathinaion and Adrianou Streets, down to Monastiraki. Wow it's a real hot favourite on the boards here! Answer 11 of 13: Will be in Athens for the day on a cruise and would love some recommendations for a great Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka area please? We sat at a table right by the road. Anafiotikas boundaries are loosely marked by two 17th-century churches: Agios Georgios tou Vrahou (St George of the Rock) on the east and Agios Simeon on the west. It is one of the most important sites that still exists from the Roman occupation of Southern Greece. Source: Samot / shutterstock. Eating out in Greece is not all that different from dining out in most countries around the world. Ive lived here since 2017 and would be happy to answer any queries that you may have. There are a handful of shaded tables on the pavement, overlooking the courtyard of the Byzantine Metamorphosis church. These places usually attract more Greeks than tourists. 120 Adrianou street is home to a quaint little ouzo store that stocks more variations of ouzo than any other shop in Athens. Head to Vassilenas if you want to treat yourself to lavish dining during your Athens vacation This is an exquisite fine dining restaurant that has been passed down through the generations of a local family for centuries. Available in six variations, we suggest the moussaka variety; their star dish with cured pork and fig puree; or for more adventurous palates, the veal tail pocket. Typical souvlaki sauce, tzatziki, has been swapped for a spicy yoghurt sauce with chives. Be sure to book. When Callicrates and Ictinus designed the Parthenon, they set out to create perfection. You won't be able to stop yourself from snapping photos in Anafiotika. If youre craving something sweet, go for the traditional baklava with olive oil and honey or the chocolate and biscuit mosaic cake. Photographs of Melina and her friends hang on the walls and you can leaf through books about her life. Top chef Christophoros Peskias (of Balthazar and 48 The Restaurant fame) has created a hotspot where classic cuisine meets contemporary global gastronomy trendsand where some of the tastiest traditional products on your plate can be purchased to take home. Step inside and youll instantly realise why this caf-bistro is named Melina. Small Wonders: Modern Greek Meze Steps Up to the Plate. This part of town is brimming with history. Anafiotikas boundaries are loosely marked by two 17th-century churches: Agios Georgios tou Vrahou (St George of the Rock) on the east and Agios Simeon on the west. Consider taking the funicular to the top to avoid getting hot and flustered before your meal. Under the shade of the centuries-old plane tree, accompany your meal with a Greek tipple like tsikoudia from Crete or smoked tsipouro, and close strong with the sweet and salty milk-pie called tres-leches. Remoutsiko is a lively traditional tavern that is such a hit among locals that it requires an advanced reservation most days of the week. Its all about the laid-back atmosphere and incredible setting, rather than the food. Where: Leof. From traditional Greek food to old-school cafs, here's where to eat and drink in Plaka. Choose from the brandies, 50 flavours of liqueur (ranging peppermint to watermelon), ouzos, rakomelo (hot raki with honey and cinnamon). Have to agree with Scholarchio. But do give yourself time to visit smaller gems that highlight less familiar aspects of Greek culture, like the Museum of Greek Folk Art, the Folk Instruments Museumand the fine private art and antiquities collections at the Frissiras and CanellopoulosMuseums. Our meal at Sholarhio was adequate, but nothing more. I, too, discovered this place via the wonderful (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Scholarchio: Best meze in Plaka - See 1,605 traveler reviews, 840 candid photos, and great deals for Athens, Greece, at Tripadvisor. But it can happen in restaurants around the Acropolis, Plaka, and other areas that are frequented by tourists. It is set inside an adorable 19th-century building and serves dishes that are prepared with fresh produce from across Greece. Saita is a rare exception. The staff will present you with a spiced Turkish tea, and a serving of loukoumi. Hammam visitors would sit inside a marble steam room as a way to indulge in a little R&R at the end of the day. The whole place looks like its been set up to shoot a period movie. Thank you :) Athens. Most establishments have games available for you to borrow. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic, though you should still keep a watchful eye for a . Athens Tourism Athens Hotels Athens Bed and Breakfast Athens Holiday Rentals Athens Packages Flights to Athens Athens Restaurants Athens Attractions Athens Travel Forum Half portions are still pretty huge. Plaka (Athens) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) Where: Akti Koumoundourou 52, Piraeus 104 35. However, these are in the minority. From Plaka, you can continue onwards to nearby Thissio, Monastiraki, and Psyri. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. It is the brainchild of Manos Zournatzis and five other respected Greek chefs. She writes for numerous high profile travel publications across the globe - including Forbes Travel Guide, Matador Network, The Times of Israel and The Huffington Post. Youve come to the right place! Here, the days latest catches are served fresh in a beautiful seafront setting. Be sure to make a reservation if there are a few of you. However, it should be noted that some of the independent jewelry stores here add their markup on account of their design efforts and branding. It once belonged to an Athenian noble family and has since been transformed into a living museum. 7 Things You Must Do And See In Plaka, Athens - Culture Trip This is not common in Greece. Countless cured meats, cheeses, dairy products, and homemade baked goods await behind the various counters. Keep in mind that Orizontes is at the peak of Lycabettus. The outdoor tables are set under one of the most photographed bougainvilleas in the city. Cats seem to perch everywhere, lace-trimmed curtains ripple in the breeze, the smell of fresh laundry fills the air, and pocket-sized yards are crowded with clay and tin planters brimming with flowers and herbs. The magic of this place is its location. Thanks for understanding. However, the area possesses something of a rugged, edgy charm. Athens Tourism Athens Hotels Athens Bed and Breakfast Athens Vacation Rentals Flights to Athens Athens Restaurants Athens Attractions Athens Travel Forum Athens Photos You can ask the in-house Sommelier to suggest the perfect wine pairings for the various tasting menus. Strolling through the quaint streets of Plaka means that you are literally following in the footsteps of some of the worlds most notable historical figures. Alternatively, you may use, Hotel Grande Bretagne, A Luxury Collection Hotel. You will discover restaurants, bakeries, and areas that you are not likely to find independently. Location and information here: http://www.scholarhio.gr/english/index.php ( open all day long, from 11am till 2am ). The small bell that hangs inside the temple was the only one available to ring in 1833 to summon the end of nearly 400 years of Ottoman occupation. E-food and Wolt are the Greek answer to Uber Eats. Exarchia is Athens alternative neighbourhood. Maybe you squeezed in a quick tour of the Acropolis, but then you caught that flight or ferry heading to Santorini or Mykonos. Experienced chefs are revamping the genre from the ground up, with exceptional ingredients and unpredictable results. Also included in this Google map for a better location pinpoint: http://tinyurl.com/AthensEats-English . Half Spanish chef Miltos Armenis was on the verge of quitting the country, when fate and quarantine caught up with him. The site is surrounded by trees and greenery. At Da Vinci, the ice cream is freshly made on a daily basis, preservative-free and the line up of flavours is impressive, not to mention delicious. The atmosphere here is particularly special at night. Kebabtzidikon Kir Aristos is an Athens institution. 10 years ago Save Scolarchio is a classic for mezedhes and i 'd definitely suggest it. This is a former convent with close links to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Both are more special than their names may imply. However, it is not uncommon for locals to go out to eat as late as 22.00 pm. AthensWas Hotel is one of the best luxury choices in Athens. Tavernas are in plentiful supply across Greece. There are plenty of wonderful patisseries and dessert spots scattered through Athens. It is set inside an old neoclassical mansion. Athens Tourism Athens Hotels Athens Bed and Breakfast Flights to Athens Athens Restaurants Things to Do in Athens Athens Travel Forum The kitchen is open plan so you can watch and learn while you wait. It was built by people from the island of Anafi after the Greeks gained their independence from the Ottoman empire. Finish your street food tour with sweet memories of scrumptious desserts and a special ice cream. Many of these are products of designated origin and cannot be produced outside of the country. Full portions are often monstrously huge and you could spend an entire week eating them. Senses menu changes according to the season. The northern suburb of Chalandri is known for its vibey bars and vibrant restaurants. Sorolop is an excellent ice cream and pastry store located in the heart of punky Exarchia. The wine list contains an extensive selection of Greek and international wines. The minimums for delivery are usually pretty low (think 5 euros or so) and delivery is typically free. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Originally, the church belonged to the Ragavas household, a great Byzantine family, as was noted on an inscription found on a column during maintenance work in the 1970s. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) This is Athens. However, the food is of excellent quality, and the portions are large. At the corner of Prytaniou Street and the steps of Epiharmou, this small 11th-century domed church creates an interesting juxtaposition with the Acropolis rising behind it. It is located just a short walk away from the Acropolis in Athens Psiri district. However, the sort of "dim sum" type of food preparation resulted in dishes that seemed like they sat too long before arriving at your table. Greeks themselves usually just round up or leave a couple of coins. The structure looks incredibly decadent and grand from the outside. Go traditional, even clich here. However, they are well worth the journey. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of a bouzoukia, these are taverna-style establishments that serve food and drinks. However, a few things that you may wish to consider when visiting restaurants and tavernas in Athens are detailed below. The menu options showcase various specialty fishes from different regions of Greece. Scolarchio is a classic for mezedhes and i 'd definitely suggest it. Here you can share meze platters with your friends, and sip ouzo as folk music plays over loudspeakers. Think sumptuous pasta masata from Folegandros prepared with marinated beef, black truffles, mushrooms, and kefalotiri cheese. 14 May 2020 View Plaka is one of the most ancient settlements in Europe, with a history of more than 3.500 years. Inside Athens burgeoning street art scene, There's creativity at every turn in the Greek capital, http://www.scholarhio.gr/english/index.php. Food aside, Eleas Gi is renowned for its scenic terraces. Best Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka? - Athens Forum Visitors can opt to enjoy a la carte dining or seasonal lunch menus. These are sufficient for one person. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Seychelles can be found at the corner of Keramikou and Academou where it faces Avdi Square. Second, because the wiz behind itElvi Dimitris Zybahas been tapped by Michelin as a chef to watch. It is loved by locals and tourists alike. .. Athens. Tradition is everything here. They boast a somewhat eerie, ethereal atmosphere when you pass them on a warm Athenian evening. The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It has been divided into categories based on restaurant type. In ancient times, the street was packed with many similar monuments erected by wealthy sponsors of the drama festivals at the nearby Theatre of Dionysus as a symbol of their patronage. A few of them are located a little way out of the city centre. The restaurant is situated in an old neoclassical mansion. Look out for the Temple of Hephaestus. The typical way to eat loukoumades is to cover them in a sinfully sweet honey syrup, a sprinkling of cinnamon, and some chopped nuts. One of the highlights of eating here is the open kitchen. Their yoghurtlu kebab is to die for. Address: Makrigianni 19-21, Athens 117 42 Greece ( Map) Telephone: +30 21 0921 2280. .. Lunch is typically eaten between 15.00 and 16.30 pm. Where: Pl. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Feel free to reach out to me via the comments below. Answer 11 of 13: Will be in Athens for the day on a cruise and would love some recommendations for a great Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka area please? This charming restaurant focuses on classic Greek recipes and the concept of enjoying home-cooked meals just like yiayia (grandma) used to make. To Kafeneio. This is a contemporary art gallery with ever-changing exhibits from local and European artists. To Kafeneio is a popular local taverna. It is a good idea to book online in advance to reserve your place. Plaka is one of Athens most central neighbourhoods. This adorable Scandinavian-style bistro is perpetually crowded with remote workers and trendy Pagrati locals. The eight-sided tower was constructed by Andronicus of Cyrrhus, a Macedonian astronomer. Of course, you could just go for a glass of Greek wine. Where: Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, Athens 117 42. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46321653', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Greece! A lot are designed in unique and quirky styles. For quirky coffee shops teeming with character head to the Kimolia Art Cafe, Cafe Melina, or Yiasemi. This includes the likes of Sofia Loren, Winston Churchill, and T.S. You will also find a lot of jewelry stops. Athens Tourism Athens Hotels Athens Bed and Breakfast Athens Holiday Rentals Athens Packages Flights to Athens Athens Restaurants Athens Attractions Athens Travel Forum Different regions of Greece have different specialty meats and cheeses. These are two of Athens most famous Greek alcohol stores. The Top Restaurants In Plaka, Athens - Culture Trip At Barbounaki, he makes his culinary art accessible to all. Karamanlidika is a Greek deli and restaurant that sits across from Miran. WHERE TO EAT IN ATHENS - The Authentic Guide by Why Athens This historical region once doubled as a marketplace and a popular rendezvous point among locals. Marinated meats and steaks are grilled over open spits. It was fun to watch the world go by, and to pick from the 18 dishes. Greek cuisine is not known for its desserts. Where: Paramythias 13, Salaminos, Athina 104 35. A lot of the charm of the Psaras Fish Tavern is owed to its location. Nancys Sweet Home attracts tourists and locals alike. This enables your tastebuds to go on an adventure all over Greece even if your schedule only allows you enough time to see Athens. A selection of reputable Athens and Plaka walking tours is detailed below for your consideration. The deli is situated on the colourful Evripidou street, close to Athens Central Market. The taverna gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Scholarchio is a central Athens eatery that has been adored by Athenians for generations. Greek Food Restaurants Small Wonders: Modern Greek Meze Steps Up to the Plate Greek Food Restaurants 5 Fabulous Dine-In Delis in Athens Greek Food Shopping Restaurants Koutoukia: The Underground Tavernas of Athens Greek Food Winter Cheap Eats Restaurants Seasonal Guide 10 Classic Greek Dishes You Must Eat in Athens Greek Food Restaurants Orizontes Lycabettus is an exquisite fine dining restaurant that can be found adjacent to Agios Georgios church at the top of Lycabettus Hill. You can find every gift item imaginable here from the cheap and cheerful to more ornate, artisanal handicrafts. We ate on a large outside porch where we enjoyed watching a variety of tourists and residents out for Friday evening. It is worth coming up here for the views alone. After we ordered beverages, the waiter arrived with a large tray of small plates from which we selected our food. Best Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka? - Athens Forum Best Greek meze restaurant for lunch in the Plaka? - Athens Forum Athens Ikon is a luxurious family accommodation property in the center of Athens, in the Plaka area, next to Syntagma Square, Ermou shopping street an. It is probably no surprise that Plaka is one of the most popular Athenian districts among tourists. Ordering a hearty slab of cake or an indulgent slab of choco pie here comes with the assurance that everything is fresh. To the uninitiated, a meze session usually amounts to numerous small portions of low cost, easy to assemble food, served in saucers: a sort of mouth entertainment, if you like, that keeps you in the moment and symbolises abundance. Where: Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, Athina 117 42, Greece. Located under the Acropolis, its charming atmosphere is spread all around the narrow streets, the ancient ruins, the Byzantine temples and the renovated neoclassical buildings. Try the "fava" dip a glass of white wine or a beer. The best Athens restaurants have been divided into the below sections. It is a very pleasant place to enjoy lunch and dinner as you dine to the background of old bouzouki music. Where: Emmanouil Benaki 38, Athina 106 78. Packed day and night, the setting is so quaint and Plaka-esque, you could sit there for hours just taking it all in. Despite the move, the establishment has not lost any of its charms. One of the highlights of visiting Anafiotika is the incredible panoramic views that can be enjoyed from up here. Kids will love the choice of cones, dipped in colourful sprinkles. You may be expected to share a table with locals and be served carafes of wine directly from the barrel. Athens. Both dishes are well worth a try. Right from inception, mezes purpose was to be shared, and of course, to accompany alcohol (in particular, ouzo and tsipouro). Scholarchio is a bustling Plaka taverna that sits hidden away down one of the alleyways that veer off from Plakas main streets. Where: Leof. The Museum of Pavlos and Alexandra Kanellopoulou is very much worth visiting if you are interested in Greek history.