Athens Restaurants
Dining in Athens is an experience to be enjoyed slowly and at length. Meals here are never rushed and an evening meal is considered a form of entertainment in itself. Athenians tend to dine late, with diners often not arriving at a restaurant until 22:00, and some places staying open until 02:00.
Where to eat
Dining establishments can be found all across the city and range from local tavernas serving traditional Greek delights to full-service upmarket restaurants with a range of international dishes on the menu. While ethnic cuisine is perhaps not as prevalent as in some other European cities, a limited but adequate selection of alternatives to Greek cuisine exist, while international fast-food outlets are also represented.
Most visitors will have their breakfast included with their hotel deal. Athenians traditionally eat lightly in the morning, with breakfast being accompanied by a strong cup of coffee. Lunch can be as light or heavy as you want and is normally eaten in the late afternoon, followed by a siesta.
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Local cuisine
The basis of the Greek diet finds its origins in the local products available, with cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, beans and vegetables featuring highly. With olives and lemons being the two biggest exports, it is no wonder they appear in most dishes, along with a selection of herbs and seasonings such as garlic, oregano, basil, mint and thyme.
Popular dishes to try include fava, a chickpea puree served hot with olive oil, onions and lemon juice; barbounia, or red mullet, often fried with garlic; and baklava, a sticky, honey-based pastry dessert to die for. Don’t miss out on an aperitif of ouzo to kick off your meal!
Head for Plaka for a good selection of tavernas, while central Athens and the neighbourhood of Thission offers cafés, bars and nightspots for dining, which are mainly concentrated in just a few blocks. Many restaurants offer traditional Greek music to accompany your meal. If you want to know a good restaurant from a bad one, pick one that is full of locals rather than tourists.