Food, Drink and Shopping

Food

Greek food is seriously good and the choices available in Athens are second to none. Head to a taverna to get a taste of traditional Greek fare in a friendly atmosphere. Alternatively, there are a number of good restaurants serving a combination of local dishes and more international choices.

Popular Greek delights include horiatiki salata (Greek Salad), mousaka (aubergine, mince meat and béchamel sauce), taramasalata (smoked cod's roe dip), kalamari (squid) and souvlakis, a pita bread filled with beef, lamb or pork, fresh salad and tsatziki (a cucumber, yoghurt and garlic sauce). Soulvaki's are best ordered from Soulvaki Shops where they come wrapped in paper which you peel away to reach the tasty goodness inside!

Loukamades are sweet treats a bit like donuts made from dough which is fried with honey. And for those who prefer savoury snacks then teeropita's (cheese pies) or spanakopita (spinach pies) fit the bill nicely. They also come with a variety of other fillings from zucchini to artichokes if you fancy something different.

Drink

Drink wise then you can find all the hot drinks you would normally expect, just have a browse to find a café that suits your needs. Many also serve good breakfast options if you're looking to fill your stomach before embarking on a hard days sightseeing!

Some areas to look out for in Athens for a good meal include: 

• Plaka - Right by the famous Acropolis this is taverna heaven with the chance to grab some traditional Greek dishes and take-away souvlaki.
• Kolonaki - This is an area in the centre brimming with international restaurants from French and Italian to Japanese.
• Psirri - A lively area with a number of good tavernas with outside seating to enjoy the warm evenings.
• Microlimano - The place to come for tasty seafood.
• Café Iroon - Come for good value mezedes (tapas style mini dishes).
• Rebecca Cafeneon - An unassuming restaurant which is popular, so don't leave it too late to get a table!

The number of restaurants and tavernas in Athens is huge and half the fun is discovering the best places yourself, but if you want somewhere to start then here are a few ideas: 

• Monastiraki - A taverna which has kept its rustic charm with no menu and a selection of tried and tested dishes.
• Edodi - Waiters walk around with dishes waiting to be cooked and you take your pick. Desserts here are superb!
• Orizontes - Chic restaurant on the top of Lykayittos with good seafood and excellent wine.

Shopping

Head to the centre of Athens for the best shopping experience, here you'll find many streets are pedestrianised so you can browse what's on offer in peace. Plaka and Monastiraki have a good selection of souvenir shops along with locals selling a wide range of imaginative products as well as the more traditional clothes and shoes.

Ermou Street is the place to go for a good selection of shops, stretching one kilometre through the city. Outlets you can find along the way include Benneton, Zara and the Bodyshop as well as local outlets. You'll also see street vendors and musicians which give the street a welcoming atmosphere.

Two more streets worth investigating include Eolou and Agiou Marou. Both are awash with shops selling clothes and fabrics as well as a number of cafes. And for trendy boutiques then the Kolonaki area is the place to be.

Athens Central Market is an ideal place to browse a range of local produce including spices, olives and cheese. Open Monday to Saturday there's ample opportunity to get yourself down there. But if you're around on a Sunday, don't worry, since you can visit the once weekly Flea Market at Ermou. Monastiraki Square also hosts one and is awash with unique items waiting to be bought.

Nightlife

If you're looking for nightlife in Athens then Psiri is an area which is worth exploring. During the day it's a quiet working class district but come nightfall the bars, cafes and restaurants liven up to offer a dynamic nightlife scene. The streets are awash with tables and life outside and inside the bars, ouzeries and restaurants there's a friendly vibe.

For trendy bars and restaurants then Kolonaki is the place, you can find it at the bottom of Lycabettus Hill.