Street Food Tour in Athens
If you want to experience a true street food tour in Athens , here's an immersive culinary tour. This gourmet tour will introduce you to authentic Athenian favorites while exploring the city's vibrant neighborhoods.
In this article, I'll take you on a journey to sample the best of Greek street food , designed for true foodies. Each stop is an authentic local favorite , beloved by Athenians themselves—far from the tourist traps!
If you like to discover a city with your taste buds , then you'll love a street food tour in Athens ! Here, every street corner has a delicious surprise in store for you: koulouri , the sesame-flavored crown-shaped bread that all Athenians nibble on first thing in the morning; tiropita , a flaky, melt-in-the-mouth pastry filled with cheese; or beef souvlaki , generous and fragrant.
And don't forget the sweet treats: halva , sweet and delicate, or loukoumades , those little golden doughnuts covered in honey. A Street Food Tour in Athens is a journey of flavors, between tradition and modernity, not to be missed. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable sensory experience with this Street Food Tour in Athens !
A gourmet start to a street food tour in Athens with a Greek café
1. A roll at “To Koulouri tou Psyrri”
• Address: 23 Karaiskaki, Psirri, 105 54
• Specialty: Koulouri (sesame bread ring, crunchy and soft at the same time).
• Why here?: A typical bakery still in its original state. It's one of the bakeries that supplies all the small Koulouri vendors in the city; you can see the delivery scooters in front.
>> If they have some, also take rings with sunflower seeds (sunflower), they are incredible!
2. Greek Coffee at “ Styl & Cafe Ltd ”
• Address: Ag. Anargiron 12, Athina 105 54, Greece
• Specialty: Real Greek coffee
• Why here?: Local experience on the terrace.
Authentic Greek coffee at “Mokka Specialty Coffee”
• Address: Athinas 44, Varvakios Market
• Specialty: Greek coffee briki (slowly brewed on hot sand). For a local experience in a market atmosphere.
How to drink Greek coffee?
Greek coffee is best enjoyed slowly, not in one gulp, as there is a thick residue left at the bottom. First, you'll be asked how much sugar you'd like? None at all, a little, or a lot. Once it's in front of you, blow on the foam to make it disappear, and drink in small sips... Don't drink all the way through, and leave the residue at the bottom of the cup.
Is Greek coffee strong?
Greek coffee isn't particularly strong. It really kick-starts the day. Greeks enjoy it and often enjoy it with friends at the local cafe before starting their workday.
The essential Greek street food
3. Tiropita at “ Bougatsadiko Psirri”
• Where?: Pl. Iroon 1, Athina 105 54, Greece
• Specialty: Tiropita ( ultra crispy puff pastry with feta cheese) is the Greek snack at 11 a.m.
• Why here?: Greeks' favorite snack for a quick bite.
We returned (the next day) to this address to taste the delicious salty cheese bougatsa and the spinach spanakopita, which is also very good. These two specialties are an iconic and unmissable Greek dish.
Understanding the rhythm of Greek life to better enjoy street food
To fully enjoy a Street Food Tour in Athens , you must first adapt to the very particular rhythm of the Greeks . Here, there is no point in looking for a lunch break at midday: this moment does not really exist! The day often begins with a café frappé accompanied by a koulouri , ideal for a gentle start. Around 11 a.m., when hunger sets in, it is the tiropita that comes into play, this tasty cheese pie that we enjoy on the go. The real meal, however, arrives much later, around 4 p.m. , after the workday. And dinner? It is taken quietly around 9 p.m. , in a friendly atmosphere. This unique way of life makes each Street Food Tour in Athens even more authentic, immersing you in the heart of local daily life.
4. Cheese and cold cuts at “Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani”
• Address: Sokratous 1, Psiri
• Specialty: Plate of Greek cheeses and homemade pastrami.
• Why here?: For a gourmet break with typical flavors.
Here, charcuterie is invited to the table! A counter full of savory delicacies , with a restaurant area next door. Surprising at first glance , this Greek concept beautifully blends tradition and conviviality : the ideal place to savor charcuterie and cheeses in a warm atmosphere.
5. Souvlaki at “Volvi Souvlaki”
• Address: Evripidou 24-26, Athina 105 51
• Specialty: Beef souvlaki in soft pita bread.
• Why here?: One of the most traditional souvlaki to eat on the go, in the authentic atmosphere of the market halls.
6. Varvakios Market (Central Market of Athens)
• Address: Athinas Street, between Omonia and Monastiraki
• To see/taste: Kalamata olives, Greek cheeses (feta, graviera), pastourma (spicy charcuterie).
• Why here?: The heart of Athenian gastronomy, perfect for tasting raw products.
7. Loukoumades at “Krinos”
• Address: Aiolou 87, Athens
• Specialty: Loukoumades (honey and cinnamon doughnut).
• Why here?: An institution since 1923, perfect for finishing your meal with a traditional treat.
Discover local flavors through a street food tour in Athens
Other street food to eat in Athens:
Peinirli (Greek boat-shaped pizza, topped with cheese and meat).
Loukaniko (Greek smoked sausage, often flavored with orange or herbs.)
Patatokeftedes (Fried potato croquettes, sometimes with herbs or feta.)
Kalamarakia tiganita Crispy, salty, fried calamari. Enjoy with your fingers on the edge of a busy square.
Halva (Greek nougat often with pistachios)
Ouzo (digestif comparable to Ricard)
Frappé coffee (cold coffee that Greeks drink at all hours of the day)
Culinary tour through the cobbled streets of Athens
Take change, some vendors don't take cards.
Wear comfortable shoes, Athens has many cobblestone streets.
Eat slowly and share, so you can taste a little of everything.
This tour allows you to discover the essence of Athenian street food in one day, with a true local immersion.
