A trip to Athens leaves a huge impression on your taste buds. Packed with fresh ingredients, bags of flavour, and made with passion, Greek cuisine is the very taste of sublime satisfaction.

The Greeks love eating and the Grecian love for food is well known all over the world. I firmly believe if you want to experience the heart-beat of its culture it can be found in a bowl. Their cuisine is all about a variety of tastes, aromas, flavours, colours and textures. Often recipes are passed down through generations and there is a joy that comes from preparing and sharing food. This culture of sharing is shown in their meze, small plates usually consisting of dolma, saganaki, tzatziki and meatballs served before the main course and enjoyed by all.

In fact, they’re so passionate about their food that it is believed that Archestratus, a Greek poet and a connoisseur of food, is said to have written the first cookbook in 350 B.C. And whilst I might not be a poet or a cookbook author, I do pride myself on my love for food (some might say gluttony) and that’s why a trip to Athens was like a marriage made in heaven.

The seafood was so fresh I could almost envisage being out at sea, every tomato was like it had just been plucked off the vine, and every olive cut straight from the tree.

What I came to realise is that there’s so much more to Greek food than simply tasting good. It’s a way of life and it’s one of the healthiest in the world. These attributes ensured its place on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List which works to safeguard and promote important cultural aspects of humankind.

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a nutritional model that has remained constant over time and space, consisting mainly of olive oil, cereals, fresh or dried fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of fish, dairy and meat, and many condiments and spices, all accompanied by wine or infusions, always respecting beliefs of each community ~ UNESCO

My knowledge of Greek food was deepened during a food tour with a company called Withlocals. Together with a local I ate my way around the city, visiting markets, cafes and speciality shops. Not only was I introduced to new flavours, culinary traditions and areas of the city I would otherwise have missed, I received some stellar restaurant recommendations that I’d now like to share with you.

One thing is for sure, a trip to Athens can transform the way you look at food and how you cook at home. I assure you, if you try some of these suggestions, they’ll leave you wagging your tail like a puppy with a new bone.

Explore the Markets

What better way to experience local life than by heading to Athens Central Market? Located just a short walk from the Roman Forum on Athinas Street, it’s the largest market in the Greek capital. Bustling with energy, this market provides a mini adventure for food lover’s who wish to buy raw ingredients as well as taste local, seasonal offerings at the delicatessens created by those who have been honing their craft for years.

Much of it is devoted to fish or meat, with stalls featuring fresh nuts, fruit and vegetables, and regional olives and spices. It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs or typical Greek condiments for your kitchen.

As well as Central Market, the city has many Laiki Agoras, smaller street markets that are comparable to farmer’s markets in the UK. They are held on a variety of streets throughout the city every day of the week and are considered an important tradition in maintaining the social tapestry of the local community.

Typically, and perhaps surprisingly, given their clear love for food, Athenians don’t eat very much for breakfast. People will usually grab a koulouri, which is a bread ring covered in sesame that can be found at Laiki Agoras or street vendors hitched up in almost every corner of the city.

Greek dishes you must try

No matter where you are in Athens, some dishes should simply not be missed. I’ve tried to include a little of everything to appease both meat eaters and vegetarians.

Snacks & Sides

Whether you’re grabbing food on the go, or you’re selecting some side dishes to accompany your main, these are some of the most well-loved and popular among Greeks.

Spanakopita

This savoury, flaky combination of spinach, feta and phyllo dough can be gobbled up for breakfast, as an on-the-go snack, or during pre-dinner appetisers. Linguists out there might be interested to know that all Greek pie names end with “pita”, which means “pie”: Tiropita, Kreatopita, Galatopita and so forth.

Kolokythokeftedes

If you’re a bit of a cheese monster, it’s safe to say you’ll love kolokythokeftedes. They are essentially grated greens, feta and herbs rolled into balls and fried. It’s not the healthiest way to eat your greens but who care when they’re so tasty?!

Dolmades

A great vegetarian appetiser made from tender vine leaves wrapped into little rolls and stuffed with rice and fresh herbs. They are typically part of a meze and served with a squeeze of lemon juice and some thick creamy yogurt.

Gyro

A bit like a kebab, a gyro is a typical Greek sandwich. It consists of pieces of meat (usually chicken, pork, lamb or beef) cooked on a rotisserie and wrapped in a flatbread or pita along with salad, onions and a variety of sauces. Vegetarian versions can include grilled halloumi or falafel instead of the meat.

Main dishes

Now what you’ve really been waiting for….

Chtapodi sti Schara

Grilled octopus is a classic Greek dish that is usually associated with coastal areas and Greek islands. When served, it is typically sliced and seasoned with olive oil, a drizzle of lemon, and a sprinkle of oregano. That’s all there is to this dish, but I usually find simple food is always best and stands the test of time beyond any trend!

Moussaka

Moussaka is to Greeks what Lasagne is to Italians and Bangers ‘n’ Mash to Brits – that is to say, it’s the ultimate comfort food.

One of Greece’s most loved dishes. It’s a true medley of fantastic flavours when moussaka is baked to perfection. Few dishes in the world combines the spiced essence of minced meat, soft tasteful eggplant and the creamy richness of béchamel sauce. If there’s one Greek dish that you’ll want to cook for yourself at home, it has to be Moussaka. As many of you will probably already know, it tastes even better the following day too!

Melitzanes Papoutsakia

Extra juicy and absolutely delicious! This aubergine based traditional Greek dish will certainly have your taste buds dancing with delight. Melitzanes papoutsakia receives its name from the resemblance of its shape with little shoes – it literally translates to ‘little eggplant shoes’. The taste and the ingredients are very similar to those used for moussaka. It’s a great alternative if you fancy laying off the carbs for a meal.

And for something sweet

Even if you’re a savoury person, everyone needs a little bite of something sweet…

Baklava

Baklava is a beautiful pastry with light, flaky layers of crust and a sweet filling, drenched in a light syrup. This delicious pastry is made in every corner of every region in Greece and comes in a variety of different shapes and designs.  My favourite consists of pistachio and I treated myself to it a lot whilst I was in Athens!

Favourite Restaurants in Athens

Atitamos

If you’re a fan of home-cooked unpretentious food it doesn’t get any better than Atitamos. It has everything you want from a Greek restaurant – traditional meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes, all at a very affordable price with a side of unbeatable Greek hospitality. I still dream about the fasolada (bean soup) and Chtapodi sti Schara (grilled octopus). My advise: go on an empty stomach.

Manh Manh

For something a little more fancy and indulgent book a table at Manh Manh. After climbing a flight of stairs you are greeted with understated decor and friendly, professional service. Each dish was perfectly presented, great balance of flavours with a modern clean presentation. The real experience of Manh Manh is seeing how it pulls off a contemporary twist to traditional dishes. The fish fillet with bean puree in orange sauce flavoured with coriander is a must.

BlueFish Athens

Got a weakness for seafood? Make your way to BlueFish restaurant and choose from a wide selection of fish dishes. The fish of the day is so fresh it’s like it has just been caught straight from the line. Oysters, prawns and octopus are all available on the menu, so the really difficult part is trying to decide what to have. I suggest the thinly sliced, sea bream carpaccio with a drizzle of olive oil for starters and for mains the delectable Scorpion fish linguini with chunky bits of fish for your main. I promise, you’ll be purring like a kitten after one bite.

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If my suggestions have left you feeling hungry for more, why not make Athens your next holiday destination?