The 9 best traditional Greek restaurants
Barbadimos
EXCELLENT QUALITY DELICACIES
2 Georgiou Theotoki & Sachtouri Str., Piraeus, T. 210 4528500, www.barbadimos.gr
VIRAL
By Katerina Rigkou, Photos: Christos Triantafyllou
Started welcoming us to a culinary journey 7 years ago in Pasalimani, where Alexis and Depy decided to introduce to the Athenian crowd traditional flavors from Smyrna taught to them by their ancestors. The result? Nowadays, Barbadimos has 5 stores, prioritizing the respect to the client, the customized service, the excellent trained employees and, most of all, the love and care for this art of food. Famed for its exceptional kebab, it’s the store that revived the authentic old kebab-shops and with this innovation bears the “responsibility”of the trend that was followed up by many. Here you will find authentic Greek cuisine and authentic Greek salad. Better still… the aromas, the spices and the fine ingredients were blended together ideally producing the delicious dishes of the menu. From fluffy pies to fresh salads and main courses, such as slices sujuk, giaourtlou kebab and shish kebab (with pork), as well as skewers and wraps, you will find it hard to make a choice! Daily 12:00-01:00 (the kitchen).
Highlight
The brand new bronze ovens. Pies are prepared there à la minute upon request in front of the customer.
Extra addresses
2 Aigaiou Str. & Spathari Str., Nea Smyrni, Athens
51 Paraskevopoulou Str., Peristeri, Athens
76 Aghiou Georgiou Str. & Kritis, Korydallos, Athens
12-14 Mitropoleos Str., Syntagma, Athens
Mana’s Kouzina Kouzina (mom’s cuisine)
27 Aiolou Str., Athens, T. 210 3252335
Photo: @lens8Photography By Katerina Rigou
The repetition of the word “kouzina” (meaning cuisine) is not accidental. When it first opened, 3.5 years ago, the cooked Greek flavors were almost extinct and its idea was very innovative! To start a specific concept which it managed to transform into a brand, at the city center, in Aiolou Street, on the busy Aghias Eirinis Square. A clear concept implemented by a group of people headed by the owner and inspirer Stefanos Spathas and focused on the value of the Mediterranean nutrition and the authentic traditional recipes of the Greek cuisine originating from various parts of the country, utilizing the local products by small Greek producers and the customs which are connected to the gastronomy. All resulting to dishes which could have been created by a mother for her family. The seasonal menu by the chef Dimitris Aivaliotis suggests different cooked meals every day (offering 10 to 12 options), which we are able to select from the shop’s window case, self service lunch and dinner à la carte also with recipes of the Greek cuisine with clever twists. A Greek breakfast is also served everyday. All products have excellent quality, many of which are PDO certified, and healthy cooked, while daily we will find dishes of vegetables, meat, fish, beans, pies and soups (depending on the season). We particularly like the fact that despite its success it does not seize to amaze us with new surprises! It continuously develops new ideas which encompass quality, flavors and a special philosophy which maintain its high standards of Greek gastronomy. Daily 8:00-11:00 (breakfast),
12:00-18:00 (lunch), 19:00-00:00 (dinner).
Must taste
The pork neck in the clay pot, the pies and the mousaka with 7 different grilled vegetables!
Highlight
The effort and the exceptional success of Manas Kouzina Kouzina has already been distinguished and awarded by the Ministry with an Authentic Greek cuisine Certification.
Sousourada
44 Mavromichali Str., Exarchia, Athens, Τ. 210 3647936
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Giannis Papargyris
Lately, a wagtail flies around the underground area of Exarchia. It’s the namesake brand new hangout with a high-ceiling industrial space, showered in natural light throughout the day thanks to its wide glass windows, combining unpretentious atmosphere with quality food in affordable prices. Thus, a modern tavern open from early in the morning for good specialty coffee, juices and original breakfasts (such as sandwiches, omelets and poached eggs). However, its strong card is its imaginative meze composed of authentic flavors. Exceptional side dishes for tsipouro or wine, the Cretan rusk made of locust bean with mackerel fish, marinated anchovy and brown trout, an Atlantic bonito sashimi with botargo and the octopus carpaccio with crithmum, while recipes from its catalogue such as the “petoura” pasta with preserved pork and other dishes of the day celebrate the Greek tradition. For the end, handmade desserts offer the sweetest closure to an unexpected culinary experience. At the end of the day, give a date here for an evening cocktail from a list with a Greek twist! Non smoking space. Daily from 09:00 (13:00- 01:00 the kitchen).
Highlights
• More than 50 labels, including wine of their own production from the family vineyard, perfectly accompanying a large variety of Greek sausages and cheeses.
• The tables at the flowery walkway with a view of the urban landscape of the area.
Xrysa Xrysa
40 Aioleon Str. & Kallisthenous Str., Ano Petralona, Athens, Τ. 2130356879, Μ. 6974 141304
By Katerina Fotopoulou, Photos: John Calivas
With a history dating back to 1991, the legendary restaurant Xrysa Xrysa returned to Petralona, after a short stop to Kerameikos, to continue to intrigue our palates with its extraordinary flavors of the traditional Greek cuisine along with many imaginative creative choices! Responsible for this is Xrysa Protopapa, the first known female Greek chef, who is masterfully utilizing, with care and knowledge, pure ingredients which she daily gathers from the market and the small Greek producers to impress us with her culinary suggestions. She welcomes us at her favorite place, a space with industrial style, arty elements and dominant grey color to “treat” us to fine delicacies, able to mesmerize the most demanding palate. Strong trump cards are the recipes handed over to her from 3 generations of family cooking secrets originating from her roots in Minor Asia. From €15. Tue.-Sat. 18:00-00:00, Sun. 12:00- 20:00.
Must taste
The pepper fillet and the homemade gnocchi!
Kipos ton Troon
37 Troon Str., Petralona, Τ. 213 0303578
By Christos Aivaliotis, Photos: Maria Chatziioanidou
A road where the heartbeat of Petralona, this garden will give you an appetite right away! During winter gathers up its customers around its fireplace, while during summer, its rooftop opens to give us the opportunity to dine under the starry sky. In an oasis with a strong essence of an old Athenian tavern, friends and regulars mainly the young crowd of the town, hang out here to enjoy the delicacies of Greek cuisine seen through a creative eye! The divine chicken risotto or the tenderloin with madeira sauce and plums as well as its hip salads are only some of the reasons why you will adore it! Daily 13:00-02:00 (the kitchen 12:00-01:00).
Ηighlight
The space is also available for all kinds of social functions.
Foinikes
10 Vironos Str. & Aghias Varvaras Str., Aghia Varvara, Athens, T. 210 5611103,
6972 200618, www.oifoinWikes.gr
The family tavern that introduced us to “exotic” flavors!
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Eleanna Kourkoulopoulou
Hidden for 17 years in a quiet neighborhood in Aghias Varvaras Street, the family tavern Foinikes is not among the top secrets of the culinary scene of the city for nothing! Why? Because, the experienced in the food industry, Kostas Sarianoglou, managed to attract to the western suburbs citizens of various districts of Athens not only due to the high quality offered but also due to its eccentric menu. Next to a great space, which makes us feel as part of a big group of friends, it is also known for its traditional delicacies on the skew, with first and best the Ionian frigadeli (lamb liver wrapped in caul fat), kontosouvli, kokoretsi, fried pork, bekri meze with fresh fried potatoes and fresh salads. What makes it stand out, however, is the large variety of hunt. Along with quails and partridges, you will also find bison, ostrich, crocodile, kangaroo, zebra! As weird as it may sound, these exotic dishes, besides being a source of vitamins and nutrients of high nutritional value, are also extremely delicious. Even if you are reluctant at first, a delicious meze is worth ordering for everyone to taste. After all, the bison meat is similar to liver, the crocodile meat tastes like chicken or fish, while the zebra fillet resembles to tenderloin meat. As for the ostrich, one of the most normal and healthy meat, we assure you it easily competes in flavor with calf meat. All arrive at your table in fillets (from high quality farms) and masterfully prepared on grill. A culinary experience you must definitely have! Tues.-Sun. 18:00-01:00 (the kitchen).
Kyveli
15 Eptanisou Str., Kipseli, Athens, Τ. 210 8219406
By Christos Aivaliotis. Photos: Giannis Papargyris
A beloved hangout, although just completing its first year of presence in one of the tiniest and most beautiful squares of Athens, the Agiou Georgiou square, a few steps away from Fokionos Negri street. From the decoration to the menu, everything is dominated by a concept that balances between a tavern and a restaurant. Vintage and modern elements create a feeling of coziness, alongside the youthful team of owners and staff. Its tables, occupied by people from the theatre elite to students and old neighbors, are filled with traditional delicacies. A characteristic example is the omelette “froutalia” of Andros island and the sheep’s milk cheese talagani of Messinia, appetizers that lead us to taste exceptional meat, selected seafood as well as homemade dishes of the day based exclusively on Greek ingredients and offered in more than fair prices whilst enjoying the sounds of Greek traditional and rebetiko music. Tue.-Sun. 12:00-as late as it gets.
Highlight
• The fluffy deep fried zucchini-balls, the talagani cheese of Messinia with marmalade and the beef liver!
• The bulk wine and the fine spirits uplifting the delicacies and our mood.
• The delivery service with homemade meals daily on our doorstep (Tue.-Sun. 12:00 – 01:00).
Don’t miss
To choose a table on the square!
Steki toy Ilia
7 Thessalonikis Str. & 5 Eptachalkou Str., Athens, Τ. 210 3458052
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Giannis Papargyris
Although tucked away in a picturesque cobbled pedestrian street in Thissio, next to the train tracks and cityscape views, the Steki tou Ilia for three decades now has fed all of the good… Athens! It is also one of the few places that are still reminiscent of old Athenian neighborhods while simultaneously takes one mentally to a Greek island. In a scene from Greek movies, the recipe is known, simple and successful: An honest family restaurant, which serves homemade dishes with specialties among others the chops, cooked expertly, the burgers, the pluck, accompanied by homemade potatoes, spreads, fresh salads and bulk wine. Ilias Kolovis, after having passed from the best kitchens of the time, took over the first… Steki on Eptachalkou street (dating back to ’52) in a flowered courtyard next to the courtyard of St. Athanassios. Until today along with his children Chronis, Maria, Spyridoula and Aggeliki he keeps both restaurants, which are on the pedestrian street (its “sibling” is further down on Thessaloniki street), with the same quality and genuine atmosphere that we can rarely meet now. Daily 17:30-01:00 & weekends 12:00-01:00.
Ηighlights
• The generous meat platters.
• The tables under the flowering mulberries and Judas trees, an oasis in the summer evenings with the scents of the night flowers!
Kouvelos
66 Gennaiou Kolokotroni Str., Athens, Τ. 211 4052418
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Giannis Papargyris
White plastered walls, classic chairs, vintage mosaic on the floor and an amazing yard taking you back to old Athens, describe the atmosphere of a former refugee housing, which, since 2001, hosts the most historic tavern of Athens in a quiet neighborhood of Koukaki. In its 108 years of successful course, it has been a meeting point for good wine and soon also for authentic Greek cuisine! With Charalabos Vasiliadis now at the helm of the cuisine, its card proposes traditional recipes which stand out for their innovation, their homey taste and their emphasis on quality. No one misses out on the beef patty, the kid with olive & oregano and the cabbage beef rolls, while considered as its specialities are the roast beef and the giblets with mashed potatoes. A surprise at the end is the delicious pavlova with the fluffy meringue! Plus, a great list of organic wine. From €18. Tue.- Fri. 18:00-00:00, Sat. 13:00-00:00, Sun. 13:00-17:00. Monday closed.
Must try
The Caesarian pies and the homemade sausage of Drama.
Highlights
• Its Athenian flowery gravel yard, open during the sunny days.
• The hip music choices and the live gigs on winter weekends with piano and saxophone!
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